My Favorite Washington, D.C. Cultural Hub For Book Lovers And Curious Travelers

Washington, D.C., is America's political capital, but it's also one of the nation's primary tourist destinations. The Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial are among America's most iconic tourist spots. The Smithsonian Institution's many museums offer countless exhibits and attractions free of charge, including the ever-popular Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, and the National Zoo (now with baby elephants). These popular attractions draw crowds to the point that visitors may want to seek out quieter and more low-key hangout spots to relax. As a long-time Washington resident, one of my favorite hangout spots also happens to be one of the city's premier indie bookstores, with a name that captures the spirit of its community: Politics and Prose. 

Politics and Prose has all of the charms of the best indie bookstores, with a distinct Washington twist. The store's shelves are ripe with books from top journalists, politicians, pundits, and academics on the issues and events of the day. If you're looking for something a little lighter, fear not. This bookshop doesn't neglect the "prose" part of its name, cultivating a comprehensive collection of literary fiction, genre fiction, and children's literature. With three separate locations across Washington and thousands of amazing books to share (plus a terrific café), Politics and Prose is a great spot to hang out and enjoy some reading, coffee, or intellectual conversation. The store also hosts daily events and book talks from prominent guests, including some of the country's most famous writers and public figures. All in all, Politics and Prose is a prime cultural hub in the district for book lovers and curious travelers, far away from the stifling crowds of the National Mall.

Founded as a small, local bookshop in 1984, Politics and Prose has since blossomed into a Washington, D.C., institution, while still maintaining the cozy, friendly vibes of a community bookstore. Today, Politics and Prose continually manifests a business model "devoted to cultivating community and strengthening the common good through books, programs, and a respectful exchange of ideas," per Shop in Place DC. Visiting the store in person really drives home how well management and staff have realized a vision for a Washington-specific community bookstore, with thousands of titles of both fiction and non-fiction, and a particularly robust section on current events. In short, you can both brush up on and escape the news of the day at Politics and Prose!

The main Politics and Prose store is located along the district's northwest stretch of Connecticut Avenue. Though Connecticut Avenue itself is a major Washington thoroughfare with plenty of dense urban blocks, Politics and Prose is in a quieter, suburban area, much closer to the Washington-Maryland border than the busier streets of downtown. The Connecticut Avenue flagship store is not only the largest but also features a charming coffee house and wine bar on its lower level called, appropriately enough, The Den. Given my own bookish tendencies and diehard love of coffee, The Den has become my go-to hangout spot.

In recent years, Politics and Prose has opened two other stores. One is located at Washington's Union Market development in the quirky Irish-roots neighborhood of NoMA. The other is found in the Wharf, the district's premier riverfront shopping district, home to America's oldest open-air fish market.

Suffice to say, Politics and Prose is terrific for book splurges (and plenty of book-lover gifts). Alongside its impressive book collection, the store's biggest superlative is its impressive events calendar, filled with book talks, lectures, and discussions from some of America's most engaging figures. You might find yourself at a talk by a famous author, a preeminent journalist, or one of the district's many politicians. To give you an idea of the gravitas involved, Politics and Prose has hosted more than 1,000 talks and discussions that have aired on C-SPAN. 

In the past, Politics and Prose has hosted events featuring figures as illustrious as Barack Obama, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Jon Meacham. If you'd prefer a break from politics, the store also hosts talks with prominent fiction authors, including beloved "genre fiction" specialists like Mark Z. Danielewski and T. Kingfisher. Most events take place at the main Connecticut Avenue store, though some are held at Union Market and the Wharf. Larger events may also take place at some of Washington's premier event venues, like the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue and The Anthem. If you can't make an event in person, you can often see them on the Politics and Prose YouTube channel.

Beyond its public events, Politics and Prose also hosts book clubs, classes, international travel, and educational day trips to major historic destinations both within and outside the district (like the site of the bloody Civil War battle at Gettysburg). And if this sounds a bit overwhelming, I can speak from personal experience that Politics and Prose is still just a great place to chill with a good book (and a great coffee).