Boston Open Market

Some of Boston's best shopping doesn't happen inside a store. Every Saturday, the Boston Open Market transforms Boylston Street at the entrance to the Public Garden into a lively stretch of local artists, independent makers, and carefully curated vintage vendors. One booth might have handcrafted ceramics, the next a perfectly broken-in leather jacket or a piece of artwork you weren't expecting to take home. With more than 50 vendors and one of the city's prettiest backdrops, it's the kind of place where a quick stroll has a habit of turning into an afternoon. The best finds are the ones you never went looking for.