Where: Kensington, Md.
Why: Soccer schwag, a Catalan library and a half-million holiday lights.
How Far: 4 miles north of the District.
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_____Previous Columns_____
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Scandinavian Christmas Festival (The Washington Post, Dec 5, 2004)
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Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum (The Washington Post, Nov 28, 2004)
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Jeffersonian Thanksgiving Festival (The Washington Post, Nov 21, 2004)
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Visit a Coffee Cache (The Washington Post, Nov 14, 2004)
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Sight Eagles in Flight (The Washington Post, Nov 7, 2004)
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If you can't bear the conga line of cars snaking into the mall, consider a shopping run to Kensington. The town was founded in 1894 as a "Victorian garden community," and many of its homes are on the National Registry of Historic Places. But the place is no tourist trap -- it's a working neighborhood with an eclectic mix of cool shops, lunch spots and, its best-known asset, scads of antique stores, ranging from "high-priced highbrow" to "random tchotchke."
Take Potomac Trading Collectibles on Connecticut Avenue. On the top and center floors, you'll find thousands of new and vintage model trains, including the Polar Express (on display, though it's on back-order till January). Downstairs, meanwhile, is a stunning contrast: a wall of guns, including a pair of Irish dueling pistols (circa 1800).
At the west end of Howard Avenue, visit Hunters & Gatherers, perfect for the eccentric collector on your list (assuming you've got no budget). Among its over-the-top items: a hefty statue of the mythic Greek character Hippomenes ($65,000) and an 8-by-10-foot P.T. Barnum circus banner displaying the "Hammer of Strength" attraction ($5,800).
If you grew up in Montgomery County, don't miss the Country Cupboard Tea Room at Howard and Fawcett streets, where you can search for your mug among its hundreds of high school yearbooks. Wee ones had it with the shopping? Take them to the Noyes Library for Young Children (open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday). The tiny cottage, reportedly the D.C. area's first public library, opened in 1893. Now, it carries only kids' books, tapes and toys -- and sticky fingers and loud voices are welcome.
Finally, when your wallet's empty, cruise over to the Mormon Temple for its 27th Annual Festival of Lights (price: free!). It's got 450,000 bulbs, 80 crèches, concerts every night through Jan. 2, and plenty of fellow gawkers (200,000 came through last year). Alicia Brooks Waltman
Road Trip maps are available online at www.washingtonpost.com/roadtrip, as are addresses and hours of operation (be sure to check before you go). Have an idea for a trip? E-mail roadtrip@washpost.com.
