Charles Street

Browse anything from specialty nuts and artisan chocolate to artist stationery, designer handbags and Edwardian brooches. Exclusive Charles Street is the go-to in the lovely historic Beacon Hill district (one of the city’s oldest) just north of Boston Common, lined with vintage lanterns and Federal-style brick row houses with bistros and bakeries, toy stores and niche boutiques — like avant-garde accessories or hand-tooled cowboy boots in suede, calfskin and alligator. Walk the quaint cobblestone alleys, join the locals’ scene over local-brew cappuccino and croissants, peruse Mid-Century Danish Modern furniture, pick up some Boston theme collectibles and end the day at one of the 17 restaurants and bars.