This small, independent bookshop flourishes because of its friendly staff and its good location in a pleasant neighborhood a safe distance from the chain bookstores. Sunlit by two long walls of windows, the triangle-shaped store has strong collections of poetry books, children's books and coffee-table books. The shop is a comfortable place for browsing and reading and for the calm but steady flow of well-heeled families dropping in to pick up Dr. Seuss books.

For a very long time, socks have been treated as a neglected category.  A plain, white, boring sock, should do it? No way! The Sock Monster store is every sock-lover's dream. For people who love the warmth of the cotton leg-warmer in winters or brightly patterned pairs, this store has great options for you. This sock specialty store presents an enormous collection of socks, thigh-highs, leg-warmers and leggings which come in a myriad of patterns and plentiful of styles. So, go and get your feet a little bit of well-deserved sweet lovin'.

Located in Wallingford, Archie McPhee has been delighting little children since 1983. Once inside, not only will you find it difficult to tear your little ones away from all the attractive playthings on display, but also find it hard not to get intrigued by the collectibles on offer. So while the children hanker after giant glow-in-the-dark googly eyes and squirrel masks, you can check out Jane Austen bandages, Cult of Unicorn T-shirts, Antique World Leaders Hell Money and more.

Anchored by 125,000 square foot Neiman Marcus department store, The Shops at The Bravern offers a sophisticated collection of 40 fashion retailers, restaurants and lifestyle services, many of which debuted for the first time in the Pacific Northwest. The Bravern shoppers will experience convenient indoor and outdoor dining options, lush landscaping enhanced by decorative plantings and dynamic water features, outdoor fireplaces and seating areas, and convenient outdoor escalators which enable shoppers to move easily among the development's retail levels. The elegant, open-air village features two ceremonial arrival courts, valet parking and concierge services with subterranean parking for 3,100 shoppers, office tenants and residents.

Fireworks Gallery sells local artwork as well as accessories and books. The gallery has a lot of unique items and you can find some great hidden gems here, though they might be a tad expensive. The staff will help you find the perfect gift.

Magic Mouse is like stepping into a child's dream, since this toy store has a wide selection of toys. Whatever toy you're looking for you'll be sure to find it, from an educational gift to an action figure. Whether you're a kid or a kid-at-heart, you'll be sure to be impressed with the amount of toys.

Longing for a closet full of designer clothing without emptying your wallet? Head to Betty Lin. This brainchild of eponymous owner stocks all the past season runway designer wear at a 60-70% discount! The contemporary interiors with the cool artwork reflect the trendy clothing and accessories on display. With clothes and jewellery sets from labels like Chloe, Christian Dior, Prada, etc. at such slashed prices, temptation comes easy. If you still don't want to spend on an entire outfit, just choose from the cool range of shoes and bags available.

This bookseller, located in a subterranean shop in Pioneer Square, offers a wonderful selection of fine and collectable books. It is a high-quality shop that specializes in first edition fiction, Western Americana and books about books. There are many one-of-a-kind books, and rare or unusual books including take-apart books, miniature books, books in cigar-box covers and much more. To really appreciate this store, you must visit often.

It seems fitting that a mystery bookstore should be located in historic Pioneer Square with its somewhat mysterious atmosphere. Mystery and intrigue abound on the shelves of this store, from the latest releases to old standbys like Sherlock Holmes, from whodunits to true crime. For collectors and would-be detectives, the shop also has rare first editions and out-of-print mysteries. Pick up a schedule of author appearances at the store, or call for dates and times.

An armchair traveler's delight, this shop offers real maps including roadmaps, folding maps, laminated maps, international and hiking maps, posters of maps, satellite images, antique exploration charts and tacks to pin them up with. Globes, including one that lights up, round out the cartography section. Upstairs you will find travel books, guides to flora and fauna and plenty to inspire real-life exploration. This place even sells hiking permits for Washington's state parks.