Holiday Shopping
Hot Spots
Mall of America, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Even if your family isn't the shop-til-you-drop sort, you'll find plenty to do at the largest indoor mall in the United States. Featuring a variety of shopping options (chain stores and boutiques), arcades, restaurants, drop-in childcare, the Lego Imagination Center, an aquarium, and, yes, an indoor amusement park, it's easy to spend a day — or an entire week — at the Mall of America.
Pike Place Market, Seattle, Washington: Pike Place Market is one of those rare attractions that's crowded with tourists but draws the locals, too. Inside, the stalls are overflowing with crafts, gifts, jewelry, flowers, fish, meat, and seasonal produce fresh from local farms. The unique shops below ground will keep kids and grown-ups browsing for hours, and there are plenty of family-friendly lunch and dinner options. Outside you'll enjoy a fresh-air walk along the waterfront, with spectacular mountain views and the occasional ferry gliding by along the water.
River Walk, San Antonio, Texas: For most travelers, a trip to San Antonio means a stroll down the 2.8-mile River Walk (Paseo del Rio), the beautifully landscaped stretch that frames the jade-green San Antonio River. This place has everything from a five-and-dime general store to a place whose motto is "Life is Good," to the tride and true stores, including a Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop and Flag World. During the holidays, enjoy the the Paseo Del Rio Holiday Festivities and watch 122,000 twinkling lights cover the canopy over the river.
Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, California: Start where Rodeo Drive meets Wilshire Boulevard, then work your way up perhaps the priciest shopping street in America. Prada, Gucci, Versace, Tiffany — they're all here — and teens especially will get a kick out of seeing the playground of the rich and famous. Will you actually see a celebrity? It's possible, but you will definitely see some fancy cars and other conspicuous displays of wealth. The people-watching is great, and if you actually want to shop, the streets that run parallel to Rodeo (Beverly and Canon) have some stores with more reasonably priced merchandise.
Rated by 3 members
Join Us