553 Best Places to Shop in USA

This family-run toy shop has been in business for more than 40 years. With nine locations throughout San Diego, the store offers classic toys and games as well as the newest must-haves. It's a great place to wander with kids or pick up something to take home.

A cheery red door welcomes customers to this hip, cozy grocery that sells specialty, organic, and Maine-produced foods. There's also a great selection of wines and domestic craft and imported beers, and the helpful staff can suggest picnic items or what to cook for dinner at your lodgings like the “heat and eat” meals and to-go salads—don't forget the whoopie pies for dessert. You can also order take-out sandwiches, soups, and salads, and even in winter, the store's outdoor Smokin’ Good BBQ ( www.smokingoodbarbecue.com) serves slow-smoked poultry, pork, and beef offerings from an orange trailer.

If the aroma of fresh waffle cones causes a pause on your downtown stroll, you've probably hit one of central Oregon's favorite soda fountain and candy shops. Try the Oreo cookie ice cream, a local favorite, or the homemade chocolate. If you purchase a stuffed toy animal that calls the store home, expect for it to smell sweet for weeks to come.

On the first floor of The Consulate Suites is a collection of antiques and home decor, as well as upscale clothing, toys, and gifts representing the Forgotten Coast.

This town center–style shopping and dining complex is on the area's main thoroughfare, just a hop, skip, and jump from the Sandestin Resort. Chicos, J.Jill, Orvis, and Tommy Bahama are among the national brands represented here. Sunset Shoes and The Zoo Gallery are some of the unique local shops worthy of a visit. Dining options include Another Broken Egg Cafe, Vin'tij Food + Wine, and Emeril's Coastal. In addition, the menu at the state-of-the-art Boulevard 10 movie theater gives the phrase "dinner and a show" a whole new meaning.

A Boulder institution since 1977, Grandrabbit's is every kid's dream come true, with shelves stocked from floor to ceiling. The independently owned specialty toy store has grown to three Colorado locations and is known as the place to go to find toys that contribute to learning and development. It's not uncommon to find adults wandering the aisles, sans children, enjoying the offerings.

You can buy items such as a vase or sailboat sculpture made of granite in the self-serve shop in one of the small buildings at this old granite quarry. If you blow the horn, as advised, owner Obadiah Bourne Buell may appear. Also here is his business, Stone Designs Inc., which makes practical and sculptural granite pieces for gardens and homes, "upcycling" the blocks of granite that are all about. Buell grew up and lives on this ethereal land, where rain long ago filled the old quarries. He has created a large year-round public garden (free, donations welcome) with granite sculptures large and small; granite benches, tables, firepit, and pizza oven; and trails, flower beds, and charming signage (even when asking folks to stay back from the work area). Ping-Pong, anyone? Yes, the table is granite, and paddles and balls are provided.

This shop sells park-related gifts and souvenirs.

Shopaholics shouldn't miss Grapevine Mills Mall, with more than 1.5 million square feet of discount shopping. Families can spend an entire day here, watching movies, playing video games, shopping for bargains, and eating at restaurants like the Rainforest Cafe. If full-price Neiman Marcus isn't in your budget, check out Last Call, the local retailer's discount store. Hello Kitty fans take note: The area's only licensed Sanrio shop is here, too.

Frequent visitors return to this store year after year for a fresh supply of unique, locally made, Hawaiian-style clothing for youngsters.

Just off I–10 near the Desert Hills outlet mall, stock up on dried fruit, nuts, candy, and other road-trip treats at what was once a roadside stand owned by the folks who invented trail mix. Although the café serves sandwiches and other quick bites, a must-order is the date shake made with caramel-tasting, California-grown, Deglet Noor dates. (A vegan version is available, too.)

This assortment of shops (including a small grocery store and a hardware store), service providers, a post office, and various businesses make up the hub of the town. The biggest draws, besides enjoying a nice stroll through the area, are two of the island's most popular restaurants, Colleen's at the Cannery and Nuka.

The most notable tenant here is the legendary Matsumoto's Shave Ice. (You'll know it by the long line of people.) The shiny, open-air complex is also home to the locally operated Whaler's General Store and the casual beach-chic boutique Guava Shop, as well as surf photographer Clark Little's art gallery.

Here you can stock up on packaged food items (including some brands that lean a little more gourmet), drinks, personal care items, and some beach necessities. They also have a large selection of liquor and beer.

Need a unique gift for a tot under the age of three years old? This small store stocks classic books and quality toys you definitely won't find at big chain stores. Check out the unparalleled collection of LEGO, Playmobil, and Calico Critters.

Located at the top of the iconic red-and-white Harbour Town Lighthouse, this shop sells tasteful South Carolina–themed gifts and nautical souvenirs.

Built in 1910, this filled-to-the-rafters Hana institution isn't fancy, but it's one of Maui's oldest family-run businesses and it offers one-stop shopping. Here, you can buy fishing tackle, groceries, beach towels, and branded merchandise that makes for great souvenirs. You also can buy the newspaper, although it's not always delivered on time. Be sure to check out the bulletin board for information on local events.

This nouveau-boho boutique carrying a little bit of everything is just the kind of shop you hope to happen upon during a vacation. Between apparel, candles, journals, art, coffee, tea, cocktail kits, felt Coachella hats, jewelry, dried flowers, and photos of desert splendor and the nearby national park, most of which are made by local creatives, you’ll likely find yourself in a “one for them, two for me” souvenir scenario.

This working pottery studio in a large 120-year-old roadside farmhouse is filled with lots more than "just" beautiful pottery. Vibrant stained glass, a variety of jewelry, and fiber art are featured, along with the vivid, decorative, and functional stoneware of shop owner Cody Trautner.

Among this shopping plaza's 40 shops are a guitar store, a pharmacy, a brewpub, a trendy boutique, and the popular Island Naturals Market & Deli. Other dining destinations include Happy Valley Seafood Restaurant, Sunlight Cafe, and Restaurant Miwa, a Japanese restaurant. There's plenty of free parking. Across the street, the Kilauea Market has a wide variety of hard-to-find Asian cooking ingredients.

More than 100 makers and artisans come together during the winter holidays for this open-air market. Visitors can sample foods from local food trucks and dessert vendors, or get a warm or alcoholic beverage at four bars. Stop for a selfie, have a hot chocolate, and enjoy the twinkling string lights.

Among L.A.’s many farmers' markets, the Hollywood Farmers' Market is one of the most well-known. This family-friendly, open-air market, which has been around for more than 34 years, is also the city’s largest with more than 160 local producers and farmers touting their seasonal yields every Sunday. Start your day right and stop by to shop organic, locally grown produce, see live music, and sample some delicious California fare.

Come here for chocolate frogs, every-flavor jelly beans, exploding bonbons, and many other as-seen-in-the-movies treats.

In contrast to Kapalua's many high-end retailers, the old Honolua Store still plies the groceries and household goods it did in plantation times. Hefty plates of ono (delicious) local foods are served at the deli until 3 pm and best enjoyed on the wraparound porch. The plate lunches are the quintessential local meal. The coffee bar is welcoming and includes air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi daily until 6 pm.

Surfer chic apparel, compliments of Roxy, Billabong, Hurley, and even Honolua's private label, is for sale here for both men and women. This is a great place to shop for a bikini or board shorts, or to pick up a cool, retro-design T-shirt or Hawaii-style embroidered hoodie. There are also plenty of beach accessories, including hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen, plus a section dedicated to kids.

Given the name, you might assume that this is a pet shop or fancy feed store. But unless you want to pamper your pooch with Jenni Earle's positively inscribed bandanas, this is a store for free spirits of any gender or age who appreciate colorful and comfy clothes, candles, crystals, witty cards, cool tchotchkes, and the occasional hat customization pop-up. There's also a lot of park-theme paraphernalia and desert-inspired art. 

China's sprawling bazaar has a huge selection of tea sets ranging in style from traditional to contemporary, intricately embroidered robes, and fragranced candles that are sure to align your chi. Butterfly hair combs are beautiful, but the hottest items are little Buddha statues, available for less than $10.

You'll find the basics here for picnics, campfires, and other outdoor activities.

Thousands of shoppers swarm to Howard’s Flea Market each weekend seeking all kinds of treasures: antiques and collectibles, books, clothing, jewelry, art, produce, and home goods. The largest flea market in Citrus County, this shopper’s paradise has 800 covered vendors on 55 acres.