Shopper's Wonderland

A visit to Washington also provides a chance to finish your gift-buying. You can save a bundle, too, if you shop during the sales tax holiday, November 24 through December 3, when the local government waives collections on clothing, shoes, and accessories priced at $100 or less.

For distinctively D.C. gift ideas, visit the shops at the many museums. The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian boasts two shops, with gifts ranging from Pendleton wool blankets to exquisite handmade turquoise jewelry. At the International Spy Museum, you'll find loads of gadgets for your resident sleuth, while the Smithsonian's Arthur M. Sackler Gallery features Joto kimono purses, Ikibana bonsai shears, and Cambodian silks.