Washington, DC, is one of the most literate cities in North America. So is the area around it, nicknamed the DMV, for DC, Maryland, and Virginia. If you’re in town, you must stop and visit the best bookstores in DC. The area has some of the best independent bookshops in the United States.
Whether you live here or are visiting, you can spend a day doing bookshop tourism. Go from bookshop to bookshop browsing the shelves, look for your favorite author or find a surprise hidden gem published by an indie press. And then stop by some historical restaurants in DC after all is said and done to find a seat and enjoy your new reads.
The best bookstores in DC
Capitol Hill Books
Since 1991, Capitol Hill Books has been one of the go-to bookstores in DC for used books.
Located directly across from the bustling Eastern Market and two blocks from the Eastern Market metro station. Capitol Hill has many categories of books, so much so they have individual rooms dedicated to fiction and mystery, and “closets” for other categories like business, food, travel, etc. Make sure you check out the “weird” section to find a curious page turner.
Kramers
Located in Dupont Circle, Kramers has been selling the printed word since the beginning of 1976.
Here you can browse the front tables displaying the latest new releases, or consider reading (or re-reading) some of the classics. And, if all that book shopping builds up an appetite, Kramers has an in-house eatery, serving up breakfast and lunch, including avocado toast, burgers, pasta dishes, and even cocktails.
The Lantern
If you’re a sucker for rare books, point yourself to The Lantern, one of the best bookstores in DC, located in Georgetown.
This all-used bookshop has shelves and shelves of historic tomes. Here you can find out-of-print history, travel, philosophy books, and first editions of novels. The Lantern also sells vinyl, particularly classical and opera. Plus if you’re a collector of historic maps, this is the place to navigate yourself to.
Insider Tip: While you’re in Georgetown, we encourage you to check out the Potomac River Cruise and Georgetown Walking Tour to really get a sense of one of DC’s oldest neighborhoods and its stories.
Mahogany Books
This black-owned bookstore is a true find, located just across the Anacostia River from the Navy Yard.
Mahogany Books sells books written by or for the African diaspora. The shop is stocked with various genres. They also do a line-up of events with well-known and up-and-coming authors, and have an interesting blog called Black Books Matter.
Politics and Prose
Perhaps the most well known of the bookstores in DC, Politics and Prose has three locations around the city.
You can find them in Union Market, at the Wharf, and the original, 40-year-old location on Connecticut Avenue NW. Be sure to check the calendar, as the bookstore has a loaded schedule of events. Nearly every day there are author talks and readings, some of whom are the biggest names in the literary world today.
Second Story Books
Located in Dupont Circle, Second Story Books is one of the largest shops for used books in the United States.
There are seemingly miles of aisles flanked by tall bookshelves where you can uncover tomes from decades and centuries past. Second Story also has a large collection of out-of-print and rare books, including a room solely dedicated to hard-to-find books.
Bold Fork Books
If you like to read about food almost as much as you love eating, stick your fork into Bold Fork Books, located in Mount Pleasant.
At Bold Fork, you can tuck into books on food history, food prose, anthologies of great food writing, and anything else in print on the glory of cooking and eating. And, of course, a large section dedicated to cookbooks. In addition to all that, the shop offers a packed schedule of events. Join in everything from author readings to four-week food writing classes.
Busboys and Poets
The name Busboys & Poets is a reference to Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy at a DC hotel before going on to become a legendary poet.
There are three of these progressive bookstores in DC, but try to visit the flagship shop at 14th and V Streets in northwestern DC. There are shelves and shelves of books to browse. And, true to the name, Busboys & Poets has actual busboys (and some of them yearn to be poets).
After leafing through books (and maybe buying one) you can start reading while grazing on a crab cake sandwich, shrimp and grits, or fried chicken. You can also bring your vegan friends here as the menu is loaded with plant-based options.
FAQs – Bookstores in Washington, DC
What are the typical opening hours for independent bookstores?
Most indie bookstores in DC open between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and close around 7–9 p.m., depending on the day. Shops with cafés or restaurants attached, like Kramers or Busboys & Poets, often stay open later. Always check the schedule before visiting, especially for stores that host evening events, as they may adjust closing times on event nights.
Do DC bookstores offer book clubs or special literary events?
Yes, several shops host regular author readings, Q&A sessions, book clubs, and writing workshops. Politics and Prose has one of the busiest literary calendars in the U.S., while Bold Fork Books offers food-writing classes and themed discussions. The best bet is to check out the store websites and sign up for updates, or ask in store if they have a mailing list to keep customers updated on activities.
How much should I expect to spend at the bookstores in DC?
Prices vary widely. New releases typically cost $18–$32, while used books at Capitol Hill Books or Second Story Books can range from $3 bargains to rare volumes reaching several hundred dollars. Collectors hunting for first editions, maps, or vinyl at The Lantern should expect higher, specialty-shop pricing. Many shops also offer $1–$5 discount carts outside on weekends.
What’s the easiest way to do a DC bookstore-hopping day?
Washington is extremely transit-friendly. You can reach most bookstores via Metrorail, Circulator buses, or even on foot if you focus on a single neighbourhood like Dupont Circle or Capitol Hill. If you’re driving, be prepared: parking in popular areas can be limited, so using Metro or ride-shares is often faster.
After you’ve browsed the city’s best bookstores, why not keep the adventure going? Washington, DC is full of stories waiting to be discovered—from iconic monuments to hidden historic corners. If you’d like to experience the capital with expert guides who bring its history, culture, and neighborhoods to life, explore the full range of Take Walks tours in Washington, DC.
Check out all available tours here and find the perfect next chapter for your visit.