Washington, DC has an endless supply of souvenir shops, with the National Mall of course having the widest selection, and street vendors at every turn. Even the museums within the Smithsonian all have a souvenir shop of their own, with the shop in the National Building Museum being the best of them all.
Capitol Hill’s weekend Eastern Market is the largest and most famous market in the city, and even if you are not buying, it makes for a great afternoon outing, with antiques and local art being the main focuses here.
DC’s upscale shopping is situated in Georgetown, with many shops found in The Shops at Georgetown Park. This upscale mall is the center of all shopping in the city, housing well-known labels and small boutiques. Friendship Heights is another great place for upscale shopping as it is home to the city’s most expensive department stores.
Shopping along 18th Street in Adams Morgan offers upbeat and trendy shops, as well as unique vintage clothing and music stores. For department stores, head to the Metro Center where the likes of Macy’s reside.
For knick-knacks and souvenirs, the National Mall and East End are the best bets. Here you’ll find less expensive keepsakes than those found in the large city museums gift shops.
The art scene in Washington, DC has recently exploded, with Logan Circle being the center of the city’s contemporary art scene. Georgetown has also benefited from this boom, with its best galleries found between 31st and 34th streets.