When it comes to New York shopping, there’s almost nothing the city doesn’t offer. From world-renowned department stores like Macy’s (34th Street and Seventh Avenue), Bloomingdale’s (59th and Lexington), Saks Fifth Avenue (50th Street and Fifth), and Neiman Marcus (Hudson Yards) to specialty shops, charming boutiques, and bargain basements, Manhattan is truly a shopper’s heaven.
New York Shopping Guide
Looking for souvenirs? Take home a Yankees cap or anything that looks like the Statue of Liberty or Empire State Building. Read on to learn about the best shopping in New York.
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Shop Gotham Tour
Get an overview of the New York shopping scene with a Shop Gotham tour. These three-hour group and private excursions focus on stores that are exclusive to New York City and include information about not only shopping but also the history and culture of local neighborhoods. The company’s primary group tour focuses on the Garment District.
Madison Avenue
If you’re a big spender—or you just want to see how the one percent lives—take a stroll down Madison Avenue, where you can duck in and out of stores such as Barneys, Armani, and La Perla. It’s some of the richest shopping in Manhattan.
Fifth Avenue Shopping
The main stretch of stores that are attractive to tourists is located between 49th and 60th streets. You’ll find everything from Zara to Bergdorf Goodman, as well as the city’s famed jewelry stores.
Specialty Districts
The city offers districts of stores devoted to particular items, such as furs off of Seventh Avenue in the West 30s, diamonds on West 47th Street, and wedding gowns in the West 30s between Sixth and Ninth Avenues. And there’s plenty of boutique shopping in Brooklyn and beyond.
Nolita
I love Nolita (which stands for North of Little Italy) for its many cute boutiques from up-and-coming designers. It’s a great spot to pick up clothes, accessories, and jewelry.
Soho
This trendy area is home to boutique shops and designers. Streets to peruse include Spring Street, Broome Street, and Prince Street.
Chinatown
For an eclectic shopping experience, check out Chinatown. It’s more Shanghai bazaar than city streetscape along Pell and Mott Streets, where funky herbal medicine shops and kitschy novelty stores sell everything from silk pajamas to Chinese board games and embroidered slippers. Come weekends, it’s hard to break through the five-deep mob checking out the hard-to-tell-from-the-real-thing Gucci and Prada along with Canal Street’s stalls.
Related:
New York City Canal Street Shopping
Lower Manhattan
From Westfield World Trade Center in the Oculus to SIP by Sarah Jessica Parker, Lower Manhattan is now the go-to spot for a modern shopping experience.
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The now well-known Williamsburg is the place for streetwear and vintage, but there are now local and international brands and designers you can find throughout the Brooklyn neighborhood.
Flea Markets
If you’re dying to shop but not eager to break the bank, check out one of the city’s many flea markets. One of Manhattan’s oldest and best is GreenFlea, offering antiques, collectibles, jewelry, and handicrafts on the Upper West Side every Sunday. If you’re in Brooklyn, don’t miss Brooklyn Flea, a massive market that runs in Industry City and DUMBO. LIC Flea & Food is a similar offering in Long Island City that operates on weekends throughout the warmer months.
Vintage Shopping
From the East Village to Bushwick, New York City is one of the best places in the world to go vintage shopping. Check out NYC & Company’s shopping map for vintage stores across the boroughs.
Holiday Markets
New York City is one of the best places to go holiday shopping, not only for its vibrant and festive decorations but also for its markets. Check out Holiday Handmade in Noho and Brooklyn Heights, Astoria Holiday Market in Queens, the Columbus Circle Holiday Market, the Grand Central Holiday Fair, and Bryant Park’s Winter Village.
LGBTQ+ Guide
There is a larger concentration of gay-oriented shops in Hell’s Kitchen and Chelsea, although you’ll find plenty of stylish shopping that is appealing to all throughout the city. Well-known stores include Nasty Pig, Delphinium Home, and Parke & Ronen.
Bookstores
Bibliophiles should look beyond the usual Barnes & Noble outposts—New York is home to a number of great independent bookstores. Rizzoli recently moved to a new location near Madison Square and is great fun to browse. Bluestockings is the spot for lefty types with its wide selection of titles on feminism, queer studies, capitalism, and liberation. The Strand dates back to 1927 and claims to offer 18 miles of books at the corner of 12th Street and Broadway.
Department Stores
A Big Apple icon, Bloomingdale’s is the first stop many tourists make on their New York shopping excursion. The wide variety of merchandise available at this upscale department store attracts shoppers from all over the world. Tourists can have purchases delivered to the hotel they’re staying in ($250 minimum purchase)—or take pride in walking out with one or more of the store’s famous “brown bags.”
In Midtown you’ll find both Nordstrom Men’s and Women’s (coming fall 2019) on 57th and Broadway, near Columbus Circle. At Hudson Yards you’ll find a brand-new Neiman Marcus.
Century 21
On Cortlandt Street in Manhattan’s Financial District, Century 21 was once appropriately nicknamed “New York’s best-kept secret.” No longer is that the case for this New York store. It’s doubtful you’ll leave empty-handed, considering this is the bargain hunter’s mecca for deeply discounted designer merchandise. Be prepared to elbow your way through weekend crowds of savvy New Yorkers and international tourists to find your size. But who cares? It’s worth it.
Tiffany & Co.
The flagship store is currently under renovation (but still open) and will unveil refurbishments in 2021. Vistors love Blue Box Cafe, a lifestyle experience that lets you actually have breakfast at Tiffany’s.
New Openings
Recent openings include The Shops and Restaurants, Hudson Yards, 10 Corso Como, Seaport District, and the Empire Outlets, Staten Island, which is the first outlet shopping destination in the five boroughs. Stay up to date with all of the latest retail openings and New York shopping updates on NYC & Company’s website.
More from SmarterTravel.com:
- New York City Travel Guide
- 10 Best Things to Do in New York City
- Top 11 Places to Visit in New York City
- 9 Great Day Trips from New York City
- 10 Hidden Gems in New York City
- 10 Best Hotels in New York City
- 11 Cheap Hotels in New York City
- 9 Famous Hotels in New York City
- 11 Deliciously Cheap Eats in New York City
- 11 Best Foods to Try in New York City
- 10 Famous New York Restaurants Every Foodie Should Visit
- What to Wear in New York City
- What to Pack for New York City
—Original reporting by Theodore W. Scull, with contributions from real traveler reviews about New York shopping.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated since the date of its publication with the input of NYC & Company.
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FAQs
What part of New York is best for shopping? ›
- Upper East Side.
- SoHo.
- Nolita.
- East Village.
- Canal Street.
- West Village.
- Williamsburg.
- Park Slope.
fifth avenue
The most famous street for shopping in New York is Fifth Avenue between 49th Street and 60th Street. It's home to luxury brands' eye-catching stores.
# | Mall name | Retail space Square feet (ft²) |
---|---|---|
1 | Destiny USA | 2,400,000 square feet (220,000 m2) |
2 | Roosevelt Field | 2,366,692 square feet (219,872.9 m2) |
3 | Palisades Center | 2,200,000 square feet (200,000 m2) |
4 | Green Acres Mall | 2,081,000 square feet (193,300 m2) |
- The best gift for literature lovers, at New York Public Library Shop. ...
- Decorative objects and the most original kitchenware at Fishs Eddy. ...
- Any book at the Strand Bookstore. ...
- Vintage treasures at Artists & Fleas flea markets and shops in SoHo and Brooklyn. ...
- A work of art from the MoMA Design Store.
- Barneys New York. Barney's On Madison Ave. ( credit: Peter Kramer/Getty Images) ...
- Bergdorf Goodman (Photo by Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images for HP) Bergdorf Goodman. ...
- Chelsea Market. Chelsea Market concourse. ( ...
- What Goes Around Comes Around. What Goes Around Comes Around in NYC. (
Worldwide, New York City ranks in the top ten most expensive, coming in at number 9.
Where is the main shopping in NYC? ›Fifth Avenue (For Unforgettable Shopping in NYC) If budget isn't a concern (way to go, you!) look no further than Fifth Avenue — a legendary area to go shopping in New York City. In fact, this is not only the most popular shopping area in New York City, but it's also one of the most popular shopping areas in the world.
Is Chinatown in NYC worth visiting? ›Is Chinatown in NYC worth visiting? Chinatown in NYC is worth a visit! It has some of the best and most affordable bars and restaurants in the city. The neighborhood is expansive, diverse, and bustling with people of different backgrounds and from all walks of life.
What is Fifth Avenue famous for? ›The Big Apple's most famous street is Fifth Avenue, also known as Millionaire's Row. It crosses the whole of Manhattan from north to south. It is New York's most expensive and best shopping street with the world's most expensive retail spaces. We can compare this avenue to the Champs-Élysées in Paris or Ginza in Tokio.
Where are the high end shops in New York? ›Fifth Avenue has been the epicenter of shopping elegance in New York for some time. Located between 39th and 60th Streets, Fifth Avenue is a must for any fashion-focused tourist. Start spending at Saks Fifth Avenue and work your way up to the super-chic Bergdorf Goodman.
What is the largest shopping mall in New York? ›
Pei, Roosevelt Field is the biggest mall in New York City, the second-largest in the state, and the eighth-largest in America. This enormous retail complex is nearly 2.4 million square feet and has almost 250 stores.
What is the biggest outlet mall in NY? ›1. Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets, the best outlet near New York. First, the Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets is one of the best outlets in NYC as well as the most popular. With over 220 stores and spanning more than 800,000ft², it's one of the largest outlet malls in the world.
What is something you can only get in NYC? ›- Public transit memorabilia from the New York Transit Museum.
- Artistic souvenirs from the Museum of Modern Art.
- Dorothy Parker gin at New York Distilling Company.
- Vintage dishware at Fishs Eddy.
- Gamer swag at the Nintendo World Store.
- Chocolate treats at Nunu Chocolates.
- Bagels. You can get the world's best bagels for cheap here.
- Education. ...
- Pizza. ...
- Museums. ...
- Dim Sum. ...
- Boat rides. ...
- Dumplings. ...
- Sushi.
- Carbone. splashnews. Carbone. View profile. ...
- Balthazar. balthazarny. Balthazar. View profile. ...
- Barclays Center. barclayscenter. Barclays Center. View profile. ...
- Locanda Verde. locandaverde. Locanda Verde. View profile. ...
- Rockefeller Center. rockefellercenter. Rockefeller Center. View profile. ...
- Altro Paradiso. lizzyvogan. SoHo. View profile.
The most celebrities live in Tribeca, Chelsea, East Village, Greenwich Village, Soho, and Upper West Side. Realty reports indicate that many illustrious stars call various neighborhoods of Manhattan home.
Where do the celebrities go in New York City 2022? ›- #1. Il Buco EDITORS CHOICE. #1. Il Buco. ...
- #2. Odeon. #2. Odeon. ...
- #3. Il Mulino — Downtown. #3. Il Mulino — Downtown. ...
- #4. Balthazar. #4. Balthazar. ...
- #5. Masa. #5. Masa. ...
- #6. Caffe Reggio. #6. Caffe Reggio. ...
- #7. Standard Grill. #7. Standard Grill. ...
- #8. Aces. #8. Aces.
A quick reminder that luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, etc., are cheaper than in most places, but they are more expensive if you compare it to European prices, especially since you get your VAT back when shopping in Europe at the end of your trip.
How much spending money will I need for a week in New York? ›Tight Budget | Average budget | |
---|---|---|
Flight | from $900 to $ 1200 | from $1300 to $1600 |
Housing | from $630 to $700 | from $910 to $1400 |
Transportation | aprox. $94 | from $170 to $185 |
Meals | from $275 to $460 | from $460 to $650 |
SoHo's shopping grid runs from Broadway west to Sixth Avenue, and Houston Street south to Canal Street. Broadway is the most commercial strip, with big names like Zara, Brandy Melville, Nike, and Converse.
What flagship stores are in New York? ›
- 01 Macy's Herald Square. ...
- 02 Saks Fifth Avenue. ...
- 03 Apple Store 5th Ave. ...
- 04 Bloomingdale's. ...
- 05 Century 21 (Spring 2023) ...
- 06 Prada New York 5th Avenue. ...
- 07 Salvatore Ferragamo Flagship Store NYC.
The distance between Times Square and Chinatown is 3 miles. How do I travel from Times Square to Chinatown without a car? The best way to get from Times Square to Chinatown without a car is to bus which takes 2 min and costs $1 - $45.
Is Little Italy worth visiting NYC? ›Is Little Italy worth visiting? Yes, it is one of the most iconic neighborhoods of NYC and offers a taste of New York Italian specialties hard to find anywhere else.
Where is the real Little Italy in NYC? ›Unlike Little Italy in Lower Manhattan, which has shrunk to little more than a kitschy tourist strip, New Yorkers know Arthur Avenue as the Big Apple's “real Little Italy” – a neighbourhood where more than two dozen Italian shops and restaurants have been in business for 50 to 100 years.
What is Madison avenue famous for? ›The term "Madison Avenue" is often used metonymically to stand for the American advertising industry. Madison Avenue became identified with advertising after that sector's explosive growth in this area in the 1920s.
What is Park Avenue known for? ›Stretching from 42nd to 51st Streets between Madison and Lexington Avenues, it came to include the Chrysler Building and other prestigious office buildings; luxury apartment houses along Park Avenue; and an array of high-end hotels that included the Marguery, Park Lane, and Waldorf Astoria.
Is 5TH Ave near Central Park? ›Fifth Avenue originates at Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village and runs northwards through the heart of Midtown, along the eastern side of Central Park, where it forms the boundary of the Upper East Side and through Harlem, where it terminates at the Harlem River at 142nd Street.
What is the main shopping street in SoHo? ›SoHo's shopping grid runs from Broadway west to Sixth Avenue, and Houston Street south to Canal Street. Broadway is the most commercial strip, with big names like Zara, Brandy Melville, Nike, and Converse.
Does New York have target? ›Target Manhattan Herald Square Store, New York, NY.
Where is SoHo in relation to Times Square? ›The distance between SoHo and Times Square is 2 miles.
What flagship stores are in New York? ›
- 01 Macy's Herald Square. ...
- 02 Saks Fifth Avenue. ...
- 03 Apple Store 5th Ave. ...
- 04 Bloomingdale's. ...
- 05 Century 21 (Spring 2023) ...
- 06 Prada New York 5th Avenue. ...
- 07 Salvatore Ferragamo Flagship Store NYC.
Soho is known for its lively and, at times, risqué vibes. It's also been at the centre of London's LGBT+ community for decades with buzzing gay and lesbian bars around Old Compton Street, plus a hotbed of fashion and music – most notably in Carnaby, which led the way in the Swinging Sixties.
Why is SoHo NYC famous? ›SoHo is short for “south of Houston Street.” Today, the neighborhood is famous for its upscale boutiques, artists, and cast-iron architecture. But in the mid-1900s, SoHo was known for its factories and industries, earning it the nickname “Hell's Hundred Acres.”
What does SoHo stand for? ›SoHo (an acronym for South of Houston Street) still features galleries, though these days the work within them tends toward the more high-end commercial—matching the luxury boutiques and independent-designer outposts that characterize the area.
Why is Walmart not allowed in NYC? ›Walmart is not welcome in NYC for many reasons. NYC (which comprises 5 Boros) is a high cost area - it's expensive to live here but salaries are also higher. Walmart is in the business of keeping their employees poor, encouraging them to apply for food stamps and Medicaid.
Which Target is biggest in NYC? ›The store is located at 600 Broadway.
SoHo just got its very own Target store, and it is a huge one, too. Sprawling across 27,000 square feet, the new Target location started welcoming customers on August 14 at 600 Broadway, in the heart of one of NYC's most-loved shopping neighborhoods.
The retailer first announced in 2019 that it was expanding its New York City presence with a small-format Times Square location. At the time, the company described Manhattan as a “priority growth market for the company.” The retailer currently operates around 20 stores in New York City.
How far of a walk is Times Square to SoHo? ›The distance between Times Square and SoHo is 2 miles.
What subway do u take to SoHo? ›These Subway lines stop near SoHo: 6X, B, D, F, R.
What does TriBeCa stand for? ›The acronym TriBeCa stands for "Triangle Below Canal," a coveted swatch of real estate bordered by Canal Street (to the north) West Street (to the east), Broadway (to the west) and Vesey Street (to the south).
What is the equivalent of Harrods in New York? ›
The Harrods of NYC - Bloomingdale's.
What is Bloomingdale's famous for? ›Known for its originality and fashion curation, Bloomingdale's offers a distinctive product mix—notably including contemporary emerging brands, premium luxury designers, and coveted private labels, spanning fashion, beauty, home and more.
What is the meaning of flagship store? ›A flagship store is the lead store in a retail chain acting as a showcase for the brand or retailer. Its job is to draw customers into the brand over and above making sales. The focus is on experience and creating a destination store that people want to visit.