Massachusetts Shopping

You're in for a holiday shopping treat the first weekend in December, when 16 shops and businesses in North Central Massachusetts host their annual Country Roads Christmas tour: the antithesis of searching for gifts at the mall.

Northampton is a funky little college town in west central Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley that is a shopper's nirvana. Here are my picks for the neatest shops in Northampton. Don't miss these, and enjoy hunting for favorites of your own, too.

Massachusetts Sales Tax Holiday is set for August 11-12, 2007. Pay no sales tax in Massachusetts on items priced under $2,500.

From your About Guide, it's the other red meat--bison is lower in fat and cholesterol than beef. And, at Alta Vista Farm in Rutland, Massachusetts, you can not only shop for buffalo roasts, ribs, burgers and hotdogs, you can view these once nearly extinct beasts up close.

From your About Guide, the Village of Shelburne Falls will delight shoppers with its cute stores and galleries, many which feature the works of local craftspeople.

Davoll's is one of the oldest general stores in America. It's been in operation on Russell's Mills Pond in Massachusetts since 1793 and now features a variety of popular collectibles.

CigarLife provides this directory of addresses and phone numbers for cigar shops throughout Massachusetts.

Gifts for goblins and everybody else on your list! SalemWeb provides this listing of shops for antiques, books, clothing, gifts, and new age goods and services.

With three Massachusetts locations: Rowley, Stoneham, and Wenham, plus online ordering, there's no excuse not to satisfy your sweet tooth with New England-made fudge.