The Best Washington DC Souvenirs to Bring Home
Washington DC is known for its political importance, historical roots, and monumental festivals. These are the best Washington DC souvenirs to buy that best celebrate that core the city.
My mission on every trip is to bring home local souvenirs that embodies my trip and are still useful at home (i.e. don’t just collect dust). So these are my suggestions from my trip to Washington DC.
Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!
My souvenirs from Washington DC are split into 3 categories:
Official Washington D.C. Institution Souvenirs
A trip to Washington DC is often spent touring iconic institutions. From government buildings to justice and law enforcement, to knowledge and preservation. These buildings are the essence of the city and also your trip. So these next few souvenirs are for each particular institution that make up the heart of DC.
1. The White House
Without a doubt, the most iconic building in DC is The White House. This is where the current President of the United States lives. Pick up anything with a White House print, or an influential President on it, like Abe Lincoln.
You can also pretend you got something with the official seal of the President (yes, that’s a thing!). This is the official symbol of the American presidency. It’s a bald eagle holding an olive branch and arrows in each of its’ talons. You can find these on anything from shot glasses to hats and other useful merchandise.
But one of the most popular souvenirs to pick up from the White House itself is The White House annual Christmas Ornament. If you celebrate Christmas, there is no better souvenir. This will be an annual reminder that you visited, and even the specific year of when you visited. They do change them every year, so they are pretty unique and one of a kind.
You can find White House souvenirs at the White House History Shop.
2. Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world. It’s still very much an active library and main research branch in the U.S. So be sure to pick up a bookish souvenir when you visit.
You can either pick up a book to read and add to your own library collection. Or buy DC themed bookshelf accessories, like Presidential or column book-ends. My personal favourite, the Library Kit to create your own library when lending out your own books.
If you don’t have your own personal library, buy apparel with the famous Thomas Jefferson (3rd president of the United States) quote: “I Cannot Live Without Books’. The Library of Congress has taken this quote and added it to most of their merchandise!
Pro Tip: if you plan your visit in advance, apply for a library card to access the library – and not just see it from the observation deck!
3. Smithsonian Museums
The Smithsonian Museums take over Washington. Seriously, there are 17 of these giant museums scattered throughout the city. So it’s only natural that you buy a souvenir from one (or more) of these impressive museum gift shops.
The gift shops at the museums sell merchandise for both general Smithsonians and unique to each museum. For example, you can find beautiful gem lamps or book ends at the National Museum of Natural History. Or freeze dried astronaut food at the National Air and Space Museum.
4. The Supreme Court of the United States
“Equal Justice Under Law” – The Supreme Court represents justice and law in DC. It’s the last and final ruling for high cases in the entire country. So head to the Supreme Court to shop at their own gift shop for tailored souvenirs. For example, I love the Silly Debate Game to create your supreme court rulings – but that aren’t too serious.
Otherwise, shop for anything with a supreme court logo on it, like Supreme Court Cufflinks. Or buy something with an influential Justice of the Supreme court on it. A very popular representative was Ruth Bater Ginsberg. She was the second woman to serve the court and was a big advocate for female equality. You can find local artwork of her printed on tea towels to hats and shot glasses!
5. U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP)
Washington DC is the printing factory for U.S. currency. It’s literally where money is made! Bring back more money than you left with with some money themed souvenirs!
You can head to the BEP to their official shop for themed and authentic coins, and $2 bank notes. Or just buy some items with bank notes printed on it, my favourite is a wallet with a money print. But you can also find tea towels, aprons, mugs, and even microfibre cloths.
6. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Another big influence in the DC ecosystem is The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). DC is where their headquarters are. Buy an unofficial official FBI hat to “fit” in to the DC landscape while your touring!
You can find a lot of FBI branded merch at souvenir stands on the street. Otherwise, head to the main FBI headquarters gift shop if you have a tour booked – just be aware the shop is before the tour, and you can’t go back afterwards.
Georgetown DC Souvenirs
Georgetown is one of the best DC neighbourhoods, but it’s also known for a few specific DC souvenirs of their own.
7. Georgetown University Merch
Georgetown University is one of the top and oldest universities in Washington. It’s also the the oldest Jesuit University in the country. On top of that, it was also featured in the Hollywood film, The Exorcist.
So either head to the campus to tour and pick up GU merchandise at the bookshop or from one of the tourists shops in the neighbourhood.
8. Georgetown Cupcakes
Georgetown Cupcakes is one of the main reasons to visit the neighbourhood. They are famous for being on the hit TLC show DC Cupcakes in the early 2000s and are still going strong today. They make delicious local cupcakes with extravagant flavours and designs.
Depending on where home is for you, you can try to bring back their cupcakes for friends and family to try. Otherwise they also have some non-perishable souvenirs, like their cookbook, or even cupcake napkins! Head to their flagship store in Georgetown to shop!
Cultural Souvenir from Washington DC
These next souvenirs remind you of the city’s culture and identity, aside from being the nation’s capital and government city.
9. Cherry Blossom Souvenirs from Washington
Over the years, the Cherry Blossom festival has become synonymous with Washington DC. Every spring, the trees bloom a wonderful pink and white flower, waking up the city from winter. This is celebrated annually by the city with a festival.
You see, these trees aren’t local to DC, or even North America. They were a gift from Japan in 1912. So they’re celebrated!
P.S. In Japan, the tree goes by the name Sakura, which you might see in Washington as well.
If you’re able to make it for the festival, you’ll definitely want to pick up a cherry blossom themed souvenir – this can honestly be anything that is pink.
If you can’t make the festival though, you can still celebrate in your own way back at home. They sell gorgeous mugs that “bloom” when you add hot water. Or plant your own Sakura tree at home with a germination kit! If that’s too much for you, pick up some Cherry Blossom Tea instead so you can still taste and smell the flowers. These teas are made from the flowers of the trees!
Pro Cherry Blossom Travel Tip: It’s very tricky and expensive to plan a trip during the Cherry Blossom Festival. They bloom for only 10 days of the year and the timing is based on the weather. So it can be earlier or later every year. See more of my DC travel tips
10. Mambo Sauce
Mambo Sauce is the local sweet and sour wing sauce. The main brand is Capital City Mambo Sauce, and it’s served almost everywhere that serves wings in DC. I unfortunately didn’t get wings while in DC so didn’t actually see it. But apparently you can head to most grocery stores and they’ll sell it as well. Or you can order it online directly from Capital City.
If perishable food isn’t a souvenir for you (don’t worry, I get that!), you can always order a Capital City Mambo Sauce T-shirt from their website instead.
11. DC Sports Merch
Like any good American city, Washington has their slew of sports teams to root for. DC has every sports team imaginable, so you can bring back a tee or hat from your favourite sport.
For football, pick up the Washington Commanders. For hockey, get the Washington Capitals. Basketball, shop for the Washington Wizards. And for baseball, pick up the Washington Nationals.
Bonus! Colonial Toys for Kids
Washington DC is also a pretty historical city in the U.S.. If you’re traveling with a young family, or know some kids back home, pick up some old school colonial toys. See how the young used to pass the time with Nine Pins, marbles, even a wooden yo-yo!
If crafts are more their style, get a doll making kit! It’s also fun to learn a new skill, even if it’s an old new skill!
Planning Your Trip to DC – Hotel Recommendations
When booking a hotel in Washington, you have to decide what you want to do because nothing is closed to each other. The most convenient hotel is to book near a metro station, or if you’re interested in Smithsonians, then book near the National Mall.
I stayed at the Homewood Suites on Massachusetts Avenue. It was halfway between the White House and Dupont Circle (a 15 minute walk to each). The closest metro is also about a 10 minute walk. I chose it because it gave me a two bedroom suite with a kitchen, breakfast, and the option for laundry (perfect for traveling with your family!). See rates and availability on Booking.
I originally booked The Hamilton Hotel as it’s slightly closer to a metro and the White House. I also booked Hotel Madera for it’s proximity to Dupont Circle, and being the closest to a metro station (a 6 minute walk). I also liked Hotel Madera because some rooms had a balcony.
But if I were to visit Washington again, I would try to stay closer to the Smithsonian Museums. The downside is that there aren’t a lot of options here, one of the top rated hotels is citizenM Washington Capitol, just a 12 minute walk from the Air and Space Museum, and 4 minutes to the closest metro.
Or see more hotel options on Booking . com.
My Washington DC Travel Must-Haves
You walk A LOT in Washington so it’s pivotal that you have a good pair of walking shoes. I always really like my On Women’s Cloud 5 Waterproof Sneakers – just in case it’s raining! I can wear these day after day with happy feet.
You’ll also want to bring a refillable water bottle, my go-to is an Owala. Every museum has a fountain and, remember, you’re doing a lot of walking outside without a lot of infrastructure – staying hydrated is key. I also recommend packing some protein bars, I really like Simply Protein because they aren’y high in sugar.
And finally, because you’re most likely going to be out for the entire day, bring an external battery so your phone doesn’t die on you.
Read More Related Posts
- Top Georgetown DC Things to Do (& Popular Attractions to Skip!)
- The Ultimate Travel Guide Washington DC For Your First Visit
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