3888 Best Places to Shop in USA

Known simply as BAPE to devotees, this exclusive label has a cult following in its native Tokyo. The focus is a small selection of camouflage gear and bright, fun, limited-edition T-shirts for men, women, and children; the limited-edition sneakers in funky colors are scene-stealers.

Housing an exquisite collection of first-edition titles in pristine condition, this antiquarian bookstore carries an ever-changing selection that might include such classics as Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat, Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's, and A Farewell to Arms, inscribed by Hemingway himself. Other treasures include a small-folio 1575 edition of The Bishop's Bible with woodcut illustrations, and a copy of the second American edition of On the Origin of Species accompanied by a letter signed by Charles Darwin himself. Historical documents showcase the original signatures of Jung, Edison, and presidents Lincoln and FDR, among other notables. Special binding services are also offered. You may have seen this bookshop on the History Channel's Pawn Stars.

You need not have the desire (or the funds) to drop thousands of dollars on a rare book, but it's still fun to browse in this decades-old book shop, gawking at the clothbound tomes from decades and centuries past where you can get your hands (or, at least, your eyes) on a first edition Henry David Thoreau, a signed copy of Charles Darwin's The Origins of Species, or a 400-year-old copy of Cervantes's Don Quixote. 

This independent bookstore is the spot to sit, read, and sip coffee on an overcast day by the sea. Great for international travelers, there's a large selection of foreign-language magazines and newspapers, and for youngsters, there's a section in the back devoted to children's books and games. Because of its close proximity to the Navy bases on Coronado, the shop has a large stock of books dedicated to military history. Bay Books also has regular book-signing events; it has hosted a wide array of authors, from Newt Gingrich to Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger. While you're there, grab an espresso or a pastry from the sidewalk-facing café within the bookstore.

Owned and operated by two artists, this gift shop showcases the delightful works of more than 120 local artisans and makers. Browse handcrafted paper and print art, collage art, chocolate, soy candles, jewelry, ceramics, and much more to bring home or to give as charming presents to a friend.

Once a rundown mall, this retail space reopened in 2006 as a trendy open-air shopping center. There's something for everyone here, including an H&M clothing store, Trader Joe's grocery, and a Discovery Channel Store. Dining options range from Potbelly Sandwich Works to Devon Seafood Grill. When the weather's nice, it's a great place to spend a leisurely afternoon browsing.

With a Mexican villa theme, the Bazaar hosts riotously colorful gift shops such as Ariana, for ethnic and artsy women's fashions; Artes de Mexico, which sells handmade Latin American crafts and Guatemalan weavings; and The Gallery, which carries handmade jewelry, Native American crafts, collectible glass, and original silk-screen prints. The Laurel Burch Gallerita carries the complete collection of its namesake artist's signature jewelry, accessories, and totes.

The brand's first four letters are short for "bon chic, bon genre," which means stylish sportswear and embellished, embroidered evening dresses for women here. The collection ranges from leather pants to maxi dresses.

Exquisite handcrafted furniture, fixtures, and ceramics, made in master-craftsman Tyler Hays's Philadelphia studio, are showcased in this airy, skylit space. The heirloom-quality pieces blend minimalist, organic lines, often with warm-wood or leather finishes. Even if your budget is limited, BDDW is worth a visit for inspiration.

This visually pleasing shop stocks an array of treasures for the home and garden. There's a selection of personal accessories, toiletries, and children's books, too.

A simple space, the Manhattan outpost of this long-standing Brooklyn-based icon has a wide selection of gently used modern and vintage clothes. Comb through the racks, and you might find pieces from Christian Dior, Marc Jacobs, or AllSaints, as well as stylish items from under-the-radar labels.

Designers come from all over the world for the incredibly wide selection of beads at Beadazzled; there's also a selection of already-made jewelry.

This Alaska Native–owned shop sells handicrafts from around the state, along with a world's worth of beads for those who want to design their own pieces. If you're lucky, you can catch visiting Alaska Native artists working on their crafts.

This is not your ordinary bead store. The semiprecious stones and baubles are sourced from around the world—say, silver from Bali or ancient glass beads from China. There's also a wide range of worldly trinkets like Thai Buddha figurines, Mexican Madonna candles, and Indian Ganesha-printed hangings.

There's a reason why this antiques shop is where style gurus go for inspiration—the owners source serious treasures from the area, where many of the grand houses have been passed down through the generations and have valuable and unique odds and ends in their attics, some going back centuries.

Old-fashioned village bookstores don't get more cute and quaint than this, and locals work hard to keep it that way by actively embracing the printed word. A community hangout, the nearly 50-year-old shop hosts numerous readings by authors, workshops, and book clubs, as well as a significant section of Vermont writers.

Stock up for all your adventures in the Interior at this store that sells the big names in backpacking, biking, paddling, and skiing gear.

A Boerne institution, Bechants is known as the place to shop for women's clothing, kitchen goods, bedding, accessories and great gifts. The men's shop also has it all, from three-piece suits, jeans, and button-downs to athletic clothing and accessories. You'll also find a nicely curated selection of shoes, handmade leather wallets and billfolds, shave products, dopp kits—and much more.

Dreamland is even more inviting with these handcrafted beds and lush designer linens, many of which come in interesting jacquard weaves or are nicely trimmed and finished.

A few steps from Fremont Street you'll find every conceivable form of jerky, including bacon, ostrich, alligator, salmon, and even tofu, with hot and spicy choices to boot. Take home the Las Vegas specialty jerky shaped like all four suits in a deck of cards. It's not all jerky; there are candy and other products as well.

With a mission to promote sustainability, community, and delicious, local honey products, BeeFavored is an urban beekeeping business with products made from honey that is harvested on a rooftop in the heart of Harlem. Artisanal honey blends, jams, syrups, barbecue sauces, spices, herbs, teas, candles, and pet products are crafted with organic ingredients and make excellent and unique New York souvenirs. 

More than 30 antiques dealers sell their wares at the Beekman Arms Antique Market, which occupies a large red barn behind the Beekman Arms. The antiques mix is eclectic, with Americana, Victorian, country, and primitive pieces represented.

Belkind-Bigi is one of the few shops specializing in mid-century modern furniture and accessories. Choose from designer pieces—Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona chairs, George Nelson's platform bench—or those with idiosyncratic pedigrees that hold their own among such heavyweights.

This open-air shopping center has about 40 stylish boutiques and specialty stores, some of Fort Myers's best restaurants and bars, and 20 movie screens.

In this impressive trifecta of shopping centers, you'll find just about any chain store you've heard of (and some that you haven't). Bellevue Square's wide walkways and benches, its many children's clothing stores, kid's hair salon, and first-floor play area make this a great place for little ones, too. A variety of local restaurant groups and national chains serve quick, good casual food, and you can park for free in the attached garage. Take the sky bridge to Lincoln Center to catch a flick at their 16-screen cinema, organize your life at the Container Store, or sample an assortment of other retail outlets. Eat at one of the several high-end restaurants, the famous Din Tai Fung, or the upscale food court. Bellevue Place, across from Lincoln Center, hosts a variety of stores and a Fonte Coffee Roaster.

This fine-art gallery in a beautifully restored building features the work of local, national, and international artists.

Converse, Dr. Martens, and other familiar brands get mixed in with fatigues, flak jackets, skate gear, and faux-fur coats at Belmont Army. The Lakeview veteran—open since 1975—occupies an entire building just down the street from its original home adjacent to the Belmont El station. The top floor, devoted to vintage goods, makes for an always entertaining shopping adventure.

About 7 mi north of downtown, at Northern Parkway and York Road, is Belvedere Square, a small, open-air mall with shops for women's and children's clothing, furniture, and gifts, as well as a number of gourmet food shops (the soup at Atwater's is delicious).

Charleston's own Ben Silver, premier purveyor of blazer buttons, has more than 800 designs, including college and British regimental motifs. The shop, founded in the 1960s, also sells British neckties, embroidered polo shirts, and blazers.