142 Best Places to Shop in Massachusetts, USA

This French specialty-food shop carries imported cheeses, cured meats, and the finest olive oils from carefully sourced producers, who also sell their wares to fancy restaurants in New York City and Martha's Vineyard. Bizalion doubles as an informal eatery; on the small menu are some appealing sandwiches, including one with arugula, pine nuts, prosciutto, goat cheese, and olive oil on toasted bread.

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.

Known for its sweet corn, Boardman's makes a fine quick stop to pick up fresh fruits and vegetables, from pumpkins and peppers to peaches and nectarines.

Challenging the very concept of a wine shop, Bonde is more like an experience, or a place you'll "bond" with the vintages. Owner Bertil Jean-Chronberg (one of America's only master sommeliers) sells only eco-responsible wines, 95% of which are from American micromakers. His wine accessories are unique—think swordfish-tusk wine stoppers custom-made for the shop and stunning champagne sabers—and the tiny display table transforms to intimate wine tastings with food pairings, wine bingo nights on the last Thursday of the month, and wine trivia nights.

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.

Once an Army storehouse, this building is now a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship that's home to the Boston Design Center, the award-winning Chickadee restaurant, numerous other dining spots, home furnishing and decor shops, and the Reebok headquarters store. It's at the far reaches of the Seaport District, but it's easy to get to on the Silver Line.

In addition to plenty of porcelain and silver, Brodney claims to have the biggest selection of estate jewelry in New England. Shoppers will also find plenty of antiques, furniture, clocks, paintings, and more.

Tucked among dozens of art studios in the artsy SoWa (South of Washington) area, this artist-run, members-only gallery mounts monthly shows featuring contemporary art in all forms, including printmaking, video, acrylic, ink drawing, and pastels.

Bunch of Grapes Bookstore is an excellent independent shop, with eager and knowledgeable booksellers and a varied selection of new books for adults and children. It also hosts a popular Author Series with discussions and book signings.

Off the beaten track, this antiques hot spot has a selection bordering on overwhelming: five jam-packed floors of goods from more than 150 dealers ranging from 19th-century furniture to vintage clothing, much of it reasonably priced. You can find everything from collectible magazines to China dolls, art work to fine silver.

Unique, handcrafted ceramics, weavings, jewelry, paper, wood, and leatherwork fill this two-level artist-owned and -operated store, with more than 200 global artists represented—more than half of whom hail from New England. Spend time perusing the glass cases of artistic handcrafted notions that greet you inside the front door, then stroll downstairs for wearable art in the form of scarves, purses, and more.

This recently redone but basic two-story mall boasts more than 120 stores, a food court, and sit-down restaurants, but has big changes in the works. As part of an ongoing redevelopment, CanalSide, a new food hall experience opened in late 2024, along with 2 million square feet of future life science, retail, office, residential, and hotel spaces. The mall is a big draw for local high-school kids and an easy walk from the Museum of Science.

Chanel purses, Rick Owens jackets, and Hermès bracelets have all graced this jam-packed couture-quality consignment shop, located on the second floor, which finds gently worn gems from fashion lovers across the country. Its picky choices are your gain.

This spacious 10,000-square-foot branch of the Parisian couture house (complete with custom sofas upholstered in Chanel tweed and a 20-foot-high strand of cascading glass beads) carries suits, separates, bags, shoes, cosmetics, and, of course, a divine selection of little black dresses.

The large selection of works for sale in this gallery, established in 1937, includes paintings, prints, drawings, watercolors, and sculpture from the 1500s to the present. For a special memento with more weight than a Red Sox hat, pick out a piece from the gallery's impressive collection of Boston expressionism and Boston School impressionism art.

An indoor shopping mall in the Back Bay, Copley Place includes such high-end shops as Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton. It is anchored by the pricey but dependable Neiman Marcus and offers a few dining options, such as Legal Sea Foods and Caffè Nero.

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, occasionally off-site in such locations as the Langham Hotel and Harbor Towers.

Covet is a gem of a store packed with everything from Louis Vuitton to Laura Ashley, and every designer in between. The shoe and handbag wall is covetable, and they also carry locally made jewelry and novelties. There are also locations in South Boston and in Beacon Hill.

Crush has been providing Beacon Hill ladies with an outlet for contemporary women's fashions since 2017. Find weekend casual outfits, jeans, silky shifts, and even party attire, from designers including Julie Vos, White & Warren, Egmont, and others. Accessories are not overlooked, as Crush offers jewelry and handbags that will dress up any ensemble.

Shipping-container-like buildings line a busy stretch of Seaport Boulevard, each housing pop-up shops by local entrepreneurs looking to get their retail ventures off the ground. Container residents change with the season, but may include sweets shops, consignment, jewelry, men's fashions, parfumiers, and more.

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. 

From loungewear and skirts to tops and accessories, the owners of this specialty women's boutique take their time selecting designer apparel that boasts a timeless, effortless aesthetic. Brands aren't limited to Emerson Fry, Lisa Yang, Ulla Johnson, and Xirena, but if you like these, you'll like shopping here.

This iconic, family-owned Boston jeweler has been operating in the same Downtown Crossing location for the last 185 years. While its specialty is engagement rings, E.B. Horn also sells earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and an always-changing selection of vintage and estate pieces. Unfortunately, you must make an appointment to shop so plan accordingly.

This longtime island favorite, open year-round, carries a large selection of island-related titles, periodicals, and bestsellers, and the staff will be happy to make a summer reading recommendation. The children's section is very good. A wonderful little café behind the bookshop, called Behind the Bookstore, is open seasonally.

The owner of this store selling dining-related antique porcelain, glassware, and tabletop accessories is an expert in the field. The prices match the high quality of her selections.

This complex of five buildings, one of which is the original Faneuil Hall, 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 within Quincy Market. Pushcarts sell everything from apparel to jewelry to candy to Boston souvenirs, while larger name-brand stores are in the North and South Markets. 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. 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.

Stylish birds of a feather will flock to this boho-chic boutique brimming with cotton T-shirts, floral dresses, and vintage-inspired jewelry, along with whimsical gifts like handmade ring dishes, crystal kits, disco suncatchers, and antique baubles.

From hot sandwiches and French toast to snacks, groceries, and wine, this market and deli is a great place to grab a quick breakfast or lunch in the Seaport District. You can expect top-quality ingredients cooked to order. 

Pieces here are meant to be versatile wardrobe staples, and you're sure to feel like you're shopping at a Parisian apparel boutique. Exquisite fabrics bring life to casual, classic European women's wear from emerging designers from across Europe, and there are shoes, scarves, hats, and accessories, too.