The Best Shopping in Philadelphia
- Best Souvenirs (for Yourself): Although it's definitely not a souvenir shop, Open House has the perfect take-home notecards, costume jewelry, and Philly-theme onesies to carry home and make someone there smile.
- Best Jewelry: A local secret so precious, it feels wrong to share it. Put it this way: Little, unmarked Halloween on Pine Street has such a trove of precious baubles, it's almost a cultural destination. Almost.
- Best Women's Fashion, Local: Talk about sustainable: Sarah van Aken designs the dresses, skirts, jackets, and more at her shop, Sa Va. She makes the wares next door.
- Best Women's Fashion, Classic: Open more than 80 years, staid, stalwart, sophisticated Sophy Curson, at 19th and Sansom, with its haute ready-to-wear and ask-and-ye-shall-receive service, feels like the sort of place Betty Draper would have shopped.
- Best Day Spa: Another secret: A facial, mani-pedi or massage at tucked-away Rescue Rittenhouse Spa Lounge is a minivacation within a vacation, of the relaxing and beautifying variety.
- Best Mall: Sometimes, the best choice is the most obvious: King of Prussia, the country's second-largest enclosed shopping center, has everything you need (from Old Navy to Neiman Marcus) -- and many more things you want. KOP's only downside: The drive out there can be slo-ow.
- Best Shoes: In the heart of Fabric Row, Bus Stop Boutique, stocks a great little assortment of pumps, Tom's, and boots. By great, I mean, addictive.
- Best Handmade Finds: Northern Liberties' Art Star gallery is like a non-virtual, much friendlier, version of Etsy -- with art openings.