Boston shopping hot zone: Downtown Crossing

With the closing of its central store, Filene's Basement, the pedestrian shopping district of Downtown Crossing in Boston has found itself in a transition state. Yet with Nordstrom coming into to fill the department store vacancy and Macy*s still going strong, Downtown Crossing will continue to be the center for shopping in central Boston. This car-free square seduces shoppers with its array of recognizable restaurants and retail chains. Sing along at Strawberries, the five-floor, music megastar of Downtown Crossing, or take to time to smell the fragrances at Bath & Body Works. The Barnes & Noble bookstore remains popular with those looking for their next good read while H&M and Marshalls delights shoppers with their discount clothing. Those also hunting for a real bargain should stop at the numerous vendor carts peppered throughout Downtown Crossing where you can by Harvard sweatshirts or Red Sox baseball caps at half the store costs.