Philadelphia Shopping Guide -- National Geographic's Ultimate City Guides

Local handicrafts and artisanal items to pick up on your trip

Desserts
Head to Brown Betty Dessert Boutique for scrumptious cupcakes, red velvet with cream cheese icing, chocolate on yellow cake. “About $2.50 a piece but they’re sooooo worth it.”—Jenice Armstrong, columnist, Philadelphia Daily News. Bonbon of a bakeshop in Northern Liberties turns out its namesake apple treat, as well as dreamy cakes and pies. 1030 North Second Street; tel. +1 215 629 0999. www.brownbettydesserts.com

Local produce and baked goods
Reading Terminal Market is a Saturday morning ritual for a lot of Philadelphians. Stalls of locally grown produce run mainly by Amish merchants. “Buy fresh bread, fresh salmon and then go to Delilah’s, a soul-food stand that sells sweet potato pie, black-eyed peas, fried fish, and other down-home delicacies.”—Jenice Armstrong. 12th and Arch streets; tel. +1 215 922 2317. www.readingterminalmarket.org

Custom Bags
“A go-to place for purses. You custom design your bag.”—Jenice Armstrong. At Viv Pickle Custom Handbags, patrons pick the fabrics, handles, and trims for purses, totes, and diaper bags, and backpacks and the Pickle people put them together, typically for less than $100. 21 North Third Street; tel. +1 215 922 5904. www.vivpickle.com

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