Boston Shopping Guide: Prudential Center, Newbury Street, Charles Street, Downtown Crossing Boston

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You'll find places to shop all over the city – from the stores in Back Bay's Prudential Center to the rock-bottom bargain prices in Downtown Crossing. Then of course, there are the boutiques and shops that line Newbury Street and the preppy palaces on Charles Street. Whatever your fancy, and no matter your budget, you'll find something to take home. If you've a love for lobster, you'll find no shortage of them in the form of lollipops and stuffed animals.

There's not much to distinguish the Shops at Prudential Center (800 Boylston St.; Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-6pm; www.prudentialcenter.com) from any other upscale shopping mall, but if you're in desperate need of and prefer one-stop shopping to lengthy perusing, it's a perfect solution. Major department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor carry the typical assortment of casual and formal attire, cosmetics and perfume, and handbags, shoes and other accessories. Other stores include Ann Taylor, Club Monaco, Arden B., and Lacoste; there's also a food court and several sit-down chain restaurants like Applebee's, the Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, and Legal Sea Foods.

Just a quick walk away, Newbury Street offers a much different shopping experience – you could spend an entire day wandering into the shops and boutiques that line this hipper-than-hip thoroughfare. The shopper's paradise starts near the Public Garden on Arlington Street and doesn't stop until you reach Massachusetts Avenue, about 8 blocks away. Start your stroll with a stop at Chanel (5 Newbury St.; 617/859-0055) and nearby Burberry (2 Newbury St.; 617/236-1000) and then make your way to Marc Jacobs (81 Newbury St.; 617/425-0707) and Betsey Johnson (201 Newbury St.; 617/236-7072). Pockets aren't that deep? No worries – there's plenty of duds to be had at more moderate prices, whether it's the familiar khaki-and-white at Banana Republic (28 Newbury St.; 617/267-3933), or something a little more offbeat and colorful at Calypso (114 Newbury St.; 617/421-1887). There are plenty of art galleries, antique shops, and specialty stores (think a hat shop, beauty products, and home furnishings) dispersed among the clothing stores, as are restaurants and cafes. Alfred J. Walker Gallery Fine Art (162 Newbury St., 2nd floor; Tues-Sat appointment only; 617/247-1319; www.alfredjwalker.com) specializes in American art from the late-19th and early-20th century, while Alpha Gallery (38 Newbury St.; 617/536-4465; www.alphagallery.com) specializes in contemporary art, particularly paintings, and hosts "new talent" exhibitions as well as exhibitions by established artists. For the home, Lavender Home & Table (173 Newbury St.; Mon-Sat 11am-6pm; Sun 12-5pm; 617/437-1102; www.lavenderhomeandtable.com) offers handmade Italian and French tableware along with antique furniture, china, and ceramics.

Beacon Hill's Charles Street is another boutique-and-art-heavy shopping locale. Girly-girls love the duds at Wish (49 Charles St.; 617/227-4441; www.wishstyle.com); pretty frocks by designers like Nanette Lepore, Trina Turk, and Susana Monaco are the norm, and though prices are steep, you're guaranteed to find a must-have dress. Preppie princesses love Holiday (53 Charles St.; 617/973-9730; www.holidayboutique.net), which carries adorable dresses, tops, and skirts by designers like Tory Burch and Kater Hall. For beauty products, candles, and home goods like decorative pillows, stop in at The Flat of the Hill (60 Charles St.; 617/619-9977; www.theflatofthehill.com), a tiny store stocked with goodies; it's the perfect place to pick up a small gift.

Downtown Crossing, in the financial district of downtown, is home to stores where you won't have to pay up to dress up – H&M (350 Washington St.; 617/482-70014), TJ Maxx (350 Washington St.;617/695-2424), and Marshall's (350 Washington St.;617/338-6205) are all here too. Besides the discounters, you'll find stores like Macy's (450 Washington St.; 617/357-3000), The Children's Place (349-351 Washington St.; 617/426-9524) and Thomas Pink (280 Washington St.; 617/426-7859).