Both Georgetown and Glover Park have business districts with stores and restaurants within walking distance of Burleith. Georgetown is well known throughout the area for restaurants, bars and nightlife, as well as for fine clothing stores. The Glover Park business district, on Wisconsin Avenue, has recently become a center for restaurants and nightclubs, especially popular with young professionals. The North Georgetown business area (Wisconsin Avenue north of R St) has boomed recently, with several new restaurants, stores, and service businesses opening. This area is within easy walking distance of Burleith.

Burleith is a short walk from Georgetown Safeway (1855 Wisconsin Ave), a large, well-stocked supermarket that is the principal grocery store for the area. Just opened (in March, 1996) is a large upscale “whole foods” supermarket, Fresh Fields (2323 Wisconsin Avenue), which also has a small juice bar/restaurant. Other local grocery stores include Giant (3336 Wisconsin Ave, at Newark St) and Sutton Place Gourmet (3201 New Mexico Ave). A CVS drug store is located in Glover Park at 2226 Wisconsin Ave (at Hall Place), within walking distance.

The Georgetown Flea Market is a large community-run event that attracts buyers and sellers from throughout the area. It takes place every Sunday in the parking lot of Hardy Middle School. Even if you're not buying or selling, it is always worth a trip just to see what's there.