76 Best Places to Shop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This gallery is a good place to see works by both prominent and emerging artists, with an emphasis on Philadelphia painters.

If the sheer quantity of baubles crammed into this tiny shop doesn't take your breath away, the gorgeous, one-of-a-kind designs will. The shelves, drawers, displays, and even the second-floor balcony overflow with rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, pins, and much more. The jewelry ranges from classic pearls to mystical amber. Owner Henri David (who designs some pieces) is well known for his lavish and outrageous Halloween fetes. He can do custom work, such as creating mates for single earrings.

Floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing a huge selection of Italian shoes and boots beckon to shoppers passing by this hip shop. Inside you can find women's, men's, and children's footwear in the trendiest styles.

Sunlight streams into the front windows of this well-curated indie bookshop. It's the kind of place that attracts regulars who sit sipping tea and reading for hours with a dog curled at their feet. This inviting shop has become a meeting place for the local literary community—both the readers and the writers.

In late 2014 the Rittenhouse Square outposts of Hello World, which focused on gifts and accessories, and Hello Home, which focused on the home and struck a mid-century modern note with furniture and accessories, closed their Center City locations and joined forces in one large lifestyle store that offers a bit of everything from artisan children's toys to whimsical kitchen accessories to, yes, mid-century modern furniture, for the discerning shopper.

Stogie aficionados make a point of stopping by this cigar emporium, whose Philadelphia roots date back more than 100 years. The shop features a comfortable smoking lounge and one of the nation's largest walk-in humidors. Find private-label Ashton cigars, a wide array of smoking accessories and humidors, and writing instruments from Mont Blanc, Waterman, and Cross. Upstairs is the Ashton Cigar Bar, which pairs cigars with rare whiskeys and also specialty cocktails.

Despite its location in a brownstone flanked by University of Pennsylvania fraternity houses, there's nothing fratty about this erudite bookstore. Its two floors of rambling rooms with shelves reaching up to the soaring ceilings boast an enormous amount of literature mixed in with course books for Penn students and used books. Spend a frivolous hour perusing books in a place that makes you feel like you're back in college.

The specialty here is contemporary paintings and prints by such artists as Salvador Dalí, Peter Max, Marc Chagall, Louis Icart, Erté, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Roy Lichtenstein.

If you want local color, nothing compares with South Philadelphia's Italian Market. On both sides of 9th Street from Christian Street to Washington Avenue and spilling out onto the surrounding blocks, hundreds of outdoor stalls and indoor stores sell spices, cheeses, pastas, fruits, vegetables, and freshly slaughtered poultry and beef, not to mention household items, clothing, shoes, and other goods. It's crowded and filled with the aromas of everything from fresh garlic to imported salami. The vendors can be less than hospitable, but the food is fresh and the prices are reasonable. Food shops include Grassia's Spice Company, Di Bruno Brothers House of Cheese, Claudio's, and Talluto's Authentic Italian Foods. Fante's is well known for cookware. The market's hours are Tuesday–Saturday 9–5:30; some vendors open earlier, and others close around 3:30. Some shops are open Sundays and even Mondays as new vendors expand the markets. It's best to call ahead to specific shops and check.

Cutting-edge fashion is displayed in a setting reminiscent of a New York loft. Notable designers include Phillip Lim, Ivan Grundahl, Rich Owens, Etro, Marni, Moschino, and shoes by Maison Margiela.

This funky, luxe boutique on the corner of a residential street stocks unusual garments that stand out for their unexpected twists—a wide-leg pant in black velvet, a white oxford embroidered with flowers—as well as outright showstoppers like Asian tunics with mandarin collars and shimmering silk taffeta skirts. The owner designed the store interior herself, down to the hand-carved vines in the woodwork and the draped-fabric ceiling.

From one store in South Jersey, this family business has grown to be one of the largest independent kitchenware stores in the United States. This is a good source for fine cookware, French copper, cutlery, coffees, and teas.

Lagos jewelry, sold in upscale department stores, gets top billing here. All pieces are handcrafted and designed in Philadelphia by Steven Lagos. Aficionados are thrilled by the selection, including the Diamonds & Caviar, and Signature designs.

Gallerist Becker and his wife, Heidi Nivling, display the kind of austere, abstract art that prompts people who don't know any better to say, "Hey, my kid could do that." Look more closely at the conceptual paintings featured in this small gallery and you'll notice the great skill required to make minimalist art with maximal effect.

Loop is a knitting store stocked with supplies including natural fiber, luxury, and hand-dyed yarn in a rainbow of hues artfully arranged in stark-white ceiling-high cubbies, softened by the addition of comfy couches where crafty types can (and do) bond.

Late-18th- and early-19th-century American furniture, needlework, samplers, and folk art make this an important outpost for lovers of Americana. They also publish the antiques journal Samplings.

Macy's displays the chain's classic merchandise in the spacious former John Wanamaker department store, a Philadelphia landmark. Its focal point is the nine-story grand court with its 30,000-pipe organ—the largest ever built—and a 2,500-pound statue of an eagle, both remnants of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis. During Christmastime, the space is filled with families and office workers gazing (and listening) in awe at the store's legendary holiday sound-and-light show and organ performances.

A mix of farmers' market, specialty-goods stands, and eateries with both indoor and outdoor seating, this is an excellent lunch or late-afternoon meal destination. The best options include Chestnut Hill Brewing Company (beer and pizza), Chicko Tako (Korean tacos), and the Saigon Noodle Bar. Plus, you can grab giant hoagies from Rancks, Persian dishes from Shundeez Market, and steamed dumplings from Momos of Tibet. Permanently housed behind the Chestnut Hill Hotel, the bulk of the market is only open Thursday through Saturday, but most of the take-out vendors are also open on Wednesday and Sunday. For more traditional fruits and vegetables, the Chestnut Hill Farmers' Market sets up shop outdoors on Winston Road between Germantown Avenue and Mermaid Lane on Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 1.

Established in 1978 by the Muse Foundation for the Visual Arts, Muse Gallery is an artists' cooperative committed to increasing the visibility of local artwork and presenting experimental work in a variety of mediums.

This modern, hip, urban home boutique strikes the balance between edgy hipster and hip hostess. The furniture, baby clothes, jewelry, candles, and soaps all manage to be clever and quirky. It's as fun to browse as it is to buy, as there's no pressure from the friendly sales staff.

Only the adventurous dare enter this shop where a blue-haired saleswoman will fit you for your very own luxurious handcrafted corset. The work on these custom steel-boned pieces is beautiful and unique. The high-end wares sold here are the real deal as compared to the many of its neighbors on South Street that specialize in fishnets and Sexy Nurse costumes. You'll also find leather and bondage gear here.

The 60,000-square-foot store, operated by Barnes & Noble, is one of the largest academic bookstores in the United States. Highlights include tomes from the University of Pennsylvania faculty, loads of Penn-insignia clothing and memorabilia, a multimedia section, and a children's reading room. You can also find a Starbucks and the requisite best sellers.

This local developer's mixed-use interpretation of Rome's Piazza Navona was a long time coming, and was the cause of so much controversy over the years that locals were almost shocked to see it finally open in summer 2009. A "curator" handpicks the independent retailers and gallerists who fill nearly 40 ground-floor commercial spaces. (Condos occupy the floors above.) They ring a giant plaza with pavement scalloped in the same pattern as in Rome and featuring a giant stage and screen. Especially during warm-weather months, there's usually some kind of event or live entertainment going on at the piazza.

American and European paintings of the 18th to 20th century are the focus, with an emphasis on Philadelphia artists.

This discount retailer of men's shoes has name-brand merchandise and excellent service. The store stocks extra-wide and extra-narrow widths, as well as sizes up to 16. Look for classic comfort shoes by Cole Haan, Clarks, and Rockport.

At 16th and Chestnut streets is the upscale Shops at Liberty Place. The complex features a food court and popular stores, including Loft, Aveda, Victoria's Secret, Express, J. Crew, and the Body Shop. More than 40 stores and restaurants are arranged in two circular levels within a strikingly handsome 90-foot glass-roof atrium.

You'll find one-of-a-kind artisan crafts—exquisite jewelry, colorful vases, textiles, Murano glass, and unique lamps—in a wide range of price points here. The friendly owner is on hand to answer questions and encourages you to handle the fragile objects.