Boston-Ma Shopping

Boston-Ma Shopping information

Best Areas

When most tourists think Boston and shopping they're likely thinking of Newbury St. Here's where you'll find Cartier, Armani, Max Mara, fine menswear at Louis, bridal gown designers and dozens of art galleries. From Newbury St head towards Copley Square for more shops in a network of indoor malls (Arlington, Copley, or Hynes T stops). For serious antiquing or just curious browsing, the cobblestoned walks of Charles St on Beacon Hill offer great diversion. Historic photos, antique china, furniture, and architectural objects fill the tiny stores of this early Boston neighbourhood. Sandwiched between Downtown Crossing and the "Theater District" is Boston's Chinatown. This culturally rich enclave offers traditional wares from herbal remedies to Chinese slippers. Great buys on fabric. Cambridge is more casual than Boston in most every respect, shopping included. If Boston is about business suits and fine silk ties then Cambridge is about batiks, tie-dyes, and ethnic attire. The differences show up in galleries too. Check out Harvard Square for fine crafts including exquisite pottery and glassworks where Boston galleries will more likely show framed paintings and prints. Harvard Square is also the place to shop for books. Independent booksellers specialise in poetry, children's, used, and scholarly books. If you're feeling homesick head for Out-of-Town News, (1400 Mass Ave) a kiosk smack in the middle of Harvard Square's busiest intersection. Filled to the brim with magazines and newspapers from round the globe, this is the likeliest place to find the news from home. Follow Massachusetts Ave in either direction from Harvard Square for unique gift shopping. Towards Porter Square you'll find funky boutiques, used clothing stores, and more handmade crafts. Head towards Central Square for music stores including great finds in used CDs.

Malls and Department Stores

Locals are more likely to do their everyday shopping at Downtown Crossing, a pedestrian mall at the intersection of Washington Street and Park. Here you'll find standard department stores like Macy's and Filene's. But the bargain-hunter's Mecca is Filene's Basement. Not to be confused with a discount chain store of the same name, the two underground levels of the original Filene's store mark down all unsold merchandise weekly. Eagle-eyed shoppers can score designer clothes and shoes, fine perfume, jewellery and other gifts at budget prices. Twice yearly Filene's Basement sends the newly engaged into a complete frenzy when they bring in racks of designer wedding gowns and sell them at savings of 90% and more. 426 Washington St.

Markets

The Faneuil Hall Marketplace is more a tourist attraction than a genuine market, but the collection of stalls and handcarts that line the streets are popular among tourists who love to browse souvenir type items. The indoor shops are also worth a look, especially the fabulous food hall at Quincy Market. Head round the corner to the Haymarket if you want to find a more authentic Boston experience.

What to Buy

As the oldest region of the country Boston is a great area for American antiques and you should browse the classier stores of Charles St and around Beacon Hill for small shops selling antiquities, including memorabilia from the War of Independence and plenty of artefacts relating to Boston's merchant shipping history. You should also look out for old manuscripts, maps and books. Harvard has always been America's premier university and it is no surprise that the city was the country's centre for printing in earlier years. It's not just a historical thing either - Boston boasts a history of attracting famous writers, and there are still many people writing in the region today. So it's no surprise that the city has a range of excellent independent bookstores as well as popular chains selling books by Boston authors. The arts are popular here and local crafts include pottery, glassware, and wood carvings. Quality is very high in the better standard of gift shop and although there is nothing distinctively "Bostonian" about many pieces the craftsmanship makes them a worthwhile investment if not a particularly distinctive souvenir of the city. Newbury St is home to many galleries selling paintings, carvings and pottery - all at high-end prices.

Opening Hours

Shops open from 10h00-19h00 Mon-Sat. Most large stores will also open for a Sunday but generally with shorter opening hours.

Tax Refund

The rate of sales tax varies by city and state and ranges from 4% to 15%. It is applied to the price of goods at the checkout. There is 0% tax on clothing in Boston, but 5% tax on other goods. As individual states set their own sales tax the federal government has no system for refunding non-US visitors. Large and expensive purchases are often tax exempt if they are directly shipped outside the state they are bought in. You will have to ask at point of purchase whether it is possible to gain exemption by arranging direct shipping and, if so, whether this will represent any net saving to you.