32 Best Shopping in Virginia, USA

The square beside the old Main Street Station has been a public gathering place since 1737, and is within walking distance of art galleries, boutiques, and antique shops, many in converted warehouses and factories. Market days are weekends.

The is where silver flatware and estate jewelry goes when it's ready for a new home.

Whether it's a rare first edition or a bargain you're seeking, the shop has thousands of books in all categories and price ranges.

is a nine-block shopping-and-entertainment district with more than 300 shops and 25 restaurants. Parking is scarce on weekends.

Purchase seasonal decorations and accessories here.

More than 200 street-level and underground stores and restaurants are connected to the Crystal City Metrorail station. Most shop maintain standard business hours and close by 6 pm.

You can meet painters, sculptors, glassworkers, jewelers, photographers, and other artists at work in their studios at the non-profit d'Art Center, in Norfolk's NEON District. The art is for sale.

Books are crammed into every nook and cranny of this three-floor shop.

Spanning 18,000 square feet, this farmers market has homemade baked goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, plus butter churns and ceramic speckle ware made by the local Mennonites. Don't be surprised to see locals trotting by in their horse-and-buggy. It's a good place to mingle with the craftspeople, as well as with students from James Madison University in nearby Harrisonburg. It's open Thursday through Saturday from 9 to 6.

six-block brick pedestrian mall houses specialty stores, cinemas, art galleries, restaurants, and coffeehouses in restored 19th- and early-20th-century buildings.

This four-story mall includes such shops as Macy's, Nordstrom, the Coach Store, Swatch, babyGap, Sephora, and an Armani Exchange. In addition to a skylighted food court, there are four full-service restaurants to choose from, including the popular local pizza chain Matchbox. A handful of additional shops and restaurants surround the mall, A Ritz-Carlton hotel and the Metro station are also connected.

Close to the university campus, this store stocks scholarly works, including a substantial collection of theology and philosophy.

Located just off King Street, is Old Town's best bet for women's designer duds. Friendly shopkeepers are at the ready to help you find the right party dress, knit sweater, or chunky necklace from brands like Diane von Furstenberg and Trina Turk.

Chefs and foodies alike hit this shop for their gourmet goods. For more than 30 years, this independently owned shop has sold professional equipment from Mauviel copper to Sabatier knives, along with a large selection of spices and other imports.

In the West End, Libbie Grove is filled with eclectic boutiques and antique stores.

Dating to 1753, the may be the country's oldest operating farmers' market. Vendors sell baked goods, fresh produce, plants, flowers, and high-quality crafts. Come early; the market opens at 7 am, and by noon it's all over.

This plaza has Lenox, Villeroy & Boch, Orvis and other factory outlets.

There are more than 220 discount and outlet stores at this mall, including Nordstrom Rack, Michael Kors, OFF 5TH Saks Fifth Ave. Outlet, and Bloomingdale's. There's also an IMAX theater and 25 restaurants, plus Swedish furniture giant IKEA is next to the complex. Check the website for coupons and deals at various stores.

The largest of the outlets, there are more than 85 stores here including Liz Claiborne, L. L. Bean, Waterford-Wedgwood, Eddie Bauer, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Brooks Brothers, Nike, Guess, Nautica, Michael Kors, and Cole Haan.

This historic landmark holds a rotating lineup of up-and-coming local businesses from cafes to retail shops. Check the website for info on the shops, pop-ups, and upcoming events.

Walk down Shockoe Slip's cobblestone streets and peruse the stores for unique finds, like furniture from contemporary shop LaDiff, to antiques and rare books.

At Sunspots Studios & Designs, near downtown, you can see artisans at work, blowing glass and melding copper. Their exquisite items for the house and garden are available for purchase. In spring the studio hosts the Virginia Hot Glass Festival, which brings together hot-glass artists from across the region.

Alexandrian pet owners come to this small shop to spoil their four-legged friends. The friendly owner greets visitors as they enter the shop and helps them find the toys and treats (including special doggie cookies) that their pets will love, whatever the breed.

Virginia's largest shopping mall houses more than 300 stores, from department stores like Macy's, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's to specialty shops like Lululemon and Apple. A true destination mall, retail is only one of the draws here. You'll find more than 50 eateries and restaurants, like seafood centric Coastal Flats and Shake Shack, a 16-screen AMC Theatre, and a Hyatt Regency hotel. An outdoor plaza has concerts, a kids zone, and ice skating in winter. Traffic is extremely heavy around the evening rush.

Across a busy highway from Tysons Corner Center, the Galleria has about 100 generally upscale retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Versace, and Neiman Marcus. There are a handful of average-to-good restaurants (like Maggiano's Little Italy), fast-food outlets, and a few local spots like Founding Farmers and American Eats Tavern by star chef Joséé Andrés. A Ritz-Carlton Hotel is located here, too.

An official store of Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg at Home features the full line of Williamsburg furniture, bedding, rugs, fixtures, and wallpapers.

The Craft House sells a full line of Williamsburg dinnerware, flatware, glassware, pewter, giftware, and jewelry.