Despite what you may have heard, the American mall is not dead. And not all shopping malls become abandoned malls. They are just evolving, as many properties are incorporating outdoor or mixed use space or completely converting into outdoor shopping centers.
While the mall’s heyday as an American entertainment destination peaked in the 1980s, it still remains a place where you can shop, browse, grab a bite to eat, and in some cases, partake in some entertainment. And the good news is that Massachusetts malls are still plentiful.
Whether you’re looking to get all of your holiday shopping done in one fell swoop or you’re simply craving some retail therapy, we’ve compiled a list of the 12 best malls in Massachusetts for your shopping pleasure. Note: we’re excluding top shopping destinations such as Wrentham Village Premium Outlets and other outlet malls because we’ve already covered those in our Best Shopping Outlets in Massachusetts post, so feel free to check those out here!
Quick Snapshot: Below is a video overview of our top choices of malls in Massachusetts. Feel free to watch and then jump to the ones that make you want to shop until you drop!
Best Shopping Malls in Massachusetts
Natick Mall – this South Shore king reigns supreme
Burlington Mall – best-evolving mall
Copley Place – best luxury shopping destination
Legacy Place – movies, bowling, and more: the best shopping mall near me
Northshore Mall – Natick’s northern sibling
South Shore Plaza – an overlooked gem
Patriot Place – not just for football fans
The Shops at Chestnut Hill – for the Bloomingdale’s aficionado
Prudential Center – the right mix of specialty and luxury shops
Liberty Tree Mall – good for the kiddos
Marketplace Lynnfield – year-round outdoor fun
Solomon Pond Mall – the best in metro west
On This Page
- Best Shopping Malls in Massachusetts
- #1 - Biggest Mall in Massachusetts
- #2 - Best Mall Keeping Up With Trends
- #3 - Best For Luxury Brand Lovers
- #4 - Best for Entertainment Options
- #5 - Natick's Little Sister to the North
- #6 - An Overlooked Gem
- #7 - Best For Football Fans
- #8 - The Only Massachusetts Mall with Two Bloomingdale's
- #9 - Best Mix of Luxury and Specialty Shops
- #10 - Good Place to Take the Kids
- #11 - Best Outdoor Shopping Mall
- #12 - Mall with a Merry-Go-Round
- Summary
- Malls Massachusetts FAQs
#1 - Biggest Mall in Massachusetts
1245 Worcester Street, Natick
508-655-4800
Natick Mall Hours:
Mon – Thurs: 11 AM to 7 PM
Fri & Sat: 10 AM to 9 PM
Sun: 11 AM to 6 PM
We’ll start with the south shore juggernaut full of endless stores that has the distinction of being the state’s first enclosed mall. The Natick Mall opened in 1966, was demolished nearly 30 years later, and replaced by a larger building which was expanded in 2007. To give you an idea of its colossal size, the parking lot alone can hold over 7,000 vehicles.
But let’s talk about the stores. There are over 200 of them, including anchor department giants Macy’s and Nordstrom’s as well as a Wegmans if you need to pick up provisions before heading home. You’ll find the usual retail staples such as Forever 21, Talbots, Michael Kors, J. Crew, Crate & Barrel, and many more spread out across two floors. Luxury brands include Tiffany & Co. and Tory Burch.
When it’s time to grab a bite to eat, P.F. Chang’s, Cajun Cafe and Grill, The Cheesecake Factory, and McDonald’s will be waiting for you, as will The Vibe, a relaxing seating area complete with cushy sofas and wicker chairs. Best of all, Massachusetts’ largest mall is only a 20-minute drive from downtown Boston.
#2 - Best Mall Keeping Up With Trends
75 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington
781-272-8667
Burlington Mall Hours:
Mon- Thurs: 10 AM to 8 PM
Fri & Sat: 10 AM
Before the Natick Mall’s expansion, it was the Burlington Mall that reigned as the largest enclosed mall in Massachusetts. It’s still number two in terms of sheer size and is continuing to expand and evolve: an outdoor space and socializing space is planned for 2023.
But not to fear if you want to be able to walk from store to store indoors during the colder months. Burlington is still retaining its classic mall roots with over 75 stores on two stories anchored by Macy’s and Nordstrom. You’ll find Madewell, J.Crew, Glitterati, Athlete, Free People, Lucky Brand, Michael Kors, Psycho Bunny, Pottery Barn, White House Black Market and countless other clothing, accessory, and specialty shops. Crate&Barrel has a standalone location in the parking lot.
The food court here is one of the best, with dining options such as Chick-Fil-A, Charley’s Philly Steaks, Crepe & Bread, Master Wok, Regina Pizzeria, Ruby Thai Kitchen, and more. Sit-down restaurants include Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria Napoletana, Fogo de Chao, Parm, The Cheesecake Factory, Rosa Mexicana, and Shake Shack.
#3 - Best For Luxury Brand Lovers
100 Huntington Avenue, Boston
617-262-6600
Mon – Sat: 11 AM to 7 PM
Sun: 12 PM to 6 PM
If you’re in search of a mall in MA that offers specialty and luxury stores in lieu of the usual mainstream retailers, then a trip to Copley Place should be on your list. Some of the high-end names here that you won’t find at your average suburban mall include Gucci, Versace, Neiman Marcus, Salvatore Ferragamo, Saint Laurent, Tiffany & Co., Alexander McQueen, Tory Burch, and Louis Vuitton.
Dining options include Legal Sea Foods, Parm, JC Smoothies, and Caffe Nero. But the best perk about visiting this two-level shopper’s paradise is that it’s within walking distance to Back Bay attractions such as the Esplanade, Trinity Church, Boston Public Library, and Newbury Street (in case you didn’t get your fill of shopping.)
#4 - Best for Entertainment Options
680 Legacy Place, Dedham
781-329-3009
Mon – Thurs: 10 AM to 8 PM
Fri & Sat: 10 AM to 9 PM
Sun: 11 AM to 6 PM
Legacy Place is technically an outdoor shopping destination and not an enclosed mall, but it offers a nice variety of entertainment activities in addition to stores. You can bowl and play old-school arcade games at King’s, take in a flick at the onsite Showcase Cinema De Lux, and discover your inner artist at Muse Paint Bar.
Not to be confused with the Dedham Mall, which is a generic shopping plaza, Legacy offers a good mix of fashion, home, and beauty retailers including Urban Outfitters, Carhartt, Indochino, L.L. Bean, Warby Parker, Williams Sonoma, Vineyard Vines, and Bluemercury.
The shopping center also hosts fitness classes, wine tastings, and family-friendly activities year-round.
#5 - Natick's Little Sister to the North
210 Andover Street, Peabody
978-531-3440
Mon – Thurs: 10 AM to 8 PM
Fri & Sat: 10 AM to 9 PM
Sun: 11 AM to 6 PM
The Northshore Mall of Peabody is to—well, the north shore—what the Natick Mall is to the south shore: a big, sprawling shopping experience. It has over 150 stores including not one but two Macy’s as well as J.C. Penney, Nordstrom, Express, DSW, LEGO, Aldo, Loosen Park, Barnes&Noble, and Newbury Comics.
Practice putting with the kids at Aloha Mini Glow Golf (conveniently located next to The Children’s Place), or let them burn off some energy at the Children’s Play Area on the upper level. You can get a battery replaced for your watch at the Jeweler’s Workbench, and grab a snack or meal at The Cheesecake Factory, I Love Milkshakes, Amigo’s Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar, Legal Sea Foods, Chipotle, Not Your Average Joe’s, or The Double Bull Taphouse.
#6 - An Overlooked Gem
250 Granite Street, Braintree
781-834-8200
Mon – Thurs: 10 AM to 8 PM
Fri & Sat: 10 AM to 9 PM
Sun: 11 AM to 6 PM
With many shoppers flocking to the nearby Natick Mall, the South Shore Plaza tends to get overlooked. But that’s good news for anyone searching for a clean, quieter mall that still delivers all your favorite stores such as Coach, Gap, Designer Warehouse, Victoria’s Secret, Lucky Brand, The North Face, Loft, Hollister, and Lane Bryant.
Anchored by Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Target, this enclosed shopping mall began as an open-air plaza in the early ’60s and converted into an indoor property in 1976 then expanded in the mid-’90s. Today, you’ll find convenient charging stations at the seating areas throughout the two floors and the only remaining Sears store left in New England.
This mall also features a Dave & Buster’s, Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse, Cap’t Loui, California Pizza Kitchen, and other options for grabbing a bite.
#7 - Best For Football Fans
Two Patriot Place, Foxborough
508-203-2100
Mon – Sat: 10 AM to 9 PM
Sun: 10 AM to 7 PM
Obviously, a visit to Patriot Place at Gillette Stadium is a given for any Pats fan. The Hall of Fame and Pro Shop are both likely to be the first stops for any football fanatics in your shopping party.
But you don’t have to be into football to enjoy an excursion here. Think of PP as a mixed-use self-care/entertainment/shopping destination with a spa, salon, and indoor cycling gym sharing the property with Christmas Tree Shop, Trader Joe’s, It’Sugar, Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse, Showcase Cinema De Lux, and Bass Pro Shop. Several Boston hospitals also have centers here, including Brigham and Women’s, Dana-Farber, and Mass General.
Being right next to the stadium, there is no shortage of places to eat. Fat Tuesday is the newest addition, joining Olive Garden, Five Guys, Saga Hibachi Steakhouse, Citizen Crust, Six String Grill, and more. And if you want to avoid the hassle of driving on Route 1 and parking, Gillette has its own stop on the Franklin line of the MBTA Commuter Rail.
#8 - The Only Massachusetts Mall with Two Bloomingdale's
199 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill
617-965-3037
Mon – Fri: 11 AM to 8 PM
Sat: 11 AM to 8 PM
Sun: 12 PM to 6 PM
At face value, The Shops at Chestnut Hill looks like your standard mall: two stories, plenty of chain stores, and a nice variety of dining options. However, if you’re a fan of Bloomingdale’s you’re in luck because this mall features not one, but two stores. And remarkably, these are the only Bloomingdale’s located in Massachusetts.
Other stores include Eileen Fisher, Nic + Zoe, Michael Kors, Chico’s, Tumi, Uniqlo, Coach, Vineyard Vines, and Queenia. For food, you can’t go wrong with The Cheesecake Factory, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Daikanyama, and Forty Carrots.
#9 - Best Mix of Luxury and Specialty Shops
800 Boylston Street, Boston
617-236-3100
Mon – Sat: 11 AM to 8 PM
Sun: 11 AM to 7 PM
While Copley Place is the shopping mall with the biggest high-end brands under its roof, Prudential Center runs a close second for Boston’s luxury lovers. Housed inside The Pru, one of the city’s tallest skyscrapers, this shopping center offers a mix of unique shops including Johnny Was, Mackage, Oak + Fort, Bonobos, and Aritzia alongside Saks Fifth Avenue, Ralph Lauren Polo, Kate Spade New York, and Shinola.
This is also the place where you can grab tickets for a Boston Duck Tour, take a spin on a Pelaton, kick the tires on a Tesla, and sample Italian delicacies at one of the only Eataly locations in the U.S. As it’s also a popular lunch hour destination for Back Bay workers, you’ll find plenty of places to grab a bite such as DIG, Clover Food Lab, Del Frisco’s, Shake Shack, Wagamama, and Sweetgreen.
Parking here can get a bit pricy, but spend at least $25 at any store, restaurant, cart, or kiosk, and you’ll get a discounted rate.
#10 - Good Place to Take the Kids
100 Independence Way, Danvers
978-777-0794
Mon – Thur: 10 AM to 8 PM
Fri & Sat: 10 AM to 9 PM
Sun: 12 PM to 6 PM
Not far from the North Shore Mall is the slightly less glamorous Liberty Tree Mall. But while this shopping mall has seen better days, it’s still worth a visit for its family-friendly entertainment options that NSM is lacking.
For starters, there’s a movie theater with 20 screens operated by AMC Theatres as well as a Sky Zone indoor trampoline park and Slime Zone, where kids can get up close and creative with the gooey stuff that makes parents cringe. The Friendly Toast serves up breakfast daily until 3 PM, and bargain hunters will appreciate that there’s a Marshalls and Nordstrom Rack under the same roof.
#11 - Best Outdoor Shopping Mall
600 Market Street, Lynnfield
771-484-5400
Mon – Thurs: 10 AM to 8 PM
Fri & Sat: 10 AM to 9 PM
Sun: 11 AM to 6 PM
Is an outdoor mall still a mall? When it offers over 80 retailers including Levi’s, Eddie Bauer, Hollister, Barnes & Noble, Banana Republic, Tommy Bahama, and other popular chain stores, we believe it qualifies.
MarketStreet Lynnfield was actually one of the first shopping centers in Massachusetts to introduce the outdoor space concept, and it does it well by operating an ice rink in the winter and workout classes during the warmer months. Restaurants include Wahlburgers, Davio’s Northern Italian Steak House, Alchemy, Chicken & The Pig, Legal C Bar, Otto Pizza, and Sweetgreen.
There are several beauty salons here including Madison Reed and Mane & Mani. Need a bowling fix? King’s Dining & Entertainment has 16 lanes, a retro arcade, and a full-service restaurant and lounge.
#12 - Mall with a Merry-Go-Round
601 Donald Lynch Boulevard, Marlborough
508-303-6255
Mon – Thurs: 11 AM to 8 PM
Fri & Sat: 10 AM to 9 PM
Sun: 11 AM to 6 PM
Conveniently located off I-495, Solomon Pond Mall is the only mall of its kind in the metro west area.
This well-kept, clean mall offers up a dose of nostalgia, fun, and over 90 stores including Macy’s, JC Penney, Victoria’s Secret, Apple, Newbury Comics, and more. It also houses two toy stores (Toys R Us and Toy Vault) as well as a carousel and kids play area to keep children entertained.
Regal Cinemas also operates a theater with 15 screens here, and if the food court selections (Sarku Japan, Burger King, El Sombrero Taqueria) don’t tantalize your tastebuds, there’s an Olive Garden and other restaurants nearby.
Summary
Are you still looking for malls near me in Massachusetts? We hope now you can see, Massachusetts malls aren’t going the way of the Dodo bird anytime soon! We recommend visiting several on your list to decide which one is your personal favorite.
Malls Massachusetts FAQs
A. Without question, that would be the Natick Mall, although Burlington runs a close second.
A. In the U.S., that would be the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota which attracts over 40 million visitors each year. It’s so big it houses over 500 stores, an aquarium, a theme park, and even a zip line ride!
A. Outlet malls contain outlet stores, which offer discounted or bargain versions of brand-name fashion and home goods. Malls like the ones in this list feature the original retailers and merchandise.
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