92 Best Shopping in Boston, Massachusetts

After more than a century, this nonprofit membership organization continues to present the works of well-known and aspiring New England artists, as well as out-of-town and foreign members. Styles of artists range from traditional and academic realists to contemporary and abstract painters, photographers, and sculptors. Each year, the gallery hosts between 15 and 20 exhibitions.

When you want your tot to stand out sartorially, head to this globally sourced boutique packed with a thoughtfully curated selection of clothes; you'll also find toys and crafts, as well as a playroom in the back of the store. CouCou has also started carrying women's collections.

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.

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.

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.

Major discounts on high-quality (and big-name) shoes for men and women draw savvy Boston shoppers to this branch of the chain DSW, also known as Designer Shoe Warehouse. Everything from Nike to Prada can be found at varying discounts—sometimes up to 90% off.

This ultra-tiny space makes on-trend clothing at a mid-range price point its business. From tops and dresses to swimwear, these are apparel items designed for going out of the house.

This complex is both huge and hugely popular (drawing 18 million people a year), but not necessarily unique—most of its independent shops have given way to Banana Republic, Uniqlo, Urban Outfitters, and other chains. Founded in 1742 as a market for crops and livestock, the place has plenty of history and offers one of the area's great à la carte casual dining experiences (Quincy Market). Pushcarts sell everything from apparel to jewelry to candy to Boston souvenirs. Live bands set up gigs throughout the weekend days, while buskers perform crowd-pleasing feats such as break dancing and juggling routines. Have your dollar bills ready for when the hat gets passed around.

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.

This boho-chic boutique brims with cotton T-shirts, floral dresses, and vintage-inspired jewelry, along with whimsical gift items, like handmade keepsake boxes filled with colorful images and antique baubles.

If you're focused on eco-friendly choices as much as you are personal beauty, stop into this boutique that got its start right here in Boston. Follain carries all manner of skin care, face and hand wash, makeup, and more by clean beauty brands both local and national. Not sure what's right for you? Try it out—there's even an in-store sink to wash off what you don't like.

While the boots you usually see in Boston are made to tackle the snow, this new outpost for boots is kicking that notion to the curb. With sizes ranging from tiny tots to adults, they offer the best in hand-crafted leather Western boots, booties, and bold strappy sandals.

Specializing in contemporary paintings since 1977, primarily oil, watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media, this striking gallery in the neo-Gothic stone Church of the Covenant also displays sculpture, and furniture beyond your everyday tables and chairs.

Enchanting homemade gifts from a rotating group of more than 60 artists (including the owner, Marie Corcoran) fill this dreamy boutique. Scoop up dainty charm and gemstone pendants, vegan handbags, men's handpainted ties, or a cute caterpillar wooden wall clock for that special little one in your life. This store has something for everyone, including you.

A beloved hangout for T. S. Eliot and E. E. Cummings when they attended Harvard, this tiny shop founded in 1927 carries classic, modern, and contemporary in-print poetry from all over the world.

Time disappears as you browse the tables and shelves of this always-busy bookstore packed with new titles and used books, as well as remaindered books. Founded in 1932, the collection's diversity has made the store a favored destination for casual readers and academics alike, as they have plenty to discover within the floor-to-ceiling bookcases. You can also stock up on Harvard University gifts, or catch an author reading.

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.

Jill Goldberg offers full-scale, in-home design services, but you can also pick up custom furniture and cool home goods, such as decorative throw pillows, marbleized pottery bowls, rugs, and luscious-smelling candles, at the store.

Back in the mid-20th century when Downtown Crossing was truly a shopping mecca, this building drew crowds for its selection of precious gems and metals. Today, this building still bustles with its array of more than 75 independent jewelry artisans, who sell luxury watches, engagement rings, engraved silver, and much more.

Many male and female clubgoers have at least one pair of these oh-so-hip shoes in their closets, perhaps because of the company's claim that their Angel soles repel all kinds of nasty liquids "and Satan."

Founded in 1907, this national men's chain has crisp suits, dress shirts, and leather shoes for the conservatively well-dressed male everywhere. And gents, should you need a tuxedo at the last minute, rest assured: the store rents them.

Trendsetters go wild for Kate's colorful and classically whimsical dresses, as well as her handbags, shoes, PJs, accessories, and travel and cosmetics cases.

Dutch design with contemporary panache pervades the neighborhood's coolest furniture and home goods store. This is a great place to pick up a sleek dining set, the perfect accent table, some funky china, or a statement pendant light.

If there's a style trend out there, this small women-led, minority-owned shop sells it. Full of flirty frocks from the likes of Free People, For Love & Lemons, and Blank NYC, along with accessories like jewelry, hair clips, and bags, the packed racks of fun pieces can add confidence to chic shoppers' closets.

Somewhat overstuffed with merchandise for men, women, children, and infants, this Boston branch of the popular national chain stocks classic clothing by such designers as Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, along with accessories, cosmetics, and jewelry.

This popular New York department store holds one of Downtown Crossing's flagship locations, formerly the home of Jordan Marsh. Shop clothes, skin care products, kitchen gadgets, and home furnishings in this historic building.

Thanks to its co-owners' past kitchen experience (former L'Espalier chefs Matthew Dilisle and Peter McGough are behind the new business), this pasta shop opened to much fanfare. With just one trip, you'll leave with everything you need for making a meal—fresh pasta, meatballs, tasty sauce, and even a bottle of wine (or beer) from the tucked away upstairs area. Pasta choices rotate, with tagliatelle, cresti de galo, squid ink spaghetti, and gnocchetti sardi as a few. Lucky weekenders grab ricotta raviolis (occasionally Maine lobster, basil pesto, or Périgord truffle). They use organic semolina out of Quebec, as well as whole wheat flour from local Ground Up.