609 Best Places to Shop in USA

Owned by renowned Santa Fe chocolatier Hayward Simoneaux, this bright and colorful shop specializes in folk art and carries wonderfully offbeat and eye-catching items from all over the world and at a wide range of price points. Think Spanish-colonial-style leather messenger bags, hand-painted wild boar ceramic piggy banks, Mexican paper-mâché eggs painted to look like lucha libre masks, and hand-embroidered reversible jackets from India. And yes, you'll also find some carefully curated chocolates for sale.

Originally started by Nooksack artist and activist Louie Gong, Eighth Generation is now owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe. A world away from the tourist shops around Pike Place, this small shop sells a carefully selected range of Native-designed and produced goods including journals, jewelry, mugs, and water bottles. The true attractions are the bold, eye-catching woolen blankets woven in Seattle. Gifts purchased here come with a story and support local Indigenous artists.

Wine-tasting rooms, shops, art galleries, and studios share the courtyard and gardens of this historic arcade.

Ramble north on this rural stretch of Edith Boulevard and your reward is not only a bit of Albuquerque history en route (the old Camino Real ran along Edith), but the unexpected wonder that is Eldora Chocolate. The actual chocolate making happens here, too, and the many shop's many awards attest to owner Steve Prickett’s attention to quality and the nuances of the chocolate bean. This is true artisanal chocolate—any aficionado is sure to learn something special about their 70% Tanzanian, say, and tastings are offered freely.

This landmark bookstore has a great selection and hosts hundreds of author events every year. The shelves are lined with handwritten recommendation cards from the knowledgeable staff, and this is the place to find Pacific Northwest history books and titles by local authors. A big inventory of bargain books and an appealing café sweeten the deal.

This beautifully curated collection of women’s clothing features the work of numerous designers and is showcased in a rustic-industrial space matching the casual-chic aesthetic of the apparel. You'll find local and international brands in this shop that's been a neighborhood fixture for a decade.

In the same family since 1655, Emery Farm sells berries and produce in summer, pumpkins in fall, and Christmas trees in winter. The farm shop carries breads, pies, and local crafts, and a café serves sandwiches, ice cream, cider doughnuts, and other light fare. Enjoy pumpkin-patch hayrides in autumn and visit the petting barn May–October.

Offering a heavenly trifecta of books, coffee, and chocolate, Epilogue has a diverse selection of titles, lovingly chosen by the staff. The café serves hot drinks, Mexican treats like churros and conchas (sweet bread), and locally made chocolates. The adjacent Prologue has rare and used books, and hosts community events.

Although ostensibly a grocery store—and one with an excellent selection of organic produce, fine cheeses, baked goods, prepared foods to go, and other gourmet items—this friendly market in a historic brick house also features a coffeehouse and smoothie café with patio seating and a small gallery with well-curated art, crafts, and gifts.

This exceptional gallery specializes in vintage, classic, and contemporary photography but also represents artists in other media.

This acclaimed nonprofit cooperative formed in 1966 features creations by more than 300 of Northern New England's top pottery, painting, jewelry, textile, glassware, and other artisans.

What began in 1929 as a repair shop and a pen bar—a place to fill your fountain pen before setting out for work—is now a wonderland for anyone who loves a good writing instrument. You'll find pens in silver, gold, and lacquer by the world's leading manufacturers. If you want to improve your handwriting, the store offers classes in calligraphy and cursive. And yes, the store still offers repair services for all writing instruments—in this digital age Fahrneys' endures.

Half a mile north of Intercourse village in an unassuming house, this large store is filled to the rafters with hand-stitched quilts made by Amish and Mennonite women. These are authentic works of art hand-stitched in traditional designs such as Broken Star and Double Wedding Ring. Sizes from full to king are on offer, as well as wall hangings and quillows (quilted pillows). A large selection of fabric is also sold.

The shelves of employee-owned Farley's, a New Hope institution since 1967 and nicely renovated in 2023, hold ample choices, including books about the region. Staff picks, signed copies of local writers' works, children's books (in a special area), small press favorites, and cards and book-related merch: it's all here for the browsing, with staff happy to offer suggestions.

This delightful shop is housed in a bright-red Maine barn filled with household items both useful and pleasing to the eye. Browse the collection of ceramics, linens, kitchen essentials, and more by small-batch makers, and pick up a few artisan treats, too.

A destination on its own, the wonderful Farm Shop at the renowned Los Poblanos Inn carries a distinctive selection of books, culinary gadgets, fine crafts from local makers (jewelry, textiles, ceramics), the same soothing and perfectly scented lavender lotions and soaps found in the inn's guestrooms, and a considerable variety of artisan jams, vinegars, and sauces. For takeaway sustenance, the inn's Campo kitchen whips up crisply crusted breads, sandwiches, coffee, tea, and cakes.

Find an eye-opening selection of fresh local produce, gourmet goods, live music, and local art at one of Utah's largest and most popular farmers' markets. The main summer market runs late June through mid-September from 9 am to 2 pm along Historic 25th Street. There's also a shorter fall market from late September through late October, and a winter version of the market from mid-January to late February.

More and more of James Zilian's "studio pottery" is showing up in luxury establishments around the country, even earning the Oprah seal of approval. A visit to the home shop just west of Woodstock shows why, with a rustic but elegant range of stoneware pitchers, enamel jars, linen oven mitts, and beehive salt cellars. Visitors can watch the potters in action through large windows into the production room.

The outdoor Fashion Island mall is designed with archways, courtyards, koi pond, fountains, and a mix of high-end shopping and chain stores. Multiple dining venues include Fleming's Steak House, True Food Kitchen, and Sushi Roku. Well-known department store anchors include Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's; smaller shops include See's Candies and boutiques like Brandy Melville. The newest addition is the four floor RH Newport Beach design gallery filled with sparkling chandeliers, indoor and outdoor furniture, heritage olive trees, and trickling fountains. At the rooftop is RH Ocean Grill offering sweeping views of the California coastline. Enjoy a glass of wine or Champagne from the wine bar while enjoying brunch, lunch, or dinner.

The frontage of this fashion-devoted mall is dominated by The Cloud—a giant, oblong disc that looms high above the entrance. Ads and footage of the mall's own fashion events are periodically projected across the expanse of this ovoid screen. Inside, the mall is sleek, spacious, and airy—a nice change from some of the claustrophobic casino malls. The mall delivers on its name: fashion shows are staged in the Great Hall on an 80-foot-long catwalk that rises from the floor (on select weekends). Although you can find many of the same stores in the casino malls, there's a smattering of different fare, such as Drybar, which specializes in blowouts; Calzedonia Italian Legwear; the LEGO store; and shops specializing in tailoring and purse and hat cleaning. Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Macy's, Dillard's, and Forever 21 serve as the mall's anchors. Along with an airy food court, dependable chains, including The Capital Grille, Maggiano's, Benihana, and California Pizza Kitchen, offer sit-down dining. There's even a Hello Kitty Café. Or stop at the Capital One Cafe; maybe you'll see Jennifer Garner!

San Diego's most upscale mall has a contemporary Mission theme, lush landscaping, and 200 shops and restaurants. Acclaimed retailers like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, and Tiffany & Co. are here, along with boutiques from fashion darlings like Michael Kors, Tory Burch, and Kate Spade. H&M is a favorite of fashionistas in search of edgy and affordable styles. Free wireless Internet service is available throughout the mall. Select "Free Simon Wi-Fi" from any Wi-Fi–enabled device to log onto the network.

Named for William Faulkner, who rented a room here in 1925, this bookstore is designated a National Literary Landmark. It specializes in first editions and rare and out-of-print books—mostly by southern authors—but also carries new titles. The store keeps thousands of additional books at an off-site warehouse and hosts an annual Happy Birthday, Mr. Faulkner! Festival that salutes Faulkner and new southern writers.

Up-and-coming and established upscale women's clothing designers are artfully showcased in a space that's airy, bright, and uncluttered. The owners are pros at mixing fabrics and patterns, and putting unexpected pieces together with wonderful results. Refreshingly, staff put a premium on personable service, making you feel genuinely welcome whether you've come to drop a paycheck or just to browse.

On weekdays or any Saturday when there's a football home game, you can pop into Ferdinand's, an ice-cream and cheese shop in Washington State University's food-science building, to buy aged Cougar Gold, a cheddar-type cheese in a can. Ice cream is made daily from milk from the university's dairy cows and served in cones, dishes, shakes, malts, floats, sundaes, and banana splits to enjoy on the spot. Or take home a pint, quart, 3-gallon tub, or party pack to share. Espresso drinks are also available and about half the price of a chain coffee shop.

Anyone with a passion for playing dress-up and a flair for the dramatic will love this place filled with custom wigs, wild accessories, makeup, and hair products. The shop provides essential resources for Mardi Gras and Halloween costumes as well as ample creative advice.

This gallery walk the first Thursday of every month gives art appreciators a chance to check out new exhibits while enjoying music, wine, and light appetizers. Typically the galleries, which are largely in the Pearl District, are open in the evening from 6 to 9. Beyond the galleries, you'll find a lively scene of street musicians, local art vendors, and food and craft beer stalls along N.W. 13th Avenue between Hoyt and Kearney Streets.

A phenomenal stop for specialty jellies and preserves, Fischer & Wieser's is located in an early-1900s brewery and the property features more than 1,000 peach trees surrounded by pines. Fresh peaches are available June through August, but it is also home to a cooking school, and wine tastings occur year-round.

The dishes, china, and glassware for resale come from all walks of crockery life, including corporate dining rooms and failed restaurants, so you never know what you might find. Fishs Eddy also sells its own lines of dishes and kitchenware, which have both classic and whimsical looks. The shop is a great place to pick up New York–theme gifts such as mugs and trays.