Boston, Massachusetts Hotels and City Guide

Boston - Shopping

Shopping in Boston

Recent surveys have shown that visitors list shopping above sightseeing and museums among their reasons for choosing to spend their vacations in Boston. After exploring the nearly countless choices from small boutiques to large malls and everything in between you will understand why people bring their shopping lists to Boston.

Boston's Shopping Areas

The shopper's quest in Boston begins on Newbury Street, a legendary, eight-block stretch, that is known as the "Rodeo Drive of the East." Newbury Street is an upscale fashion center with an eclectic mix of shops and upper end stores including Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Armani, Donna Karan, Burberry, Cartier and Kate Spade.

The next stop for any ardent shopper is Downtown Crossing near Boston Common. This browser’s paradise is a completely car-free zone, so get your wallet and your walking shoes ready! The Crossing boasts one of Boston's most popular attractions for stylish bargains: Filene’s Basement. Next, enjoy the history at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, also called Quincy Market, while refueling at its incredible food court. The Marketplace is jam packed with charming stores and wonderful souvenir shops.

When you are ready to throw caution to the wind with your budget, head over to Charles Street at the foot of Beacon Hill for high-end antiques, discerning gifts and fine home furnishings.

Boston's Shopping Areas

Designer Fashion

Alan Bilzerian
34 Newbury St., Boston, MA, 02116
This upscale boutique features a great selection from designers such as Alexander McQueen, Ann Demeulemeester, Rick Owens, Lainy Keogh and Yohji Yamamoto.

Crush Boutique
131 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114
Exceptional customer service and an array of merchandise from an eclectic mix of designers including Alexia Admor, Amanda Uprichard, Madison Marcus, Tracy Reese and William Rast.

Malls

Downtown Crossing
59 Temple Pl., Boston, MA 02111
Downtown Crossing is a pedestrian mall in the Theater District that is really a community unto itself. It offers a delightful area in which to have a meal, shop, or enjoy one of the many special events that are scheduled throughout the year. The Crossing has a wide array among its more than 500 retailers, including Brattle Book Shop, one of America’s oldest bookstores.

Harvard Square
Massachusetts Ave at Peabody St., Cambridge, MA 02138
Harvard Square is a vibrant region that includes restaurants, shops, nightlife venues, and beautiful parks. Over 8 million people a year visit Harvard Square to linger amidst hundred-year-old bookstores and other marvelous shops. The Square serves up history and award-winning pizza, with a side of street performers all equally well.

The Shops at Prudential Center
800 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199
Mon to Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-6PM
The exclusive Prudential Center features over 75 shops and restaurants including Ann Taylor, Lacoste, Lord & Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue. Visitors can enjoy favorite Boston restaurants and activities including Top of the Hub, Skywalk and Boston Duck Tours.

Copley Place Mall
100 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116
Mon to Sat: 10AM- 8PM, Sun: 12PM-6PM
Copley Place, in Boston's affluent Back Bay area, is its most distinctive shopping destination with 100 high-end stores, including Barneys New York, Tiffany & Co. , Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Neiman Marcus. The mall's two expansive floors also feature restaurants, a cinema, and two hotels.

CambridgeSide Galleria
100 CambridgeSide Place, Cambridge, MA 02141
Mon: 10AM-9PM, Tue to Fri: 10AM-10PM
Trendy CambridgeSide Galleria has a spectacular waterfront location, and offers over 120 of Boston’s favorite stores, specialty boutiques and restaurants.

Markets

Faneuil Hall Marketplace
4S Market, Boston, MA 02109
Mon to Thurs: 10AM - 7PM, Fri & Sat: 10AM - 9PM, Sun: 12PM - 6PM
A Boston social and commercial meeting place since 1742, Faneuil Hall is now home to more than 100 shops, restaurants, and quick food stalls. The Marketplace is best known for its unique fleet of pushcarts featuring New England artisans.

Art and Antiques

The South End Open Market
540 Harrison Ave
Opens in May and runs every weekend through October excluding holiday weekends, 10AM-4PM
This Market offers a unique Boston shopping experience. The location is great, the artisans are there to talk about their wares with you, and the antique dealers are willing to haggle a bit. The Market hosts a massive array of vendors, offering their original jewelry, art, and clothing.

Cambridge Antique Market
201 Msgr. O'Brien Highway, Cambridge, MA 02141
Tues to Sun: 11AM-6PM
Over 150 antique dealers display their furniture, artwork, fine silver, glass, china, dolls, vintage clothing, collectibles and more on the five floors of this lovely antique mall.

Boston's Tax Refunds

There is 0% tax on clothing in Boston, but 5% tax on other goods. Since individual states set their own sales tax the federal government has no system for refunding non-US visitors. Large or expensive purchases may be tax exempt if they are directly shipped outside the state they are originally bought in. Please inquire at the point of purchase whether it is possible to gain exemption by arranging direct shipping and then decide whether this will represent any net saving for you.

Hotels in Boston, Massachusetts