609 Best Places to Shop in USA

Elaina Garcia is Catalina's celebrity mermaid. After rescuing a drowning diver near Catalina's coast, she soon appeared on Inside Edition, People Magazine and The Drew Barrymore Show. As a certified PADI diver, she took the next step to become a PADI-certified mermaid. Her store in Avalon has a photo studio for guests to don a colorful mermaid tail and shell bra for a keepsake photoshoot. Mermaids can also have photos taken at scenic rocky seascapes, or on a sandy beach. Elaina also offers professional mermaid instructor courses and professional mermaid swim classes for ages six and up. Her mission emphasizes water safety and drowning prevention. Her gift shop sells jewelry and other mermaid-related items.

Attention foodies: clear out your hotel minibars and make room for delectable treats from DeLaurenti. And, if you're planning any picnics, swing by here first. Imported meats and cheeses crowd the deli cases, and packaged delicacies pack the aisles. Stock up on hard-to-find items like truffle-infused olive oil or excellent Italian vintages from the wine shop upstairs. The shop also has a small selection of tasty bites to go, such as Macrina baguettes stuffed with cured meats, cheese, and fresh tomatoes. 

The partylike Saturday edition of the city's most upscale and expensive farmers' market places baked goods, gourmet cheeses, smoked fish, and fancy pots of jam alongside organic basil, specialty mushrooms, heirloom tomatoes, and juicy-ripe locally grown fruit. Smaller markets also take place on Tuesday and Thursday year-round, rain or shine—and the many passionate San Francisco home cooks who frequent them will come even in a rainstorm.

Hollywood vintage hunters and collectors love this hip open-air market. You're likely to find recycled rock T-shirts or some vinyl to complete your collection, in addition to antique furniture and quirky arts and crafts. This popular market is open from 9 am to 5 pm every Sunday—rain or shine—at Fairfax High School's parking lot and admission is $6 at entrance.

The spirit of Moe Moskowitz—the creative, cantankerous late proprietor—lives on in this world-famous house full of new and used books. Since it first opened in 1959, students and professors have flocked here to browse the large selection of literary and cultural criticism, art titles, and literature in foreign languages.

This is an excellent stop for unique art-related and San Francisco–themed souvenirs. Posters, calendars, books, artist monographs, jewelry and children's art sets are just some of the notable categories on sale.

The heart of the community since 1942, the barn has a bounty of local gifts and produce, plus an art gallery, yoga studio, and Toby's Coffee Bar for espresso drinks and pastries (note that the coffee bar is cash only). See and hear what's happening locally, catch a live band or literary event, and explore the garden. The internationally renowned all-local, all-organic Point Reyes Farmers' Market is held here on Saturdays during the growing season (even King Charles and Queen Camilla visited it in 2005).

This three-story megamall offers the ultimate in South Florida retail therapy and houses many global top performers, including the most lucrative outposts of several U.S. chain stores, a supersize Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's, and 300 other shops, like a two-story flagship Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Fendi, which together create one of the largest shopping malls in the United States. Recent additions include a Nike store (where you can customize your Nike gear), the massive Treats Food Hall, and the 93-foot Aventura Slide Tower, a huge spiraling landmark that's also a functioning, nine-story slide open to the public Monday through Saturday 11 am to 9 pm and Sunday 11 am to 8 pm. Consider it a one-stop, shop-'til-you-drop retail mecca for locals, out-of-towners, and—frequently—celebrities.

Created to provide an elegant and approachable atmosphere for fine and custom jewelry, this store is both beautiful and welcoming. Jeweler Chad Crawford, who himself has created a collection for The Met, showcases his own designs from his Andrew Hamilton Crawford line as well as pieces from the studios of jewelry artists from around the world. The store recently opened a second location at Plant Riverside District on West River Street, so you can take a peek inside regardless of which side of town you're on.

This year-round, open-air market with roots stretching back to the early 1970s is the soul of the Drag. The unreconstructed hippie ambience is at least as much of a draw as the actual merchandise crafted and sold by various local artisans. The wares include jewelry, leatherwork, candles, photographs, paintings, sculpture, textiles, and the inevitable tie-dyed T-shirts. Note that the market is firmly regulated by the city, and all vendors must be licensed by a commission. Days and hours of operation have been changed and scaled down since COVID; current status updates can be found on their website and social media pages.

Hip and fun, this shop stocks some of the island's coolest T-shirts, accessories, and apparel for women, men, and kids, featuring funky, retro Hawaii themes and designs. Bruno Mars famously wore a tank top from this eclectic shop on a Rolling Stone magazine cover in 2021. You may spend more time browsing—and buying—here than you might expect. A second location is nearby on Kuhio Avenue. Note that the store opens at 1 pm.

This well-established gallery showcases artwork that captures the beauty of Maine, including Dana Heacock's brightly colored giclèe prints, cards, and Abacus calendars. Well-executed, often entertaining home-decor items and delicate or statement pieces of jewelry also make excellent souvenirs of your visit to Boothbay Harbor.

Step into this emporium of eclectic home goods from around the world, and you might feel like you've found your fantasy-land nest. An astounding array of colorful rugs, antiques, textiles, furniture, and bedding, including sleek sofas and Balinese daybeds is spread over several floors. The ground level is a chic marketplace of antique stemware, ceramic tableware, fine jewelry, and wellness products. There are no less than three in-house restaurants from Jean-Georges Vongerichten, which are destinations in their own right. The selection of unique jewelry on the first floor is wonderful, if you're looking for a gift.

Chic elevated basics are ABLE’s hallmark, which they sell in their stylish flagship boutique. Popular around Nashville for their simple yet sophisticated leather bags, clothing, and jewelry, ABLE is also known for their commitment to employing women in need, both locally and worldwide, to create their goods.

The Arts & Crafts Cooperative, Inc., a collective of Berkeley artists and artisans, has been a stalwart gallery and store showcasing ceramics, textiles, paintings, photography, jewelry, and various media since 1957. Explore the amazing range of local talent in a well-lit historic space, and find truly one-of-a-kind gems to take home. The gallery also hosts special events featuring artists explaining their works.

Arguably the best place to buy fragrance in Manhattan, this lovely-smelling boutique's superknowledgeable staff help shoppers find the perfect scent. High-end (and predominantly European) brands like L'Artisan Parfumeur and Astier de Villatte are stocked, along with luxurious skin-care products, pricey candles, and room diffusers.

If Victoria's Secret is too tame for you, try this British-based lingerie shop, which has a naughty twist. Showpieces include corsets, lace sets with contrast-color trim, bottoms tied with satin ribbons, and some fetish-type leather ensembles. A great selection of stockings is complemented by the garter belts to secure them.

Merging the attentiveness of a spa with the old-world charm of a barbershop, this high-end men's salon caters to guys who prefer getting a hot-towel shave and a haircut while enjoying a whiskey. The front of the store is devoted to manly diversions, with shaving sets, contemporary and New Orleans–theme cuff links, pocket knives, wallets, bow ties (a specialty), grooming products for face and hair, and gifts.

The imaginative crafts folk at this studio turn molten glass into vases and bowls, which are available for sale. You can watch artisans at work here in the oldest glassblowing studio in the state, and next door, Mossy Creek Pottery gallery is worth a visit, too. Alder House is closed November–April.

This vibrant shop on the Ala Malama strip sells quirky souvenirs like funny T-shirts, jewelry, and local products. They have a café counter offering sandwiches, smoothies, and salads. The owners act as informal area guides, helping visitors find their way around and arrange services that they may need.

A South Congress landmark for decades, this place is impossible to miss—just look for the huge red cowboy boot above the door. Set amid trendy, touristy SoCo, Allens is anything but. More than a dozen brands of cowboy boots (including Frye, Justin, Lucchese, Liberty Black, and Tony Lama) are displayed on rows upon rows of shelves, along with hats, belt buckles, and other classic Western wear. If you're a newcomer to the boot world, study the store's website before your visit for some basics on proper fit, but staff members are exceptionally helpful once you walk through the door.

Located in the Moana Surfrider hotel, the flagship store of this innovative company is filled with colorful, lightweight, “splash-proof” bags of all sizes, shapes, and styles—from tiny zippered travel pouches to eye-catching beach bags to oversize totes. The company continually offers new patterns and styles, so bag lovers will always find a unique beach- or travel-friendly option.

The best-known brands in camp, beach, surf, and skate gear can be found at this flagship of Aloha Exchange, along with a good selection of locally designed graphic T-shirts and caps available exclusively here. Personalize your reusable water flask with a couple of their stickers as Island souvenirs. It's popular with locals, especially younger beachgoers.

Immortalized as the "miracle mile" in Long Island–native Billy Joel's song "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," is the ultimate shopping destination for the Gold Coast elite. Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Yves St. Laurent are among the dozens of upscale shops for the rich, famous, and merely fabulous.

Heaven for audiophiles and movie collectors, this legendary shop is the place for new and used CDs, vinyl, cassettes, VHS tapes, Blu-ray discs, and DVDs. The massive and ever-changing stock includes thousands of titles for all music tastes.

Touted as the "World's Largest Independent Record Store," Amoeba is a playground for music lovers, with a knowledgeable staff and a focus on local artists. Catch free in-store appearances and signings by artists and bands that play sold-out shows at venues down the road. There's a massive and eclectic collection of vinyl records, CDs, and cassette tapes, not to mention VHS tapes, DVDs, and Blu-Ray discs. It’s a paradise for both music and movie lovers.

With well over a million new and used CDs, DVDs, and records at bargain prices, this warehouse-like offshoot of the Berkeley original carries titles you won't find on Amazon. No niche is ignored—from electronica and hip-hop to jazz and classical—and the stock changes frequently. In-store performances attract large crowds.

Among Southeast's countless gift shops, this one is truly worth checking out. The local owners have curated an intriguing selection of art from around the region, including uncommon, limited collections you won't find elsewhere. Ampersand's selection includes jewelry, original paintings and mixed-media works, prints, and ceramics.

On weekends from mid-May to September, the Anchorage Market and Festival opens for business in the parking lot at 3rd Avenue and E Street. Dozens of vendors offer Alaskan-made crafts, international imports, and deliciously fattening food. Stock up on birch candy and salmon jerky to snack on while traveling or as perfect made-in-Alaska gifts for friends back home.