Anne Arundel County offers one of Maryland's most balanced retail experiences, combining historic charm with modern commerce. Its shopping landscape stretches from high-end retail centers in Parole to small, independent boutiques in downtown Annapolis. You can explore everything from designer fashion and specialty home goods to rare books and handmade gifts.
For those who enjoy browsing, comparing, or discovering, Anne Arundel County shopping provides countless opportunities to explore and indulge.
Arundel Mills & BWI Entertainment District
Arundel Mills in Hanover is the county’s largest shopping complex and functions more like a retail-entertainment hub. Its mall footprint encompasses over 250 stores, combining outlet and full-price brands. The mall also includes a multiplex theater, a dinner theater (Medieval Times), and arcade-style entertainment options. This mixed model draws people who want shopping plus experience rather than retail alone.
In the adjacent BWI Entertainment District, the retail mix spills into surrounding centers, restaurants, and hotel-adjacent shops. After a flight or for transit visitors, the district gives a quick-access cluster of stores, eateries, and services. It complements the mall itself by offering incremental convenience shopping outside mall hours.
Annapolis Town Center
Annapolis Town Center supplies a hybrid outdoor shopping experience. It blends national brands and niche boutiques. In addition to anchor tenants like Anthropologie, South Moon Under, and Restoration Hardware, the center hosts local designers and specialty stores. The layout encourages walking between shops, stopping at cafés or galleries, and combining errands with leisure.
The center also stages events (live music, holiday illumination, sidewalk markets) that animate the district beyond pure retail. Because it serves the communities east of Annapolis and acts as a gathering node, Annapolis Town Center often becomes a default for local Anne Arundel County shopping when one wants a balance between selection and ambiance.
Downtown Annapolis Shopping District
The downtown Annapolis district features a boutique-rich, pedestrian-friendly retail scene. Side streets and alleys off Main Street, Church Circle, Maryland Avenue, Dock Street, and West Street host shops specializing in fine crafts, maritime gear, gallery works, local jewelry, custom framing, and boutique clothing. Each block yields something unexpected: pottery, silverwork, or artisan gifts.
These shops often maintain owner presence, meaning you meet the artisan or proprietor while browsing. The architectural scale remains intimate, and the historic street fabric constrains store frontage to small formats. The downtown shopping area is where you go when you want local character, curated goods, and immersive browsing rather than mass retail scale.
Olde Severna Park
Olde Severna Park has an appealing shopping environment along the Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard and the nearby B&A Retail Area. Situated just steps from waterfront access points and green space, the shopping district here is both convenient and charming in a walkable setting. The downtown retail area is organized around independent merchants with specialized merchandise.
In this enclave, you’ll find stores like Cottonwood, a quilt shop, and other specialty shops that draw visitors for regional shopping experiences. The Olde Severna Park business district also hosts community events such as the “Shop & Stroll,” where sidewalks fill with après-work crowds, seasonal displays, and local rewards programs.
Festival at Riva & Forest Drive District
Festival at Riva, near Forest Drive in Annapolis, serves as a community shopping center with a mix of regional chain stores, local shops, and services. It is less ambitious than full malls, but it provides convenience through retail, restaurants, and interior-facing boutiques. The center tends to attract residents from nearby neighborhoods looking for accessible errands.
Beyond the main shopping center, the Forest Drive corridor features a mix of independent retailers, including clothing boutiques, pet supply stores, and gift shops. Its close connection to nearby neighborhoods makes it a prime example of the kind of convenient, community-focused shopping experience that defines much of suburban Anne Arundel County.
Beyond the main shopping center, the Forest Drive corridor features a mix of independent retailers, including clothing boutiques, pet supply stores, and gift shops. Its close connection to nearby neighborhoods makes it a prime example of the kind of convenient, community-focused shopping experience that defines much of suburban Anne Arundel County.
Bookstores in Anne Arundel County
Book lovers will find several long-standing bookstores throughout the county. Old Fox Books is situated in a beautifully restored 19th-century building on Maryland Avenue. Located just steps from the State House, it captures the charm and character of downtown Annapolis. It also has an on-site cafe and regularly hosts author events.
Books for International Goodwill, located on Defense Highway, is a nonprofit warehouse where volunteers sort and sell gently used books to support global literacy. During open-sale weekends, shoppers can browse thousands of titles, making it a unique experience for collectors.
Books for International Goodwill, located on Defense Highway, is a nonprofit warehouse where volunteers sort and sell gently used books to support global literacy. During open-sale weekends, shoppers can browse thousands of titles, making it a unique experience for collectors.
Miscellaneous Shops and Boutiques
Throughout Anne Arundel County, specialty stores and independent boutiques add local character between the larger shopping centers. In Severna Park, Park Plaza features fashion boutiques, jewelry designers, and home décor shops. Edgewater offers waterfront-inspired retailers and marine outfitters that cater to the boating lifestyle.
West Annapolis stands out as one of the county’s most charming retail districts, known for its walkable streets lined with antique shops, high-end women’s fashion boutiques, quilting and fabric stores, and art galleries. Eastport also offers a relaxed mix of nautical-themed shops, local crafts, and design studios that reflect its maritime setting.
Independent artisans across the region maintain studios and showrooms in converted houses and small retail clusters. Ceramicists, clothiers, and gourmet food producers highlight craftsmanship and regional identity, with many selling handwoven textiles, small-batch candles, and locally made art.
Ready for Your Maryland Real Estate Purchase?
If you’re exploring the area as a potential homeowner or investor, understanding these commercial centers can reveal how lifestyle, convenience, and community intersect. To learn more about properties near these thriving shopping districts, connect with Brad Kappel, a leading Anne Arundel County real estate professional. Brad’s local insight and market expertise can help you identify homes near the best retail and cultural hubs.
Interested in Anne Arundel County real estate? Contact us today and we’ll be happy to help you find your dream Anne Arundel County home!
