Your Guide to Virginia's Holiday Shopping Destinations

It is the season for shopping. You'll find great deals and holiday cheer in cities and towns around Virginia. Plus, holiday shopping in Virginia is a treat in and of itself with festive decorations, seasonal sales, and a variety of offerings around the Commonwealth. 

Use this guide to Virginia retail destinations — both large and local — to find the best places for shopping during the busy holiday season and throughout the year.
 

JUMP TO: Small & Local Shopping

OUTLETS & MALLS

MacArthur Center—Norfolk

The 1.1 million-square-foot MacArthur Center has been operating since 1999 and is located adjacent to the General Douglas MacArthur Memorial in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia’s coastal region.

Shops Include: Foot Locker, White House Black Market, Bath & Body Works, H&M

Extra Entertainment: Movie theater, Chrysler Museum of Art

Nearby Places to Eat/Drink: 219 American Bistro, 80/20 Burger Bar, Todd Jurich’s Bistro

Keep exploring The Mermaid City with our complete guide to visiting Norfolk. 
 

Tysons Corner Center—McLean

The 5th largest mall in the United States, Tysons Corner Center has over 300 specialty shops and restaurants. Only 12.5 miles from Washington, D.C., the mall’s close proximity to a booming city makes it a popular shopping destination year-round.

Shops Include: Apple. Bloomingdales, Gucci, Michael Kors, Nordstrom, Emporio Armani, Louis Vuitton, and Macy’s. L’Occitane, Free People, Brooks Brothers, Coach, LEGO, Sephora, Restoration Hardware. The North Face, Under Armour

Nearby Entertainment: Great Falls National Park

Nearby Places to Eat/Drink: Barrel & Bushel, Elevation Burger, Coastal Flats, Wasabi

Start your Northern VA getaway with our complete guide to visiting Fairfax County. 

Williamsburg Premium Outlets—Williamsburg

More than 100 stores make up the Williamsburg Premium Outlets, and you’ll find discounted prices throughout the year at almost all of the retail shops in the massive shopping center.

Shops Include: Dooney & Bourke, Calvin Klein, Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren, J. Crew Factory, Adidas, Brooks Brothers, Carter’s, Kate Spade, Nike Factory Store, Sunglass Hut, Vineyard Vines, Talbots

Extra Entertainment: Historic Jamestowne, Go Ape Treetop Adventure

Nearby Places to Eat/Drink: Oceans & Ale Restaurant, Miyaki Sushi & Grill, Fat Canary, Blue Talon Bistro, Cochon on 2nd, Second Street Bistro

Discover holiday fun in the Historic Triangle this year with our complete guide to visiting Williamsburg. 

Fashion Centre at Pentagon City—Arlington

Informally known as Pentagon City Mall, this shopping destination has four stories of retail stores and can be accessed by the Blue and Yellow Lines of the Washington Metro. A total of 170 retailers and restaurants fill the bustling mall.

Shops Include: Nordstrom, Armani Exchange, BOSS. Steve Madden, Aerie, Savage x Fenty. LEGO, The Children’s Place 

Extra Entertainment: Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington, cross into Washington D.C. for visits to the various Smithsonian Museums, including Natural History, American History, Air & Space, and the National Art Gallery.

Nearby Places to Eat/Drink: Shake Shack, Matchbox Restaurant, Häagen Dazs  

Keep exploring with our complete guide to visiting Arlington. 
 

Leesburg Premium Outlets—Leesburg

Situated a few miles from the Maryland/Virginia border in Loudoun County, the Leesburg Premium Outlets offer discounted shopping much like the Williamsburg location for Northern Virginia residents and visitors.

Shops Include: Michael Kors, Coach, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Jos. A. Bank, LACOSTE, Armani Outlet, Banana Republic Factory 

Extra Entertainment: Loudoun Museum, Morven Park

Nearby Places to Eat/Drink: Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen, Melt, Roots 657, The Wine Kitchen
 

Short Pump Town Center—Richmond

Short Pump Town Center, about 15 minutes northwest of Richmond in Henrico County, opened in 2003. The mall is an open-air retail center that holds a mix of over 140 upscale local, national, and even international shops. Since its opening, the region has become a shopping hub for the area, with dozens of strip mall buildings surrounding the original structure.

Shops Include: Apple, Urban Outfitters, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Saxon Shoes, Tommy Bahama, Macy’s, Madewell, Lilly Pulitzer, Hollister, Express, Build-a-Bear Workshop

Extra Entertainment: Live shows at Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant, Red Door Escape Room 

Nearby Places to Eat/Drink: The Boathouse, Casa Del Barco, Maggiano’s, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Firebirds
 

Potomac Mills—Woodbridge

With a total of more than 225 retailers, Potomac Mills off the Interstate 95 corridor was one of the largest outlet malls in the country when it was built in 1985. Today, it is still one of the most well-known shopping destinations in the Commonwealth.

Shops Include: Bloomingdales, LEGO, Vans Outlet, The Children’s Place, Nordstrom Rack, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nike Clearance Store, Marshalls, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, IKEA

Extra Entertainment: Gunston Hall, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge 

Nearby Places to Eat/Drink: Dixie Bones BBQ, Madigan’s Waterfront Restaurant, The Secret Garden Cafe

Keep exploring Northern Virginia with our complete guide to visiting Prince William County. 

Find more outlet and large shopping districts in every region of Virginia.

SMALL & LOCAL

Mason Avenue—Cape Charles

Small local shops line the streets of Cape Charles, keeping the Eastern Shore town loyal to buying chiefly from the residents.

Shops Include: Moonrise Jewelry, Gull Hummock Gourmet Market

Extra Entertainment: Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, biking at Kiptopeke State Park

Nearby Places to Eat/Drink: The Shanty, Deadrise Italian Kitchen, Cape Charles Candy Company
 

Carytown—Richmond

Carytown acts as an urban retail neighborhood near the famous Fan District of Richmond. There are more than 230 shops, restaurants, and offices in the district, many of them in restored historic buildings.

Shops Include: World of Mirth, Mongrel, Lex’s of Carytown, Phoenix, and Roan. Several consignment shops like Ashby, Clementine, Clover

Extra Entertainment: The Byrd Theatre, visit the nearby Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Nearby Places to Eat/Drink: Can Can Brasserie, Tulsi, East Coast Provisions, The Jasper

Spending the holidays in the River City? Don't miss a thing with our complete guide to visiting Richmond.
 

King Street—Alexandria

Located in historic Old Town Alexandria, King Street’s shopping district spans one mile of shops, restaurants, and outdoor cafes. The brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets add to the charm of this upscale shopping area situated across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. 

Shops Include: Red Barn Mercantile, She’s Unique Jewelry & Gifts, Bishop Boutique, The Dog Park, Dash’s of Old Town 

Extra Entertainment: Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Alexandria's film and TV location self-guided tour, Mount Vernon Bike Trail

Nearby Places to Eat/Drink: Hank’s Oyster Bar, Vermilion, The Wharf, Ada's on the River, The Creamery  

Our complete guide to visiting Alexandria can help you plan your holiday getaway. 
 

Charlottesville Historic Downtown Mall—Charlottesville

Charlottesville’s historic Downtown Mall is an outdoor pedestrian mall made up of 120+ shops and about 30 restaurants. The brick-paved walkways that map out the mall are lined with shops that reside in the restored and renovated buildings along Main Street.

Shops Include: Poshabilities, Rock Paper Scissors, J. Fenton Too, New Dominion Bookshop, Spring Street, The Virginia Shop, Treasures Through Time, Jean Theory

Extra Entertainment: The Virginia Discovery Museum, live music and entertainment at the Jefferson, the Paramount, the Ting Pavilion

Nearby Places to Eat/Drink: Bizou, C&O Restaurant, Citizen Burger Bar, The Whiskey Jar, Revolutionary Soup, South Street Brewery

Plan your Cville getaway with our complete guide to visiting Charlottesville. 
 

Merchants Square—Williamsburg

Over 40 shops and restaurants make up this 18th-century style retail village in Williamsburg. Merchants Square is adjacent to the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area and only a few miles from Busch Gardens Williamsburg theme park.

Shops Include: Blink, Danforth Pewter, Scotland House Ltd.

Extra Entertainment: Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Nearby Places to Eat/Drink: DoG Street Pub, The Cheese Shop, then stop into the The Williamsburg Winery for a tasting and a few bottles as gifts.

Discover holiday fun in the Historic Triangle this year with our complete guide to visiting Williamsburg. 
 

State Street—Bristol

Virginia and Tennessee split State Street directly down the middle, and this well-known avenue has plenty of shops, restaurants, and live music on the Virginia side. After you get in a little retail therapy, head over to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum only a few blocks away to learn about the region’s rich musical history.

Shops Include: Cranberry Lane, Grand Antiques, Wiseman’s Western 

Extra Entertainment: Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Cameo Theatre

Nearby Places to Eat/Drink: Burger Bar, Blackbird Bakery

We've got a complete guide to visiting Bristol if you're set on a holiday trip.
 

Downtown Main Street—Harrisonburg

A variety of commercial, residential, and governmental buildings make up the historic downtown area of Harrisonburg. While there's shopping around nearly every corner, Main Street acts as the chief shopping route. Many old buildings and warehouses have been renovated into charming shops run by the locals, adding to the burgeoning home-grown movement occurring throughout the Shenandoah Valley.

Shops Include: Glen’s Fair Price Store, Walkabout Outfitter, Laughing Dog, WithSimplicity, Hugo Kohl Fine Jewerly

Extra Entertainment: Explore More Discovery Museum, Virginia Quilt Museum, Grand Caverns

Nearby Places to Eat/Drink: Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint, Little Grill Collective, Feel the Rain Brothers Brew Co., Pale Fire Brewing Co.

Whether you’re supporting local or looking for the best deal in a nearby retail chain store, this guide will get you through the bustling holiday season of shopping.