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National Museum Of Natural History
The Tricera Shop is entirely devoted to dinosaur merchandise (now that's specialized). The glittering Gem Store - outside the Geology Hall - has a huge selection of fine and costume jewelry, including beautiful amber samples which are millions of years old. The newest Mammals Museum Store, designed to represent four continents (Asia, Australia, North & South America), carries toys, crafts, posters and books focusing on mammals and evolution.
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National Museum Of Women In The Arts
This unique institution dedicated to women artists has an equally unique shop. A small room left of the museum entrance, it holds books, prints, posters, jewelry and handicrafts - all created by women.
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National Place
This little mall has a handful of boutiques and a decent food court. It's not worth a special trip, but is useful for fulfilling some basic needs (eg birthday card, watch band, button-down shirt) if you happen to be in the neighborhood.
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Old Post Office Pavilion
It's not exactly a shopping center but it does have a tourist-crowded food court as well as souvenir shops, newsstands and stores. It's worth a visit just for a look around the gorgeous central atrium. For more details see .
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Old Towne School For Dogs
Grab a gift for the pooch you left behind at this popular Old Town shop selling everything from organic treats to plush toys. If your puppy's in town, he's welcome inside as well, of course.
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Olsson's Books & Records
A local chain, Olsson's sells both books and music. Its indie mood is invigorated by a small army of book-obsessed employees ready to offer you great recommendations and opinions.
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Oya Mini Bazaar
African art and curios are sold at prices only slightly higher than you'd pay on the continent itself. There is a massive collection of West African masks, along with mainstream curios like Washington DC T-shirts.
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Parish Gallery
This is among conservative Georgetown's more contemporary galleries, featuring the work of African Americans and other minority artists. Many local artists are represented.
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Patagonia
Staffed with knowledgeable sales clerks and stocked with everything you need for a trip to the great outdoors, this tri-level shop has a giant collection of Patagonia's trusted gear, including trendy garb for women and men along with camping supplies, down jackets and hiking shoes and shorts.
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Political Americana
You'll have to dig a bit, but hidden amid the bland heaps of token Americana trinkets are one-of-a-kind political souvenirs - signed documents by famous statesmen, single-print historical photos and old videos of important moments in American history.
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Politics & Prose Bookstore
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Northwest, Politics & Prose is famous with the literary set. Selling thousands of titles along with steaming mugs of chai, this independent bookstore is known for hosting brain-food readings and discussions on a regular basis. Best-selling authors Nora Ephron and Brad Meltzer (whose latest thriller is set partially in DC) have spoken here.
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Proper Topper
Fedoras, floppy-brimmed picture hats, berets - they're all for sale at the fun Proper Topper, along with wallets, umbrellas, passport holders, cigarette books and a small selection of women's clothing.
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Pua Naturally
On the revitalized 7th St gallery strip, Pua Naturally provides a refreshing retreat from staring at art. Instead, women head here to splurge on high-end ethnic clothing like long flowing skirts and hand-woven jackets from southern Asia.
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Pulp
This quirky, kitschy gift shop has all kinds of things you weren't looking for - funky frames, funny cards, silly toys, smelly candles, retro art and tons of political gag gifts. It's a good place to come looking for a gift (as long as you didn't have something in mind).
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Renwick Gallery
One of DC's best museum shops offers handmade textiles and hand-dyed silks as well as glasswork, woodwork and unique jewelry, much of it quite affordable (a pair of hand-blown ruby-glass earrings costs around US$12 ). Its excellent choice of books includes how-to manuals on jewelry- and fabric-making, ceramics, glassblowing and cabinetry, many appropriate for kids. You can also learn: It feels like an organic extension of the crafts museum upstairs.
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Sansar
This unique gallery specializes in fine crafted wooden pieces that are gorgeous and functional - think knotted coffee tables and intricately carved boxes. It also sells objects made from other mediums, many of which are priced to buy for gifts. Even if you're not buying, it's worth browsing.
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Second Story
Up to its eyeballs in dusty used tomes, this Dupont Circle fixture also offers used LPs and CDs, and a small stock of Asian antiques. It's a good place to stop on your way to the local cafés, and an impromptu pick-up scene flourishes among its shelves. It's such a beloved DC institution that Defense Secretary William Cohen wrote a cheesy poem in its honor ('Hieroglyphics heaped/in deep layers of ink...').
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Secondhand Rose
Somewhat pricey for a secondhand shop, Rose offers consignment women's clothing no more than two years old. This isn't a place for bargain-hunters - no around US$10 dresses here - but this Georgetown store has a fast turnover and all items are in good condition.
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Secondi
Our favorite vintage shop in DC for serious designer retail therapy at rates poor travel writers can afford. Up a narrow row of stairs, Secondi is filled with beautiful Marc Jacobs jackets and slightly loved, still fabulous Manolo Blahniks. It's not the cheapest shop in the city, but it has the densest collection of big-name designers. Pieces on the rack for more than a month come with reduced price tags.
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Security Intelligence Technologies
Wannabe G-men won't find a better place to pick up surveillance and counter-surveillance gear. Some patrons seem to be here for a laugh, but others are very serious indeed. Check out the Predator VI night-vision goggles, Air Tasers, line-bug detection devices - everything your paranoid little heart desires.
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Shake Your Booty
'Booty' here means boots…and pumps and sandals and any other accessories you may need in order to hit the town (and then shake your other booty). The footwear here is trendy and fun, but it's only for women.
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Shop Pop
This boutique for women and men features designers like Ben Sherman and Tipton Charles. Prices can be high, so check the sale rack.
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Skynear & Co
Explore four (count 'em, four!) levels of rooms crowded with 'stressed' armoires, funky sofas and kitschy coffee tables. The stuff is unique and prices are reasonable.
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Smash!
When this author was young, she remembers sneaking down to Smash! to buy striped tights and magenta hair dye. It used to make her feel so grown up; so punk. Today, punky teenagers flock to this misfit looking shop on a street of fresh-scrubbed storefronts for studded belts, secondhand jackets and a collection of punk classics on vinyl.
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Steve Madden
The flagship Steve Madden store in DC has a giant selection of the designer's footwear. From spiky heels to trendy sneakers, you're likely to find something here. Plus shopping in this airy space is pretty damn fun. Don't forget to check out the sale rack in the back - there are usually shoes going for 50% off.
