When it comes to traveling and visiting cities, we all want to have the best experiences in terms of sightseeing, meeting new people, trying local foods and overall enjoying what a certain place has to offer.
One aspect that might make a city even more appealing and worth visiting is the diversity of stores and shopping experience. For many people, shopping is one of the highlights of traveling, whether they’re in search of local goods, souvenirs, vintage products or even luxury items.
But the shopping experience is not the same in all cities. Some offer a wide range of stores and unique products to choose from while others…well, let’s just say you should not get your hopes up.
So, how do we find the best places to shop in the United States? According to travel specialists, it all depends on your budget, taste and personal style. That being said, let’s see some of the cities that tick most boxes in terms of shopping variety and overall experience.
The Best Cities for Shopping in the U.S.
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San Francisco, California
The Golden City can successfully satisfy the shopping needs of all sorts of people, those interested in brand items or those looking for unique, vintage items. Frisco has it all.
The most popular place to start your shopping spree is Union Square, where there are plenty of famous chains and department stores. Mission and Haight-Ashbury are well-known districts for their vintage stores and items with a more personal touch.
According to Martin Betch, co-founder at Hivan, it’s also a good idea to take a walk down Fillmore Street which is full of independent shops that sell just about anything, from clothes to household products and antiques. Also, don’t forget about San Francisco’s Chinatown, says Mercedes Zach, travel expert at ASAP Tickets. It’s the perfect place to find all sorts of amazing bargains and souvenirs.
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Seattle, Washington
As explained by Jim Campbell, founder and CEO of Honeymoon Goals “The city has a healthy mix of old and new, budget and high-end, and everything in between”.
You can start your “shop till you drop” trip at the renowned Nordstrom store, enrich the experience by taking a look at the numerous products sold by indie shops on Ballard Avenue and buy some handmade souvenirs at Pike Place Market. Also, make sure you don’t miss the designer items at the Centralia Outlets, Seattle Premium Outlets, and North Bend Premium Outlets, sold for affordable prices.
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Charleston, South Carolina
Apart from its rich culture and historic landmarks, top cuisine, and impressive architecture, Charleston is also a very good place to shop for just about anything.
“Whether you’re looking for everyday items, luxury pieces, or souvenirs, you can find it there,” according to Jason Dempsey, CEO and co-founder of Home & City Living. King Street is the best place to start from, as it is pedestrian-friendly and allows you to walk and explore freely and easily. If you’re looking for top interior design and furnishing stores, then you should head to Upper King Street. Fashion aficionados will find the most desired items in the Middle King district while antique collectors will find their shopping paradise in Lower King.
If you’re looking for popular chain stores, you will find them all at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre while artisanal and vintage items are proudly displayed and sold at the City Market. One minute you’re shopping for thrifts and the next thing you know, you’re perusing the aisles of Belmond stores for iconic designer and brand products.
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Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is not only a casino heaven but also a shopping paradise. According to Jessica Schmit, founder of Uprooted Traveler, the best places to buy gorgeous designer items such as Chanel, Balenciaga or Jimmy Choo, are the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace. For fast-market items, you can head down to the Miracle Mile Shops where 200 (yes, the number is correct) retail shops are waiting for you to spend your money.
For open-air shopping and family-run stores, go to Downtown Container Park. You won’t regret the experience and surely won’t come back empty-handed. Last but not least, the Las Vegas Premium Outlets provide a plethora of designer stores with products at discounted prices.
You might also want to find out more about these 13 Collection Items That Are Now Worthless!
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Los Angeles, California
“Los Angeles is home to some of the best shopping malls in the country, like the Beverly Center and the Fashion District,” explains James Brad from Travare. The City of Angels has just about any type of store, from independent, indie shops to luxury retailers such as Chanel, Prada, and Jimmy Choo, spread across a two-mile-long area.
If you’re in search of affordable items, the Citadel Outlets is the place to go while vintage products and amazing bargains can be found at shops along the Abbot Kinney Boulevard. The Grove is another popular shopping destination and don’t be surprised if you happen to see Hollywood stars shopping there as well.
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Chicago, Illinois
Chicago can offer an amazing shopping experience, with popular department stores like Bloomingdale and Nordstrom at the top of the list. But there are also plenty of independent shops and posh boutiques selling unique items at incredible prices.
As recommended by James Brad, the shopping spree should definitely start with the Magnificent Mile district, one of the most famous and popular shopping districts in the United States. For more affordable prices, you can check the 500 shops on Michigan Avenue. There’s nothing you won’t find there!
If you’re an art passionate, then the gallery district in River North is your destination. And while you’re at it, you can also scour the vintage shops and unique boutiques the Lakeview/Roscoe Village, Wicker Park, and Bucktown.
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New York, New York
Obviously, we cannot discuss shopping destinations without adding New York to the list as well. One of the perks of shopping in the Big Apple is the plethora of stores and products that can satisfy even the pickiest of shoppers.
New York hosts some of the most popular stores and iconic brands in the world, yet, you don’t have to sell your kidney for a round of shopping there. “If you’re more of a thrift lover, head to the East Village to get your hands on the most valuable vintage finds,” suggests Anthony Radchenko, travel expert and co-founder at Air Advisor. Scour the Brooklyn Flea Market, one of the biggest in the world, and check out the trendy shops in the Williamsburg neighborhood, suitable for any budget.
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Portland, Oregon
Portland is a paradise for shoppers, not only for its variety of department stores and local brands but also for a very important reason: the city levies no sales tax.
What does this mean exactly? Well, it means that a scarf you buy in Oregon will cost you considerably less than buying the same type of scarf in California. This is particularly visible when it comes to major purchases, as you can save a considerable amount from the overall purchase price.
If you’re in search of unique items, head to the Pearl District and you won’t regret it, especially if you’re looking for home décor, accessories, clothes or souvenirs. According to Sammie Pearsall, a travel blogger at The Rambling Renegade, Pearl District is also home to art galleries displaying impressive works of art.
Pioneer Place is the home of popular brand stores such as Louis Vuitton or Tiffany & Co. to Yves-Saint Laurent and Tory Burch.
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Minneapolis, Minnesota
If you’re looking for a huge place to shop till you drop, then look no further than Minneapolis. The Mall of America is the largest mall in the United States, with millions of Americans shopping there every year. Talk about finding the perfect name for a business!
“This world-renowned shopping destination with over 520 stores,” explains Anna Krizova, a travel enthusiast with Camino Adventures. There is no sales tax there either, but this time only on clothing. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t make some serious savings while shopping there.
Trendy and indie shops can be found in Uptown Minneapolis—especially Calhoun Square while artisanal products and antiques are up for grabs at Midtown Global Market and Linden Hills, respectively.
