609 Best Places to Shop in USA

If you can only buy one piece of clothing in San Francisco, make it a hand-loomed cashmere sweater by this Irish-born local legend. The perfect antidote to the city's wind and fog, the sweaters are so beloved by San Franciscans that some of them never wear anything else. Pick up an airplane wrap for your trip home.

In an old gristmill with beautiful views of the Soque River, Mark of the Potter offers an outstanding selection of pottery from more than 30 artisans. The emphasis is on functional pieces, with a great variety of clay and firing techniques and glazes in every imaginable color. Items range from coffee scoops to lamps, mugs to elaborate vases and casserole dishes. The shop is legendary among Georgia-pottery lovers. Children and adults alike will enjoy sitting on the porch and feeding the huge pet trout. There is usually a potter working on the wheel at the shop on Saturday and Sunday.

Somewhere between an art gallery, an antique mall, and a craft fair, a stroll through Marquee is like touring a museum of Asheville's most creative visual artists. Offerings range from whimsical decor to functional furniture. There's an on-site bar to sip while you browse, and leashed dogs are welcome. 

This unassuming shop is a treasure trove of many different types of items, dating as far back as the 1900s. Costume jewelry resides in several spots around the small space, while there are also eye-catching glassware, paintings, elaborate mirror frames, some furniture, and even accessories, like Lucite purses. Martine, the owner of the store and the collection, had two other stores in the area before opening this location 15 years ago, and started out displaying—and selling—her wares at the flagship Bloomingdale’s department store, so she knows her stuff.

Come to this shop for its selection of art and craft objects made by Iñupiat, St. Lawrence Island Yup'ik, and Siberian Yup'ik Alaska artists. The shop buys items from these local artists daily and has been doing so for over 40 years. Items include dolls, baskets, jewelry, and masks along with ivory, baleen, and jade sculptures.

A well-chosen collection of clothes, accessories, and objects from some of the most exciting independent designers in the world is on display at this minimalist, industrial-chic boutique. Try on a hot-pink blazer from Eckaus Latta, a colorful patchwork blouse by Sophie Andes Gascon, or a classic silhouette from Paris Georgia. Zadeh's own line is also available, and she sometimes stocks flea-market finds from her travels.

This is the original Mast General Store, built in 1882–83, with plank floors worn to a soft sheen and an active, old-timey post office. Everything from running shoes to nails-by-the-pound are sold here. You can take a shopping break by sipping bottled "dope" (mountain talk for a soda pop) or a cup of coffee for 5¢ while sitting in a rocking chair on the store's back porch. An annex dating to 1909 is just down the road and now houses most of the store's outdoor-oriented clothing. Mast General Store has expanded to 10 locations, but this one still has the most authentic atmosphere.

One of the island's only artist cooperatives, Maui Crafts Guild is crammed with treasures. Resident artists produce lead-glazed pottery, basketry, glass and feather art, photography, and woodwork pieces. One artist even creates gyotaku, the Japanese art of fish rubbing, resulting in stunningly vibrant pieces. The prices are surprisingly low, making this a great place to find gifts and one-of-a-kind items to take home.

This is the place on Maui for swimwear, cover-ups, beach hats, and sandals. Maui Girl designs its own suits, which have been spotted in Sports Illustrated fashion shoots and on celebrities. Tops and bottoms can be purchased separately, increasing your chances of finding the perfect fit.

This gallery shows pieces by more than 300 local artists, including exquisite woodwork, lovely ceramics, authentic Niihau shell lei, wave metal etchings, and whimsical clay figures. There are also locations in Makawao and at the Shops at Wailea, and all three galleries feature unique Artists in Residence programs that connect the public to artists during monthly "talk story” sessions.

This modern concrete structure is one of L.A.'s most desirable destinations for ultimate high fashion clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, and fragrances.

A bibliophile's dream, this friendly indie bookstore has a wide selection of books and literary magazines. There's a particularly well-curated poetry section. Author events are held frequently, in person and online.

Food writer Mark Bitterman (not to be confused with food writer Mark Bittman) knows a thing or two about salt—he's written popular books on the subject, and he's the James Beard Award–winning owner of this small purveyor of gourmet finishing salts, some of them smoked or infused with unusual flavors, like cherry and plums, or saffron. At this flagship location (there are others in Nob Hill and Hawthorne) you can also purchase the additional magical touches you might need to create the perfect dinner party, from Oregon and European wines and vermouths, to fresh-cut flowers, aromatic cocktail bitters, and high-quality, single-origin chocolates.

In business for 150 years, this charming space stocks more beauty products and healthcare items than medications these days. They also carry a variety of herbal remedies, hard-to-find European toiletries, cosmetics, candles, and natural laundry products. The original space still feels old-world but the expansion into the next-door area (called The Shops At Merz) feels modern and trendy with products like fragrances and men's shaving goods.

Highlights of the museum's sprawling shop are a phenomenal book selection, as well as posters, stationery, tote bags, umbrellas, and decorative pillows covered in prints of famous artworks on display. Reproductions of statuettes and other objets d'art fill the gleaming cases. Apparel is far more than T-shirts, with stylish scarves and wraps patterned with art designs and motifs. Don't miss the jewelry selection, with its medieval-, Byzantine- and Egyptian-inspired baubles. Everything is impeccably crafted and more than just an NYC souvenir.

Mignon Faget is the most famous jewelry designer in New Orleans, and her upscale sterling-silver and 14k-gold collections reflect her love and fascination with botany, nature, architecture, and the city's culture. Elements of bamboo, fleurs-de-lis, honey bees, red beans, and iron balconies have all been inspirations. Faget studied sculpture at Newcomb College at Tulane University and started out as a fashion designer in 1969, but she quickly gave up clothing to focus exclusively on jewelry. Her work has been featured in museums and shops around the world, but her biggest fan club remains right here in New Orleans, where her pieces are instantly recognized.

The well-chosen collectibles—handpicked by Miss Pixie herself—include gorgeous textiles, antique home furnishings, lamps, mirrors, glass- and silverware, and artwork. The reasonable prices will grab your attention, as will the location, in an old car-dealer showroom.

An independent, community-minded bookstore, Mockingbird is a great place to browse, discover new books, and settle into a wing chair or sofa to read for a bit. There's a good selection of works by Maine authors, and book signings are often held for new releases.

Don't let the name fool you—along with a surprisingly good selection of fine wines and liquors, this store also carries cheeses and snacks that are the perfect accompaniments for a sunset experience.

Located on the museum's first floor off the main lobby, MoMA's in-house shop stocks uniquely creative housewares, jewelry, toys, an array of art reproductions, and an incredible selection of books about painting, sculpture, film, and photography. Across the street is the MoMA Design Store ( 44 W. 53rd St.), where you can find Charles and Ray Eames furniture reproductions, vases designed by Alvar Aalto, and lots of clever toys. You won't find more ingenious, practical souvenirs anywhere in town. (There's also a location in SoHo.)

Taking in the appetizing scents in this shop is almost enough, but sinking your teeth into one of Monica's truffles, bonbons, crèmes, or caramels is pure heaven. Try a needham, a traditional Maine candy with a sugar, coconut, and potato filling, or a chocolate-shape moose or lobster. Conveniently on Route 189 at the turn for West Quoddy Head Light, it's owned by a Peruvian native (yes, Monica) and also carries clothing and accessories from her homeland. Indeed, some chocolates have a Peruvian filling.

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.

The clothes here at this studio have a dreamy, ethereal quality that is decidedly feminine. Silk gowns are fluid and soft, while blazers and coats are more tailored. The wedding dresses are popular with brides who want a dreamy but understated look.

Since 1980, Mrs. Barry and her family have been making and serving yummy homemade cookies, including macadamia nut, white chocolate–macadamia nut, oatmeal raisin, and coffee crunch. Packaged in beautiful gift boxes or bags, the cookies make excellent gifts. She even makes cookie treats for the family dog. Stop by on your way to Costco or the airport and pick up a bag or two or three—or just ask Mrs. Barry to ship your stash instead.

When you walk into this revered shop, the pungent, funky aromas will immediately announce to your olfactory glands that you've entered a cheese shop. Since 1962, Murray's has been making Bleecker Street the cheesiest spot in the city, stocking various cheddars, Bries, chèvres, Goudas, Gruyères, Manchegos, and stinky varieties. They also peddle artisanal cured meats, sausages, crackers, nuts, jams, and condiments. You can even take home a Murray's T-shirt or tote bag with "BIG CHEESE" scrawled across it.

One of Chicago's largest used-book dealers carries more than 80,000 titles and buys books from the public on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Bookworms, be sure to budget ample time: a quick browse here has a way of turning into a lost afternoon. 

In business since 1924 and the oldest and largest jeweler in Hawaii, this impressive retailer specializes in crafting stunning pieces that reflect the beauty of the islands. You will see sand, sun, and sea in their signature Wave collection—pendants set with diamonds and inlaid with shimmering blue iridescent opal. If you can't afford gold and diamonds, consider one of their charming Puka Bead build-a-bracelet creations, an affordable option.