5 Best Places to Shop in Boston, Massachusetts

A throwback to another era, this storied museumlike tobacco shop has been in the same location since 1883, when it served as a clubby gathering spot for young Harvard men, who puffed away while playing pool on the back billiard tables. While Harvard oars, hockey sticks, and photos still adorn the ivy-green walls, the store now caters to a broader clientele in search of quality smoking items, old-fashioned straight razors and shave brushes, chess and checker sets, and small gift items, such as beer steins.

If you've shopped Charles Street in the last 45 years, you'll recognize this long-standing home decor and gift store. Visitors delight in browsing a massive array of gadgets for the kitchen and cookbooks, Boston-themed books and greeting cards, baby items, towels and pillows, and what we'd call elegant souvenirs.

This is the sort of shop every neighborhood should have—a warm, welcoming space filled with beautifully crafted, locally sourced products. Bamboo pet brushes share room with handwoven French market baskets, fruit and flower cocktail syrups, vintage fabric neckties, notebooks, and fragrances from a Boston-area perfumer who uses only botanicals (no synthetics!) to create her scents. It's hard to walk out empty-handed.

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. For a quarter century, it's been offering a selection of candles, unique jewelry, handwoven totes, and a well-curated range of fancy souvenirs, all in its signature semi-preppy aesthetic.

This home and boutique shop is the perfect stop along the Freedom Trail for gifts galore. Treat yourself to home accents like candles and vases, or channel a little New England with items such as lobster trays, oyster salad plates, and pizza peels decorated with Charlestown typography.