DOWNTOWN BOSTON

 

Downtown Crossing is shoppers’ paradise. In about the space of about one city block, you can do some serious damage to your credit card at stores like Macy’s, Filene’s and the legendary Filene’s Basement. Alongside these heavy hitters are rows of pushcarts where you can pick up everything from headbands and watches, to earrings and soft spring dresses.

Downtown Crossing offers unique appliance stores like Sherman’s. Or, pamper yourself at The Body Shop, or Bath & Body Works. Save your diet for tomorrow and indulge in one of Mrs. Fields’ decadent cookies and a cup of hot chocolate.

Heaven for booklovers is at the Globe Corner Bookstore or Brattle Book Shop, as well as the more conventional Barnes & Noble and Borders.

For a quick snack, you can grab some of those sweet smelling roasted nuts or a nice fat pretzel, but for lunch, follow the crowds to the Boston Burrito stands. For a just a couple of bucks, it’s a quick and satisfying meal.

For a heartier sit-down lunch, hang with the natives at the Hungry Traveler. Hidden in an alley behind the Old State House, it’s the kind of cafeteria style dining where you can order a heaping plate of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a slice of apple pie.

Nothing beats the crazed frenzy of Filene’s Basement—especially right around high noon. Seriously, get there early if you can. The Basement has an automatic markdown system where after two weeks the price goes down 25 percent; after 21 days, you can get it for half price; and after 28 days, its 75 percent off. Some Basement followers have been known to start small wars over a great pair of shoes, a cashmere sweater or a sparkly necklace.

Once a year, Filene’s Basement sells wedding dresses for about $250; that’s when you see the real professional shoppers at work. Crazed women in various stages of undress grabbing racks and racks of gowns, and by the end of the day, those proper gowns have been stepped on, ripped, pulled and thrown all across the shop floors. It’s such an "event" that it gets coverage on the local news.

Downtown Boston isn’t just about shopping and great places to eat, but historical and cultural sites along the Freedom Trail, like the Old State House, where the Declaration of Independence was first read. You can also join a free guided tour from the Visitors Center. (15 State Street) Stops along the way include the Old South Meeting House, whose inhabitants planned the Boston Tea Party, as well as the site Benjamin Franklin’s birthplace at 17 Milk Street.