609 Best Places to Shop in USA

You can browse, and buy, some of the nation's finest examples of both historic and contemporary Native American pottery at this gallery a couple of blocks east of the Plaza. It is especially renowned for its collection of pieces from San Ildefonso Pueblo legend Maria Martinez and her illustrious family.

Maine islander Angela Adams specializes in simple but bold geometric motifs parlayed into dramatic rugs (custom, too), canvas totes, bedding, and other home accessories. The shop also carries sleek wood furniture from her husband's woodshop.

Catering to Washington's influential and prestigious, this jewelry and gift shop specializing in patriotic pins may seem intimidating, but prices begin at $35. Hand's signature pin, the Liberty Eagle, is $200. Photos on the walls above brightly lit display cases show the city's most prominent figures wearing their designs, making this a worthwhile visit while shopping in Georgetown.

The flagship shop of the locally based national chain takes up three floors of an elegant Rittenhouse Square building (once someone's mansion, of course). The sales floors that encircle the grand stone staircase are brimming with lush colors, floral patterns, and vintage and unique styles that offer a departure from the ordinary. Pretty jewelry, stylish shoes and handbags, and other accessories add an enchanting femininity to fashion. Head downstairs for the brand's BHLDN bridal line featuring an array of dreamy wedding dresses, elegant jewelry, bridesmaid dresses and more. Downstairs also offers a selection of Anthropologie's lauded home line, including candles, glassware, pottery, pillows, and mirrors. Be sure to check out the third floor for racks of bargain-priced sale items, and don't forget to look up at the towering first-floor ceiling of the onetime front parlor.

West Palm's U.S. 1, "South Dixie Highway," is the destination for those who love interesting home decor. From thrift shops to the most exclusive stores, it is all here within 40 stores—museum-quality furniture, lighting, art, junk, fabric, frames, tile, and rugs. So if you're looking for an art deco, French-provincial, or Mizner pièce de résistance, big or small, schedule a few hours for an Antique Row stroll. You'll find bargains during the off-season (May to November). Antique Row runs north–south from Belvedere Road to Forest Hill Boulevard, although most stores are bunched between Belvedere Road and Southern Boulevard.

Once an apple-packing shed, the Apple Shed has been restored and remodeled into a series of unusual gift shops and arts and crafts galleries. An attached tasting room features their own locally produced Williams Cellars wines and Snow Capped Ciders, while the deli serves breakfast Thursday through Sunday and Mexican fare and sandwiches and salads for lunch and dinner daily.

Archestratus is one of those rare neighborhood gems that becomes a true community hub—particularly for hardcore foodies. More than a tiny bookstore specializing in cookbooks and culinary writings, it also offers a well-curated selection of kitchenware and groceries, from pastas to tinned fish. There's also a small children's reading section and adequate meeting space for their culinary- and literary-inspired events. While their sit down café component is no longer open, they still offer daily artisanal sandwiches to go.

If your life is missing a punching-nun puppet, an Edgar Allen Poe action figure, or a bacon-scented air freshener, there's hope. Leave your cares and woes at the door and step into a warehouse of the weird and wonderful. It's nearly impossible to feel bad while perusing stacks of armadillo handbags, demon rubber duckies, handerpants (don't ask), and homicidal unicorn play sets. Grab a cat-in-a-can to keep you company or leave with a dramatic chipmunk oil painting. You'll feel better. Trust us.

Run by the Island Institute, this inviting shop showcases an array of fine creations by Maine artists and artisans. On display are wooden goods, jewelry, soaps, books, housewares, clothing, fine art, and more.

The selection here matches the warehouse proportions. A mammoth two-story space contains oversize garden ornaments, statuary, iron grills, fixtures, and decorative tiles. Architectural fragments—marble, metal, wood, terra-cotta—hail from historic American and European buildings.

At this salon-inspired gallery, relax on antique furniture while gazing at framed paintings, mostly of island and coastal Maine scenes, that fill the dark walls. Opened in 1996 and representing approximately 30 artists of national renown who live, summer, or paint on Mount Desert Island, works range from $500–$10,000. The owner's background is in art history, and she warmly welcomes even those who are "just looking" and shares her art knowledge, especially the stories of painters who've been drawn to the island since the 1800s.

For the fanciest knickers in downtown Portland and one of the best bra fittings around, head to Aristelle. It's where to find elegant undergarments and lingerie, as well as naughty little numbers that would make Bettie Page blush.

Santa Fe is well-known for its mystical side and the Ark is where locals go to feed their spiritual souls. Mainly a metaphysical bookstore, the Ark also offers a diverse selection of cards, gemstones, candles, and crystals as well as gifts of all kinds, from Tibetan prayer flags and wind chimes to yoga mats and clothing.

Take a break from browsing at Joseph's several galleries and boutiques to indulge in first-rate caramels and truffles at this popular downtown shop. You'll also find rich, hot mochas that blend chocolate with Portland's Stumptown coffee. The sweets come in novel flavors, including caramels infused with lime juice and habanero sea salt, huckleberry truffles, and truffles blended with whiskey from local Stein Distillery and dark chocolate.

Since 1984, this bastion of bibliophilia has offered new, used, and collectible titles to discerning shoppers. Its shelves are robust in art, photography, and graphic design, as well as plenty of literature inspired by Seattle and the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Housed in one of Seattle's most historic buildings, this eclectic assortment will satisfy both the avid reader and the discriminating collector.

Housed in the 1932 Toyama Building, this landmark North Kohala shop stocks sophisticated women's resort wear made of hand-painted silk or high-quality cotton in tropical designs by local artists. There are also plentiful vintage treasures, jewelry, gifts, hats, bags, and toys, plus handmade ukuleles by local luthier David Gomes.

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.

Show up in downtown Aspen any Saturday from mid-June to early October, and you can enjoy the Aspen Saturday Market, a sort of farmers' market–meets–arts fair. Tents cluster along the corner of Galena and Hopkins and then extend to the intersection of Hyman and Galena. Everything here is Colorado made (or grown), from pottery and paintings to peppers and peaches. Enjoy live music and ready-made foods to eat on the spot.

Stock up on wine, spirits, and everything else alcohol-related at this sprawling, below-sidewalk-level shop; it often has the bottle you can't find anywhere else. Among Astor's other assets are a wine library, a kitchen for cooking classes, and a tasting most evenings.

For over 10 years this Queer, female-owned adorable bookshop in Queens has served as a central hub dedicated to supporting local authors and promoting the literary arts. It’s a refreshing alternative to the big-box book stores and online giants, especially with their in-store speaking and author events. While you're browsing bestsellers, indie titles, nonfiction, poetry, and well-curated staff picks, consider RSVPing to read a tale of your own at their popular Storytelling Show, a free open-mic-style reading series. Alternatively, you can opt to attend one of their author events, which are generally free of charge, but require an RSVP.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with an array of pralines, made while you watch. The traditional version is concocted from cane sugar spiked with pecans, but other flavors include chocolate, café au lait, and even bananas Foster. You can also buy hot sauce, prepackaged muffuletta mix, and Bourbon Street glaze, as well as art and books about New Orleans, zydeco CDs, and logo cups and aprons.

Competitive prices, vast inventory (new and used), and a fair return policy make this bustling emporium a favorite with both pros and amateurs looking for audio and video equipment, new cameras, computers, or tech accessories. The store's event space also hosts stellar instructional seminars, usually live streamed. Be sure to leave a few extra minutes for the checkout procedure; bear in mind, too, that the store is closed early Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. B&H is also known for its ingenious, ceiling-height, conveyor-belt system to move packages.

Beverly Hills meets the South Florida sun at this swank collection of 100 high-end shops, boutiques, and department stores, which currently holds the title as the country’s greatest revenue-earner per square foot. The open-air enclave includes Florida’s largest Saks Fifth Avenue; an 8,100-square-foot, two-story flagship Salvatore Ferragamo store; and stores by Alexander McQueen, Valentino, and local juggernaut The Webster. Restaurants and cafés, in tropical garden settings, overflow with style-conscious diners. A $400 million expansion is currently under way to add 340,387 square feet of retail.

This independent studio makes stunning, yet affordable, handcrafted jewelry. Its light-filled corner shop features necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, each with a unique, elegantly simple, modern design. They also sell curated goods, from accessories to stationery to candy.

Every Sunday, rain or shine, loads of vendors come to Ballard Avenue to set up colorful, welcoming stands to sell produce and all types of local, artisanal foods, as well as gift items like candles and hats. Meanwhile, local buskers entertain foodies and families, and vendors cook up pizzas, crepes, dumplings, and more.

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 legendary shop stocks one of Hawaii's largest selections of maps, including topographical and relief maps, and Hilo's largest selection of Hawaiian music (feel free to ask for advice about your selection). It also has a wealth of books about Hawaii, with great choices for children. If you need an umbrella on a rainy Hilo day, this bookstore has plenty of them.

At this unusual bookstore and bar, you can relax on an overstuffed chair or sofa while sipping one of 80 wines and champagnes by the glass. The inventory includes more than 20,000 secondhand books, with special strength in Civil War, American history, and North Carolina subjects. It's pet friendly, too, with an "espresso dog bar."