609 Best Places to Shop in USA

It's worth driving the eight-mile loop road through the arts and crafts community, even if you don't plan to stop. But you probably will—these mountain craftspeople do more than carve chainsaw sculptures (although they do that, too). Along the way, you'll find the works of world-class painters like Jim Gray, whose gallery is housed in a century-old former church. Just behind the gallery, Ogle's Broom Shop is home to third-generation broom makers whose functional and decorative brooms and hiking sticks are treasured by craft aficionados. There are also spots to stop for a meal, a cold drink, or ice cream.

A local favorite with a huge used-book department also carries new books in every field. It's known for its history room and rare-books collection, as well as fiction CDs, DVDs, comic books, and graphic novels.

This shop carries a very special selection of fetishes, along with kachina dolls, baskets, and a small grouping of vintage and contemporary Native American jewelry and pottery, for the beginning and seasoned collector. The shop's owner, Yvonne Stokes, is well respected in this field, and presents work from all 19 pueblos as well as Hopi and Navajo pieces. Changing exhibits focus on one tradition—stone carvers, for example—and hone in on the work of one artist and perhaps that of the artist's family as well. Gorgeous hand-carved Ye’i figures by contemporary Navajo artist Sheldon Harvey are here, as are his wonderful abstraction paintings. Enter the Zuni Fetish Museum from within the gallery; an unusually fine range of historic Zuni-crafted fetishes awaits, along with those by other Native artisans. Transitions in style and theme are well-documented here, as are trends in materials and form. Visits to both the store and the museum are by advance appointment only.

A purveyor of new and used music as well as music-geek accessories, Grimey's is a Nashville institution and a must-visit for music fans touring Nashville. Before you visit, check the store's in-store events calendar—there's a good chance you'll catch some great music while browsing the vinyl crates.

Just before its opening in 1929, the Grove Arcade, which covers an entire city block, was trumpeted as "the most elegant building in America" by its builder, W. E. Grove, the man also responsible for the Grove Park Inn. He envisioned a new kind of retail, office, and residential complex. Grove died before completing the project, and a planned 14-story tower was never built. Still, the building is an architectural wonder, with gargoyles galore. Now it's a public market with about 40 locally owned shops and restaurants, along with apartments, office space, and an outdoor market. A self-guided architectural tour (download a map from the website) takes about 45 minutes.

If Gruene Hall is king of the town, the Gruene General Store is its queen. The building dates back to 1878, and the soda fountain is a 1950s throwback serving old-fashioned ice cream floats and homemade fudge. You can find all sorts of unusual Texas gifts here along with candy, pickles, honey butters, and jams. The store is open seven days a week.

Sure, we love our technology, but we still also really love paper products, and that's the majority of what this cool gift store stocks. First, explore the entire section devoted to wares by Rifle Paper Co., and then pick up something for the cherished infant in your life from the edited selection of precious and expensive baby clothing. There are also artful gift items, teas, and more.

One of the city's trendiest boutiques attracts the young and well-heeled, who come here for an edgier, New York–influenced style. Hot designers like Alexandre Birman and Rachel Comey make it a premier destination for the latest in fashion.

Although it specializes in crafts and jewelry, Handmade and More also carries toys, clothing, and a selection of quirky cards.

Gigi Sarsfield makes fibrous papers that include things like tufts of cattail and small bits of lichen that she finds on walks in the woods or along the sea. You can buy individual sheets or blank books. Lampshades made from the paper are also for sale. 

Set in what was once a department store, this gallery sells fine art; contemporary fabric, metal, wood, glass, and ceramic decorative items and housewares; and jewelry and accessories. Everything is handcrafted by a diverse group of established and emerging Maine artists.

Located within the Sea Pines Resort, Harbour Town is a picture-perfect little area with plenty of shops that appeal to visitors young and old. S. M. Bradford Co., Currents, and Fashion Court specialize in upscale clothing, while Knickers and Harbour Town Surf Shop carry outdoor wear. Kids and families will enjoy the Cinnamon Bear Country Store and Hilton Head Toys.

It's worth a slight but pretty detour over the hill from Franconia to visit this rambling old village store and dairy that turns out legendarily rich, sharp aged cheddar, which is also available smoked and in port-and-cognac spreads. The venerable red-clapboard shop carries plenty of other foodie-pleasing products.

Harriett's Bookshop is the first shop from owner Jeannine Cook, who opened it in 2020. The store, which is named for Harriet Tubman, was created with the mission of celebrating female authors, artists, and activists, and has become a hub for Black culture in the city. Harriet's hosted the launch of Will Smith's book tour in 2021, and regularly hosts cultural events. Wander in for a curated selection of books, many by black authors, or schedule a visit during one of the events.

Hand-spun and hand-dyed yarn, as well as looms, felt, knitting yarn, and instruction books, are sold at this famous shop that occupies a striking redbrick, water-powered mill in the heart of a Monadnock village that's been famous for textiles since 1794. The shop also conducts classes in knitting, spinning, and weaving.

Across the street, the inviting Harrisville General Store—open since 1838—serves tasty salads and sandwiches using locally sourced ingredients.

What began in 1882 as a nonprofit service for students and faculty is now managed by Barnes & Noble College, a separate entity that manages college campus bookstores. Housed in the same location since 1906 and affectionately called The Coop (pronounced "coop," not "co-op"), the store sells books and textbooks (many discounted), school supplies, clothes, and accessories plastered with the Harvard emblem, as well as basic housewares geared toward dorm dwellers. If you need a public restroom, you'll find it here. And if you're looking for MIT swag, they have a location on that campus as well.

Prices are fair for the contemporary aloha apparel that makes up one of Hawaii’s better-known clothing lines. This shop on the Ala Malama shopping strip fits in with the Hawaiian pride that permeates Molokai’s culture. The modern designs and bold colors adorn light cotton fabrics and accessories, and the apparel comes in a variety of sizes. This is your best option if you're looking for matching family wear.

This new upscale shopping and dining center is in the city's former police headquarters, a beautiful and historic Mission-style building featuring an open courtyard with fountains. Restaurants and shops, many locally owned, occupy former jail facilities and offices. Pop into Urban Beach House for coastal-inspired fashion from popular surf brands for men and women, including accessories and home decor. Perfume Gallery offers more than 1,000 different scents in its extensive collection. Madison San Diego offers a great selection of leather goods and accessories, from apparel and handbags to belts and travel accessories.

The shop at the Heard Museum is hands-down the best place in town for Southwestern, Native American, and other crafts, both traditional and modern. Prices tend to be high, but quality is assured, with many one-of-a-kind items among the collection of rugs, kachina dolls, pottery, and other crafts; there's also a wide selection of lower-priced gifts.

Featuring tea towels, napkins, the softest T-shirts, and other textiles hand-printed in Rockport with delightful animals and other nature themes, this inviting shop also stocks home goods, glassware, cards, cooking and gardening books, and plants.

Heath designs and produces sleek, glossy tiles for the home and newly spun bowls, plates, and cups in rich earth colors to decorate kitchens. You'll also find locally inspired cookbooks and high-quality furniture and silverware from trendy peers throughout Heath's immaculately arranged factory showroom. The company's designs can be found at many of San Francisco's top restaurants and cafés, including the adjacent Tartine Manufactory. The working factory tour on select Fridays and the quieter Saturday factory tour are destinations in and of themselves for home reno enthusiasts.

The extensive collection of clothing from the 1920s through the 1980s in this vintage store is organized by decade, saving those looking for flapper dresses from having to wade through lime-green '70s polyester sundresses. Shoes, hats, handbags, and jewelry complete the different looks.

This teeny boutique fits right in on Charles Street—or does it? While it speaks to the eclectic nature of the neighborhood's residents, and is truly a one-of-a-kind destination in staunch Yankee Boston, Helen's Leather really requires that you channel your inner Western spirit. This family-owned boutique has been specializing in cowboy gear since 1969, including hand-tooled leather boots, sandals, jackets, bags, and other accessories from top-quality brands, including Lucchese, Dan Post, Frye, and Old Gringo.

This locally owned shop is a favorite among stylish surfers and landlubbers alike. Stop here immediately after deplaning to stock up on surf trunks, windsurfing gear, bikinis, or sundresses. You can also rent a surfboard or sign up for windsurfing or kiteboarding lessons while you're at it. You'll find additional branches in Kihei and Paia.

Look to this dapper little 9th and 9th lifestyle shop for casually stylish women's attire, from cheerful floral midi-dresses to handmade silver jewelry, platform sandals, and cotton totes. There's also a big selection of housewares and gifts, including handpainted planters, charcuterie boards, and detox soaking-tub teas.

Bring home products inspired by Charleston furniture, china, and decorative accessories. These authentic Charleston mementos, including bags of Carolina Rice, avoid the kitsch of the City Market and make treasured gifts.

This is about as close you can get to Old Mexico without crossing the border. Market Square (El Mercado) has been a favorite of locals and visitors for generations for dining, drinking, shopping, and celebrating. The three-block space houses restaurants, shops, galleries, and working artisans crafting their wares in everything from silver to leather to woodwork. The Market Square outdoor plaza often has music and dance performances, especially during the holidays. Check the website calendar for upcoming programming. It's a fun, colorful outing, especially if you're dining at Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia or La Margarita Restaurant & Oyster Bar and are up for a lively afternoon or evening.

This shop features simple, yet exquisite, women's clothing designed by local artist Nancy Traugott. The natural silk and linen fabrics are colored by hand with botanical dyes, making each classic piece truly one-of-a-kind. Equally appropriate for a farmers' market stroll or a night at the opera, these breezy yet substantial mix-and-match dresses, scarves, pants, and jackets are certainly an investment but are sure to become staples in any wardrobe.