Twin Cities’ Best Shops

Best Place to Read to the Kids: The worn armchairs at Wild Rumpus (2720 43rd St. W., 612/920-5005, www.wildrumpusbooks.com [1], Mon. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tues.–Fri. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m.) in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis are so inviting you won’t be able to resist spending a few minutes, or even longer, test-running a kids’ book.

Best Place to Find Vintage Glam: If you can carry off a mink stole or a full 1950s skirt, you’ll find plenty of new additions to your wardrobe at Via’s Vintage (2408 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612/374-3649, www.viasvintage.com [2], Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m.).

Best Place to Be a Kid Again: Remember the joys of imaginative play at Wonderment (4306 Upton Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612/929-2707, www.wondermentshop.com [3], Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Thurs. untill 8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. noon–4 p.m.), where nearly everything is made from wood or wool.

Best Place to Find Thoughtful Gifts for Everyone on Your List: Even if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you’re likely to find it at The Bibelot’s (1082 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651/222-0321, www.bibelotshops.com [4], Mon.–Fri. 9:30 a.m.–8 p.m., Sat. 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m.) four shops, from women’s clothing and accessories to kitchen necessities to smart baby toys.

Best Place to Find Absolutely Anything for the Kitchen: Serious cooks can find anything they can dream up at Cooks of Crocus Hill’s (877 Grand Ave., 651/228-1333, www.cooksofcrocushill.com [5], Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m.) two locations, on Grand Avenue in St. Paul and 50th and France in Edina.

Best Place to Get an Authentically Minnesotan Souvenir: Minnesota’s Scandinavian roots are represented at Ingebretsen’s (1601 Lake St. E., Minneapolis, 612/729-9333, www.ingebretsens.com [6], Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–5:50 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. closed) in hand-knit sweaters, painted Swedish dala horses, and intricate rosemaling.

Best Place to Shop Responsibly: Everything at Twin Cities Green (2405 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612/374-4581, www.twincitiesgreen.com [7], Tues.–Sat. 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m., Mon. closed) is made from recycled or sustainable materials. And it’s all modern and beautiful, as well.

Best Place for Expert Wine Advice: The wine purveyors at France 44 (4351 France Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612/925-3252, www.france44.com [8], Tues.–Sat. 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun.–Mon. closed) know their stuff. Tell them what you like and they’ll put together a custom case to take home.

Best Place to Spend a Summer Saturday Morning: Join the crowd at the Mill City Farmers Market (704 2nd St. S., 612/341-7580, www.millcityfarmersmarket.org [9], Mid-May–mid-Oct. Sat. 8 a.m.–1 p.m.) in downtown Minneapolis. While you munch on pastries, check out handmade jewelry and clothes made from reclaimed fabrics.