Shopping · Boston · United States
Shopping in Boston
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Qworkqwork, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Boston shopping centres on Newbury Street's boutiques and Back Bay's malls, with antiques on Charles Street, bookshops in Harvard Square and markets in the South End and around Faneuil Hall. Best souvenirs: Red Sox caps and gear, University merchandise and Make Way for Ducklings.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 4
- Markets
- 3
- Top souvenir
- Red Sox caps and gear
Where to shop
Newbury Street
Eight blocks of boutiques, galleries and flagship stores in Back Bay brownstones.
Prudential Center and Copley Place
Connected indoor malls in Back Bay, useful in winter.
Charles Street
Antique shops, gift boutiques and cafés at the foot of Beacon Hill.
Harvard Square
Independent bookshops, university stores and quirky gift shops in Cambridge.
Markets
SoWa Open Market
Sunday market of crafts, vintage, food trucks and a farmers' market in the South End from spring to autumn.
Haymarket
Open-air fruit and vegetable stalls near Faneuil Hall on Fridays and Saturdays, a Boston tradition since the 19th century.
Boston Public Market
Year-round indoor market of New England food producers next to Haymarket.
What to buy
Red Sox caps and gear
Sold at the Fenway area shops and across the city.
University merchandise
Harvard and MIT sweatshirts and mugs from the campus shops in Cambridge.
Make Way for Ducklings
Robert McCloskey's Boston-set picture book, a classic gift for young children.
New England maple syrup
Vermont and New Hampshire syrup and maple sweets, sold at the Boston Public Market.
Clam chowder kits
Canned chowder and oyster crackers from shops around Faneuil Hall and the airport.
Streets and markets worth a wander
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Market · Downtown
Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market
Built in 1742 and known as the Cradle of Liberty for the protest meetings held there before the Revolution, Faneuil Hall still has a public meeting hall above its ground-floor shops.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Food
- Shopping
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Cannoli, Boston cream pie, Parker House roll and Frappe. Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry on Hanover Street, and Bova's Bakery on Salem Street in the North End. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Back Bay | $$$$ | Victorian brownstones, Newbury Street boutiques and Copley Square |
| North End | $$$ | Boston's Little Italy, with trattorias, pastry shops and Paul Revere's house |
| Downtown and the Waterfront | $$$$ | Faneuil Hall, the aquarium, harbour cruises and the Rose Kennedy Greenway |
| Seaport District | $$$$ | Glass towers, waterfront restaurants and the ICA on the harbour |
| South End | $$$ | Bow-fronted brownstones, garden squares and Tremont Street restaurants |
| Fenway–Kenmore | $$$ | Fenway Park, the Museum of Fine Arts and student bars on Lansdowne Street |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in USD. Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, $1–$2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing, and a few dollars per bag for hotel porters.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in January–February; the busiest months are June–July and October.
- October: Halloween month in Salem (throughout October)
- December: Boston Common Christmas tree lighting — the tree is a yearly gift from Nova Scotia (usually early December)
Staying near the shops
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping, couples and luxury
Back Bay
Victorian brownstones, Newbury Street boutiques and Copley Square
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Boston?
Red Sox caps and gear, University merchandise, Make Way for Ducklings and New England maple syrup.
+Where is the best shopping in Boston?
Newbury Street: Eight blocks of boutiques, galleries and flagship stores in Back Bay brownstones.
+What are the best markets in Boston?
SoWa Open Market, Haymarket and Boston Public Market.