20 Best Shopping in Boston, Massachusetts

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

Boston Antiques and Lamp Shades

Beacon Hill

This flea market–style collection of dealers has been in business since 1981. The shop focuses on lamp shades (as its name indicates), plus vintage items, china, silver, home decor pieces, pillows, and jewelry.

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.

East Coast Ivy

Beacon Hill

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.

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.

Follain

Beacon Hill

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.

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.

Good

Beacon Hill
Design is the focus at this earthy, arty boutique, in equal parts for the home and the body. Sophisticated, modern pieces are made by hand and typically by designers in the New England—vases, jewelry, knit throws, and more—region with a nod to form and functionality.
98 Charles St., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
617-722–9200
Shopping Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Mon.

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, Massachusetts, 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.