Washington DC and its surrounding areas offer a multitude of shopping malls and shopping districts, catering to various tastes and budgets. From high-end malls to charming retail neighborhoods, the nation’s capital boasts an eclectic mix of shopping experiences for locals and tourists alike.
Some of the popular shopping destinations in DC include the area between Friendship Heights and Chevy Chase, which houses four upmarket malls connected by an underground walkway to the Friendship Heights Metro station. Other notable locations include Tysons Galleria, and several stores found in neighborhoods like Georgetown, City Center, and Penn Quarter.
These malls and shopping areas provide a blend of exciting shopping opportunities, along with dining and entertainment choices for a delightful experience.
Best Shopping Malls In Washington DC
In Washington DC, there are a small handful major shopping areas that offer a wide range of retail options for shoppers.
City Center DC
CityCenterDC is a high-end outdoor shopping mall located in downtown Washington DC area. This 10-acre, mixed-use development features a variety of luxury brands and upscale boutiques. Some popular stores at CityCenterDC include Dior, Burberry, Chanel, Hermes, Loro Piana, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and BOSS.
There are also high end jewelers like Tiffany’s in this area. In addition to its array of high-end stores, CityCenterDC also boasts several delicious eateries. Fig and Olive, Centrolina, and Piccolina are some of the popular favorites in this area. It is one of the best places to go if you are looking for luxury clothing and accessories.
Penn Quarter / Downtown DC
The Penn Quarter area has a few stores like Banana Republic, Zara, and Anthropologie. These stores are in close proximity to the National Portrait Gallery and City Center. It is an easy walk from the shops at City Center to these stores in Penn Quarter. If you are interested in spending a day shopping outside and seeing some sites in between these two shopping areas make a great combination.
Mazza Gallerie – Closed
Located in the Friendship Heights neighborhood, Mazza Gallerie was another prominent shopping mall in DC. This shopping center closed in late 2022.
Union Station – Many Stores Closed
Union Station is not only a major transportation hub in Washington DC but it used to be a great place for shopping. The historic building used to also have a diverse mix of shops, featuring popular brands such as H&M, Apple, and Victoria’s Secret.
However, in recent years, especially after many of the shops have closed. The best way to check which stores and dining options are still open is to check the Union Station website.
Best Shopping Districts In Washington DC
Georgetown
Georgetown is a charming and historic destination in Washington DC. In addition to having some of the best Italian food, French food, and coffee shops in the city, there is also a ton of shopping.
This area is home to a variety of upscale boutiques, national retail shops, and unique local businesses, making it an ideal location for shoppers looking for a diverse range of options.
One of the main streets is M street which has a large number of stores and dining options. Some popular stores in the area include Apple, Urban Outfitters, and Rag & Bone.
One of the downsides to this area is that the traffic can become quite congested, especially on weekends. if you are able to use public transportation to get here or a ride share it may make for a less painful experience.
Be sure to also visit one of the cocktail bars or restaurants in the area after a long day of shopping. Georgetown also offers a picturesque waterfront for visitors to enjoy as they stroll through its cobblestone streets.
14th Street And U Street Corridor
Another trendy shopping area in Washington D.C. is the 14th Street and U Street Corridor. This district is known for its mix of local boutiques, vintage stores, and home furnishing shops.
The neighborhood is a thriving destination lined with art galleries, bars, and restaurants, making it the perfect spot to spend an entire day browsing and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. Some notable establishments in this area are Miss Pixie’s Furnishings & Whatnot, Room & Board, and Salt & Sundry.
Shopping In Downtown Bethesda
Though not technically in DC, Bethesda is very closeby. Downtown Bethesda is a popular shopping destination located in Bethesda, Maryland, with a mix of national retailers and local boutiques. Some of the popular stores in downtown Bethesda include Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Jenni Kayne, Mejuri, and several great eateries.
While this area does not have some of the more mainstream shopping destinations, there are a variety of boutiques as well that offer unique women’s clothing options. While street parking can be challenging, there are several parking garages in the area, many of which range from 5 to 10 dollars for several hours. This area has a more relaxed vibe for shopping and dining. If you have something you absolutely need to find for an event, this may not be the best place to shop. It is a great place to walk around and casually shop on a beautiful day.
Shopping In Chevy Chase, Maryland
Very close to Bethesda is another area of the greater DMV area called Chevy Chase. Also located in Maryland, it is known for its upscale shopping and dining options. Some of the popular shopping destinations in Chevy Chase include:
The Collection at Chevy Chase: This shopping area features high-end designer stores such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Tiffany & Co. Some of these are located inside the Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase.
Saks has a variety of high end designers and has a large parking lot (that is not too expensive) making it very convenient to park and shop. The majority of parking in the Chevy Chase area is street parking, so it is really nice to be able to easily park your car if you are shopping in this area.
Mazza Gallerie: This shopping center features a mix of luxury and mid-range stores, including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and H&M.
Friendship Heights: This area is home to a variety of shopping options, including department stores like Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus, as well as smaller boutiques and specialty shops.
Overall, shoppers in Chevy Chase can expect to find a variety of upscale and luxury shopping options, as well as some more affordable options in certain areas.
Best Shopping Malls In Washington DC Surrounding Areas
While Washington, D.C. boasts numerous shopping options, there are also several shopping malls and areas in the surrounding regions, offering a rich variety of retail experiences. If you are looking to get a variety of things during one shopping trip, making the trek out of the city to one of these shopping malls will be the best option for you. The shopping malls below are like traditional shopping malls, primarily indoors with food courts and some restaurants. Serious shoppers who need to get several different types of items, a traditional shopping mall is the way to go.
Pentagon City Mall
Also known as Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, this mall is conveniently located in Arlington, VA, near the Pentagon. It offers a mix of upscale and mid-tier retailers, including Apple, Nordstrom, and Macy’s. Shoppers can also enjoy various dining choices and ample parking options.
Westfield Montgomery Mall
Westfield Montgomery is located in Bethesda, MD, and provides a diverse shopping experience with over 190 stores. Major retailers include Nordstrom, Macy’s, Lululemon, Victoria’s Secret and the Apple Store. Westfield Montgomery also has a range of dining and entertainment options, making it an good destination for the entire family. There is also a movie theatre as well if you want to catch a film after you are done shopping.
Tysons Corner Area & Tysons Corner Cente
Located in Northern Virginia, Tysons Corner Center is one of the largest shopping malls in the area. Located on Chain Bridge Road, Tysons Corner is one of the great shopping malls in the area. It features anchor stores like Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, and Macy’s, along with a wide selection of specialty shops, dining establishments, and a movie theater.
Tysons Corner Center has an impressive variety of high-end and popular retailers to cater to any shopper’s needs. What is important to know about Tysons Corner is that there are actually two separate shopping malls in this area. There is one shopping mall that has luxury stores like Chanel, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Van Cleef, Bottega Veneta, Cartier, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus.
The second mall has more classic stores like Gap, Old Navy, H&M, and Macys. Depending on what you are looking to do, both malls are very large and have a variety of stores.
There are also several furniture stores located in the Tysons Corner area both inside the mall and outside the mall. These stores include Crate and Barrel, West Elm, Arhaus, Restoration Hardware, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, and Pottery Barn to name a few.
Outlet Malls in the Region
If you like to check out an outlet store every once in a while, then there are several options for you. Washington D.C. and the surrounding areas offer some of the best outlet malls for shoppers to enjoy. In this section, we will discuss three major outlet malls in the region: Tanger Outlets National Harbor, Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, and Clarksburg Premium Outlets. All the outlet malls are primarily outdoors so if the day is rainy it may not be the best option for visiting these.
Tanger Outlets National Harbor
Tanger Outlets National Harbor is a popular shopping destination in the D.C. area, featuring a wide range of stores offering discounted merchandise. Located near the picturesque waterfront, visitors can enjoy shopping, dining, and entertainment options in addition to outlet shopping.
Some of the notable outlet stores at Tanger Outlets National Harbor include Nike Factory Store, Coach, and Michael Kors. With over 80 designer and brand-name stores, shoppers can find great deals on apparel, accessories, and footwear.
Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets
Located in Leesburg, Virginia, Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets is another popular destination for outlet shopping. With over 110 stores, this outdoor mall offers a variety of designer and brand-name stores, such as Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, and Under Armour.
Visitors can save up to 65% on their purchases, making it an attractive place for budget-conscious shoppers. The outlet mall also offers ample parking and dining options for a convenient shopping experience.
Clarksburg Premium Outlets
Situated in Clarksburg, Maryland, Clarksburg Premium Outlets is a relatively new shopping destination in the region. The mall boasts over 90 stores, including popular brands like Tory Burch, Calvin Klein, Theory and Columbia Sportswear.
The outdoor setting, comfortable seating areas, and a play area for children make it an enjoyable shopping experience for the whole family.
Best Shopping Malls In DC
The best shopping malls in DC are actually shopping areas. Georgetown has the highest amount of stores clustered in one area. City Center has several stores in one area as well but these are ultra luxury brands only. If you walk for about half a mile you will get to Penn Quarter which has some more variety when it comes to shopping.
If you have a lot of different things you need to purchase, your best bet is to take a drive out to Tyson’s Corner which has two large malls in close proximity of one another. Tysons also has several furniture and jewelry stores as well. Pentagon City also has shopping mall as well and is accessible by public transportation.
For an outdoor shopping experience check out downtown Bethesda. If you want to find a great deal, there are several outlet malls in the nearby areas including Leesburn Premium Outlets, Clarksburg Premium Outlets, and Tanger Outlets.
