Shopping: From Faneuil Hall to Newbury Street

This area has been a hub of activity for more than 250 years. The original Faneuil Hall was a meeting place for the Sons of Liberty and even today public meetings are held here. Downstairs, what was once a public food market is now filled with vendors selling everything from pins to scarves to jewelry.

Quincy Market, separated from Faneuil Hall by a pedestrian mall, is also filled with shops and restaurants. Locals sometimes deride the area as too touristy—it is on the Freedom Trail—but there are some 100 stores here, including a Museum of Fine Arts shop and Yankee Candle—plus a lively atmosphere with street performers and musicians providing entertainment.

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Address: historic downtown, 75 State Street
Phone: 617-523-1300
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10am – 9pm; Sunday 12pm – 6pm

When it's time for a break, there are several bars and restaurants to choose from, but a replica of the Cheers bar is a must for any fan of the classic TV show set in Boston.

Just don't be fooled. The show was not filmed here and the famous façade shown during opening credits fronts another bar on Beacon Street. The inside of that bar looks nothing like the inside of the fictional Cheers.

Confused? In a nutshell: If you want to drink in a bar that looks like where "Cheers" characters hung out, go to the Faneuil Hall one; if you just want an exterior image, head to Beacon Street.

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"Replica" Cheers (looks like the TV show bar):
Address: historic downtown, 75 State Street
Phone: 617-523-1300
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10am – 9pm; Sunday 12pm – 6pm

"Original" Cheers (exterior image):
Address: 84 Beacon Street
Phone: (617) 227-9605

While it might not be the shopping mecca it once was when famous Filene's Basement was the anchor here, there are still plenty of shopping options to browse, as well as some cool restaurants. Macy's is the big-box store now, and there are plenty of smaller shops and pushcarts with unique goods. The business district has stepped up recently to offer a bunch of special programs such as Thursday night block parties, Friday night arts market and classic car shows.

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Franklin Street and Hawley Street

Take a breather at Boston Common, the country’s oldest park, established in 1634. The 50-acre park offers plenty of places to relax and is great for people watching. This landmark space was once used for grazing livestock, then for hanging criminals and now, happily, it is just a great place to escape from city sidewalks.

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148 Tremont Street

From the Common, cross the street to enter the beautiful Public Garden, home to Boston’s famous swan boats. Established in 1837, it’s the oldest public botanical garden in the country. Hundreds of species of trees and flowers abound in this beautiful park. It’s a luxurious 24 acres, right in the heart of the city. Enjoy the peace and quiet, take a walk over the world’s smallest suspension bridge and relax on a bench near the weeping willows before you head to your final shopping stretch on Newbury Street.

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Charlie Street and Boylston Street

Now you’re on your way down boutique (and salon) heaven, following Newbury Street from the Public Garden down to Massachusetts Avenue. “The Street,” as it’s known to many people who work on it, is a fun mix of big-name stores, unique boutiques, dozens of salons and any number of coffeeshops, cafes, restaurants and bars. With its desirable location between tony Back Bay and trendy South End, Newbury Street has become synonymous with cool. The first Newbury Comics, now a major chain, was launched here. From Ted Baker London to Betsy Johnson to Johnny Cupcakes, there's something to appeal to everyone.

One of THE places to see and be seen, especially in warm weather, on The Street. Owner Stephanie Sokolove serves up "sophisticated comfort food" on the sidewalk cafe, in the clubby bar or in the large dining area. Salads here are enormous—we recommend sharing—and the mac-and-cheese is amazing.

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Address: 190 Newbury Street
Phone: 617-236-0990
Hours: Monday through Saturday 11:30am – 11:00pm, Opens at 10 am on Sundays

Sonsie, another Newbury Street classic, has been serving up international cuisine and tasty cocktails for almost 20 years. It’s also a great place to people watch and celebrity sightings are common. Toast yourself at the end of your trek.

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Address: 327 Newbury Street
Phone: 617-351-2500
Hours: Monday & Tuesday 11:30am – 2:30pm and 6pm – 11pm; Wedneday through Friday 11:30am – 2:30pm and 6pm - 12am; Saturday 11:30am – 3pm and 6pm – 12am; Sunday 11:30am – 3pm and 6pm – 11pm