Washington, D.C.

Downtown is where you’ll find Washington’s most central mix of shopping, from national retailers to souvenir shops clustered around landmarks and Metro hubs. Once home to large department stores, today the area blends modern office towers with shopping arcades and easy-to-reach malls. Just a few blocks away, Chinatown adds its own flavor, with the Friendship Archway marking streets lined with Asian restaurants, bubble tea shops, and a handful of small markets. Together, the two neighborhoods make for a convenient stop if you’re browsing between sightseeing or looking for something to bring home.

Just a short walk from the U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court, this three-story used bookstore is a haven for book lovers. Floor-to-ceiling shelves are packed with secondhand treasures, from first editions to obscure finds, making it easy to lose track of time browsing.

Union Station is Washington’s grand Beaux-Arts gateway—part transit hub, part shopping arcade, and a destination in itself. Beneath the soaring vaulted ceiling, more than a hundred shops—ranging from souvenir stalls and bookstores to fashion outlets—rub shoulders with cafés and quick bites. With Amtrak, Metro, commuter rail, and bus lines all under one roof, it’s your one-stop stop for travel, shopping, and people watching.

A stone’s throw from the White House, this specialty shop offers one of the city’s widest selections of presidential, diplomatic, and military-themed souvenirs. Visitors can browse more than 1,000 products, from mugs and apparel to collectibles, and even pose for a photo behind a replica of the famous Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.