Head to Blue Black Square to find name brands in Hartford. This shopping center has something for everyone, from sporting goods to clothes to housewares. You'll find international brands next to local boutiques. This is the perfect location to find a gift for a friend or to treat yourself to a new outfit or to simply window shop. Blue Black Square also has great dinning options.
Follow your nose to the most distinct district of downtown New Haven. Wooster Street was the center of New Haven's Italian community prior to the construction of I-91 and I-95 that rip right through the heart of the street. Today, Wooster Street is host to New Haven's finest and most renowned Italian restaurants, with the famous Pepe's and Sally's pizzerie. A few blocks up is the famed Lucibello's Italian pastry shop where you can taste all your favorite Neapolitan sweets. Wooster Street is the best part of town to explore and get a great meal.
Although it is paired with the mega-chain Barnes and Noble, it does not take away from the breathtaking selection at this bookstore, the largest in Connecticut. You can take a book or periodical to the cafe, which serves Starbucks coffee and other delectable goodies. If you promised someone a souvenir Yale t-shirt or baby onesie, this is the best place in town to find insignia clothing and university paraphernalia. If you need stationery supplies, you can get those here, too.
Located right in Downtown New Haven, the Broadway Shopping District is home to over 50 different shops. From cute boutiques to jewelry stores and beauty products, the Broadway Shopping District is one of the most popular shopping areas in New Haven. When it's time to rest your feet, there are several restaurants and cafes in the area as well.
This store has a reputation for carrying the best hand-knotted Oriental rugs around, and has been proud of that reputation for 119 years, making it the oldest, continuously family-run Oriental carpet business in the country. It carries an impressive selection of new, antique and modern designs. It also offers restoration and cleaning services. Periodically, it hosts Turkish and Tibetan weavers, who demonstrate the weaving methods and artistry that go into the creation of their rugs.
Wave is a gallery and boutique shop located in Downtown New Haven. Wave specializes in beautiful jewelry and handmade crafts, gifts and other decor items. The friendly staff is happy to help you with anything from picking out that perfect pair of earrings to match your outfit to finding the perfect gift for your friend's wedding.
The John Bale Book Company boasts of a collection of more than 50,000 titles. The small bistro inside the book store serves amazing salads and sandwiches.
Barnes & Noble is well situated next to the popular Timexpo Museum. The book store stocks an extensive collection of titles across genres like fiction, biography and non-fiction.
Gift Baskets Galore provides lovely gift baskets and other items for different occasions. The baskets are meticulously arranged with some amazing products and goodies, and wonderfully decorated.
Sunglass Hut sells a chic collection of sunglasses for men and women. Find upscale brands like Polo Ralph Lauren, Maui Jim and Burberry.
Waterbury Plaza Shopping Center is well-located on Chase Avenue in Waterbury. Popular stores include Sportspark and Super Stop and Shop.