The Best Places to Shop in New England

Where locals reveal the best places to shop for your New England vacations, including country stores, antiques, books, mom and pop stores, outlet shopping and malls. Includes shopping ideas for the six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont

Brown and Hopkins Country Store in Chepachet, RI -- the oldest continuously running country store in the United States (established in 1809). Photo by Eric H.

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by Eric H., lifelong New England resident

New England is often thought of as a place for enjoying the

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 ultimate Mom and Pop shop with a nice, elderly couple offering old school customer service; 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:

American Girl Place, Natick, MA

The Lighthouse Depot, Wells, Maine, Offers a Boatload of Shopping Fun

West Concord 5 and 10 Brings Shoppers Back to a Simpler Time

Antique shopping never grows old in Putnam, CT

Why We Love Weston, VT, and the Vermont Country Store

A trip back in time at the old-fashioned Wayside Country Store in Marlborough, MA

A shopping mall review of the Natick Collection in Natick, MA

Travel Review and Photos of Patriot Place and Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA

Lords Department Store in Medfield, MA, recalls the days of Woolworth's and even features an authentic, operating luncheonette.

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

The Mom and Pop Shopping Flavor of the old-fashioned 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.

Archives:  Get a head start on the Christmas shopping season with these gifts from New England-based businesses -- and beyond.

From the Weekly New England Travel and Vacation Gazette:

Additional Perspectives on Patriot Place, Foxborough, MA (Nov. 2, 2008)

Old Country Store and Emporium in Mansfield, MA, Evokes Memories of Vermont

Bailey's and Burke Country Store in East Burke, VT

Brown and Hopkins, Chepachet, RI: The Oldest Continuously Running Country Store in the United States

Ann and Hope in Cumberland, RI: Pioneers of the Full-Service Department Store

Reflections of the New England Mobile Book Fair in Newton, MA

Why We Love the Natick Outdoor Store in Natick, MA

The Bright Personality of the Yankee Candle Company in South Deerfield, MA

Phantom Farms in Cumberland , RI: A Classic Roadside Farm Stand and Gift Shop

Old-Fashioned Farm Fun at The Big Apple Farm, Wrentham, MA