Top Rated Shopping in Boston

There are more than 100 places to eat, shop and drink at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, also known as Quincy Market. French merchant Peter Faneuil gave the hall that precedes the marketplace to his adopted home of Boston in 1742. It has been called the Cradle of Liberty because of the number of revolutionaries and abolitionists who delivered important speeches here. The hall is now a tourist center and place to shop, but public meeting facilities are still available.

The selection at this used record store brings in droves of patrons looking for hard-to-find records, CDs and cassettes. Trade in your used vinyl and discs for cash or store credit because this great barter or cash program keeps the current stock fresh and exciting. Find hidden gems with ease thanks to a helpful staff and some of the lowest prices in town.

Much like the town of Brookline itself, The Children's Book Shop is multicultural, literate and, of course, family-friendly. There is a wide collection of fiction and non-fiction to browse with over 28,000 titles in stock. Topics include parenting, foreign languages, art and race relations. The young adult selection does not condescend; it offers good literature that teenagers can appreciate. Younger children are sure to find a good bedtime story or two. The store also sells books on tape, music tapes and stuffed animals.

Any shopper will enjoy a stroll down this street, which features eight blocks of upscale boutiques, shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. On warm weekends, the sidewalks are teeming with window shoppers, street performers and overflowing outdoor cafes. Located in the historic Back Bay, much of the brownstone architecture is influenced by the Art Nouveau style of the 1920s. In addition, chic galleries and restaurants, such as Stephanie's on Newbury and attracts a well-dressed, sophisticated crowd.

Located in the chic neighborhood of Beacon Hill, Elegant Findings Antiques is charming boutique filled with one-of-a-kind finds. Open for over 20 years, this shop features an array of rare antique pieces. Specializing in fine china, each piece found here is guaranteed authentic and is often picked to be featured for its detail, beauty and excellent condition. Aside from china, this shop also stocks a great selection of curio cabinets, opulent chairs, crystal stemware, sculptures, paintings and more from various time periods.

Rare book expert Kenneth Gloss runs this show, so you can be sure to find some rather unusual titles at Brattle Book Shop. Non-collectors enjoy this large store for the selection of inexpensive, used paperbacks. Do not leave without admiring the mural outside, which depicts various authors from Dr. Seuss to Toni Morrison.