Holiday Shopping Destinations

The holidays are a time to spend time with family and friends, partake in fun winter festivities, and - of course - shop till you drop. Retailers are gearing up for the holiday season and travelers, though more budget-conscious than in years past due to the weak economy, are ready to dole out green on everything from clothing to electronics. Stores such as Macy's are expected to see an uptick in consumer spending for Black Friday and Cyber Monday compared with 2008, thanks largely to a slowly rebounding economy and major discounts shoppers look to avail themselves of. Read on for a roundup of holiday shopping hot spots in major cities.

Winter Deals in the Windy City

In National Geographic's 2006 edition of "The 10 Best of Everything - An Ultimate Guide for Travelers," the Magnificent Mile, which boasts more than 460 stores, was named one of the Ten Best Shopping Avenues in the world. (Granted, it was in good company, as Fifth Avenue and Rodeo Drive - both highlighted in this entry - made the cut.) From fine boutiques such as Cartier and Lacoste to department stores including Saks Fifth Avenue, the Mile continues to draw millions of avid shoppers annually. Travelers can stay at Inn of Chicago or the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel, both of which lie directly on the Magnificent Mile. The Ambassador East Hotel, a National Historic Landmark, is just a short walk away from the shopping hot spot, as is eco-friendly Hotel Felix.

Gift Buying in Beantown

They call Boston's Newbury Street in Back Bay the "Rodeo Drive of the East" for a reason. It encompasses eight blocks chock full of salons, restaurants and shops specializing in everything from men's fashion to sports apparel. Want to shop till you drop at the mall? You can pick from popular locales including Copley Place, Atrium Mall and Emerald Square Mall. Travelers can call it a night at the newly renovated Copley Square Hotel, size up The Colonnade Hotel's sleek design, or soak up The Lenox Hotel's old warm charm. No matter your age, Boston has something for the shopaholic in all of us.

Holiday Fever in Hollywood

The city of Los Angeles is heralded as nothing short of a shopping capital. Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills features scores of popular shops and boutiques including Chanel, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino and BVLGARI. Nearby properties include Hotel Beverly Terrace, the Mosaic Hotel, Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive and The Tower Beverly Hills. Travelers making their way down Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade will find stores like Apple and Armani Exchange, as well as a farmers' market and movie theater complex. Of course, there's Hollywood's world-famous Sunset Strip, lined with a host of restaurants and boutiques. The Le Montrose Suite Hotel and four-story, European-style Le Petit are just minutes away on foot.