D.C. Shopping Guide for City Newcomers
One of the first things newcomers to a city want to know is where the best shopping venues are. Whether you seek those everyday necessities or occasional luxuries, a good range of shopping malls bring life to a city, and that is most certainly the case in Washington, D.C.
Shopping malls in the U.S. are renowned as being the best in the world and D.C. does not disappoint. The city provides the extensive choice of shopping opportunities you would expect in the nation’s capital, offering a wide range of national outlets as well as local specialty stores.
For the younger newcomer to D.C., Georgetown, based along M Street and Wisconsin Avenue NW, will most certainly appeal. The fashionable boutiques in the area draw plenty of shoppers through the doors, and the antique stores are also extremely popular.
Take a trip to downtown and on to Penn Quarter. This area has been revitalized over the years and is now home to some of the best-known retailers in the United States. When visiting Penn Quarter, cut across to Gallery Place on Seventh and H Streets NW. Gallery Place is an intriguing mix of dining and entertainment venues, condominiums and shops, all in the same building. It is the ideal place to enjoy a meal while on a shopping expedition in the city.
For the shopper seeking a rich variety of stores, Dupont Circle is the place for you to spend both your time and your dollars. It has everything you could expect or want while on a shopping expedition. The area boasts clothing boutiques — ideal for those in search of high fashion — bookstores and gift shops. You can take a rest and enjoy a latte in one of the many coffee shops or spend some quiet time in one of the art galleries that grace the area.
Despite the increased sophistication of the modern-day shopping experience, craft fairs and farmers’ markets remain popular and can be found in D.C. Visit Eastern Market close to Capitol Hill to purchase fresh produce such as fish, meat, poultry, dairy products and fresh flowers.
Another major shopping attraction popular with visitors and locals alike, is DC USA. DC USA is a three-story shopping center completed in 2008 and located at Columbia Heights at 14th and Irving Streets NW. The area also houses several eateries and restaurants allowing you to grab a bite to eat during your shopping trip.
Visiting the DC USA shopping center is made all the easier thanks to its location. It is across the street from the Columbia Heights Metro station and, should you decide to drive, there are 1,000 parking spaces in the underground garage.
If you seek luxury clothing and accessories then make sure you stop at fashion stores Hysteria and Carbon in the metro area.
The rich variety of stores and shopping malls make D.C. a delightful place to visit and ensures that shopping is an enjoyable experience for both the established resident and newcomer alike.
Article by Luke Stanfield