United States · best-of list
40 Best Places to Shop in the United States
We narrowed 68 places to shop from our curated routes in the United States down to 40, spread across 38 destinations. 5 spots on this list appear on more than one of our routes.
Our curated picks
40 places to shop in the United States, grouped by destination. Destinations with the most picks come first; this is not a ranking.
Asheville 2 picks
Grove Arcade
Asheville · On our Blue Ridge Parkway Slow Drive route + 1 more
Restored 1929 market building with local shops and cafés.
Tip: Good base for a downtown walk.
Photo: Warren LeMay from Cincinnati, OH, United States · CC0
Folk Art Center
Asheville · On our Blue Ridge Parkway Slow Drive route
Southern Highland Craft Guild gallery with Appalachian crafts and demonstrations.
Tip: Free; check the daily demonstration schedule.
Photo: Z Sch · Google
South Beach 2 picks
Lincoln Road
South Beach · On our Miami Beach Getaway route + 1 more
Pedestrian mall of shops, sidewalk cafés and the Sunday farmers market.
Tip: Walk it in the evening when the heat drops.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Espanola Way
South Beach · On our Miami New Year's Eve route
Pedestrian street of 1920s Mediterranean Revival buildings with cafes and restaurant terraces.
Tip: Good for a late lunch out of the sun.
Amelia Island 1 pick
Centre Street
Amelia Island · On our St. Augustine & Amelia Island route
Main street of Fernandina Beach's 50-block historic district, with Victorian brick storefronts running down to the harbor.
Tip: Dickens on Centre fills the street with Victorian-costumed carolers in early December.
Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0
Bishop Arts District 1 pick
Bishop Arts District
Bishop Arts District · On our Dallas New Year's Eve route
A few blocks of 1920s brick storefronts in Oak Cliff filled with independent shops, galleries, bakeries and bars.
Tip: Many shops open late morning on holidays; plan to browse after brunch.
Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0
Blowing Rock 1 pick
Mast General Store
Blowing Rock · On our Asheville, Blowing Rock & Boone route
Old-fashioned general store on King Street in Boone, with barrels of candy, outdoor gear and mountain-made goods.
Tip: The original 1880s store is 20 minutes away in Valle Crucis.
Branson 1 pick
Dick's Oldtime 5 & 10
Branson · On our Ozarks Hidden Gems route
Downtown dime store packed with vintage toys and candy since 1961.
Tip: Good rainy-day stop on Main Street.
Photo: John Syers · Google
Charleston 1 pick
Charleston City Market
Charleston · On our Charleston & Savannah route
Four-block historic market with sweetgrass basket weavers and local crafts.
Tip: Buy sweetgrass baskets direct from the Gullah weavers.
Photo: Richard Rooney · Google
Cherokee 1 pick
Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual
Cherokee · On our Smokies Weekend route
Cherokee artists' cooperative selling baskets, pottery and carvings.
Tip: Pieces are authentic and signed by artists.
Photo: Ines Rios · Google
Chicago 1 pick
Christkindlmarket
Chicago · On our Chicago & Milwaukee route
German-style Christmas market in Daley Plaza since 1996, with wooden stalls, ornaments, bratwurst and Glühwein.
Tip: Weekday evenings are calmer; there is a second location in Wrigleyville.
Photo: DR04 · CC BY 3.0
Des Moines 1 pick
Downtown Farmers' Market
Des Moines · On our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route
One of the largest Saturday markets in the Midwest, filling Court Avenue blocks.
Tip: Saturdays only, May–Oct; go before 9 a.m.
Photo: Tahirih Bolton · Google
Detroit 1 pick
Eastern Market
Detroit · On our Great Lakes Hidden Gems route + 1 more
Historic public market with produce sheds, murals and specialty food shops.
Tip: Saturdays are biggest; come before 10am.
Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0
Downtown Cincinnati 1 pick
Findlay Market
Downtown Cincinnati · On our Cincinnati New Year's Eve route
Ohio's oldest public market, from 1855, with butchers, bakers and goetta stands in Over-the-Rhine.
Tip: It is closed on Jan 1; go on Dec 30 or 31.
Downtown Omaha & the Old Market 1 pick
Old Market
Downtown Omaha & the Old Market · On our Omaha New Year's Eve route
Warehouse district of brick streets and 1880s buildings with galleries, shops, bars and restaurants.
Tip: Horse-drawn carriage rides often run through the Old Market in winter.
Photo: Antony-22 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair 1 pick
La Villita
Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair · On our San Antonio New Year's Eve route
One of the city's first neighborhoods, now a block of 19th-century stone houses with artist studios and shops by the River Walk.
Tip: Part of the Celebrate SA footprint on Dec 31; browse the galleries by day on Dec 30.
Photo: Eden, Janine and Jim · CC BY 2.0
Fairbanks 1 pick
Santa Claus House
Fairbanks · On our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route
Christmas store in North Pole, open since the 1950s, with a giant Santa outside and letters from Santa you can order.
Tip: It is about 25 minutes from downtown Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway.
Photo: Srishti Sethi · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frankenmuth 1 pick
Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland
Frankenmuth · On our Frankenmuth & Detroit route
Huge Christmas store open nearly every day of the year, with thousands of ornaments plus decorated trees and lights.
Tip: Grab a map at the entrance and start with the room of decorated trees; the lights along the drive come on at dusk.
Photo: Ken Lund · CC BY-SA 2.0
Garden District & Uptown 1 pick
Magazine Street
Garden District & Uptown · On our New Orleans New Year's Eve route
Six miles of shotgun houses turned into shops, bakeries and bars running parallel to St. Charles.
Tip: Many shops close on Jan 1, so plan on coffee and a walk rather than shopping.
Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans · CC BY-SA 4.0
German Village 1 pick
The Book Loft
German Village · On our Columbus New Year's Eve route
Independent bookstore with 32 rooms of books spread through a 19th-century building and courtyard.
Tip: Confirm Jan 1 hours; the courtyard entrance is on South Third Street.
Photo: Pythaglio · CC BY-SA 2.0
Ithaca 1 pick
Ithaca Farmers Market
Ithaca · On our Finger Lakes Wine Trail route
Lakeside pavilion market with farm stands and prepared food from local vendors.
Tip: Saturday is the big day; arrive early.
Photo: Charlie Chung · Google
Kailua & Lanikai 1 pick
Kalapawai Market
Kailua & Lanikai · On our Honolulu New Year's Eve route
Green general store at the beach road since 1932, now selling coffee, sandwiches and beach supplies.
Tip: Pick up sandwiches here on the way to the beach.
Photo: Robert Linsdell · CC BY 2.0
Key West 1 pick
Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe
Key West · On our Miami Beach Getaway route + 1 more
Key lime pie on a stick (chocolate-dipped, frozen) and key lime goods.
Tip: Get the frozen chocolate-dipped slice.
Photo: Kermit's Key Lime Pie Shop - Elizabeth Street · Google
Lancaster 1 pick
Kitchen Kettle Village
Lancaster · On our Philadelphia, Longwood & Lancaster route
Cluster of shops in Intercourse selling jams, relishes, quilts and crafts, in the heart of Amish country.
Tip: Drive the back roads around Intercourse and Bird-in-Hand on the way; watch for buggies.
Lower Broadway 1 pick
Hatch Show Print
Lower Broadway · On our Nashville Music Weekend route
Letterpress poster shop operating since 1879, now inside the Hall of Fame building.
Tip: Book a short shop tour or just buy prints.
Photo: Sami Turnbull · Google
Mackinac Island 1 pick
Original Murdick's Fudge
Mackinac Island · On our Great Lakes Hidden Gems route + 1 more
Island fudge maker since 1887; watch it worked on marble slabs.
Tip: Buy a few slices; they keep for days.
Photo: Malissa LaFleur · Google
Mount Washington 1 pick
Strip District
Mount Washington · On our Pittsburgh New Year's Eve route
Old wholesale produce district along Penn Avenue, now full of food shops, coffee roasters and markets.
Tip: Many shops close on Jan 1, so plan to browse on Dec 30.
Photo: Perry Quan · CC BY-SA 2.0
Northwest Portland 1 pick
Powell's City of Books
Northwest Portland · On our Portland New Year's Eve route
A full city block of new and used books, color-coded rooms and a rare book room, on the edge of the Pearl.
Tip: Grab a map at the entrance; check holiday hours for Jan 1.
Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ohio City & the Lakefront 1 pick
West Side Market
Ohio City & the Lakefront · On our Cleveland New Year's Eve route
Public market from 1912 under a tiled, vaulted hall, with butchers, bakers and pierogi stands.
Tip: It is closed on Jan 1; go on Dec 30 or the morning of Dec 31.
Photo: Ɱ · CC BY-SA 4.0
Old Fourth Ward & the BeltLine 1 pick
Ponce City Market
Old Fourth Ward & the BeltLine · On our Atlanta New Year's Eve route
The 1926 Sears building on the BeltLine, now a food hall, shops and a rooftop with skyline views.
Tip: Holiday hours vary on Jan 1; the Central Food Hall usually opens by late morning.
Old San Juan 1 pick
Calle de la Fortaleza
Old San Juan · On our Old San Juan & Ponce route
Shop-lined street ending at La Fortaleza, the governor's mansion since the 16th century, hung with wreaths at Christmas.
Tip: The gates of La Fortaleza are decorated for the season; walk the street end to end in the evening.
Photo: Jorge Rodriguez · CC BY 2.0
Pasadena 1 pick
Old Pasadena
Pasadena · On our Los Angeles New Year's Eve route
Blocks of restored brick buildings and alleys along Colorado Boulevard, with shops, cafes and bars.
Tip: The parade passes through here; shops open once the street reopens around noon.
Philadelphia 1 pick
Christmas Village in Philadelphia
Philadelphia · On our Philadelphia, Longwood & Lancaster route
German-style Christmas market in LOVE Park and around City Hall, with wooden stalls, ornaments, bratwurst and Glühwein.
Tip: Weekday afternoons are calmer; stay until dark for the City Hall tree.
Photo: Christmas Village · CC BY-SA 4.0
Pike Place Market & Waterfront 1 pick
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market & Waterfront · On our Seattle New Year's Eve route
Farmers market, fishmongers and small shops on several levels under the Public Market clock and neon sign.
Tip: Open on Jan 1; arrive before 10 am, when the arcades are still quiet.
Photo: Madi Fawcett · CC BY-SA 4.0
San Antonio 1 pick
Pearl
San Antonio · On our San Antonio & the Texas Hill Country route
The 1883 Pearl Brewery turned food and shopping district on the River Walk, with a weekend farmers market and holiday events.
Tip: Go on a weekend morning for the farmers market, then walk the Museum Reach back toward downtown.
Photo: Bilestone · CC BY-SA 4.0
Santa Fe 1 pick
Canyon Road
Santa Fe · On our Northern New Mexico High Desert route
Half-mile lane packed with about 100 galleries in adobe houses.
Tip: Friday evening art walks are a good time to visit.
Photo: Paula Rees · Google
South Main & the Riverfront 1 pick
South Main Street
South Main & the Riverfront · On our Memphis New Year's Eve route
Arts district of restored warehouses, galleries and shops along the Main Street trolley line.
Tip: Many galleries keep short hours on Jan 1, so treat it as a walk rather than a shopping trip.
Springfield 1 pick
Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World
Springfield · On our Ozarks Hidden Gems route
The original Bass Pro flagship, with aquariums and taxidermy, attached to the museum.
Tip: Free to wander; connects to Wonders of Wildlife.
Photo: Bass Pro Shops · Google
St. Augustine 1 pick
St. George Street
St. Augustine · On our St. Augustine & Amelia Island route
Pedestrian street through the colonial quarter, lined with shops, cafes and reconstructed Spanish houses.
Tip: Walk it north to south and end at the plaza as the lights come on.
Photo: Steve Shattuck · CC BY-SA 2.0
Stowe 1 pick
Cold Hollow Cider Mill
Stowe · On our Stowe, Woodstock & the White Mountains route
Cider mill on the Stowe road, known since 1974 for fresh-pressed cider and cider doughnuts.
Tip: Doughnuts are made all day; go early on weekends before the lines.
How we picked these
Every entry is a stop on at least one of TripsCircle's hand-curated routes, chosen by our route editors, who wrote the reason to go shown with each place. These are our curated picks, not a scored ranking: we haven't rated or reviewed them against each other. Our routes include 68 places to shop here; to keep the list readable we show 40, keeping those featured on the most routes and those with an insider tip, and spreading the rest across destinations. The list is grouped by destination, and within each destination places that appear on more routes come first.
Prices ($ to $$$$) and visit lengths are rough guides from our route notes, not quotes. Check opening hours before you go.
About this list
How did you choose the places to shop in the United States?
Each one is a stop on a TripsCircle route that our editors built by hand, and each comes with a written reason to go. Our routes through the United States include 68 places to shop; we show the 40 featured on the most routes, spread across destinations. They are curated picks, not a ranked score.
Which part of the United States has the most places to shop on this list?
Asheville and South Beach lead with 2 each; the other picks are spread across 36 more destinations.
Are any of these free?
1 pick on this list is marked free in our route notes: Canyon Road. Check ahead, since parking or special exhibits can cost extra.
More lists for United States
Best places to shop nearby
Destinations on this list
- Asheville 2 on this list
- South Beach 2 on this list
- Amelia Island 1 on this list
- Bishop Arts District 1 on this list
- Blowing Rock 1 on this list
- Branson 1 on this list
- Charleston 1 on this list
- Cherokee 1 on this list
Turn this list into a plan
Open a curated route in TripsCircle, add the spots your crew wants, vote with polls and keep everyone on one shared itinerary.