26 Best Places to Shop in Massachusetts, USA

The eye-catching sculptures visible from the roadside only hint at the vast spectacle inside what bills itself as America's largest Asian art store—customers include the Smithsonian and the Hell's Angels Clubhouse. Carvings of every conceivable material (from wood to whalebone), size (from half an inch to 8 feet tall), and subject matter (albeit heavy on the gods and dragons) can be found here (or made-to-order and shipped). The sheer volume of art outstrips many museums, but you can still buy a traditional sarong or a gift from the $5 shelves. Humorous signs throughout the store add a touch of character.

Treat yourself to a view of the agro side of the island with a visit to Bartlett's Farm. Encompassing 200 acres, the farm is overseen by eighth-generation Bartletts. Healthy, tasty prepared foods—within a mini-supermarket—are added incentive to make the trek out. They also offer a variety of farm tours. If you're not up for the trip, a produce truck is parked on Main Street through the summer.

This Charles Street town house lined with shelves across four levels is stuffed full of books of every genre, but you won't find a speck of dust in sight. Instead, the place has an art deco--library feel with brass lights, a spiral staircase, cushioned window seats, and a whole heck of a lot of customers. Yes, expect to deal with a crowd, but don't let that stop you from browsing the latest publications or grabbing a coffee and sitting awhile in the hidden rear courtyard.

Walking into this store is like entering a sanctum built floor to ceiling of everything chocolate. A front-facing display case is lined with hundreds of local and European artisanal chocolates and truffles that you can buy by the piece or the pound. There are also seasonal chocolate treats, specialty and gourmet bars, bagged candy, and unique gift boxes. This shop even carries a few select flavors of gelato.

Open year-round, the indoor Boston Public Market offers a great place to grab a sandwich, sample local foods, and even pick up a tasty souvenir. The New England–centric marketplace has 30 vendors, selling everything from fresh herbs and fruit to meat and seafood, as well as plenty of food stalls. Everything sold at the market is produced or originated in New England, including nonperishables like wool and carved wooden bowls and handmade jewelry. There’s also live music, cooking demonstrations, trivia games, creative-writing nights, music bingo, and more. The Kids’ Nook is a designated area for kids to gather and play, with activities throughout the week.

Bibliophiles can't get enough of this old-timey book store that has been in operation since 1825 and is, literally, chockablock with books floor to ceiling and stuffed into corners. The owner, Ken Gloss, who regularly tours with Antiques Roadshow, fields queries from passionate book lovers about out-of-print, rare, antique, and foreign-language tomes. If you're simply in need of a read for the ride home, browse the rolling carts in Brattle's adjacent outdoor lot, where books of all genres go for pocket change. It's the shop with the oversized pencil above the door.

Born in Boston, Brave Daughters designs stacking rings and layering necklaces made of precious metals, which are sold alongside jewelry offerings from female artisans and brands. Check out—read, make an appointment for—the forever jewelry: bracelets, anklets, and chains that are permanently welded on your person.

A special place, Brewster Book Store is filled to the rafters with books by local and international authors, with an extensive fiction selection and kids' section. Author signings and children's story times and craft sessions take place year-round.

Since 1961 this independent bookseller has anchored Harvard Street and enriched the Coolidge Corner community with poetry readings, book clubs, and author talks. Browse the well-edited selection of bestsellers, hardcovers, and paperbacks, as well as an expansive gift area packed with cards and fun items that range from cutting boards and tea towels to leather notebooks and printed scarves. The well-read booksellers can always offer great suggestions.  Head downstairs for thousands of used books.

This awesome little gourmet shop has been around for 75 years, and you'll be hard-pressed to keep your sweet tooth in check when you step inside. A major feature is the wall of international chocolate products, but there are also house-made foods, a deli counter, and specialty foodstuffs like teas, salami, jams, and crackers. It's a great place to shop for picnic supplies, hotel room snacks, or gifts to bring home.

Shops don't get more adorable than this downtown candy store with the bright pink awning, winning sweet-toothed fans since 1955 for their slow-cooked, small-batch confections. Their version of a clambake is a too-cute assortment of chocolate sea creatures on a bed of chocolate rocks. Sea salt caramels, made with local sea salt, are a favorite, and they stay open year-round.

This beautiful little space at the end of historic Pier 4 features a highly curated selection of fiction, poetry, biography, art, and local interest books, as well as vinyl records. It's an outpost of the OG bookstore in the East End of Provincetown, Massachusetts.

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, teas, and more.

What began in 1882 as a nonprofit service for students and faculty is now managed by Barnes & Noble College, a separate entity that manages college campus bookstores. Housed in the same location since 1906 and affectionately called The Coop (pronounced "coop," not "co-op"), the store sells books and textbooks (many discounted), school supplies, clothes, and accessories plastered with the Harvard emblem, as well as basic housewares geared toward dorm dwellers. If you need a public restroom, you'll find it here. And if you're looking for MIT swag, they have a location on that campus as well.

This teeny boutique fits right in on Charles Street—or does it? While it speaks to the eclectic nature of the neighborhood's residents, and is truly a one-of-a-kind destination in staunch Yankee Boston, Helen's Leather really requires that you channel your inner Western spirit. This family-owned boutique has been specializing in cowboy gear since 1969, including hand-tooled leather boots, sandals, jackets, bags, and other accessories from top-quality brands, including Lucchese, Dan Post, Frye, and Old Gringo.

Located in the lobby level of the Institute of Contemporary Art, this gift shop is a must for lovers of books, sketchbooks, pottery, jewelry, fun and formal artwork, and things you'd otherwise never think about but totally need to have.

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.

This old mill complex along the Saw Mill River—since converted into a quintet of businesses—exudes old New England. The Bookmill is a quirky secondhand bookshop whose comfortable chairs make it easy to curl up with a book. The good-humored staffers at the adjoining Lady Killigrew café serve beer, coffee, and bagels; there's free Wi-Fi, too. The fantastic waterfall views from the deck of Alvah Stone, which serves lunch and dinner, justify its slightly elevated prices. From Friday to Sunday, you can visit Turn It Up for music and movies, and Wednesday through Monday the Sawmill River Arts crafts gallery offers items by local artists. The complex is incredibly picturesque, if not entirely wheelchair accessible.

True to its name, this Chinatown-based store is tons of fun! The top-quality, collectible products sold all embrace a sense of whimsy, from pop-culture figurines to stationery and creative building toys to gift items from the Palace Museum in Beijing. You can walk through this emporium multiple times and see new things at every turn.

Irresistible defines this one-stop shop, brimming with an eclectic array of floral dresses and tops, wide-legged pants, letterpress greeting cards, small-brand apothecary, craft cocktail supplies, global cookbooks, woven baskets, and mixed-media jewelry that you never knew you needed. Owner Marian Klausner creates an inspiring, award-winning selection from her global travels.

While not completely hidden away, it's not terribly easy to stumble upon The Superette, a collection of high-end, niche retailers all centered around an open-air courtyard. Options include jewelry at Brave Daughters, yoga-inspired sportswear at Alo, personalized fragrances at Le Labo, and jeans at Injeanius. There are a few fast-casual places to eat, too, so you can spend a few hours shopping and snacking.

A quintessential stop on any Northampton visit—and not just because the market's centrally located garage is your best bet for convenient parking—Thornes contains an eclectic lineup of shops ranging from Glimpse of Tibet for Tibetan handicrafts to Herrell's Ice Cream and Fire Type Chocolates for sweets. Also here are Booklink Booksellers, Cedar Chest, a yoga studio, a chair-massage parlor, and clothing and jewelry stores.

You'll find used, rare, and new books at this family-owned, independent bookstore, including a large collection of Americana. There's also an extensive selection of children's books. Look for frequent author events and book signings.

This two-story shop with windows overlooking Newbury Street is known as much for its eclectic collection of books and magazines as its all-day breakfast menu. Follow the pack and order either the lemon-ricotta-stuffed French toast or homemade corned beef hash and then settle in with a favorite read. Feel free to stay through lunch, dinner, and beyond, as the store's open until midnight daily, making it a popular spot with students. A full slate of events, from game nights to author talks, is scheduled almost daily.

Jam-packed with toys, games, and more bizarre novelty items than you could possibly imagine, this store benefits from the enthusiasm of owners Ken and Michele Gietz. Grab an offbeat gift for a friend (and some of the interesting candies for yourself).

This long, skinny shop offers a varied selection of unique jewelry, gifts, whimsical folk art, and home decor—including many pieces created by local artisans—at reasonable prices (especially for Chatham). The gallery also showcases the award-winning landscape photography of the shop's owner, Jon Vaughan.