A shopping center can be a lot more than an errand. Indoor malls are climate-controlled, with food courts, restaurants and often a movie theater under the same roof. Open-air centers and walkable downtown districts mix shops with cafés, patios and street performers. Outlet centers trade atmosphere for discounts on name brands, while farmers markets, flea markets and craft fairs bring the fun of finding something you didn't know you wanted.

Many shopping centers also host events, like holiday lights, seasonal markets, live music, kids' activities and sidewalk sales. Check the center's website or event calendar before you go, along with its hours, which often run shorter on Sundays and holidays.

The Date Activity

Shopping works best as a date when the shopping isn't really the point. Wander a downtown street or a weekend market with no list, browse bookstores and record shops, and people-watch from a café table. Try a simple game: each of you picks one store the other has to go into, and you buy each other something small under an agreed limit. Seasonal events, like a holiday market or a summer night market, make it even easier, with food stalls built in.

Malls are good for rainy or very hot days, since you can fill a whole afternoon without going outside. Wrap a little browsing around a movie and dinner, or settle a friendly rivalry at the arcade if the mall has one. To line up several stops in one outing, sketch it out in the planner.

On Your Own / With Friends

Shopping with friends is a classic for a reason: honest opinions outside the fitting room and someone to split a snack with. Agree on a rough route, set a budget before you go if anyone is prone to impulse buys, and pick a meeting spot and time in case you split up.

Shopping alone is the efficient way. You go at your own pace, try on as much as you like, and leave the moment you're done.

Good to Know

Weekday mornings are the quietest time to shop, while weekend afternoons and the weeks before major holidays are the busiest, with parking to match. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a reusable bag. Check return policies before you buy, especially for sale and outlet items, which are sometimes final sale. Some market vendors take cash only, so bring a little just in case. If you're stopping at several places, keep your bags out of sight in the car.