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Newbury Street Try
as it might, Back Bay’s most famous street cannot escape comparisons to
Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive. True, both offer stupendous
people-watching, sophisticated shopping, chic dining, and prestigious
galleries. Yet with its 19th-century charm and convenient subway stops,
Newbury Street outclasses its built-yesterday Left Coast counterpart by
far. Filene’s Basement Discount
fashion outlets nationwide owe Filene’s Basement an immense debt of
gratitude. Since 1908, this sprawling subterranean department store has
championed the “name-brand shopping for less” retail philosophy. Some
items are well priced, while others see their prices plummet the longer
they sit on the shelves – illustrating Filene’s markdown concept. The
store is closed until 2010 while the 1912 building undergoes extensive
renovation. Charles Street Charm abounds on this bluest of blue-blooded street, which is studded with antique
dealers, specialty grocers, and modern houseware boutiques. Come
nightfall, wrought-iron gaslamps illuminate the brick sidewalks,
residents hurry home with wine and fresh flowers, and sleek bistros buzz
with excitement. Dairy Fresh The
waft of enticing aromas floating from this treasure could send even the
most resolute dieter into a tailspin. Candied fruits, chocolate-covered
nuts, imported hard candies – all sold in bulk – taste as heavenly as
they smell. But don’t overlook the extensive inventory of imported
Italian foods, and quality teas and coffees. Harvard Coop Next
to a Red Sox baseball cap, no other clothing item is as fundamentally
Bostonian as a Harvard sweatshirt. The Coop, in Harvard Square, is your
one-stop shop for Harvard-related merchandise with a dizzying array of
clothing, books, posters, prints, and even specially engraved Tiffany
silver jewelry. Copley Place This was among the country’s first upscale urban shopping malls. It counts such du mode
tenants as Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Neiman Marcus, and Gucci plus
locally owned shops such as the arts and crafts boutique, Artful Hand. The Haymarket Being
presented with a grilled salmon fillet may be more appealing than
cooking one yourself, but this 350-year-old outdoor produce market still
holds undeniable charm for visitors. Witness the feeding frenzy as
fishmongers try to undercut each other on the day’s catch.
Fish stall, The Haymarket
Harvard Square Bookstores Harvard
Square’s bookstores are some of the most distinguished in the country.
The Harvard Coop boasts 170,000-plus titles, while Schoenhof’s Foreign
Books specializes in non-English books. The c.1932 Harvard Book Store
(1256 Massachusetts Ave) stocks countless new and used titles. Faneuil Hall Marketplace With
its millions of visitors every year, Faneuil Hall Marketplace would not
be found on any best-kept secret list. However, with its central
location, rich colonial history, and plethora of food stalls, it offers a
unique shopping experience. Choose from name-brand stores such as
Victoria’s Secret or the more unusual offerings in the fleet of
pushcarts.
Stall, Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Downtown Crossing Here
you’ll find large stores such as Macy’s and Filene’s Basement (closed
until 2010). A range of smaller shops attract a youthful mix, while the
jewelry district lies just east on Washington St.
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