16 Best Places to Shop in Beacon Hill, Boston Common, and the Old West End, Boston

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We've compiled the best of the best in Beacon Hill, Boston Common, and the Old West End - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Beacon Hill Chocolates

Beacon Hill Fodor's choice

Let this store's aroma entice you to enter before it wows you with stunning display cases lined with local and European artisan chocolates that you can buy by the piece. You can also shop a vast array of gourmet chocolate bars, some bagged candy, and a few flavors of gelato. Yum!

Gus & Ruby

Beacon Hill Fodor's choice

Sure, we love our technology, but we still also really love paper products and that's the majority of what this cool gift store stocks. First, explore the entire section devoted to wares by Rifle Paper Co., and then pick up something for the cherished infant in your life from the edited selection of precious and expensive baby clothing. There are also artful gift items focused on the cities of Boston and Portland, Maine.

Blackstones

Beacon Hill

If you've shopped Charles Street in the last 45 years, you'll recognize this long-standing shop, now in a much larger location. Many of the gifts, books, and greeting cards on display are made in the United States and locally focused. The back room boasts an awesome selection of spices, Swedish dish cloths, and small kitchen utensils.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Crush Boutique

Beacon Hill

Find weekend casual outfits, jeans, silky shifts, and even party attire at this feminine boutique. Accessories are not overlooked, as Crush offers jewelry and handbags that will dress up any ensemble.

December Thieves

Beacon Hill

The edgiest clothing boutique on the Hill, December Thieves stocks fashion-forward, contemporary, emerging designers and brands from Europe, Asia, Latin America, and other places across the globe. Find a curated and wildly fun array of apparel, scarves, handbags, jewelry, beauty products, and home decor.

Dress

Beacon Hill

True to its name, this locally owned specialty store curates designer party dresses, but the selection doesn't end there. Women will also find tops and pants, shoes, accessories, handbags, and even a few home goods items.

Flat of the Hill

Beacon Hill

Look for the lifelike golden retriever that guards the entrance to this shop named for its location at the base—or, flat—of Beacon Hill. The semi-preppy selection includes loads of candles, unique jewelry, hand-woven totes from Mexico, and a well-curated range of fancy souvenirs like Boston University winter hats and embroidered canvas Massachusetts travel bags.

French + Italian

Beacon Hill
Exquisite European fabric and design comes to this upscale neighborhood boutique that spotlights emerging designers from Paris, Milan, and New York. Pieces can be expensive, but they're meant to be versatile wardrobe staples.

Helen's Leather

Beacon Hill

Channel your inner Western spirit at this family-owned shop specializing in cowboy wear, including hand-tooled boots embroidered, dyed, and crafted from leather and exotic skins. Browse leather sandals, jackets, briefcases, luggage, and other accessories from top quality brands, including Lucchese, Dan Post, Frye, and Old Gringo.

Paws on Charles

Beacon Hill

If there is one constant in Beacon Hill, it's the number of dogs that live with residents of the neighborhood and are always walking along Charles Street or in the Common. This makes it only more fitting that there's a pet shop nearby, filled with dog food and treats, leashes, collars, and chew toys. Want to dress up the pooch? This place has you covered.

Persona Jewelry

Beacon Hill

Using precious metals and a variety of gemstones, Gary Shteyman crafts gorgeous, unique pieces from his in-store workshop for Persona's own line of fine jewelry. Elsewhere in the store, necklaces, earrings, bangles, and bold cocktail rings by a few local designers fill the cases.

Rugg Road Paper Company

Beacon Hill

This longtime Charles Street destination attracts patrons who like to put pen to paper. Elegant greeting cards from Crane and The British Museum pair up with notebooks from Moleskin, and a healthy selection of pens.

Savenor's

Beacon Hill

If you're hunting for exotic game meats, you've come to the right place. Savenor's food market, once Julia Child's favorite butcher, carries buffalo rump, alligator tail, even iguana. You'll find plenty of tamer choices, too, as well as outstanding cheeses, breads, and treats such as foie gras and smoked salmon. Another location operates in Cambridge.

The Happy Journey

Beacon Hill

Need a unique gift for a tot under the age of three years old? This small store stocks books and toys you definitely won't find at big chain stores. If you've got kids with you, there's a nice back room where they can play while you shop.

73 Charles St., Boston, MA, USA
617-936–3917

Upstairs Downstairs Home

Beacon Hill

This Beacon Hill standout features furniture and home decor in a variety of styles. While much of it is antiques or vintage pieces from Federal and Asian to art deco and midcentury modern, some items are new and/or reproduction pieces. Artwork by local artists and antique prints rounds out the selection.

Whitney + Winston

Beacon Hill

This too cute—and a bit bohemian—mom and kid clothing store features looks from fairly expensive, small brands, and there's no question as to its place in Beacon Hill society. This is where the neighborhood women come to buy frocks that aren't made to be worn to the office. There's also a nice selection of toys and kid gift items, including stuffed animals and sensory jars.

Not finding what you're looking for?

We've got a few suggestions for nearby spots.
Downtown Boston Fodor's Choice

Skylight Jewelers0.4 miles away

44 School St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02108, USA
We recommend 6 Shopping in Downtown Boston
Downtown Boston Fodor's Choice

Brattle Book Shop0.4 miles away

9 West St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA
We recommend 6 Shopping in Downtown Boston
Downtown Boston

Jewelers Exchange Building0.4 miles away

333 Washington St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02108, USA
We recommend 6 Shopping in Downtown Boston
The North End

Polcari's Coffee0.4 miles away

105 Salem St., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
We recommend 3 Shopping in The North End
Downtown Boston

DSW0.4 miles away

385 Washington St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02108, USA
We recommend 6 Shopping in Downtown Boston