Washington, DC is not a manufacturing area so it is not known for its locally produced items. It is a very affluent area, however, and subsequently there are numerous shopping malls and districts. The Georgetown neighbourhood is a popular shopping destination because of its charming streets, despite parking problems and the lack of a convenient Metro station.

The Shops at Georgetown Park, a 19th-century styled mall situated at M Street and Wisconsin Avenue, NW, was originally built to house buses and streetcars. In the 1960s, it became the location of the Situation Room for the White House and the site of the first hotline to Moscow. Under a huge skylight and surrounded by an elegant Victorian interior of chandeliers and wrought iron, there are about 100 shops and cafes with prices definitely not aimed at the bargain hunter.

Downtown is Union Station on Massachusetts Avenue, which has shopping on two levels with over 100 outlets, including familiar names such as Ann Taylor, B Dalton Bookseller and Jos A Bank. You can find more upmarket shopping at the Mazza Gallerie on Wisconsin Avenue (Metro station Friendship Heights), along the border with Maryland, which is a multi-level shopping centre, housing trendy Neiman Marcus. Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, in Arlington Virginia (Metro station blue and yellow lines Pentagon City) is the quintessential shopping mall.

The Adams Morgan neighbourhood offers an interesting international mix of clothing, jewellery, CDs and books. In particular, the shops along 18th Street, NW, between Florida Avenue and Columbia Road, are good for browsing.

The shops in the various Smithsonian Institution Museums stock a fascinating collection of gifts, crafts, books, jewellery and toys. Shops linked to the museums are open daily 1000-1700. Car drivers keen to find bargains should make their way 40km (25 miles) south of the city to the Potomac Mills Outlet Mall in Prince William, Virginia, which has over 200 discount stores with brand names such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Guess and Tommy Hilfiger.

There are several farmers markets in the DC area. Some are year-round like the DC Farmers Market near Capitol Hill, 1309 Fifth Street (Tuesday to Thursday 0700-1730, Friday and Saturday 0700-1830 and Sunday 0700-1400), and others are seasonal, such as the FreshFarm Market at Dupont Circle (every Sunday 0900-1300).

Washington, DC has a sales tax of 5.75%, which is added to the purchase price at the point of sale. There is no system for visitors to claim the tax back. Many shops are open Monday to Saturday 0900-1800 (with some malls open later into the evening) and Sunday 1200-1800.