Top Rated Shopping in Bethesda

Escape a few miles north outside of the hectic district and beltway and relax at the stylish, trendy, and quaint Bethesda Row. Choose from a wide variety of over 30 international restaurants including Irish, Thai, American, Asian, Spanish, Mediterranean, and American for a nice outdoor lunch or dinner. Enjoy desserts at specialty shops such as Dolcezza Gelato or Sweetgreen. There are plenty of new boutiques and stores to please all types of shoppers. Bethesda Row also holds many events such as Movie Nights and art fairs.

There are more than 200 stores in this enormous mall, including department stores like Macy's and Nordstrom. Shoppers will find an especially good, diverse mix—from inexpensive to upscale shoes and clothing, and fast-food to gourmet fare. There is an abundance of specialty stores as well. Entertainment options include a movie theater. Everything you need can be found here!

The thriving Downtown Bethesda neighborhood is located at the intersection of the Wisconsin Avenue, Old Georgetown Road and East-West Highway. It features some of the most vibrant areas in the city, including the Bethesda Row, a hub for arts and culture. Besides a range of eating establishments and entertainment centers, Downtown Bethesda is also home to one of the Madonna of the Trail monuments and the Capital Crescent Trail.

With a diverse range of retailers and suppliers providing a wide array of artisan food products, Union Market is every foodies heaven. Everything from gourmet coffee, specialty ice-cream, gelato, artisanal bread, baked goods, florists, delis, food stalls and much more are available here. A great place to pick up local products and souvenirs, Union Market is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. While wandering around the huge warehouse, you may stumble across local artists displaying their work. While it is accessible via Metro, driving here is a better option, especially in the evenings.

A landmark in the city, the Eastern Market is a bustling marketplace where one can find everything from hats and scarves to decorations, photographs, poultry, produce, fruits and vegetables. A hub of activity, it is centered around a historical building that used to be the site of the old market. Today, the market has overflowed onto the roadside as well, with vendors displaying their goods to daily shoppers. On Saturdays, there are often events and cultural performances here along with a flourishing flea market.

Kramerbooks and Afterwords was the first to set up shop in Dupont Circle. This bookstore and cafe is always crowded, particularly on weekends when singles who would rather skip the bar scene flock to this surprising hot spot. Live music is an added feature of this cozy literary joint. The cafe is a full-service restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. The entrees are traditional American dishes, like chicken and lamb chops.