3888 Best Places to Shop in USA

This square is filled with inexpensive souvenir shops and fine jewelers, upscale eateries and local cafés, plus live entertainment all summer in the courtyard.

For more local color, Midtown's Cooper Young District, at the intersection of Cooper Street and Young Avenue, offers a handful of funky shops, vintage clothing stores, and cafés.

Expect the unusual at this 35-year-old shop, which sells jewelry, gadgets, clocks, and gifts handcrafted by more than 100 artists.

An indoor shopping mall in the Back Bay, Copley Place includes such high-end shops as Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton. It is anchored by the pricey but dependable Neiman Marcus and offers a few dining options, such as Legal Sea Foods and Caffè Nero.

After more than a century, this nonprofit membership organization continues to present the works of well-known and aspiring New England artists, as well as out-of-town and foreign members. Styles of artists range from traditional and academic realists to contemporary and abstract painters, photographers, and sculptors. Each year, the gallery hosts between 15 and 20 exhibitions, occasionally off-site in such locations as the Langham Hotel and Harbor Towers.

This longtime local clothier sells trendy dresses and apparel from designers like Trina Turk and Laila Jayde. There's also an accompanying casual wear store, MIX, next door and two satellite locations in Mount Pleasant.

Venture to this Broughton Street mainstay for women's clothing and footwear that is, as they say, "curated with the Southern eye." You'll find seasonal looks by Michael Stars, BB Dakota, and Citizens of Humanity, as well as shoes and accessories by Rebecca Minkoff, Vince Camuto, and Sam Edelman.

All over Southcentral you'll find locals sporting American-made fleece hoodies, jackets, vests, and hats with decorative trim featuring Tglingit and Haida designs. Cordova resident Jennifer Park designed the clothing and commissioned Alaska Native artist Michael Webber to create the trim. Found in many shops around the state, they can also be purchased online—but the only outlet store for these nifty articles of clothing is in Cordova.

In addition to magazines and best-selling books, this store, part of a local indie chain, stocks a wide selection of cookbooks.

Check the Napa page on this indie chain's website for local authors' readings and signings while you're in town.

Ten miles north of Pensacola's historic districts, this mall is anchored by department stores Dillard's and Belk. There are also more than 125 specialty shops, including the usual mall suspects like Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works, and a food court.

If Alice in Wonderland decided to open a store, this would be it. An eclectic mix of home furnishings, gifts, and touches of whimsy, this boutique is one of the best places in the Valley to find a treasure or a gift.

A literary fixture in Carnegie Hill since 1978, the staff at this charming book nook thoroughly selects current nonfiction and fiction titles among such categories as art, poetry, biographies, cookbooks, and mysteries. Influenced by many families residing in this UES neighborhood, the bookstore puts an emphasis on children's books, even having an area within the store for young readers. The employees are quite knowledgeable, and author readings, lectures, and signings happen here frequently.

At the intersection of Lake Geneva's quaint Main and Broad streets intersection, this friendly shop certainly brings in the tourist crowds, and there's good reason. At the shop you can find antique-y tables and book shelves chock-full of scented and soy candles; artsy dinnerware; paintings of the area by local artists; romantic bridal shower gifts and keepsakes; and fashion-forward women's clothing by Dusak, Komarov and Tango Mango.

A staggering view of San Diego's Downtown skyline across the bay and a dozen boutiques make this a delightful place to shop while waiting for a ferry. La Camisa ( 619/319--5826) is a fun place to pick up kitschy souvenirs, T-shirts, fleece jackets, and postcards. Lisa's Boutique ( 619/550--7366) specializes in comfy women's shoes and affordable casual wear. Vom Fass ( 619/534--5034) is a shop and tasting room full of olive oils, vinegars, spices, and other foodie essentials. There's a farmers' market every Tuesday 2:30–6, and some restaurants offer a daily late-afternoon happy hour.

The walls are lined, front to back, with countless flavors of olive oils and balsamic vinegars, from more standard fare to creative infusions. Some of the varied choices include lemon and lime, chilis, currants, garlic, harissa (hot chili pepper paste), chipotle, and herbes de Provence, all of which are available to sample with bread inside the shop.

This family-owned tasting room at the Ferry Landing has lots of wine, but also tequila flights, whiskey and other spirits, craft beer, cheese plates and other small bites. Check out one of their wine or food-related events like cooking demos or vinos from around the world.

A self-described "woo woo store," Cosmic Connections is a one-stop shop for all things mystical. Multiple rooms are filled with bins of gems and crystals, shelves of books, jewelry, tarot and oracle cards, hanging tapestries, and aromatic candles and incense. Stalls in the back of the store are available for private appointments with intuitive readers.

Stock up on crystals, runes, candles, incense, and other magical supplies for your sacred space at this celestial haven tucked away near the railroad tracks. You can also schedule astrological and tarot readings, chakra cleansings, and Reiki sessions with gifted professionals, or just gab with like-minded souls as you fill your basket.

It might surprise you just how popular surfing is among Portlanders, but a visit to any of the major wave-producing beaches along the Oregon Coast—such as Oswald West State Park and Pacific City—will show you otherwise. This well-stocked shop carries everything you need for a day of cold-water surfing, plus stylish beach apparel, sunglasses, and skin lotions. You can also rent boards, wet suits, and gear, or take a lesson on how to shape your own board.

From ornate mirrors to unique furniture pieces, Cote Jardin has a wide selection of antiques. Located in a town house on O Street, the display will give you inspiration for your home decor.

Once the headquarters for the largest cotton exporter in the world, this historic warehouse complex now comprises a dense concentration of locally owned boutiques and restaurants—nearly 30 of them—in a rambling maze of courtyards and hallways. Clothing and footwear, arts and crafts, gourmet food supplies, books, and comics are all here. While you're here, check out the Wilmington Walk of Fame honoring local celebrities like David Brinkley, Michael Jordan, Charlie Daniels, Roman Gabriel, and nearly a dozen more.

Grab a special souvenir T-shirt, bumper sticker, cap, or mug at the downtown mercantile known as Cotton-Eyed Joe's. The Gruene gear comes in a variety of styles and colors, and the shop is open until 9 or 11 pm, even on Sunday.

When you want your tot to stand out sartorially, head to this globally sourced boutique packed with a thoughtfully curated selection of clothes; you'll also find toys and crafts, as well as a playroom in the back of the store. CouCou has also started carrying women's and home collections.

Bringing a museum-like appreciation to furniture and home goods, counter-space has become artsy millennials' favorite place to browse and purchase original art, sculpted metal pitchers, funky floor lamps, and custom leather seats.

You'll find an excellent regional-history section and plenty of children's titles at this independent bookstore, where you can do a little reading in the small café.

The two levels of Country Bookshelf house a large Montana and Western section, including many autographed works, as well as more general offerings. They'll ship all over the world.

Kansas City's Country Club Plaza is known for its more than 180 fine shops and restaurants, and for the flagship department store, Spanish-style architecture, and its annual display of holiday lights from Thanksgiving to January. You'll also find many of Kansas City's fountains and statues here.

Operated by a nonprofit foundation since 1954, the Country Friends carries collectibles, silver, furniture, and antiques donated or consigned by community residents.