Must-see shopping in New England

  • Frost Gully Violins

    Midcoast Maine

    This is admittedly a store with very specific clientele, but if you're in the market for an instrument from the violin family, Frost Gully might have the…

  • Mount Hope Farmers Market

    East Bay

    Held every Saturday year-round, this wonderful farmers market takes place amid 200 acres of pristine farmland on the Mount Hope Farm. Off-season markets…

  • Sault New England

    South End & Chinatown

    Blending prepster and hipster, rustic and chic, this little basement boutique packs in a lot of intriguing stuff. The eclectic mix of merchandise runs the…

  • Eureka Puzzles

    Streetcar Suburbs

    Puzzles, of course. But even better, this place has board games. And card games. And many other kinds of games. The folks at Eureka know and love games so…

  • Cambridge Antique Market

    Cambridge

    This old brick warehouse in East Cambridge looks foreboding from the outside, but inside is an antiquer’s paradise. With more than 150 dealers on five…

  • Lahout's

    White Mountains

    Lahout's runs several shops in Lincoln. Stop by 41 Main St for summer and winter outdoor apparel, with offerings from Burton, Columbia and Life is Good. A…

  • FPAC Space at the Envoy

    Boston

    This retail outlet for the Fort Point Arts Community displays jewelry, prints, photographs, T-shirts, pottery, homewares and other cool, creative stuff…

  • Forty Winks

    Cambridge

    Forty Winks is a little slice of luxurious lingerie heaven. The items are pricey, but they are also soft, silky and oh-so-sexy. And the staff are…

  • Bannister's Wharf

    Newport

    You'll find this clutch of boutiques selling Newport and nautically themed souvenirs located directly on the waterfront. The complex also houses a working…

  • Bricco Salumeria

    Boston

    Duck down Board Alley and into this sense-piquing specialty shop. Sausages and cured meats hang from the ceiling, while the cases are stocked with fresh…

  • Marika’s Antique Shop

    Beacon Hill & Boston Common

    In the mid-20th century, a Hungarian immigrant opened this treasure trove in Boston’s antique central. Today it is run by her grandson, Matthew Raisz, who…

  • Wit Gallery

    The Berkshires

    It's worth popping in to take a look at the contemporary pieces by emerging and established artists at the Wit. The gallery carries work in a range of…

  • Ball & Buck

    Back Bay

    The hunter logo is indicative of Ball & Buck's target audience – manly men who are not afraid to wear camouflage and look good in it, too. These…

  • Newbury Comics

    Back Bay

    How does a music store remain relevant in the digital world? One word: vinyl. In addition to the many cheap CDs and DVDs, there's a solid selection of new…

  • Society of Arts & Crafts

    Boston

    After 120 years, this prestigious nonprofit gallery is still fulfilling its mission to promote emerging and established artists and to encourage…

  • Indian Motorcycle

    Pioneer Valley

    The iconic Springfield motorcycle company, Indian Motorcycle, has opened its first apparel and merchandise store at the MGM casino complex. The store…

  • Olives & Grace

    South End & Chinatown

    This little shoebox of a store offers an eclectic array of gift items – many from New England – all of them made with love and thoughtfulness by artisans…

  • Artists Association of Nantucket

    Nantucket

    Browse the eclectic works of over 200 Nantucket artists who exhibit at this association gallery. Families with budding artists should inquire about the…

  • Daniela Corte

    Back Bay

    Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Daniela Corte attended the Boston School of Fashion Design before launching her own line and opening this understated…

  • Twentieth Century Ltd

    Beacon Hill & Boston Common

    Not just jewelry, but vintage jewelry – especially Bakelite, silver and art deco designs – made by the great designers of yesteryear. The selection is…

  • Good

    Beacon Hill & Boston Common

    So many lovely things to look at, from exquisite custom-designed jewelry and attractive housewares to quirky baby gifts, chic scarves and handbags. It's…

  • V Cirace & Son, Inc

    Boston

    It’s the third generation of the Cirace family that runs this North End institution. Established in 1906, V Cirace & Son carries an impressive selection…

  • Cambridge Artists Cooperative

    Cambridge

    Owned and operated by Cambridge artists, this two-level gallery displays an ever-changing exhibit of their work. The pieces are crafty: handmade jewelry,…

  • Cheapo Records

    Cambridge

    With tunes blasting out onto the sidewalk, Cheapo Records lures in music lovers to browse through its huge selection of vinyl and decent selection of CDs…

  • Nomia

    Portland

    This adult boutique sells plenty of lubes, toys and other accoutrements; what sets it apart is its status as a women-owned and -operated business. The…

  • Harman's Cheese & Country Store

    White Mountains

    If you need to pack a picnic for your hike – or if you simply wish to stock up on New England goodies before heading home – don't miss this country store,…

  • Ferdinand

    Portland

    This funky shop sells well-curated vintage clothes and homewares, unique handmade crafts, limited-edition greeting cards and anything else management can…

  • Craftland

    Providence

    Craftland is a great place to shop for souvenirs given that its inventory consists of one-of-a-kind finds from over 150 local artists. Ceramics and…

  • KitchenWares

    Back Bay

    KitchenWares is popular for its selection of cutlery, as well as its all-important knife sharpening service. Less known, it's also an excellent spot for…

  • Hickory Stick Bookshop

    Connecticut

    Indy bookstores are back on the rise, and Hickory has stood tall in the local lit scene for six decades. A large store with a huge section dedicated to…

  • Planet Records

    Cambridge

    Harvard Square is still a great place to get your vinyl fix and your first stop should probably be Planet Records. It's a small space with an impressive…

  • Bookery

    New Hampshire

    This bright and boxy bookstore is an inviting addition to Elm St, with author events, a children's story time (11:15am Saturday) and a cafe that serves…

  • Blue Hill Books

    Down East

    Just uphill from the waterfront, Blue Hill Books is a treasured resource. You'll find loads of titles by authors based locally and in wider Maine. It has…

  • Crane & Lion

    Beacon Hill & Boston Common

    Fitness meets fashion at this sweet boutique (fronting a fitness and wellness center, appropriately). This local company aspires to create clothing that…

  • Bennington Potters

    Southern Vermont

    The artisans at this factory store are maintaining Bennington's strong tradition of handmade stoneware manufacturing, which dates to the 1700s. Take a…

  • Maine Meat

    Southern Maine Coast

    This wonderful butcher shop sources meat found within 100 miles of Kittery, and makes a point of utilizing the whole animal carcass, which means only…

  • Bowen's Wharf

    Newport

    Typifying Newport's transformation from working seaport to tourist town, this historic wharf is now home to a tasteful indoor and outdoor mall housing…

  • Blue Hill Wine Shop

    Down East

    Offers a thoughtfully curated selection of wines (including some unusual varieties) as well as cheeses, coffees and made-to-order sandwiches. The shop…

  • Scout Vintage

    Cape Cod

    Tucked away in a blah strip mall is this surprise of a boutique. Inside is a mix of well-curated antiques, tasteful souvenirs, and beauty and home goods…

  • Leaf & Anna

    Down East

    An enticing place to browse for gifts, this small store has a well-curated selection of pottery and glassware, soaps, skincare products, tea towels, jams…