Curator’s statement
Beyond the marble memorials and historic museums, DC is a city of thinkers. That intellectual energy is alive in our local bookstores and hidden literary gems. Next time you’re in town, skip the typical tourist stops for a while and duck into one of our famed booksellers to discover your next favorite book.
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Where to stay in Washington DC
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Things to do in Washington DC
Library of Congress
Capitol Hill Books is a used bookstore tucked away in a row house just steps from historic Eastern Market, and is best described as organized chaos. Perusing their shelves is a great way to spend an afternoon and find your next read.
East City Bookshop is a woman-owned and community-minded independent bookstore just a few blocks from Capitol Hill Books. While their widely varied book clubs are more for locals, they host author events frequently, both online and in person.
Little District Books is DC's only queer bookstore, where everything on the shelves is by, for, and about the LGBTQ+ community.
Solid State Books, on H Street NE and 14th Street NW, is a Black-owned bookstore with a wide variety of bestsellers and independent books, plus the H Street location serves coffee, beer, wine, and snacks.
Please don't try to buy any of the books at the Library of Congress, the largest library collection in the world. You can visit for free, including a visit to the iconic reading room, and even get your very own library card for a unique souvenir.
Around the corner from the Library of Congress is the Folger Shakespeare Library, holding the world's largest collection of Shakespeare materials and featuring a stunning Elizabethan-style theater.
Planet Word Museum is housed in the historic Franklin School and is the world’s first voice-activated museum. It’s an immersive, high-tech tribute to language and literacy.
Places to eat & drink in Washington DC
Market Lunch: Located inside Eastern Market, this counter-serve establishment is renowned for their buckwheat blueberry pancakes, but you can't go wrong with any of the breakfast or lunch platters.
Ambar Capitol Hill: Serving unlimited Balkan small plates, this is a DC standby. Try everything that catches your eye on the menu—I'm partial to the dips and spreads.
Quill and Crumb: The cafe inside the Folger Shakespeare Library is a great place to stop for a light lunch or some pre-dinner snacks and drinks.
Kramers was the first bookstore-cafe combo in DC. The bookstore speaks for itself, and the cafe offers an eclectic menu with a $10 pizza happy hour.
Immigrant Food pays tribute to the immigrants who’ve enriched our nation and its menus, and it's located on the lower level of the Planet Word museum.
Need to know
Check event calendars
DC is the "Author Talk Capital" of the world. Before your trip, check the event calendars for Politics and Prose, Busboys and Poets, and East City Bookshop. On any given Tuesday or Thursday, you might find a Pulitzer Prize winner or a high-profile politician giving a free talk. The National Book Festival, held in the fall, brings in dozens of authors and book events.
Tickets to book in advance
Library of Congress: You must reserve a timed-entry pass online. These often sell out weeks in advance, but a limited number of "same-day" passes are released online at 9 each morning.
Planet Word: This voice-activated museum is highly popular. While free, a suggested donation and pre-booked ticket are strongly recommended to guarantee entry.
Folger Shakespeare Library: While walk-ins are welcome for the gardens and shop, it’s best to reserve a timed pass for the exhibition halls to skip the lines.
Skip the car
Parking in DC is notoriously difficult and expensive. Use a SmarTrip card (or just tap your phone’s mobile wallet) to use the Metro to get around town.
Travel Advisor
Kristina Trotta
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Washington DC page.