A Guide To Boston Shopping
By Kathy Lin
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
There’s a wide spectrum of shopping options in Boston, ranging from the traditional mall to more eclectic outdoor markets. Once you’ve settled in and feel the shopping itch, here are some neat places to hit:
Downtown Crossing
Take the red line T to the Downtown Crossing stop.
http://www.downtowncrossing.org/
This massive outdoor cluster of stores offers variety at reasonable prices. From the original Filene’s Basement to the dozens of restaurants scattered through the area, there’s something for everyone. Check out their Web site to see their wide array of offerings.
Newbury Street/Boylston Street
Walk across the Harvard Bridge and about five minutes more. Urban Outfitters and Virgin Records are on Newbury Street, and Boylston Street is the next one.
http://www.newbury-st.com/
Parallel streets Newbury and Boylston both make for comfortable walks on sunny days, with tons of caf s for people watching, restaurants for dining, and windows for browsing. Chains like Gap can be found alongside one-of-a-kind boutiques.
Newbury is a bit more upscale and artsy, but Boylston has the Prudential Center and the Boston Public Library, among other landmarks. If you head east from Mass. Ave., you’ll reach the greens of Boston Common and the cheap but delicious food of Chinatown in no time.
Harvard Square
Take the No. 1 bus or walk about 35 minutes north on Mass. Ave.
http://www.harvardsquare.com/
When it comes to nearby fun, Harvard definitely beats MIT. Harvard Square, just down Mass. Ave. from MIT, is full of eclectic stores and cute caf s. I’ve found some favorite stores there, including Bob Slate Stationer (two of their three locations are in Harvard Square) and Curious George Goes to Wordsworth. Harvard Square also often hosts a variety of performers and artists, most of whom are worth watching.
CambridgeSide Galleria
100 CambridgeSide Place
Cambridge, MA 02141
http://www.cambridgesidegalleria.com/
The Galleria is a standard mall with shops like Sears, Best Buy, and Old Navy; it probably has essentially the same stores as your mall back home, if that’s what your looking for. On the upside, it’s a close 15-minute walk from Kendall Square, and there’s even a free shuttle that will bring you back to Kendall if you buy too much.
Prudential Center/Copley
Walk about 12 minutes east on Boylston Street from Mass. Ave.
http://www.prudentialcenter.com/
The Prudential Center is a more upscale (and correspondingly expensive) mall, with stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Ann Taylor. It’s still accessible for the average college student, though, especially when a good sale hits.
Copley Place
100 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02116
http://www.shopcopleyplace.com/
Attached to the Pru, this mall is a whole new level of upscale, with stores like Tiffany’s and Louis Vuitton. A single purchase here would break the bank for most college students, but window shopping never killed anyone.
Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market
Take the green line T to the Government Center stop.
http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com
An indoor and outdoor shopping area, Faneuil Hall Marketplace always has a festive feel to it. I love the vendor carts and the performers (often circus acts or magicians), who easily draw lively crowds.
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