3 Best Shopping in Boston, Massachusetts

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.

This complex is both huge and hugely popular (drawing 18 million people a year), but not necessarily unique—most of its independent shops have given way to Banana Republic, Uniqlo, Urban Outfitters, and other chains. Founded in 1742 as a market for crops and livestock, the place has plenty of history and offers one of the area's great à la carte casual dining experiences (Quincy Market). Pushcarts sell everything from apparel to jewelry to candy to Boston souvenirs. Live bands set up gigs throughout the weekend days, while buskers perform crowd-pleasing feats such as break dancing and juggling routines. Have your dollar bills ready for when the hat gets passed around.

From May through October, the excellent SoWa Open Market on Sunday (affectionately known as "SoWa Sundays") is a great excursion packed with artists, food trucks, and a farmers’ market. Held 11 am to 4 pm, it has 100-plus weekly outdoor tent vendors, along with 100-plus indoor artist studios, galleries, and retail shops; food trucks; a vintage flea market; Outdoor Oasis Café & Bar; and rotating DJs.