Crabtree Valley Mall is the largest shopping center in Raleigh, with a wide selection of stores including Crate and Barrel, Apple, and Coach. When you need a break, the food court and several sit-down restaurants are on-site.
For something more interesting, the North Hills area on Six Forks Road is an open-air shopping district with a mix of national chains and local boutiques, plus restaurants and a movie theatre.
Downtown Raleigh's Fayetteville Street has a growing collection of independent shops, and the Historic City Market nearby houses small galleries and specialty stores. The State Farmers Market is worth a visit for local produce, baked goods, and North Carolina-made crafts and gifts.