"Good morning Baltimore!" sings Tracy Turnblatt in the famous musical Hairspray, and it's a good morning indeed if it begins with shopping. Whether you're in Baltimore, Maryland to attend a Bahco Tools convention, visit family and friends, explore the city, or to settle for good, chances are you're going to want or need to buy something. It's human nature to collect "stuff" and there's nowhere in Maryland that has more shopping options than Baltimore. Read below to find out about some of our favorite shopping locations.

Malls

Sometimes you just want to be surrounded by shops, in one location where you can buy anything at all. If that's how you feel today, pack up your baby's diapers and head out to Towsen Town Center. It's the largest mall in Baltimore, with over 200 shops from designer band names like Burberry and Pottery Barn. There's also a play area for the kids. Other great malls in Baltimore include the Gallery at Harborplace, which is known for its specialty boutiques, and Prime Outlets in Queenstown, which has brand names at 65% off.

Souvenirs

If you're looking for the perfect souvenir to take home to your friends who have sold horse fencing supplies in Iowa all their lives, such shops line downtown and Harborfront streets. However for really unique items, shop at the gift boutiques attached to Baltimore's historic landmarks. The Evelyn Mill Company runs the gift shop at Fort Mc Henry while historic Savage Mill's shop features 19th century styled textiles and American crafts.

Specialty Items

For those of you who have a handful of gold bullion and a friend's birthday rapidly approaching, why not choose a specialty item from one of Baltimore's more unique retailers? Sweet toothed pals will love a European confection from A. Kirchmayer, Chocolatier, while your wine aficionado acquaintances will appreciate something from Bin 604 Wine Sellers. For the more literary inclined among your sphere, there's always a book from the Book Escape. They have both new and rare titles.


Upscale Accessories and Services

There's no need to buy a spa package in Georgia when we have fabulous options right here in Baltimore. Monica's Salon Spa provides luxury skin, nail, massage, and hair treatments while About Faces adds such treatments as hydrotherapy and body waxing. Both feature packages that allow you to spend the whole day. Other connoisseurs of the upscale will want to head out to Antique Row in the Mount Vernon neighborhood to find the perfect pieces for their home.