Shopping, Nails, Teen Girl Day in DC

Question

Hi All,

Reposting here!

Looking for suggestions for a day in DC with a 13 year old girl.

Best shopping areas?

Good nail salons?

Fun desserts, candy stores, ice cream, etc?

Any fun experiences?

Museums ok if they are experiential and kid friendly?

Kid friendly lunch places (pizza, pasta, acai bowl/smoothies)?

We are staying at the Fairmont in West End - ok to move around the city but any suggestions near the hotel are helpful too!

Thank you!

Answer

What a fun day to plan in D.C. with a 13-year-old — there’s plenty to do around the Fairmont / West End area and beyond that combine shopping, beauty, treats, and experiences. Here are my top suggestions for a “Teen Girl Day” in Washington, D.C., plus some kid-friendly lunch spots and interactive experiences.

Here are ideas grouped by category:

Shopping Areas:
- Georgetown (M Street & Wisconsin Avenue): This is one of D.C.’s most charming shopping neighborhoods. Cobblestone streets, boutique shops, trendy fashion, and local brands make it ideal for a teen to browse.
- CityCenterDC: A luxury, pedestrian-friendly shopping destination right downtown. It has high-end fashion retailers like Gucci and Dior, plus some fun accessory and lifestyle shops.
- Dupont Circle: A mix of independent boutiques, vintage shops, and arty finds along Connecticut Avenue and on side streets — great for discovering unique pieces.
Nail Salons (West End / Nearby):
- Varnish Lane – West End: Very close to your hotel. They do waterless, non-toxic manicures and pedicures, which is a clean, more natural option.
- Nails by District – Dupont Circle: Stylish salon with a relaxing atmosphere and trendy nail services.
- Glamour Nails – Dupont: Very good for a full spa mani-pedi, including gel, natural, and organic options.
Fun Desserts / Candy / Ice Cream:
- Thomas Sweet – Georgetown: Classic small-batch ice cream and chocolates right in Georgetown.
- Dolcezza Gelato – Georgetown: Delicious gelato in a cozy café; great for a relaxed treat.
- Yala Greek Ice Cream – Georgetown: A more recent spot, offering Greek-style ice cream with unique flavors like citrus or honey.
Interactive / Experiential Experiences / Museums:
- Artechouse: An immersive, digital art space with interactive, visually stunning exhibits — very “Instagrammable” and perfect for a tween/teen.
- Planet Word Museum: A language and word museum where visitors can do things like deliver famous speeches, sing karaoke, explore word walls, and more.
- International Spy Museum: Very engaging and interactive — she can go on spy missions, try out gadgets, and solve mysteries.
- National Building Museum: Great for creativity — hands-on building exhibits, architectural surprises, and often special family programs.
Kid-Friendly / Teen-Friendly Lunch Spots (Pizza, Pasta, Smoothies):
- Amy’s American Pizza: Very popular pizza place in D.C., casual and always a hit with families / teens. (Suggested by locals.)
- Matchbox Pizza + Bar: Fun, trendy, teen-friendly pizza place (mentioned by DC parents and visitors)
- Smoothie / Acai Spots: While not always super touristy, there are plenty of local smoothie / acai bowl cafés in Dupont / West End / Georgetown neighborhoods — you can stop in for a fresh bowl while shopping.

Suggested Itinerary for the Day:

Here’s a sample way to put it all together, since you’re based in the West End:

Start by walking or taking a short rideshare to CityCenterDC for some luxe shopping & window browsing.
From there, head over to Dupont Circle — get her nails done at Nails by District or Glamour Nails, then explore the boutiques and Kramers Bookstore.
Lunch at a nearby casual / teen-friendly spot like Amy’s Pizza or Matchbox.
In the afternoon, visit an interactive museum — maybe start with Planet Word, then walk to Artechouse for the immersive art experience.
Wrap up the day in Georgetown: stroll M Street, hit some of the cool boutiques, then treat her to ice cream at Thomas Sweet or Dolcezza (or Yala if she likes Greek-style).

Safety / Practical Tips:

Use rideshares (Uber / Lyft) to hop between neighborhoods — easier than parking, and safer for lots of walking.
Make appointments for the nail salon ahead of time, especially for a weekend or a “special day.”
For museums like the Spy Museum or Artechouse, buy tickets online ahead — they often sell out or have timed entry.
Keep a comfortable pair of walking shoes — there’s quite a bit of walking when you go between shopping + museums.

Overall, I think this would be a really memorable, fun day for a 13-year-old: a mix of shopping, beauty, “cool” desserts, and interactive experiences. She’ll feel treated but also like she’s on a real city adventure.

Shopping, Nails, Teen Girl Day in DC

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