Whether you’re looking for an outfit for a special occasion, a gift with a “wow” factor or that missing piece of decor to make your house a home, you can find it at one of many shopping centers in Montgomery County and Upper Northwest D.C. Along with big-name stores and quirky small businesses, most commercial destinations also have extra draws—from fancy and fast-casual restaurants to paddleboats and escape rooms. Here’s a taste of where you can go for some retail therapy and fun in the area.
Bethesda Row
At the heart of this shopping area is Bethesda Lane, a wide cobblestone pedestrian street with white lights hanging above, connecting Bethesda Avenue and Elm Street. It’s a bustling place with benches for the public and outdoor dining at Hawkers Asian Street Food, Luke’s Lobster and Maman coffee shop and bakery. It is lined with stores for high-end resort wear (Morley), fine jewelry (Pampillonia) and home decor (Simon Pearce). Popular stops along Bethesda Avenue: Lululemon, the Apple Store and a three-story Anthropologie. Garage and street parking for a fee.
Clarksburg Premium Outlets
For the serious shopper looking for discounts on favorite brands, it’s worth the drive up I-270 to Clarksburg Premium Outlets. Sports fans can choose from Nike, Under Armour, Converse and others, while fashionistas who love a deal will find factory prices at Coach, Marc Jacobs, Armani, Kate Spade and others. Stop by the airy Market Hall for a variety of fast-food options. If kids are along, let them take a break at the free outdoor playground or at ZPlanet Kid’s Fun Center, which boasts a bounce house and arcade games. Plenty of free parking.
22705 Clarksburg Road, Clarksburg, premiumoutlets.com
Congressional Plaza
Anchored by The Container Store at one end and Buy Buy Baby at the other, Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike is a strip mall that features retail, dining and an array of services. Barnes & Noble, The Fresh Market and Lands’ End are among the larger tenants. There are also exercise centers, including CorePower Yoga and Orangetheory Fitness. Free parking.
154 Congressional Lane, Rockville, congressionalplaza.com
Friendship Heights
Shoppers can explore a cluster of stores near the intersection of Wisconsin and Western avenues near the Chevy Chase, Maryland/Washington, D.C., line in Friendship Heights. Bloomingdale’s serves as the retail hub for The Shops at Wisconsin Place, which also features Talbots, J.Jill and Eileen Fisher women’s clothing stores. The neighborhood caters to upscale customers with Tiffany & Co., Brooks Brothers and Saks Fifth Avenue. Popular restaurants in the area include The Capital Grille, Maggiano’s Little Italy, and Clyde’s. Mazza Gallerie, a longtime upscale shopping center at 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., was razed recently and is being replaced by a seven-story building that will include apartment and retail space. Customers pay for garage and street parking.
Pike & Rose
Located on about nine square blocks at the corner of Rockville Pike and Old Georgetown Road in North Bethesda, Pike & Rose is one of the newer mixed-use neighborhoods in Montgomery County, packed with retail, restaurants and entertainment. Many eateries have outdoor dining, and there is green space with reclining chairs for just hanging out. REI Co-op and L.L.Bean are big draws for shoppers. For a date night, the IPIC movie theater has plush chairs, blankets and craft cocktails, while Pinstripes beckons with bowling and bocce. Garage parking (first two hours free).
11580 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, pikeandrose.com
Rio
The lake at Rio in Gaithersburg provides a serene backdrop for this sprawling mixed-use development. Stroll around the water on the boardwalk, or explore on a swan-shaped paddleboat while you feed the ducks. There are several blocks of retail shopping (Kohl’s, Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Bluemercury) and restaurants such as Silver Diner and True Food Kitchen. Outdoors, kids can work off their energy on the carousel or in the playground. Indoor entertainment includes arcade games at Dave & Buster’s, the Red Door Escape Room and AMC theaters. Complimentary garage parking.
9841 Washington Blvd., Gaithersburg, riolakefront.com
Westfield Montgomery mall
With about 115 stores, more than 30 restaurants and a spacious food court, Westfield Montgomery is one of the county’s largest indoor malls. Major retailers include Macy’s, Macy’s Home and Nordstrom. There’s bowling (plus arcade games) at Lucky Strike; indoor slides and ball pits at Jolly Yolly Kids; and a 16-screen AMC movie theater. For unwinding on a big shopping day, several businesses (Zenscape, Synergy Health and Relax Station) offer massages, acupressure, foot reflexology and other spa services. Plenty of free parking.
7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, westfield.com/united-states/montgomery
Wildwood Shopping Center
The main attraction at the corner of Democracy Boulevard and Old Georgetown Road is Balducci’s, a gourmet market for foodies. It is one of about three dozen businesses in the Wildwood strip mall. There are several eateries along the covered walkway (Chopt, Fish Taco, Piccoli Piatti, Rakugaki and Flower Child), including some with outdoor seating. Shoppers can find unique buys at Red Orchard for gifts; Indigo Octopus, an upscale beach boutique; and Yves Delorme for luxury linens. Free parking.
10241 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, shopsatwildwood.com
This story appears in Bethesda Magazine’s 2024-2025 Insider’s Guide.
