The DC suburbs have some of the best shopping around!
Washington, DC offers a lot, especially for serious shoppers. The reality, though? Like countless other areas, the best of the big city has migrated to suburbia—in other words, you can get anything and everything in the DC suburbs. For shoppers, fashionistas and anyone else who loves to indulge in a broad selection of what’s new and next, that’s a huge win—and a big reason to consider these communities.
#1. Georgetown
Though part of the city, Georgetown feels like a totally separate—and the shopping is second to none. Here, you’ll find everything from Tory Burch to Billy Reid, rag & bone and the always on-trend Hu-Wear, with sister boutique Hu’s Shoes right down the street. That, though, is just the beginning. In Georgetown, you can easily pop from J. Crew to Nike to the hip shops that line Book Hill.
#2. Chevy Chase, MD
Designer fashion is front-and-center in this otherwise unassuming suburb. Here, you’ll shop the border of DC, Maryland’s Friendship Height and Chevy Chase proper—think four high-end malls, all connected by an underground Metro station:
The Shops at Wisconsin Place are home to Bloomingdale’s and other upscale shops.
The Collection at Chevy Chase has smaller shops including Ralph Lauren and Cartier.
Mazza Gallerie is the go-to for Saks Fifth Avenue Men’s Store, Neiman Marcus and Williams-Sonoma.
Rounding out the four is the area between the malls that runs along Wisconsin Avenue, and has a Nordstrom Rack, Lord & Taylor and plenty of places to eat if you get hungry from all that shopping.
#3. Tyson’s Corner, VA
In Northern Virginia, Tyson’s Corner is considered a shopping mecca. Hop on the Silver Line and check out more than 300 shops in Tyson’s Corner Center—think Michael Kors, Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor and more. Across the street is Tyson’s Galleria which is packed with designer shopping such as Prada, Chanel, Elie Tahari and Coach, among others.
#4. Fredericksburg, VA
This small town community is known for its historic architecture, art galleries and studios, plus an 80-acre area where George Washington once lived. Beyond the history, though, is some incredible shopping, including more than 100 boutiques. From bigger department stores to small, locally-run maker spaces, you can find anything in Fredericksburg, whether it’s stunning antiques or off-the-runway fashion—and, literally, everything in between.
#5. Old Town Alexandria, VA
Neighborhoods.com dubs Old Town Alexandria Stars Hollow “kicked up a notch,” a nod to the popular show Gilmore Girls. On your first visit, you’ll see it. The downtown is as quaint and cozy as it is modern and lively. Grab a drink, a bite and, of course, save room for a cupcake at Alexandria Cupcake.
And from a shopping perspective? Both the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal called Old Town one of the top shopping go-tos in the area, citing its blend of small, independent shops, vintage boutiques, high-end stores and major national retailers. Head to the Old Town Boutique District for unique fashion, jewelry and decor, then hit King Street for international brands and other major labels.
There are hundreds of towns to choose from. How do you figure it all out? You simply don’t, without getting a Suburban Jungle Strategist to help you through it all. Schedule here for your strategy session with our innovative suburbs strategy team. All services are completely free.