Online shopping has changed the way that Americans spend their money. Whether you are in Bangor, Maine or San Diego, California, the world wide web gives you access to the best goods in America, all from the comfort of home.

But internet retail cannot fill the special place in my heart that I reserve for new shops in other cities. Whether it's a piece of jewelry, a great outfit or a plain white t-shirt, what you buy on the road can become a special souvenir to remind you -- months or even years later -- of that great trip where you scored that totally unforgettable item.

Earlier this week, I told you my favorite worldwide cities. Well, here are my favorite stateside shopping ports-of-call:

1. New York City
Well, of course, New York is the best city for shopping in America. They have Barneys, they have Henri Bendel, they have Stella McCartney and soon they will also be the first American city to have my favorite international store, TopShop London. If you are in the mood for smaller boutiques or vintage clothing, New York offers you everything you could possibly crave, especially if they make it in black.

2. Miami
There are few urban cities in an America where you will not be tempted to buy or wear anything that is black. Miami is one of these, which for better or worse, is a great place to visit if you are looking for something colorful to perk up your wardrobe. While you're there, be sure to check out the Bal Harbour Shops and the Lincoln Road area. The Bal Harbour Shops was once named the best shopping center in America. (How 'bout them apples?)

4. Chicago
Chicago may very well be known as a great place for boutique shopping. But to me, Chicago will also be the great city of department stores. My favorite, admitted for nostalgic reasons, has to be Marshall Fields on State Street. (It's actually Macy's now, but it's still the same old turn-of-the-century building.)

5. Las Vegas
Over the past ten years, Las Vegas has been transformed from a seedy Sin City to a true destination for luxury shopping. Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Chanel, Louis Vuitton -- why Las Vegas might as well be known as the Milan of United States, of course, with much smaller churches and Elvis Impersonators instead of runway models.

6. Portland
So, Portland might not be the place to go for expensive designer goods, but if you are looking for the unique and one-off item that no one else will have, Portland is the place to go. Check out the Pearl District for hipster boutiques. Just make sure you save some time for digging through Red Light Clothing Exchange, Portland's most famous vintage clothing store.

7. Seattle
If I could create the perfect city, I would definitely put Filene's Basement next to Nordstorm's, which would be only a few blocks from the uber-trendy Marimekko store, which would be just a stone's skip off of the ocean. Sounds an awful lot like Seattle, doesn't it? Well, I might change a few things about the city (like the weather), but on the whole, Seattle is right up my alley when it comes to shopping.