Shopping Centers
Shops at Georgetown Park:
M St NW, Washington 20007 • 202-298-5577
Description: GEORGETOWN. Graceful and elegant, Shops at Georgetown Park exudes Victorian charm while catering to today's style-conscious shoppers. Some high-end retailers that call Georgetown Park home include Ann Taylor, Express, Talbot's, Papillon, J. Crew, White House/Black Market, GIA & Co., Sharper Image, Benetton, Grunwald & Vaniglio Fine Binding, and Dean & DeLuca. For intellectual stimulation, explore a small museum that covers area history.
METRO: Foggy Bottom
Union Station:
50 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington 20002 • 202-371-9441
Description: DOWNTOWN. Now among Washington's most popular tourist sites, Union Station was, at the time of its opening in 1907, the world's largest train station. It has now been renovated into a monolithic one-stop shopping and dining mecca, with reflections of Roman architecture throughout. Its storied history includes numerous "homecomings" by famous Americans, such as General "Black Jack" Pershing. After undergoing a $160-million facelift, the now-thriving entity hosts some 23 million visitors a year, over 100 specialty shops and restaurants, and a 9-screen movie theatre.
METRO: Union Station
Fashion Centre at Pentagon City:
1100 S Hayes St, Arlington 22202 • 703-415-2400
Description: ARLINGTON. This is Arlington's number one shopping destination, with more than 150 shops located on four levels just off the Pentagon City Metro stop. Top-quality name brands available here include Aeropostale, L'Occitane, Williams-Sonoma, BCBG, Rockport, Benetton, J. Jill, and Ann Taylor. Posh department stores Macy's and Nordstrom anchor the mall, which is adjacent to the upscale Ritz-Carlton. The sunny, high-ceilinged atrium, surrounded by the food court, is a popular place to stop for lunch.
METRO: Pentagon City
Crystal City Shops:
1608 Crystal Square Arcade, Arlington 22202 • 703-892-4680
Description:CRYSTAL CITY. This huge shopping emporium is one of Crystal City's top attractions. Clothing boutiques, sporting goods stores, art galleries, excellent restaurants, hair salons, and gift shops of all kinds, make this shopping center feel like an entire village hidden beneath the city. More than 130 shops are laid out along attractively landscaped underground walkway.
METRO: CRYSTAL CITY
Eastern Market:
225 7th St SE, Washington 20009 • 202-543-7293
Description: CAPITOL HILL. Since 1873, this market has provided DC residents with produce, meat, bread and other necessary goods. A neighborhood institution, the covered brick structure is only seven blocks from the Capitol, so it's an easy diversion while you're sightseeing. On weekends, vendors pitch everything from crafts to Christmas ornaments to clothes and antiques. The place is not only a tribute to DC's heritage, but a great stop-off for a quick bite or a souvenir.
METRO: Eastern Market
Mazza Gallerie:
5300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington 20015 • 202-966-6114
Description:CHEVY CHASE. Offering upscale shopping at its best, this elegant, multi-level mall caters to commuters and Wisconsin Avenue denizens. Stores include Ann Taylor, Neiman Marcus, Williams-Sonoma, Saks Fifth Avenue Men's Store, and Harriet Kassman. Several dining options are available, along with a state-of-the-art movie theater.
METRO: Friendship Heights
Tysons Corner Center:
1961 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean 22102 • 703-893-9400
Description:TYSONS CORNER. Anchored by LL Bean, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom, Tysons Corner would be a shopping mecca even if it had no other shops. But it does – some 250 of them. For the clothes horse, try A/X Armani Exchange, Coldwater Creek, White House/Black Market, J. Jill, and Kenneth Cole. If home furnishings are more your speed, there's Williams-Sonoma, Restoration Hardware, and Pottery Barn Kids. Watch and jewelry specialists are numerous, as are shoe and handbag shops. And with more than 20 eateries available, deciding where to quell hunger pangs may be the hardest choice you make all day.
Tysons Galleria:
2001 International Dr, McLean 22102 • 703-827-7700
Description:TYSONS CORNER. With anchors like Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus, it's evident that Tysons Galleria offers an upscale shopping experience. Other high-end retailers include BCBG Max Azria, J. Crew, Betsey Johnson, Hugo Boss, Cole-Haan, Nicole Miller, Pottery Barn, Versace, Williams-Sonoma, Anthropologie, and Burberry. Legal Seafoods and PF Chang's China Bistro are among the dining options, but of course it's possible to get a wonderful skinny mocha latte as well.
Westfield Shoppingtown Montgomery Mall:
7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda 20817 • 301-469-6025
Description:BETHESDA. This expansive, two-story mall is a one-stop destination. Department stores like Nordstrom, Hecht's, and Sears make for easy browsing, and you'll also find a host of upscale favorites such as Ann Taylor, A/X Armani Exchange, Crate and Barrel, J. JIll, Banana Republic, L'Occitane, and Papyrus. If that's not enough, look for restaurants, a movie theater, and several bank branches. There's enough to keep you occupied for hours, if not days.
METRO: Grosvenor, then bus 96 or 47
