Boston

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Boston - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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  • 1. Beacon Hill Chocolates

    Beacon Hill

    Let this store's aroma entice you to enter before it wows you with stunning display cases lined with local and European artisan chocolates that you can buy by the piece. You can also shop a vast array of gourmet chocolate bars, some bagged candy, and a few flavors of gelato. Yum!

    91 Charles St., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
    617-725–1900
  • 2. Boomerangs – Special Edition

    South End

    Stepping into this cozy secondhand boutique feels like you could be in the salon of a very wealthy couple, who just happen to be unloading their cache of designer clothes and housewares. Jade satin flats, beaded Armani tops, and vintage dresses and jewelry—all at a fraction of their original cost—are the sorts of treats you'll find sharing space with menswear, books, and silver-plated serving dishes. All proceeds go to the AIDS Action group. There are also branches in Cambridge and Jamaica Plain.

    1407 Washington St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02118, USA
    617-456–0996
  • 3. Boston Public Market

    Government Center

    Open year-round, the indoor Boston Public Market offers a great place to grab a sandwich, sample local foods, and even pick up a tasty souvenir. The New England–centric marketplace has 30 vendors, selling everything from fresh herbs and fruit to meat and seafood, as well as plenty of food stalls. Everything sold at the market is produced or originated in New England, including nonperishables like wool and carved wooden bowls. There’s also a food demonstration kitchen, where visitors might be able to catch a live cooking class (with samples). Since it's all about staying with the season, the exciting thing about visiting the BPM is that no two days are the same. The Kids’ Nook is a designated area for kids to gather and play, with activities throughout the week.

    100 Hanover St., Boston, Massachusetts, 01223, USA
  • 4. Brattle Book Shop

    Downtown

    Bibliophiles can't get enough of this old-timey book store that has been in operation since 1825 and is, literally, chockablock with books floor to ceiling and stuffed into corners. The owner Ken Gloss, who regularly tours with Antiques Roadshow, fields queries from passionate book lovers about out-of-print, rare, antique, and foreign-language tomes. If you're simply in need of a read for the ride home, browse the rolling carts in Brattle's adjacent outdoor lot, where books of all genres go for $5, $3, or just $1.

    9 West St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA
    617-542–0210
  • 5. Gus & Ruby

    Beacon Hill

    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 focused on the cities of Boston and Portland, Maine.

    99 Charles St., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
    617-651–5151
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  • 6. Leavitt & Peirce

    Harvard Square

    A throwback to another era, this storied museum-like tobacco shop has been in the same location since 1883, when it served as a clubby gathering spot for young Harvard men, who puffed away while playing pool on the back billiard tables. While Harvard oars, hockey sticks, and photos still adorn the ivy-green walls, the store now caters to a broader clientele in search of quality smoking items, old-fashioned straight razors and shave brushes, chess and checker sets, and small gift items, such as beer steins.

    1316 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, USA
    617-547–0576
  • 7. Shake the Tree

    North End

    Irresistible defines this one-stop shop, brimming with an eclectic array of floral dresses and tops, wide-legged pants, letterpress greeting cards, small brand apothecary, craft cocktail supplies, global cookbooks, woven baskets, and mixed media jewelry that you never knew you needed. Owner Marian Klausner creates an inspiring award-winning selection from her global travels.

    67 Salem St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02113, USA
    617-742–0484
  • 8. Skylight Jewelers

    Downtown

    This independently owned jewelry store features custom creations, from gorgeous engagement rings to signature carved moonstone jewelry. Men's jewelry is a specialty.

    44 School St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02108, USA
    617-426–0521
  • 9. The Harvard Coop

    Harvard Square

    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.

    1400 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, USA
    617-499–2000
  • 10. Trident Booksellers & Café

    Back Bay

    This two-story shop with windows overlooking Newbury Street is known as much for its eclectic collection of books and magazines as its all-day breakfast menu. Follow the pack and order either the lemon-ricotta-stuffed French toast or homemade corned beef hash and then settle in with a favorite read. Feel free to stay through lunch, dinner, and beyond, as the store's open until midnight daily, making it a popular spot with students. A full slate of events, from game nights to author talks, is scheduled almost daily.

    338 Newbury St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA
    617-267–8688
  • 11. Alpha Gallery

    South End

    This gallery specializes in paintings, drawings, watercolors, and mixed media works from contemporary American and foreign artists. It also has a fine selection of master prints and works from 20th-century American masters. The gallery exhibits emerging, mid-career, and established artists, as well as special shows of master artists such as Pablo Picasso, Fairfield Porter, Max Beckmann, and others.

    450 Harrison Ave., Boston, Massachusetts, 02118, USA
    617-536–4465
  • 12. Appelboom

    Downtown

    Dutch luxury pen specialist Appelboom has opened its second brick and mortar location in what used to be Bromfield Pen Shop. You can find all major fountain pen brands, rollerballs, and ballpoints, as well as all types of accessories, from inks to paper goods.

    49 Bromfield St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02108, USA
    617-482–9053
  • 13. Ars Libri Ltd.

    South End

    It's easy to be drawn into the rare and wonderful books on display here. The airy space is filled with tomes on photography and architecture, out-of-print art books, monographs, and exhibition catalogs. Since 1976, it has been a source for scholars, collectors, and artists. All periods and all fields of art history are covered here, from antiquity to the present.

    500 Harrison Ave., Boston, Massachusetts, 02118, USA
    617-357–5212

    Shop Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 14. Barnes & Noble

    Back Bay | Books/Stationery

    Inside the Prudential Center this large branch of the popular bookseller chain carries a diverse selection of hardcovers and paperbacks, American and international magazines, music, and small gifts, like soap and candles.

    800 Boylston St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02199, USA
    617-247–6959
  • 15. Barneys New York

    Back Bay | Department Store

    Tucked inside Copley Place, Boston's denizens scope the lofty, two-story space to load up on cutting-edge lines like Comme des Garçons and Nina Ricci. Men and kid needs are covered too, as well as your yen for beauty products and funky home goods.

    100 Huntington Ave., Boston, Massachusetts, 02116, USA
    617-385–3300
  • 16. Betsy Jenney

    Back Bay

    This small, personal store showcases well-made, comfortable lines that cater to women who cannot walk into a fitted size-4 suit—in other words, most of the female population. The designers found here, such as Nicole Miller, Autumn Cashmere, and Cambio, are fashionable yet realistic.

    114 Newbury St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02116, USA
    617-536–2610
  • 17. Blackstones

    Beacon Hill

    If you've shopped Charles Street in the last 45 years, you'll recognize this long-standing shop, now in a much larger location. Many of the gifts, books, and greeting cards on display are made in the United States and locally focused. The back room boasts an awesome selection of spices, Swedish dish cloths, and small kitchen utensils.

    40 Charles St., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
    617-227–4646
  • 18. Bonde Fine Wine Shop

    Harvard Square

    Challenging the very concept of a wine shop, Bonde is more like an experience, or a place you'll "bond" with the vintages. Owner Bertil Jean-Chronberg (one of America's only master sommeliers) sells only eco-responsible wines, 95% of which are from American micromakers. His wine accessories are unique—think swordfish tusk wine stoppers custom-made for the shop and stunning champagne sabres—and the tiny display table transforms to eight-person "Wednesday Wine Tastings" with food pairings.

    54 Church St., Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, USA
    617-945–2360
  • 19. Boston Antiques and Lamp Shades

    Beacon Hill

    This flea market–style collection of dealers has been in business since 1981. The shop focuses on lamp shades (as its name indicates), plus vintage items, china, silver, home decor pieces, pillows, and jewelry.

    119 Charles St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02144, USA
    617-367–9000
  • 20. Brodney Antiques & Jewelry

    Back Bay

    In addition to plenty of porcelain and silver, Brodney claims to have the biggest selection of estate jewelry in New England. Shoppers will also find plenty of antiques, furniture, clocks, paintings, and more.

    176 Newbury St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02116, USA
    617-536–0500

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