Shopping A-Z

Antiques

Georgetown has a concentration of great antiques stores, with other neighborhoods claiming the outliers.

Art Galleries

Art galleries used to center on the Dupont Circle neighborhood but now are scattered throughout the city. 

Beauty

The city's best hair salons and cosmetic stores are in Georgetown, while spas are more evenly scattered throughout the city. 

Children's Clothing

If your youngster has spilled grape juice all over his favorite outfit and you need a replacement, you can always head to the downtown Macy's or H&M. Chic moms undeterred by expense shop at Gap Kids in Georgetown (1267 Wisconsin Ave. NW; tel. 202/333-2411),while practical moms shop at the midtown Kid's Closet.

Men's Clothing

Local branches of Banana Republic are at Wisconsin and M streets in Georgetown (tel. 202/333-2554) and F and 13th streets NW (tel. 202/638-2724); Gap has several locations in Washington, including 1120 Connecticut Ave. NW (tel. 202/429-0691) and 1258 Wisconsin Ave. NW (tel. 202/333-2657).

Women's Clothing

Washington women have many more clothing stores to choose from than men. Stores selling classic designs include Ann Taylor, at Union Station (tel. 202/371-8010), 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW (tel. 202/659-0120), and 600 13th St. NW (tel. 202/737-0325). Racy Victoria's Secret lingerie stores are located at Union Station (tel. 202/682-0686) and Georgetown Park (tel. 202/965-5457), as well as at Connecticut and L streets NW (tel. 202/293-7530).

Gifts/Souvenirs

Museum gift shops are another good source. Also check out the White House Historical Association Gift Shop at Decatur House (1610 H St. NW, www.decaturhouse.org) and the White House Gift Shop operated by the U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division Benefit Fund, at the National Press Building, 529 14th St. NW, and online (www.whitehousegiftshop.com). Both shops sell interesting memorabilia, like the White House Christmas tree ornament newly designed each year, and sundry items, from sweatshirts to mugs, stamped with White House or Armed Forces logos.

Gourmet Goodies to Go

Demanding jobs and hectic schedules leave Washingtonians less and less time to prepare their own meals. Or so they say. At any rate, a number of fine-food shops and bakeries are happy to come to the rescue. Even the busiest bureaucrat can find the time to pop into one of these gourmet shops for a movable feast.

Home Furnishings

You may not have come to Washington to shop for housewares or furnishings, but step inside the shops of Cady's Alley or Home Rule and you may change your mind. Also refer to the listing of antiques stores.

Malls

If malls are your thing, the D.C. area has plenty for you to choose from: Chevy Chase Pavilion, 5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW (tel. 202/207-3887; www.ccpavilion.com), Metro: Friendship Heights; The Shops at Wisconsin Place, Wisconsin Avenue at Western Avenue, in Chevy Chase, Maryland (tel. 301/841-4000; www.shopwisconsinplace.com), Metro: Friendship Heights; Mazza Gallerie, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW (tel. 202/966-6114; www.mazzagallerie.com), Metro: Friendship Heights; and the Shops at Georgetown Park, 3222 M St. NW (tel. 202/342-8190; www.shopsatgeorgetownpark.com), Metro: Foggy Bottom, then take the D.C. Circulator. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Arlington, Virginia (tel. 703/417-8600; www.mwaa.com/reagan), has 100 stores to choose from, too, if you want to do some souvenir shopping on your way out of town.

Miscellaneous

Emergency Shopping -- You've just arrived in town, but your luggage hasn't -- the airline lost it. Or you're about to depart for home or another destination and you notice that the zipper to your suitcase is broken. Or you've arrived at your hotel all in one piece, only to discover you've forgotten something essential: underwear, allergy medicine, an umbrella. What's a lonesome traveler to do? One of these suggestions might prove your salvation.

CVS: This is Washington's main pharmacy and essentials chain. Among the items sold at CVS stores are pantyhose, over-the-counter and prescription medicines, toys, greeting cards, wrapping paper and ribbon, magazines, film and 1-hour photo developing, and batteries. Two conveniently located 24-hour branches are at 2240 M St. NW (23rd St., near the Ritz-Carlton Hotel; tel. 202/296-9877; Metro: Foggy Bottom) and at 6-7 Dupont Circle NW (tel. 202/785-1466; Metro: Dupont Circle; www.cvs.com).

Cobbler's Bench Shoe Repair: This shop on the lower (food court) level of Union Station is open daily, Monday to Friday from 7am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 8pm, and Sunday 10am to 6pm, to come to the rescue of travelers whose shoes or luggage need mending. The cobbler also cuts keys and sells repair items. Union Station, lower level (tel. 202/898-9009; www.cobblersbenchshoerepair.com). Metro: Union Station. Check the website for the shop's four other D.C. locations.

Macy's: This former Hecht's remains an old reliable and the only department store located downtown. But though it's been around a while, the store continually updates its merchandise to keep up with the times. Run here if you need cosmetics, clothes (for men, women, and children), shoes (but not for children), electronics, appliances, lingerie, luggage, raincoats, and countless other need-immediately goods. Open daily: noon to 6pm Sunday, 10am to 8pm Monday and Thursday through Saturday, 9am to 9pm Tuesday, and 9am to 10pm Wednesday. 1201 G St. NW (tel. 202/628-6661; www.macys.com). Metro: Metro Center.

Metro Stations: If it starts raining and you're scrambling to find an umbrella, look no further than your closest Metro station, where vendors are at the ready selling umbrellas and other handy things.

Shoes

For men's dress shoes, try Brooks Brothers. For women, try the local outlets of Nine West, including locations at 1229 Connecticut Ave. NW (tel. 202/331-3242; www.ninewest.com) and in Georgetown at 1227 Wisconsin Ave. NW (tel. 202/337-7256).

Museum Shopping

Washington's museum shops hold a treasure-trove of unusual gifts. I love the Textile Museum's for its exquisite one-of-a-kind clothes and accessories, from Japanese silk purses to Turkish tote bags. The shop at the National Building Museum is jammed with surprising, useful, and cleverly designed housewares and interesting games, including bookends embossed with a Celtic design, Bauhaus mobiles, and collapsible strainers. And I can never visit the National Gallery of Art without lingering a little while in the store to admire captivating catalogue books, note cards, posters, children's games, and a slew of other things. No matter the museum, stop by the store and see whether a particular item or two calls out to you.