3 Best Places to Shop in Washington, USA

In this impressive trifecta of shopping centers, you'll find just about any chain store you've heard of (and some that you haven't). Bellevue Square's wide walkways and benches, its many children's clothing stores, kid's hair salon, and first-floor play area make this a great place for little ones, too. A variety of local restaurant groups and national chains serve quick, good casual food, and you can park for free in the attached garage. Take the sky bridge to Lincoln Square to catch a flick at their 16-screen cinema, organize your life at the Container Store, or sample an assortment of other retail outlets. Eat at one of the several high-end restaurants, the famous Din Tai Fung, or the upscale food court. Bellevue Place, across from Lincoln Square, hosts a variety of stores, restaurants, and a Fonte Coffee Roaster. From Black Friday through Christmas Eve, thousands of people line Bellevue Way between the shopping centers every night at 7 pm to experience the festive and free Snowflake Lane extravaganza.

If you have some serious cash to burn, the sleek, upscale Bravern might be the Eastside spot for you. With high-end shops like Moncler, Hermès, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Leica, it's tempting to empty your wallet—but save room for a spa treatment at the Gene Juarez Salon & Spa or a meal at luxury Chinese hot-pot spot the Dolar Shop. Valet and complimentary parking (with validation) are available.

This upscale, open-air mall has "University" in its name because of its location, northeast of the UW campus, but you won't see a lot of students here. Clientele are mainly residents of the well-to-do surrounding neighborhoods, drawn by a long list of familiar chains (Williams-Sonoma, Banana Republic, L'Occitane, Sephora, Warby Parker, H&M, Madewell, Apple, Anthropologie, Kiehl's) mixed with some local favorites (including candy wonderland The Confectionery and artsy gift shop Fireworks). There are also good dining options, including the enormously popular international dumpling chain Din Tai Fung. Overall, it's a pleasant shopping experience, but a bit conventional by Seattle standards and a whole different world from the rest of the U-District.