Apple Retail Store
Boston's Largest Apple  store with its contgemporary "clear jewel box" design has become one of the busiest shopping spots on Boylston Street.
Apple
815 Boylston St, Boston

Niketown...
While on Newbury Street you have to include a visit to this most unusual sport shopping mecca -- nine thousand square feet of everything Nike makes. You'll find just about everything for the sportsman, from running shoes to golf equipment. The architecture alone is worth a look-see. While Niketowns are sprouting up at urban locations throughout the country, this is one of the first, and its interactive displays and knowledgeable personnel will insure the right fit and the right choice for anything sportsminded shoppers are looking for.
Niketown
200 Newbury (at Exeter)
(617) 267-2400

Gargoyles, Grotesques & Chimeras
A little different from some of the more uppity Newbury Street shops, this is a collection of stone objects - gargoyles of all shapes and sizes. There are also other unusual decorative items, including some stained glass pieces, definitely for those who want to indulge their darker side.
262 Newbury St.
(617) 536-2362

Annual High End Sale Event
One of the Hub's top retail emporiums, housed in a museum-like historic building, is Louis. This high-end men's and women's fashion showplace has few sales. Sales at Louis are very rare, so when they do hold one, be there. One of their biggest is in mid July. To find out exact dates, check their Web site.

Two separate stores for Bloomingdales in the tony Chestnut Hill Shopping Mall
In the former Filene's location at suburban Chestnut Hill,the famous Bloomingdale touch can be seen on either end of the Mall. Their men's and home furnishing store remains as one of the mall's anchors while the newly-opened and completely re-done women's fashion store is home to a children’s department, Bloomingdale’s second Jimmy Choo boutique, and 41 other labels that are new to the Chestnut Hill location, including Missoni, Viktor & Rolf, Stella McCartney, La Perla and Longchamp. The Mall is about 10 miles west of Boston, and is right on Rte.9 in the Chesnut Hill area of Newton.

Downtown Crossing
Closed to traffic, there is a hectic hustle bustle here that almost feels like like an open air market, yet, most of the shops are just that -- retail space and bargains galore. Crowds of people scurrying the crossroads of Washington, Winter and Summer Streets filled with eager shoppers looking for bargains at the many retail establishments, including the most famous Filene's and its must-see Original Basement store. Macy's is there, as well as a wide variety of stores that range from Buck a Book to Crystal Fine Art Gallery, Foot Paths, and even a Gap and Radio Shack, so you'll feel right at home. Bargain hunters will also want to visit the Boston Jewelry Exchange, a building with 12 separate jewelers offering a wide selection -- many at discount savings -- all in one building. And when you're all shopped out, there are plenty of restaurants, from high to low end, including Maison Robert, Silvertone, Felt, and some of the newer chic eateries like Mantra, Blu and the most recent entry, Teatro on Tremont Sreet. By the way, parking is nearly non-existent, so either cab it or take the "T". Downtown Crossing is one block east of Boston Common.

Filene's Basement goes Uptown
The Boylston St. Filene's Basement is still keeping the famed image alive in a much tonier spot. The chic new space has a doorman out front, and as you enter on Newbury, there's an escalator that takes you to the second floor where marked down designer duds await - women's clothing, shoes, accessories, plus home furnishings. From the Boylston Street entrance, you're smack dab in the men's section which is also filled with marked down name-brand items. The Basement has definitely gone upscale, but bargains are still the key. The main entrance is in the New England Life building at 497 Boylston. for more information: www.filenesbasement.com.

Prudential Center
Located between Boylston Street and Huntington Avenue in the heart of Back Bay, adjacent to the Hynes Convention Center, major hotels, shopping and residential areas, the 23- acre, 2.2 million square foot Prudential Center office and retail complex features a variety of retail shops, restaurants and a food court. Major shops and restaurants include Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Club Monaco, Lacoste, Jasmine Sola, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, L'Occitane, Barnes and Noble, Olympia Sports, J. Jill, Express Men, Talbot’s Kids, Arden B., Legal Sea Foods, The Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, Top of the Hub, and more. Closest "T" public transit station: Green Line: Hynes Convention Center..
Prudential Shops
800 Boylston St.

Copley Place
Bordered by Dartmouth Street, Huntington Avenue, and South End Southwest corridor park, and joined by enclosed footbridge to Prudential Center, Copley Place has, lots of dining, and two hotels, the Westin and Marriott within the same complex. The center features over 100 stores, with names like Neiman-Marcus, Barney's, Gucci, Tiffany, J.Crew, A|X Armani Exchange, Boss Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Nine West, Enzo, St. Croix, Thomas Pink, Jaeger, and Williams-Sonoma. A dazzling mixed-use complex constructed above a maze of urban designed highways. Closest "T" public transit station: Green Line: Copley. For a complete listing of more stores call (617) 369-5000
Copley Place
100 Huntington Ave.

Shopping in the South End
There are lots of new shops in this burgeoning area of the city. Aside from a plethora of restaurants, boutique clothing shops for men and women, antiques and interior design, the section known as SoWA has taken on a global feel with recent openings. There's Diseno at 408 Harrison, featuring South American design, accompanied by a Latin music station and coffee bar. At 1134 Washington is Devi Home with India-inspired designs and food. In the same area, is Lekker at 1317 Washington Street, featuring one- of-a-kind European home accessories and international furniture.

Boston’s SoWa Arts District
Closed for the season. Reopening Spring 2010.
Shop among the city’s largest selection of antiques and quality collectibles, including vintage fashion, Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern furniture, jewelry, books, art glass and more.. The SoWa Antiques Market will be held rain or shine at 540 Harrison Avenue in the historic trolley barn. Admission and parking is free. For information call (781) 862-4039 or visit www.sowaantiques.com.

Hotel Commonwealth Shops
The revitalized Kenmore Square area's newest hotel has become a shopping haven, luring shoppers with special sales and refreshments the third Thursday of the month through fall. Some of the shops: Fanny and Delphine, (women's clothing and accessories from sleepwear to career to evening), Persona Jewelry (one of a kind fashion gems, hand printed stationary and fabric handbags), and Temper Chocolates (owner Caroline Yeh travels the world to find most unusual chocolate producers to feature in her shop).
Hotel Commonwealth
500 Commonwealth Ave
(617) 532-5001

Deluca's...
This is not your ordinary food market, and if you're browsing Charles Street (they are located almost at the corner of Charles and Beacon) stop and enter. The friendly folks inside will guide you through the cramped quarters, where fruit and delicacies are creatively displayed. This is "the shop" for the Beacon Hill crowd and unusual delicacies abound . . . Fruit, groceries, cheeses, pastries, breads; it's a true gourmet paradise, and has become in itself a tourist attraction in the heavily-traveled Charles Street area.
De Lucca's
Charles Street, Boston

Premium Outlets...
Outlet shopping is the newest fad to entice the bargain-wise shopper. New England has a cluster of these less-than-retail name establishments. One of the most famous is built around L.L. Bean in Freeport, Maine, the unique 24-hour, 7-day-a-week store that has gained world renown. Before you hit Freeport, there is also outlet shopping at Kittery, Maine along Route 1. Two years ago, in Worcester, MA (about 45 minutes west of Boston), the "Worcester Common Outlets" opened and has become a regular stopover for the shopaholic. Now the newest outlet, opened at the end of 1997, is located in Wrentham, MA about half an hour south of Boston, toward Providence. All the famous names are there: Barney's, Saks Off Fifth, Polo, The Gap, Big Dog, Versace, Mikasa, and many, many more. Construction is still underway at this huge tract of land halfway between Providence and Boston. If you're looking for famous-name bargains, it's worth the trip.
Premium Outlets
Premium Boulevard
Wrentham ,MA
(508) 384-7077

Marika's...
On Charles Street, a street known for its high quality antique stores, this establishment has been run by the same family for many years. From high quality vases to paintings and furniture, Marika's reputation is unquestioned. Their reputation for jewelry in particular (pocket watches, rings, jade and strands of beads) brings in a regular clientele. Charles Street could be Boston's answer to Soho in New York City; Its variety of establishments make it a wonderful street to walk from Beacon all the way down to where the Charles River comes into view.
Marika's
130 Charles Street
(617) 523-4520

New England Mobile Book Fair...
is like no other book store you've ever seen. Forget your Barnes and Noble, your Borders, this is an adventure. With approximately two acres of a sprawling warehouse to explore, you can lose yourself for hours. Children's books are separated from adult books, you can discover books by categories, if it is published, they have it.And here's the best part - everything is 20 percent off! There's even a special discount section with some certified treasures that are up to 80 percent off list price. It's a bit of a schlep, but well worth the trip. They're located in Newton Highlands- From Route 128, take Exit 56 east for about one half mile and you're there. It is a book lover's bonanza, and the only place of its kind anywhere.
New England Mobile Book Fair
82 Needham Street, Newton Highlands
(617) 964-7440

Goodspeed's Old South Branch...
This special branch of a venerable Boston book shop is located in the basement of Old South Church. It's a treasure-trove of antiquarian books. Pick up a rare gem, or browse among the bargain book tables. They also carry maps. Open 9-5 M-F. Sat. 10-3. (Closed Saturdays July-Sept.) Their main store is at 7 Beacon Street.
Goodspeed's
Milk and Washington St, Boston
(617) 523-5970

New Balance Factory Outlet...
Bostonians still do well with New Balance sneakers, and their factory outlet has close-outs, samples, and some discontinued styles at terrific savings- at least 30 percent below retail. Check out your Reeboks, Nikes, etc., and give one of the area's home-grown products a try.
New Balance Factory Outlet 61 North Beacon Street
(617) 782-0803