Are you planning to visit Boston near the holidays? If so put holiday shopping in Boston near the top of your must-do list. Not only will you get your shopping done, but you'll get to experience different areas of the city at the same time.
So where should you go?
I'm going to give you three suggestions for shopping areas to explore. Each has a different mix of stores, so you can pick the one that best suits your needs. Best of all, each is in a different neighborhood in the center of the city--so if you have time, go to all three!
Beacon Hill, located to the north of Boston Common and the Public Garden, is one of Boston's most historic neighborhoods--and definitely one of the most picturesque. You'll find most of the shops in the red brick 18th century buildings lining Charles Street.
What makes Beacon Hill special? Almost all of the small shops are locally owned and have unique collections of items that you won't necessarily find elsewhere. While some items are quite expensive, others are very affordable--even the antique shops. Two of my personal favorites for gifts are Beacon Hill Chocolates, where you'll find exquisite chocolates in gorgeous handmade boxes, and Black Ink, which specializes in what they call "unexpected necessities."
Downtown Crossing lies just to the east of Boston Common and perfect for a different kind of holiday shopping. Boston's downtown retail district centers on Washington Street. A large Macys anchors the area and is surrounded by discount clothing stores such as H&M and DSW Shoes, but as in Beacon Hill, the local stores give the area its particular flavor. Some of them specialize in "joke" items, which make great gifts for quirky friends and colleagues.
One of the most unique businesses is Brattle Book Shop. Established in 1825, they specialize in used and rare books, antique maps, autographs, and old postcards. You never know what you'll find! Treasure seekers usually pack this small shop. Prices range from downright cheap to the heights that you might expect for very rare items. If you have someone hard to please on your shopping list who might appreciate an old map (especially if you have it nicely framed) or a rare book or perhaps the autograph of someone famous, this is the place to come.
The Shops at Prudential Center mall, on Boylston Street in Boston's fashionable Back Bay neighborhood (a 5-minute walk from Beacon Hill and 10 minutes from Downtown Crossing), boasts Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor as its anchors. You'll also find other clothing stores such as Ann Taylor and Talbots here, as well as specialty stores such as L'Occitane among the 75 shops and restaurants.
Why is Pru Center a good place to come? Well...aside from the wonderful shopping options, it's warm and enclosed. Although Beacon Hill looks like a Currier & Ives print if a few snowflakes gently drift down, it and Downtown Crossing can be more than nippy when a nor'easter starts howling. In the Shops at Prudential Center, you can happily breeze through your shopping list and reward yourself with a nice dinner at one of the many great restaurants without setting foot outside.
As you can see, you'll find many wonderful gifts in all three of these areas and get to see different parts of the city at the same time. If you're staying in a downtown hotel, all are within easy walking distance--although if you're loaded down with overflowing bags after a successful shopping expedition, you may want to take a cab back to your hotel.
Copyright 2008 Boston-Discovery-Guide.com
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