Like stepping into the past--before strip shopping centers, malls and urban sprawl.

by Contributor

The Scene
In this tiny downtown district, you can you stroll, shop, lunch, taste wines and take in a museum. The popular chains have outposts here, but quaint specialty shops weave an air of quiet sophistication. There's no food court, only sidewalk cafes, bistros, gourmet merchants and a peppering of snack shops. After a day of shopping, grab an ice cream cone and head to grassy Central Park just across the brick road.

The Goods
There are plenty of upscale clothing stores and national retailers like Jacobson's, Bari Men's, Talbot's, Banana Republic, the Gap, Nicole Miller and Mimi's Maternity. Specialty shops like Williams-Sonoma, Caswell-Massey and Crabtree & Evelyn cover everything from hand-made stationery to kitchen goods. The area also bustles with art galleries, antique shops and beauty salons.