Your 2008 New England shopping guide

From the legendary to the hidden gems, we bring you the best retail places to shop in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont

Ro's Shirts By the Shore, York Beach, MA (photo by Eric H.)

by Eric H., lifelong New England resident

New England is often thought of as a place for enjoying the ocean, the mountains, a lobster dinner and small charming towns with village greens, but shopping has become an integral part of the region's matrix. Consider the outlet shopping in North Conway, NH, Wrentham, MA and Freeport, Maine -- a formerly sparse rural town that has transformed

into a downtown full of outlet stores (including the famous L.L. Bean). Then, there are the classic country stores that have made New England famous in the retail world like the Vermont Country Store, of Weston, Vt. Charming stores like this have an old-fashioned feel and specialize in everything from Vermont cheddar cheese to snug and warm clothing for us hardy New Englanders. Hidden gems like Brookfield Orchards in tiny Brookfield, MA, are located in the middle of nowhere and offer a treasure of candles, antiques, collectibles, candies, jams, maple products, a book area, crafts, maps, toys, Vermont Cheddar Cheese and hundreds of more items. And here, you can enjoy a famous and delicious apple dumpling during this quaint chopping experience!

By the ocean, you'll find many nautical-theme shops like the Lighthouse Depot in Wells, Maine (you'll find any kind of lighthouse gift here), endless candle and gift shops along the Main Streets of Cape Cod, and a high concentration of hokey, but endearing souvenir shops like Ro's at York Beach, Maine.

Cities like Boston, MA, Portland, Maine and Providence, RI, offer all the cosmopolitan shopping that we have come to know in world-class cities, while suburban shopping malls like the Emerald Square in North Attleboro, MA, bring indoor shopping to the next level with modern, clean surroundings with updated and fully stocked chain stores.

During the Christmas and holiday shopping seasons, be sure to visit brightly lit, festive small towns that provide a wonderful of Christmas designs and quaint, locally-owned stores that should meet all your holiday shopping needs. Kennebunkport, Maine, traditionally presents one of the best downtown holiday scenes to complement its nice shopping selection. Norwood, MA, is a true underdog -- a southwest Boston suburban town with a brightly lit town common during the Christmas season and a great selection of independently-owned stores. Brenner's is a children's clothing shop; The Learning Well, teacher and children's learning supplies; Hills for jewelry; Regina Gifts for a great variety of fine gifts and collectibles; Woodstuff for unfinished furniture and hand made all wood furniture; Applegate Antiques for some really unique antiques; and Bernard Art Supply for ,well, art supplies. Norwood also has many dining places downtown, including the classic Town Square Diner in its chrome and vinyl lunch and breakfast glory, Perks Coffee Shop for coffee, baked goods and sandwiches, and the Old Colonial Cafe for great steaks, chicken and seafood selections.

Whatever your retail cup of tea, New England's shopping scene is as diverse as its wonderful topography. By every mountain, every beach, every country road and every major city resides a shopping experience that ranges from the familiar to the unique.

More on the The best shopping in New England

Other articles on shopping in New England:

The Shire Book Shop in Franklin, MA,  is a book lovers dream in a charming, historic mill building setting.

Maine Spinning Mill Uses "Mule" Power to Craft Fine Wool Yarns

Bass Pro Shops is now open at Patriot Place in Foxborough, MA

The Massachusetts Holiday Shopping Guide and Blog

Providence Place, Providence, RI

Wrentham Premium Outlets, Wrentham, MA

Maynard Outdoor Store, Maynard, MA

Kittery Trading Post, Kittery, ME

Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Quincy Market, Boston, Mass.

Brookfield Orchards in Brookfield, Mass. goes beyond apple picking with a year-round classic New England country store and bakery

A visit to Stonewall Kitchen in York, Maine

The Berkshires in Massachusetts Make A Perfect Destination for an Antiques Road Trip.

Debra's Natural Gourmet in West Concord, MA, offers a healthy, community-oriented approach to health foods and products.

Burlington Mall Reflections -- Memories and current perspectives on the mall in Burlington, MA, that changed the way we shopped.