SoWa Open Market

Hip shopping in Boston's South End

Looking for things to do in Boston on a Sunday afternoon?

Go shopping in Boston's SoWa Open Market, an outdoor art and indie design market in the South End where you'll find hip fashions, designer decor, freshly baked breads, and lots more.

This open air market comes alive every Sunday from 10am - 4pm starting in mid-May and going through October (but not including Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day weekends), when a field of mostly white tents springs up in a parking lot in the South End's trendy SoWa neighborhood.

Artists and artisans preside over tempting displays of paintings, photographs, unique clothing, handbags, home decor items, artisanal cheeses, stunning jewelry, pottery, fresh produce, and more.

One of the coolest things about this market is that if you spot, for example, a painting that you totally love, you can chat with the artist about it.

And if love conquers your pocketbook, you can also buy it. Prices are reasonable, and sales are brisk.

A different mix of vendors comes each week - so while some may be there periodically throughout the season, others make one appearance only. You never know who or what you'll see.

Display in SoWa Market

SoWa gets better and better (and bigger and bigger) every year.

As an added bonus, local Boston indie musicians perform on some Sundays. We wonder, are we hearing the next Aerosmith?

What will you find at SoWa Open Market?

You'll have a new adventure each week because of the changing mix of artisans and vendors.

Because we like to stop by as often as possible, we've developed our own strategy for maximum enjoyment.

First, we head over to the tables loaded with breads and pastries from Boston's best local bakeries for freshly baked buttery croissants. We also buy a loaf of bread to take home later - bread tends to sell out early, so the slight nuisance of carrying it around with us as we browse is preferable to not getting any if we wait too late.

We pick one corner of the market and start strolling, zigzagging from one interesting display to another.

So what will you find?

Well, that depends. Each week brings a different mix of treasures.

On a recent Sunday, we linger over beautiful greeting cards and other paper products from B Designs, a small designer-owned company in Amesbury, Massachusetts that uses a real letterpress to print beautiful designs on cards. Thinking ahead to holiday shopping, we buy a few packages for gifts.

I'm attracted to some of the edgy t-shirts from AntiDesigns, a small, independent Boston company that silkscreens designs by local graphic artists by hand onto t-shirts. Great colors, great designs, beautiful quality - the best kind of wearable art. I'll order one later from their website when my children aren't distracting me with requests for another croissant.

Next, lustrous tables and chairs from George Beland, a furniture designer/builder from Portsmouth, New Hampshire catch my eye. The lines of the urban-scaled table legs are simple but elegant . . . I'm fantasizing about how great one might look in my hallway when my companions drag me away to admire stylish pocketbooks with an international flair made by Saya Studio Handbags, a designer/producer based right here in the South End.

Farmers' Market at SoWa Open Market

Finally, after feasting our eyes on Open Market's array of temptations, we head for the farmers' market corner. Juicy summer fruits and berries dazzle our eyes. Fresh ears of corn appear to have been picked just a few hours earlier.

We purchase a gorgeous golden heirloom tomato, goat cheese and smoked mozzarella from Western Massachusetts, and a few local peaches from an orchard north of Boston.  Now I won't need to wonder what to make for dinner later!

Sure enough, all the bread has disappeared.

So do we head home with this bounty?

Well, um . . . eventually.

But first, we have to make a small detour to visit a certain nearby South End brasserie for lemonades and a platter of fried mussels.

Now that's the perfect ending to a perfect afternoon at the SoWa Open Market.

Details and Directions

Open: Sundays, 10am - 4pm; mid-May through October. In addition, SoWa Open Market is also open 10am - 5pm on Saturdays on Opening Weekend (May 16 and 17, 2009) and South End Open Studios weekend in September.

Location: 460 Harrison Ave, South End, Boston, MA

Closest T station: Orange Line/Back Bay.

The easiest way to get to the Market is by T. From the Back Bay station, getting to the Market is about a 10 minute walk (unless you get distracted by the South End's beautiful architecture and cool shops).

As you leave the station, turn left and walk down Dartmouth Street. Continue walking down Dartmouth until your reach Harrison Ave, and then turn left.

For a more scenic route, walk down Dartmouth for 7 blocks, and turn right onto Tremont Street. After 4 short blocks on your right (or 1 long one on your left), turn right onto Waltham Street. Go 3 (counting on your right) blocks to Harrison Ave, turn left, and walk 2 blocks to the Market.

For more information: SoWa's website