553 Best Places to Shop in USA

Ted Dennard's Savannah Bee Company has been featured in such national magazines as O, Vogue, InStyle, and Newsweek, and with good reason—the whimsical shop features locally cultivated honey and bath products that are simply wonderful. You can sample and buy multiple varieties of honey and even raw honeycombs, and there's an entire bar dedicated to mead, a delicate honey wine; enjoy a tasting for a sweet experience. Children enjoy the life-size beehive.

This alligator-shaped megamall draws millions of shoppers a year to its collection of over 350 outlet stores, including more than 70 luxury brand outlets like Burberry, GUCCI, Jimmy Choo, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, The Company Store, Tory Burch, and Versace. According to the mall, it's the second-largest attraction in Florida—second only to Walt Disney World. Although this may sound like an exaggeration, prepare for crowds and to spend a full day here.

The Platonic ideal of bookstores, Scuppernong has a well-chosen selection of new and used books, with plentiful staff suggestions and reading lists, along with a café serving hot beverages, wine, and beer. The back room hosts book clubs, story times, author readings, and open mic nights for poets and authors.

America's oldest candy shop is truly a wonderland of sweet treats, with a wide assortment of beautifully made handcrafted delights, such as chocolate assortments, clear "toy" candy, seasonal goodies, and candy-filled gift boxes. (They also have an incredibly rich hot chocolate during the colder months.) While perusing, you can learn all about the history of this lovely shop that first opened in the 1800s.

The Shops at Pembroke Gardens is an outdoor oasis with a variety of shops, restaurants, salons, and spas. From shops like White House Black Market and Sephora to local dining options like RA Sushi and Village Tavern, it's a popular hangout among locals and tourists. 

Every Saturday morning from 9 to 1, Soda City Market comes to life with 150 vendors along Main Street. Artists and artisans join the farm stands and food trucks, while shoppers browse to the sounds of local musicians.

Ann and Paul Breeden’s Spring Woods Gallery, nestled between their home and a large shade garden for visitors, is illuminated by a tall arched window. Local farm animals appear often in her colorful, playful oil paintings. His strikingly realistic acrylic paintings capture the intensity of the Maine Coast. Both originals and fine art prints and cards featuring their works are sold, as are their son's decorative and practical ironworks and their daughters' pottery, paintings, prints, and cards. Folks are welcome to come just for the acclaimed tranquil garden, with benches, sculpture, and a delightful children's playhouse. Off U.S. 1 in Sullivan, the gallery is open off-season by appointment.

The 72-acre, four-block-by-four-block commercial and residential complex centered on Rosemary Avenue has been revamped from CityPlace into The Square, with $550 million in upgrades to the pedestrian walkways, plus new retail, dining and public art installations. The mixed-use neighborhood attracts people of all ages to restaurants, a 20-screen AMC theater, live music at Copper Blues, the Harriet Himmel Theater, and the Improv Comedy Club. In the courtyard, Berlin-based artist Jeppe Hein has created a whimsical water pavilion, and live bands perform on weekends. The dining, shopping, and entertainment are all family-friendly; at night, however, a lively crowd likes to hit the outdoor bars. Among The Square's stores are such popular national retailers as H&M, Tommy Bahama, and Restoration Hardware. 

Find pop-star paraphernalia, graphic T-shirts, magazines, trinkets, snacks, and Mexican blankets in this wild shop set up in a converted 1949 Richfield gas station. Between the giant man statue, retro cars, and back patio, there's enough eye candy to warrant a stop even if you're not in the market for souvenirs.

Located on the bayfront in downtown Hilo, this beautifully decorated candy boutique is a blast from the past, featuring an amazing array of nostalgic candies, artisan chocolates, and wooden barrels overflowing with saltwater taffy and other delights.

The buyers for this large, independently owned world-market store comb the planet for colorful and unusual examples of folk art from more than 40 countries. African trade beads and baskets, Nepalese jewelry, Turkish textiles, and lots of Mexican items (including milagros, postcards, and cheap souvenirs and gifts) are just a few of the goodies stashed away in this delightful place.

An instant mood-lifter, this shop is chock-full of offbeat toys and novelty items that are certain to delight children of all ages.

This longtime beloved independent bookstore has been part of San Antonio's literary world since 1972, residing in several neighborhoods before landing at the Pearl. The large, organized, and well-stocked store has thousands of books in all subjects as well as cards and gift items. It hosts regular author-signing events for local and national writers as well as events geared for children. Ask the very helpful and knowledgeable staff about the latest and best independent and mainstream bestsellers.

This hole-in-the-wall confections shop has made a name for itself thanks to its pillowy mochi. The proprietors are best known for their huge, ripe strawberries wrapped in a white mochi covering, which won't last as long as a box of chocolates—most mochi items are good for only two or three days. To guarantee you get your fill, call and place your order ahead of time.

Since 1980, this enormous three-story bookstore has been an anchor of Fairhaven, bringing literary-minded folks together to shop for recent releases, attend readings and discussions, and socialize amid the shop's several spaces for eating and mingling. These include the Colophon Cafe (a full-service restaurant) and Evolve Chocolate + Cafe on the top floor, whose seating areas have grand views of Bellingham Bay. There's a newer branch in downtown Lynden.

Chic Whalers Village has wonderful oceanfront restaurants and shops in the heart of Kaanapali. Upscale haunts include Louis Vuitton and Tourneau, and beautyphiles can get their fix at Sephora. Elegant home accessories at Martin and MacArthur and Totally Hawaiian Gift Gallery are perfect Hawaii-made souvenirs, while the many great surf and swimwear shops will prepare you for a day at the beach. Kids will fall in love with the whimsical two-story climbing structure at the lower courtyard. The outdoor mall also offers free weekly entertainment, lei-making classes, and hula lessons; check its website for a complete schedule.

Jam-packed with toys, games, and more bizarre novelty items than you could possibly imagine, this store benefits from the enthusiasm of owners Ken and Michele Gietz. Grab an offbeat gift for a friend (and some of the interesting candies for yourself).

In a 1938 building that once housed a five-and-dime, Woolworth Walk features the curated work of more than 170 crafts artists, in 20,000 square feet of exhibit space on two levels. There's even a working soda fountain, built to resemble the original Woolworth luncheonette.

Beware of sensory overload at the world's largest Disney superstore—where approximately half a million items are featured in a dozen rooms that fill 50,000 square feet. Theme shopping areas like the princess room (hello, Cinderella dress or Ariel costume) help steer you to just the right toys, clothing, collectibles, candy, housewares, photo frames, books, dresses, cookware, and collectible Disney pins. In large showrooms as well as themed nooks and crannies you'll find specialty items such as retro-style Disney dresses, Mickey hats, customized Disney items, and an overwhelming number of figurines, backpacks, mugs, candles, posters, and well, everything (including plenty of cashiers).

Running on Saturday mornings and early afternoons year-round, this astoundingly large and diverse farmers' market carries not only Oregon's bounty of flowers and produce (look especially for berries in summer and stone fruits in fall) but also hazelnuts, cheese, delectable baked goods, wines and ciders, and other goodies. It's great for people-watching and souvenir shopping, and several stalls sell great food to eat on-site—be sure to come hungry. If you can't make the Saturday market, check the website for locations of smaller but still very popular versions of the market, held most days during the warmer months at various locations around town.

Locally beloved Wilbur Chocolate carries an array of confections, from the famous solid chocolate Wilbur Buds to chocolate-covered marshmallows and dark chocolate caramels. There is candy-related memorabilia and equipment displayed throughout, and candy makers work behind a giant window so you can see the Wilbur process.

The brainchild of local author Dave Eggers is primarily a center established to help kids with their writing skills via writing programs, tutoring, and storytelling events. But the storefront is also "San Francisco's only independent pirate supply store," a quirky space filled with eye patches, spyglasses, and other pirate-themed paraphernalia. Eggers's quarterly journal, McSweeney's, and other publications are available here. Proceeds benefit the writing center.

On the center's storefront is an intricate mural designed by graphic novelist Chris Ware as a meditation on the evolution of human communication.

Remember when toys didn't require batteries or apps? This old-fashioned shop (for ages 10 and under) sparks children's imaginations with dress-up clothes, science-oriented gifts, picture books, and hand-painted wooden toys by brands like Poan and Haba.

The world's largest open-air shopping mall is a five-minute bus ride from Waikiki. More than 350 stores and 160 dining options (including multiple food courts) make up this 50-acre complex, which is a unique mix of national and international chains as well as smaller, locally owned shops and eateries—and everything in between. The newer Lanai @ Ala Moana Center is worth stopping at for a range of casual dining options in one spot. More than 30 luxury boutiques are in residence, with stores such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Christian Dior. All of Hawaii's major department stores are here, including the state's only Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, plus Macy's, Target, and Bloomingdale's.

Look for the distinctive smokestacks at this open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment center (the area was once a cement factory). Today, Alamo Quarry Market includes a Regal movie theater complex and many standard mall stores, such as Gap, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Williams Sonoma. This entire area boasts many retail offerings. Quarry Village is across from Quarry Market, and the nearby Shops at Lincoln Heights are at the intersection of Broadway and East Basse Road.

Even if you don't speak French, this wonderfully hidden bilingual bookstore dedicated exclusively to books in French and English is a true gem, situated inside a landmarked Italian Renaissance–style mansion, built in 1906, that's also home to the Cultural Services of the French Embassy. Underneath a soothing, star-covered, zodiac-inspired ceiling in the style of a Renaissance-era fresco, Francophile visitors can explore more than 14,000 classic and contemporary titles from 30 French-speaking countries.

The outdoor stalls at this mellow, parklike market offer tropical flowers, produce, soaps, kettle corn, coffee, coconut postcards, cookies, jewelry, koa wood, clothing, antiques and collectibles, handmade lei, silk flowers, and kitschy crafts. The made-on-site barbecue is a real hit. A food kiosk also serves shave ice, fish tacos, coconut water, fresh-fruit smoothies, and hamburgers. Free parking and Wi-Fi are available.

Step back in time with a visit to Alley's General Store, a local landmark and gathering place since 1858, and the island's oldest retail business. Stock includes everything from groceries to gourmet cheeses, and toys for all ages, from stuffed animals for the kids to housewares for adults. Alley's is a treasure trove of the playful and practical items that define a country store. The coffee bar sells some of the best brew in town, and they offer a great selection of snacks for a beach day.

Grade-school kids still love American Girl dolls, whose lines range from historical characters to contemporary characters, each with accompanying clothes and accessories. Bring your doll to this New York flagship in Rockefeller Plaza for a doll hairdressing salon, doll hospital, café, Dress Like Your Doll shop, design-your-own-doll station, and more.

You need a ticket to the museum to physically enter the multiple gift shops at this ginormous museum, most of them themed to the exhibit they adjoin and packed with books, totes, T-shirts, toys, and other memorabilia. For example, the Dino Store features T. rex socks and stuffed animals; the Cosmic Shop features telescopes and NASA memorabilia; the gems and minerals shop offers agate-topped wine stoppers and lapis lazuli jewelry. The new Gilder Center gift shop includes cute costume butterfly wings, conservation-themed clothing and hats, as well as bee-theme clothing, jewelry, and other gifts. Not visiting the museum? Shop online!