What is luxury Mall?

Boston's shopping malls may surprise you, especially if you are used to the suburban cookie-cutter experience where one mall looks much like another.

Imagine an eclectic mix of shopping and entertainment in a marketplace built almost 300 years ago in the most historic part of the city?

Or a sophisticated shopping plaza with soaring glass skylights at the foot of Boston's second-tallest skyscraper?

Or a village-like collection of top-brand outlet stores overlooking the Mystic River, just 5 minutes by subway from Downtown Boston?

Here is our guide to Boston's unique centrally-located shopping malls and plazas - plus a few special suburban versions as well.

Best Shopping Malls & Plazas in Central Boston

Hop on Boston's subway (the "T") to get these centrally-located shopping malls - or even better, walk.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace - Fun

100+ stores and artisan pushcarts in Boston's festival-like Faneuil Hall Marketplace / Quincy Market occupy 4 historic buildings in the heart of Boston.

But shopping is just the beginning of the fun you can have here.

Faneuil Marketplace's famed street performers entertain crowds every weekend and holiday, and a huge lighted Christmas tree, seasonal ice skating rink, and more restaurants, food vendors, and pubs than you can count add to why this is Boston's most entertaining mall. More about

Copley Place - Luxury Shopping Plaza in Back Bay

You'll find Neiman Marcus and 75 boutiques including many internationally known luxury designers in this upscale shopping complex in Boston's fashionable Back Bay neighborhood.

Located not far from Newbury Street, Copley Place connects with Prudential Center by a skywalk.

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Shops at Prudential Center - Upscale Shopping Mall in Back Bay

With more than 75 stores and boutiques plus some of the city's best restaurants, Prudential Center is one of the city's most popular upscale shopping malls.

Located in Back Bay near Newbury Street and Copley Center, Pru Center offers more than just shopping. More about

Assembly Row - Outlet Shopping 5 Minutes from Downtown

Assembly Row offers Boston's newest outlet shopping, dining, and entertainment center, right on the Mystic River.

You can easily get there in just 5 minutes by subway from North Station or 10 minutes from Downtown Crossing.

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Hippest Boston Shopping Mall - Cambridgeside Galleria

Maybe it's Cambridgeside Galleria's Cambridge loction near Harvard, MIT, and a huge concentration of biotech firms that accounts for the trendy fashions - noticeably hipper than most other Boston malls. Located just across the Charles River from central Boston (5 minutes on the Green Line). More about this convenient