45 Best Shopping in USA

Denver's REI flagship store, one of four such shops in the country, is yet another testament to the city's adventurous spirit. The store's 94,000 square feet are packed with all stripes of outdoors gear and some special extras: a climbing wall, a mountain-bike track, a white-water chute, and a "cold room" for gauging the protection provided by coats and sleeping bags. There's also a Starbucks inside. Behind the store is the Platte River Greenway, a park path and water area that's accessible to dogs, kids, and kayakers.

Find pop-star paraphernalia, graphic T-shirts, magazines, trinkets, snacks, and Mexican blankets in this wild shop set up in a converted 1949 Richfield gas station. Between the giant man statue, retro cars, and back patio, there's enough eye candy to warrant a stop even if you're not in the market for souvenirs.

Owned by TV production designer/artist Anton Goss, who is a part-time high-dessert resident, this bright and airy boutique specializes in mid-century and bohemian-modern furniture and home decor, with pieces sourced locally as well as from Mexico, Mali, and elsewhere in the world. It's also a full-service nursery, making it handy if your days in the desert have inspired you to invest in some new succulents. Should you need time to contemplate potential purchases, stroll through the meditative green space out back.

This shop sells more upscale items, such as Native American crafts, photographic prints, handmade ceramics, and elegant jewelry. For less expensive gift items, browse the small book selection, which includes writings by John Muir.

Framed prints of the famed nature photographer's best works are on sale here, as are affordable posters. New works by contemporary artists are also available, along with Native American jewelry and handicrafts. The elegant camera shop conducts photography workshops, from free camera walks a few mornings a week to five-day courses.

More than 600 dealers are crammed into a treasure-hunter's paradise, where prices and quality vary. Plan to spend the day if you're serious about searching.

Brenner's Fine Clothing and Gifts is another standout in the cruise port, offering an interesting and tasteful selection of women's clothing and accessories. Brenner's is an offshoot of a shop in Sitka that's been in business for 45 years.

A 40-minute drive north of Downtown San Diego, this outdoor shopping center contains more than 90 outlet stores, including designer brands like Coach, Cole Haan, Kate Spade New York, and Michael Kors.

In a pleasant, predominantly residential neighborhood 2 miles from downtown, the Cherry Creek shopping district has retail blocks and an enclosed mall.

Just north of the Cherry Creek Shopping Center is Cherry Creek North, an open-air development of tree-lined streets and shady plazas with art galleries, specialty shops, and fashionable restaurants.

At Milwaukee Street, the granite-and-glass behemoth Cherry Creek Shopping Center holds some of the nation's top retailers. Its more than 160 stores include Free People, Burberry, H&M, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, and Macy's.

What's easily the cutest children's store in town carries wonderful handcrafted wooden toys, European figurines, works by local artists, and a variety of swoon-worthy, perfectly crafted little clothes. Even shoppers without children will be smitten—it's hard to resist the vintage French Tintin posters, knit-wool cow dolls, and classic figurines.

This small store is a convenient place to get gas and pick up snacks and camping supplies if you're arriving via Route 120.

You can pick up groceries and supplies at this bustling shop at the east end of the valley.

This contemporary take on the old-timey general store opened in 2022 and stocks an eclectic array of gourmet food, books, games, novelties, and canvas desert hats. It also sells household necessities including a lot of environmentally friendly cleaning supplies and sustainable everyday items. In addition, it emphasizes local vendors and community involvement through collaborations and exhibits. While you're here, check out other occupants of Corner 62, a renovated retail complex, such as Scorpion Lollipop (candy/gifts), Pisces (swimwear), and The Moon and the Mat (yoga studio).

This small shop off the Far View Lodge lobby has a good selection of jewelry and souvenirs reflecting the Native American culture of the area.

If you're in downtown Hoonah, stop in to Fishbone Gifts. Right on the main road, this small, locally owned shop carries a nice selection of art prints, jewelry, cards, T-shirts, coffee mugs, and other Alaskan items.

On the same strip as a number of other must-shop stops, small, veteran-owned Habitat specializes in home decor, especially of the ceramic variety (mugs, plant pots, plates, vases, etc). There’s also a wide range of whimsical and botanical prints and tea towels, house plants, mirrors, and pillows—plenty of which are made by local artisans. 

This nouveau-boho boutique carrying a little bit of everything is just the kind of shop you hope to happen upon during a vacation. Between apparel, candles, journals, art, coffee, tea, cocktail kits, felt Coachella hats, jewelry, dried flowers, and photos of desert splendor and the nearby national park, most of which are made by local creatives, you’ll likely find yourself in a “one for them, two for me” souvenir scenario.

Given the name, you might assume that this is a pet shop or fancy feed store. But unless you want to pamper your pooch with Jenni Earle's positively inscribed bandanas, this is a store for free spirits of any gender or age who appreciate colorful and comfy clothes, candles, crystals, witty cards, cool tchotchkes, and the occasional hat customization pop-up. There's also a lot of park-theme paraphernalia and desert-inspired art. 

The bookstore at Icy Strait Point, Hoonah Schools Book Shop, is notable for its shopkeepers: they're all students from tiny Hoonah High School (the graduating class of 2013 had nine members). The students learn about running a business through their work at the store while raising money for the school activities program.

You'll find the basics here for picnics, campfires, and other outdoor activities.

This popular Highland spa is well known for its down-to-earth setting (the space is nice but not overly fancy), and the staff is focused on guest comfort levels rather than upselling products. The essential oil wrap—particularly welcome in Colorado's dry climate—and the warm-stone massage that begins with an all-over body brushing are two of the more popular offerings, as is time in the complimentary steam room. Indulgences also has become a go-to spa for couples looking for a laid-back massage together.

Few photographers capture the state's magnificent landscape the way John Fielder does, and his work is displayed along with a rotating roster of noted world photographers.

If you're interested in Alaska Native artwork, don't miss this small gallery and gift shop in the cruise port, which offers a wide range of traditional and contemporary handcrafted items, from delicate dentalium shell earrings to woven red cedar baskets. This shop also stocks a line of herbal remedies called Tlingit Rx, which includes traditional salves and lotions made from cottonwood, devil's club, and other local flora.

Seattle is famously foodie-friendly, and this historic building packs several of the city's best culinary shops under one roof. Browse and sample artisanal meats, cheeses, shellfish, and liquor, all with locavore leanings. Unlike Pike Place, the pint-size Melrose is more a hipster haunt than a tourist trap: Anthony Bourdain and the Seattle Top Chef contestants used to be spotted here.

The 20 rooms are crammed with Mexican masks, pottery, and rustic Mexican furniture—and there's even a chip dip and salsa room.

Between Denver and Colorado Springs, Outlets at Castle Rock attract shoppers with 30%–70% savings on everything from appliances to apparel at its more than 100 outlet stores.

The upscale Park Meadows is a mall designed to resemble a ski resort, with a 120-foot-high log-beam ceiling anchored by two massive stone fireplaces. The center includes nearly 100 specialty shops. On snowy days, "ambassadors" scrape your windshield while free hot chocolate is served inside.