Where to shop at Boston Logan ....

With its cobblestone streets, preserved townhouses and small-town atmosphere, historic Boston is famous for being one of the few US cities compact enough to be able to see on foot. “Compact’, however, is not really a word you could use to describe Boston Logan, the local four-terminal hub that serves as New England’s largest airport. Covering 1,700 acres and boasting two hotels, a power plant, a fire station and no fewer than 94 gates this rather large airport handles over 25 million passengers a year.

Nevertheless, despite its size Boston Logan has managed to catch some of the region’s rich history and culture in many of its restaurants and bars. Yet arguably the retail offer for those seeking gifts and souvenirs is a bit light on local colour. And what there is tends to be dominated by sports- and college-related merchandise. With that grumble out of the way, we present our guide to the best places to shop in each of Logan’s four terminals.

Tax Free Shopping Terminal A Boston Logan

Duty Free Americas (DFA) (by Gates 13-22) is the biggest duty-free retailer in the US by some way and also operates anchor stores in Terminals B and E, as well as Terminal A. Expect to find a full range of fragrances, cosmetics, watches, jewellery, liquor, tobacco and confectionery. Brands stocked include Elizabeth Arden, Chanel, Estée Lauder, Lancôme, Cartier, Cartier, Movado and Coach.

For those international passengers wanting to buy liquid duty-free items at Logan a word caution. If you wish to avoid having your purchases confiscated when switching flights because of security rules concerning liquids in hand luggage, read up on the latest TSA duty-free travel information before you set out at http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/duty_free_travel_alert.shtm.

The north-eastern US is of course famous for its Ivy League universities such as Harvard, Princeton and Cornell. You can pick up souvenir sweatshirts from these academic institutions along with fashion items from the region’s most famous sporting teams such as the Boston Red Sox baseball team at the New England Collections outlet at Gates 7-8. Other regional gifts such as collectibles and confectionery are also stocked there.

Johnston & Murphy has been selling stylish yet comfortable shoes to US presidents since the 1850s, but this famously upmarket US retailer has in recent years branched out into accessories and fashion lines to become something of a lifestyle fashion brand (see www.johnstonmurphy.com) . The Logan store (Gates 13-22, open 06.00-19.00 hours) also sells luggage and leather goods.

Brazilian pop artist Romero Britto’s blend of colourful pop art and cubism has seen his work displayed all over the US, while blue chip names such as Absolut, BMW and Apple Computers have commissioned artworks from him. See what all the fuss is about at the Peace, Love, Boston outlet, which sells products and t-shirts inspired by his art.

Boston Logan Terminal B Shopping

Has your smartphone packed up just when you need it most? Terminal B’s newly opened BlackBerry store could well be your first port of call after clearing security to buy smartphones from the likes of AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. Also post-security is the Techshowcase outlet, which prides itself on stocking the latest mobile phone accessories and software from names such Audiovox, Palm, Samsung, Motorola, BlackBerry and Nokia (see www.techshowcase.com).

The rest of the shopping offer in this terminal • Virgin Books, Sunglass Hut, another Johnston & Murphy boutique, and costume jewellery outlet Local Charm • doesn’t quite match the variety of the restaurant and bar scene in this part of the airport, which includes great Italian coffee from Espressamente Illy, pizzas aplenty from Sbarro and Villa Pizza, and wines from around the world at Vinea.

Terminal C Boston Logan

The Americans do love their homegrown sports as shown by the sheer number of sports memorabilia and apparel outlets at airports all over the country. A case in point is the recently opened (pre-security) Boston Tops store, which sells all manner of casual fashion gifts and collectibles connected to the two iconic New England sporting teams: the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox.

It is always nice to see a local company trading at an airport and Massachusetts-based The Fudge Bar at Gate 29 is doing just that, selling fudges in a fantastic array flavours such as chocolate cheesecake, maple walnut and butterscotch. The company also sells cashew clusters and something called Salt Water Taffy, a chewy candy akin to toffee, which thankfully doesn’t contain salt (see www.thefudgebar.com).

Terminal E Boston Logan Duty Free Shopping

Book lovers will be pleased to know this terminal has a Borders outlet by Gates 7 and 8 (there is also a store in Terminal A). Newspapers and magazines can be bought from Hudson News, which has no fewer than five locations dotted around the terminal.

With gadgets galore, Brookstone is a great place to browse while waiting for a flight (www.brookstone.com). Stocking everything from hairdryers and travel blankets to alarms, luggage and headphones, the store is excellent for picking up those items you forgot to pack in your haste to get to the airport!

For information on US Customs rules please see our quick guide:
United States Customs Allowance and Exemptions

Boston Logan shopping guide
http://www.massport.com/logan-airport/inside-airport/Pages/RestaurantsShopsandServices.aspx

Boston Airmall (Terminal B and E only)
http://www.airmall.com