Must-see shopping in Boston

  • Salmagundi

    Streetcar Suburbs

    In our humble opinion, every man should own at least one fedora. And if not a fedora, some other fun and functional head-topper. If you are intrigued by…

  • Brookline Booksmith

    Streetcar Suburbs

    Year after year, this independent bookstore wins ‘Best Bookstore in Boston.’ Customers love the lineup of author talks and poetry readings, the emphasis…

  • Ward Maps

    Cambridge

    If you’re into maps, you’ll be into Ward Maps. It has an incredible collection of original antique and reproduction maps, with a special focus on Boston,…

  • Brattle Book Shop

    Boston

    Since 1825, the Brattle Book Shop has catered to Boston’s literati: it's a treasure trove crammed with out-of-print, rare and first edition books. Ken…

  • Enjoying a yarn in Trident Book Store and Cafe," Boston's Alternative"

    Trident Booksellers & Café

    Back Bay

    Pick out a pile of books and retreat to a quiet corner of the cafe to decide which ones you really want to buy. There’s a little bit of everything here,…

  • Harvard Bookstore

    Cambridge

    Family-owned and -operated since 1932, the Harvard Bookstore is not officially affiliated with Harvard University, but it is the university community’s…

  • Boston Public Market

    Boston

    A locavore's longtime dream come true, this daily farmers market – housed in a brick-and-mortar building – gives shoppers access to fresh foodstuffs,…

  • Converse at Lovejoy Wharf

    Boston

    Occupying the ground level of the Converse world headquarters, this flagship store has a sweet selection of its classic sneakers, including some true…

  • North Bennet Street School

    Boston

    The North Bennet Street School has been training craftspeople for over 100 years. Established in 1885, the school offers programs in traditional skills…

  • Salmagundi

    Boston

    While the flagship Salmagundi store in Jamaica Plain has a bigger selection, this second location in the North End still offers some 4000 hats for your…

  • Topdrawer

    Back Bay

    Travelers! Here is a store full of things you need, even if you didn't realize you needed them. Everything from plush fold-up slippers (perfect for chilly…

  • Paridaez

    Beacon Hill & Boston Common

    Boston designer Allison Daroie knows women play many roles, and she believes their clothing should too. That's why her classy, minimalist pieces can…

  • International Poster Gallery

    South End & Chinatown

    This niche gallery stocks thousands of vintage posters from around the world. Thousands. The posters span the globe, with themes ranging from food and…

  • For Now

    Boston

    Calling itself a 'retail incubator' and a 'pop-up collective,' For Now showcases a constantly changing and growing collection of local and regional…

  • Grolier Poetry Bookshop

    Cambridge

    Founded in 1927, Grolier is the oldest – and perhaps the most famous – poetry bookstore in the USA. Over the years, TS Eliot, ee cummings, Marianne Moore…

  • On Centre

    Streetcar Suburbs

    The friendly folks at this little boutique can help you find the perfect gift. The jewelry is inexpensive and highly original; much of it is designed by…

  • Eugene Galleries

    Beacon Hill & Boston Common

    This tiny shop has a remarkable selection of antique prints and maps, especially focusing on old Boston. Follow the history of the city’s development by…

  • SoWa Open Market

    South End & Chinatown

    Boston's original art market, this outdoor event is a fabulous opportunity for strolling, shopping and people-watching. More than 100 vendors set up shop…

  • Boing!

    Streetcar Suburbs

    Boing! is fun. It's fun that they have an exclamation point at the end of their name and crazy colorful creatures adorning their facade. And it's really…

  • Artists for Humanity

    Boston

    Artists for Humanity is a local charity organization that encourages urban youth to get in touch with their creative sides. That means you're doing a good…

  • Good Vibrations

    Streetcar Suburbs

    Down a narrow alley and marked by a discreet sign, this woman-focused sex shop is worth seeking out. The tasteful and tantalizing boutique offers sex…

  • Ars Libri

    South End & Chinatown

    Ring the doorbell: it's worth it. Specializing in rare and out-of-print titles, Ars Libri is an art bookstore extraordinaire, filled from floor to ceiling…

  • SoWa Farmers Market

    South End & Chinatown

    With some 60 stands, this is the largest farmers market in New England, and features fresh produce, meats and poultry, dairy products, flowers and more…

  • Greenway Open Market

    Boston

    This weekend artist market brings out dozens of vendors to display their wares in the open air. Look for unique, handmade gifts, jewelry, bags, paintings,…

  • Raven Used Books

    Cambridge

    This cherished shop is one of the last used-books holdouts in Harvard Square. Its huge collection focuses on scholarly titles, especially in the liberal…

  • Hempest

    Back Bay

    The Hempest is not a well-stocked smoke shop, though there is a small selection of pipes and bongs. It's more about stylish clothing, organic soaps and…

  • Salumeria Italiana

    Boston

    Shelves stocked with extra-virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar, cases crammed with cured meats, hard cheeses and olives of all shapes and sizes,…

  • New Balance Factory Store

    Boston

    Run like the wind…to the New Balance Flagship store for comfortable, supportive running shoes at discounted prices. Runners rejoice over these shoes, but…

  • Blackstone's of Beacon Hill

    Beacon Hill & Boston Common

    Here's a guarantee: you will find the perfect gift for that certain someone at Blackstone's. This little place is crammed with classy, clever and…

  • December Thieves

    Beacon Hill & Boston Common

    The intriguing window dressing will lure you into this artful shop with designer pieces from Boston and abroad. The gorgeous space showcases stylish women…

  • Sedurre

    Boston

    If you speak Italian, you'll know that Sedurre's thing is sexy and stylish. (It means 'seduce.') The shop started with fine lingerie – beautiful lacy…

  • Jewelers Exchange Building

    Boston

    With over 100 jewelers, this historic building is the first stop for many would-be grooms. Some jewelers have retail space on the 1st floor, other less…

  • In-Jean-ius

    Boston

    You know what you’re getting when you waltz into this denim haven. Offerings from more than 20 designers include tried-and-true favorites and little-known…

  • Beacon Hill Chocolates

    Beacon Hill & Boston Common

    This artisanal chocolatier puts equal effort into selecting fine chocolates from around the world and designing beautiful boxes to contain them. Using…

  • Crush Boutique

    Beacon Hill & Boston Common

    Fashion mavens rave about this cozy basement boutique on Charles St, which features both well-loved designers and up-and-coming talents. The selection of…

  • I Am Books

    Boston

    Calling itself 'an Italian-American cultural hub,' this small independent bookstore is the perfect place to pick up reading materials for an upcoming trip…

  • Hatched

    Streetcar Suburbs

    A baby is surely one of nature’s most incredible creations, so why muff it up with synthetic fabrics and toxic toys? If you prefer to dress your little…

  • Cardullo’s Gourmet Shoppe

    Cambridge

    So many goodies packed into such a small space – you’ll find every sort of imported edible your heart desires here, from caviar to chocolate. The…

  • Design Museum Boston Store

    Boston

    The Design Museum is a pop-up museum ('Design is everywhere. So are we.'), but the museum shop is always here, overlooking the Greenway, selling quirky T…

  • Marathon Sports

    Back Bay

    Specializing in running gear, this place could not have a better location: it overlooks the finish line of the Boston Marathon. It’s known for attentive…

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