Best Shopping Malls, Outlet and Places in Bethesda Area

"As the name may suggest, the Torpedo Factory Art Center used to be a torpedo factory back during the First and Second World Wars. After the facility closed, it was transformed by a group of local artists who turned it into an arts studio. Nowadays you can visit and find galleries and studios full of local art work, and you can also take classes here if you feel like getting creative yourself."

"Torpedo Factory Art Center was a factory that is now an art center. If you have a knack for art and emerging artists, this local art center is the first place you should visit. Spend a few hours watching the artists in action."

"The Torpedo Factory Art Center fosters connections among artists and the public to ignite the creative spirit. The Alexandria Archaeology Museum is also located in the same building."

"While not quite a restaurant, Union Market features too many vegan-friendly pop-ups to overlook. Whether you're craving tacos, pasta, ice cream, or a smoothie bowl, there's a plant-based version available at this trendy indoor farmer's market. So, yeah, that stereotype that all vegans are deprived and only eat kale definitely doesn't work in Washington."

"One of the city’s most noteworthy spots, the market is filled with artisan eateries. The famous Heart Wall is the perfect place to confess your love for one another. The Heart Wall is a mural created for International Women’s Day in 2015 by Los Angeles-based graffiti artist Mr. Brainwash."

"From oozing grilled cheeses to warm pockets of bao and gooey bread pudding, it’s impossible to leave this local marketplace in a serious food coma. If you’re in DC, make sure to head over to Union Market for the famous Korean inspired tacos or Red Apron’s stand for anything chorizo."

"Whether you are visiting Washington for a day or two or plan to spend a longer time in DC, you should take the time to visit CityCenterDC, where a brilliant DC experience awaits you. CityCenterDC is more than a simple shopping destination – the complex offers over 30 retail outlets and restaurants, residential units, offices and brilliant out-door public spaces where you can relax and unwind. You will find distinctive designer fashion at stores like Canali, Gucci, Hermes and Salvatore Ferragamo, while Tumi offers the perfect solution for packing your new acquisitions."

"I love CityCenter because it offers an extremely modern aesthetic (plus you can stop at Momofuku Milk Bar for ice cream or Dolcezza for gelato & coffee). CityCenterDC has to be one of the most instagrammable places in DC. In the center you’ll find a massive LED screen which is fun to shoot at night with a friend."

"This elegant setting features a vibrant mix of shops and restaurants. Take a stroll down Palmer Alley to enjoy the stringed light displays while window shopping, especially during the holiday season. The neighborhood hosts a variety of outdoor festivals and events throughout the year."

"The National Gallery of Art & the Sculpture Garden is one of the best things to do in Washington DC if you are interested in art. They have over 60 rooms and 3,000 works of art that span from Medieval to Modern times and cover paintings, sculptures, and more. There is so much to see you will likely need the whole day to see the museum."

"The National Gallery of Art is home to an outdoor sculpture garden filled with works from both well-known and up-and-coming artists. It is “designed to offer year-round enjoyment to the public in one of the preemptive locations on the National Mall.”. The Garden isn’t just home to some magnificent sculptures, though."

"Get your gloves and your sweetie as you ice skate amidst the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. A while later, snatch hot chocolate and treats at its Pavilion Cafe. National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden pic:flickr,mvjantzen"

"The Georgetown Shopping District sprawls along several blocks on Wisconsin Avenue and M Street in Georgetown. Here shopping enthusiasts can easily spend several hours browsing a wide variety of retail outlets offering just about any kind of shopping you can imagine. Fashion retailers include favorites like Abercrombie and Fitch, Banana Republic, Barbour and many more."

"Address:Principle Gallery, 208 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. An iconic artist respite since 1994, Principle Gallery houses treasures from local and regional artists alongside international prized artworks and statues. This gallery is filled with multiple genres such as contemporary realism, bronze works, and high-quality oil paintings."

"Sundays, Year Round, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.Four Mile Run Park, 4109 Mt Vernon Ave. Managed by the Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market Management Team, in cooperation with the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, the Four Mile Run market is strategically located at the entrance to Four Mile Run Park, whose trail of the same name connects Crystal City, D.C., Shirlington and the Mount Vernon Trail. The market’s vision is to improve the park and surrounding neighborhood while bringing fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels and to reflect the diverse community it serves."

"4109 Mt Vernon Ave (Map This) Sundays 9 a.m to 1 p.m.Accepts SNAP/EBT (Food Stamps). The Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market brings fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels, provide an opportunity for local artisans and producers of goods to bring their wares to market, strive to reflect the diversity of the community, and improve the quality of life for Arlandria residents and visitors. It is part of an overall vision to expand and improve Four Mile Run Park and the surrounding neighborhood."

"Address:Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301. Home to the city's best visual and functional artworks, Del Ray Artisans was established to support the blossoming art community in Alexandria. The gallery is free to enter and is open to the public."

"The Spa by Ivanka Trump is a 10,000 sq ft boutique spa located within the Trump International Hotel in the DC area. The spa is known for its highly customized service, ensuring that every guest has a unique experience during their visit. The spa has six rooms, with expert therapists ensuring your aches and pains disappear in no time."

"The national Arboretum is one of my favorite spots in all of DC.It is huge and full of many different gardens you can visit year round. One of the most famous is the bonsai tree garden which includes trees that are hundreds of years old. The flowers and gardens are a great spot to escape the big city feel and learn about the different plants that live all over the world."

"Open every day except December 25th, the National Arboretum provides incredible beauty no matter the season. Visit the grounds to see plenty of nature, trees, and paths, all of which appear differently based on the time of day and season. Visit during various times of year to watch the seasons change artfully."

"The Nature Center is the first stop for visitors to Rock Creek Park, a natural area in northwest D.C. Ranger-led programs and some of the park's shorter trails begin at the center, where visitors can find trail maps, a planetarium, and a children's discovery room."

"More than 44 acres of plants and trees indigenous to the Potomac River Valley have been curated by the Winkler Botanical Preserve, which is managed by a private, non-profit organization with a mission to provide free environmental education for the students of the Alexandria City Public Schools and is open daily for visitors. The preserve also offers popular nature camps in summer and during spring and winter breaks. Admission is free and visitors can enter the preserve through an open gate in a small apartment complex parking lot between 8:30 a.m."

"Winkler Botanical Preserve stretches for over 44 acres and you will find a beautiful array of flora and fauna that typifies the Potomac River Valley. The preserve here aims to showcase the natural beauty of Virginia, and is open to the public daily. You can walk around and take in the trails here and get up close to the picturesque plant and wildlife that abounds."

"It's off the beaten path, but Kotobuki is a long-running sushi spot in Washington, D.C. The setting is simple, with a long bar along the sushi counter. Lunch is a great deal here, with specials piled with tuna, whitefish, yellow tail and California rolls starting at $11.95. The restaurant also specializes in kamameshi dishes, or vegetables and meat which have been prepared in a iron kettle, per tradition."

"Kotobuki is a quaint hole-in-the-wall sushi joint that can seat about 15 people max. With its white walls, decorated here and there with a few splashes of red and black paint, the setting of Kotobuki is simple and unpretentious. Don't mind the lack of decor though."

"My wife and I always get the chirashi sushi whenever we try out a new-to-us sushi restaurant and the one we had here was one of the best in the DMV that ..."

"Nama Sushi opened in 2018 in Mount Vernon Triangle as an intimate neighborhood sushi spot where diners will also find Japanese-inspired small plates like Kobe sliders. Sushi options here include tuna and jalapeño maki rolls, Maryland crab "California rolls," and royal trumpet mushroom nigiri for vegetarians. The decor includes chandeliers and purple accents, with sake at the bar and yuzu sorbet for dessert."