Remember wandering aimlessly around malls in their heyday? While these retail complexes reached the height of American popularity in the ’80s and ’90s, malls are still going strong in NoVA. Give them a boost this holiday season — and find something great for everyone on your list.
Tysons Corner Center
Shop For: Literally everyone. There are nearly 300 stores.
Shop With: Alone (to maximize time!), with the kids, or with a friend who likes cocktails since you can sip and stroll as you shop.
Don’t Miss: Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci for high-end styles; Primark (coming soon) and Zara for bargains; American Girl for the kiddos; Drybar for a treat-yourself blowout
Dining: Good mix of fast-casual and sit-down places including &pizza, Mo’s Fried Chicken, Maman Joon, Coastal Flats, and Barrel & Bush
Entertainment: Regular family-friendly attractions like the interactive Encanto-inspired experience at CAMP in December; an AMC theater
Convenience: The Silver Line takes you right there.
Holiday hours:
- Through December 15: 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Saturday; 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Sunday
- December 15–December 23: 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday–Saturday; 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sunday
- Christmas Eve: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Christmas Day: Closed
- New Year’s Eve: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
- New Year’s Day: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Tysons Galleria
Shop For: The label lover in your life
Shop With: Your bougie bestie or a wealthy relative
Don’t Miss: The three Cs: Cartier, CELINE, Chanel
Dining: Try a slice at Andy’s Pizza. Grab coffee and a pastry at Paul.
Entertainment: CMX CinéBistro promises “an elevated movie experience.” Like everything else here, it’s a step (and a buck) above average.
Convenience: A four-minute walk from Metro’s Tysons Station. Make it a luxe staycation with an overnight at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner.
Holiday Hours:
- Through December 23: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Sunday–Thursday; 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Friday–Saturday
- Christmas Eve: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Christmas Day: Closed
- New Year’s Eve: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
- New Year’s Day: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Potomac Mills
Shop For: Everyday attire, discount furniture, and more at outlet-mall prices
Shop With: Your bargain-hunting buddy
Don’t Miss: Bloomingdale’s outlet for discount designer duds, Hot Topic for the teens, Janie and Jack for the babies, Costco for groceries while you’re at it
Dining: Meh. Fast-casual options inside the mall; Cheesecake Factory and Crafty Crab outside the mall.
Entertainment: Bowling alley, arcade games, and an AMC theater
Convenience: Not the best. No nearby Metro stop, and parking can be stressful.
Holiday Hours:
- Through December 23: 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Saturday; 11a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday
- Christmas Eve: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Christmas Day: Closed
- New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- New Year’s Day: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
Shop For: White elephant gifts
Shop With: The girls (and grab brunch at Rosa Mexicano beforehand)
Don’t Miss: J.Crew, LUSH, Sephora, Vince, all the chocolate shops
Dining: Several decent options like Matchbox, Santé, and Shake Shack
Entertainment: Not much, but shopping is entertainment enough, isn’t it?!
Convenience: Pentagon City Metro connects to the mall.
Holiday Hours:
- Through December 23: 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Saturday; 11a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday
- Christmas Eve: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Christmas Day: Closed
- New Year’s Eve: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
- New Year’s Day: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
This story originally ran in our December issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
