Shop 'til you drop in Capital Region USA
The US still offers great value shopping for the UK visitor, with the general rule of thumb being ‘what costs a pound in the UK costs a dollar in the US’ and a with a fairly healthy sterling to Dollar exchange rate – there are bargains to be had!
Most of the sales usually coincide with US holidays: Memorial Day in late May, early July for Fourth of July and early September for Labour Day.
Not forgetting, Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, Friday 25 November 2011, which is known for hosting some of the biggest sales periods of the year. Just be sure to purchase extra luggage to bring all your bargains and special finds home with you!
Best for the Designer Discounts… There is an abundance of outlet malls throughout Capital Region USA, that houses hundreds of designer stores all offering impressive savings of between 25% to 65% on clothes, shoes, accessories and home ware. Virginia boasts 32 in total including the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets and Potomac Mills in Woodbridge. In Maryland, Arundel Mills between Baltimore and Annapolis and the Premium Outlets in Queenstown and Hagerstown are all popular choices. At the Chevy Chase Mall in DC you can find Tiffany’s, Jimmy Chu and Versace, plus, Tyson Corner Centre, located just 13 miles from Washington DC, plays host to the infamous department stores of Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s.
Best for Vintage Value … if you are looking to find something more unique to take home, spend some time browsing the antique shops and markets of the Capital Region USA. Antique Row in Baltimore www.shopantiquerow.com is the oldest antique district in the United States, dating from the 1840s. It features a wide variety of shops, which attract both the connoisseur and the casual collector, selling items ranging from fine art and furniture, antique books, silver, toys and gifts. It is also where you will find Antique Row Stalls, a vast multi-dealer antique and art gallery featuring decorative objects in bronze, ceramics, books, clocks, furniture, silver and fine art. Or if you prefer the buzz of an antique auction, catch one of Virginia’s many auctions like Alexander’s in Richmond.
Best for Festive Markets … Christmas markets featuring crafts, gifts, Christmas decorations, festive food, live music and entertainment take place through November and December in all three states. Enjoy a unique seasonal shopping marketplace in the Penn Quarter of downtown Washington, DC, or at the Riverfront Holiday Market. Rated as one of the top craft shows in the country, Sugarloaf Craft Festivals are held in Gaithersburg, Maryland between 18 – 20 November and in Chantilly, Virginia 9 – 11 December. These festivals feature over 250 artists and include interactive demonstrations, live music, children’s entertainment and dozens of speciality gourmet food stalls.
To find out more about journey options in the Capital Region USA, visit: CapitalRegionUSA.co.uk