Guide to Shopping in NYC

There’s something for everyone with the New York shopping experience. There is everything from bootleg Velvet Underground tracks at Other Music, to vintage Pucci at Resurrection. You could even find a poster from Woody Allen’s Manhattan at Movie Star News.

The city has widely various shopping experiences. You can find everything from the large department store to the minimalist boutique, and the nationally familiar brand to the local favorite. The foremost American and international designers stake their flagship stores here; meanwhile, small neighborhood shops guarantee a collection of the down-to-earth. National chains often make their New York stores something special, with unique sales environments and merchandise.

New York Shopping Articles

One of Manhattan’s biggest shopping lures is the bargain, fueled by Loehmann’s, H&M;, and other discount divas. Antiquing is fine art in Manhattan. Goods include everything from rarefied museum-quality to wacky and affordable. Premier shopping areas are on Madison Avenue north of 57th Street, and East 60th Street between 2nd and 3rd avenues, where more than 20 shops, dealing in everything from 18th-century French furniture to art deco lighting fixtures, cluster on one block. Below is just a look at the kind of shops you are bound to fins in New York.

Shopping in New York City

Shopping in New York City is fun and glamorous. The city is a shopper’s paradise, with every type of store you can imagine – upscale department stores, chain stores, small boutiques, and many specialty shops.

Many people flock to New York as much for the shopping as for anything else. Whether you’re into clothes, jewelry, books, or even food, there are tons of options for great shopping in New York City.

Clothing and Accessories

NYC is the fashion center of the United States and is at the forefront of setting trends in the fashion industry. Midtown Manhattan is a mecca for fashionistas. Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue are the well-known shopping corridors.

These two avenues in Midtown are packed with popular department stores and designer shops. Many visitors who come for the shopping in New York City focus on this area. Find the high-end designers like Versace and Prada as well as your everyday Gap and H&M.;

Shopping in New York City

Rockefeller Center, located just off of Fifth Avenue, has over 100 stores and offers great options for shopping in New York City.

Some stores are right off the street, and others are located at the underground concourse. The concourse is especially useful if the weather turns ugly during your shopping trip.

The variety of shops at Rockefeller Center should go a long way toward serving your needs: clothing, shoes, stationary, specialty chocolates, jewelry, and more.

Shopping in New York City Department Stores

New York City has classic department stores that sell a wide variety of items ranging from clothes to blenders. For a high-end experience check out Barney’s or Bergdorf Goodman and for more reasonable prices stick to Macy’s.

NYC Department Stores and Locations:

  • Bloomingdale’s (Lexington Ave. and 59th St.)
  • Lord & Taylor (Fifth Ave. and 39th St.)
  • Saks Fifth Avenue (Fifth Ave. and 49th St.)
  • Bergdorf Goodman (Fifth Ave. and 57th St.)
  • Barney’s New York (Madison Ave. and 61 St.)
  • Macy’s at Herald Square (Broadway and 34th St.)

Toys

Are you shopping in New York City with kids or for kids?

The magic of FAO Schwartz has been enchanting children for many generations. As the oldest toy store in the country, it is the destination for buying toys.

FAO Schwartz is toy heaven. It has everything a child’s heart could desire – loads of stuffed animals (some of which are large and rather lifelike), Barbie dolls and their accessories, action figures, scooters, and even a candy store. Adults may find themselves getting swept away by the wonderment of it all too!

Unique experiences include visiting the Middleton Doll Newborn Nursery, where the nurse can help your child find the perfect baby doll, or designing a muppet at the Muppet Whatnot Workshop.

Location: Fifth Ave. and 58th St.

Antiques

Hyde Park Antiques

836 Broadway
New York City,
Phone: (212) 477-0033

Founded in 1965, Hyde Park Antiques Ltd specializes in the finest 18th and early 19th century English furniture, with an emphasis on the Georgian and Regency periods. The gallery offers both the experienced collector and the interested novice the opportunity to view the most extensive inventory in North America. To complement the furniture, Hyde Park also offers a wide selection of Chinese export porcelain and English ceramics, as well as a varied collection of paintings including sporting and marine art, landscapes and still-lifes.

Auction

Christie’s

20 Rockefeller Plaza
New York City, NY
Tel: (212) 636-2000

The British born-and-bred Christie’s has presided over the high-profile auctions of the late Princess Diana’s gowns and the phenomenal Ganz Collection of 20th-century art. Special departments are devoted to such non-fine-art valuables as wine, cars, and cameras. The Christie’s building features a grand limestone and bronze exterior with a post-industrial steel and glass canopy, complementing the existing murals, mosaics, and courtyard sculpture of Rockefeller Center in the heart of New York City.

Bookstore

Strand Book Store is a dream come true for book lovers. It not only has an impressive selection of new, used, and even rare books, but the prices are great too. Even the new books are at discount prices. And the dollar racks outside are hard to resist.

Enjoy wandering the multiple floors of the store, each of which has shelves that are jam-packed with books. This place has so much more personality than your average chain bookstore.

It’s hard to leave here without a book!

Location: Broadway and 12th St., just south of Union Square

Barnes & Noble

396 6th Ave.
New York City, NY
Tel: (212) 674-8780

Barnes & Noble has the biggest bookstore presence in the city. Other locations include: 33 E. 17th St., at Union Sq., Flatiron District, 212/253-0810; 4 Astor Pl., East Village, 212/420-1322; 600 5th Ave., at W. 48th St., Midtown West, 212/765-0592; 1972 Broadway, at W. 66th St., Upper West Side, 212/595-6859; 2289 Broadway, at W. 82nd St., Upper West Side, 212/362-8835; 240 E. 86th St., between 2nd and 3rd Aves., Upper East Side, 212/794-1962.
Department Stores

Barneys New York

660 Madison Ave.
New York City, NY
Tel: (212) 826-8900

Barneys continues to provide irresistible objects of desire at its uptown flagship store. The extensive menswear selection has introduced a handful of edgier designers, though made-to-measure is always available. The women’s department showcases cachet designers of all stripes, from the subdued lines of Armani and Jil Sander to the irrepressible Alaoa and Gaultier. The shoe selection trots out Prada boots and strappy Blahniks; the makeup department will keep you in Kiehl’s.

Bloomingdale’s

1000 3rd Ave.
New York City, NY
Tel: (212) 355-5900

Only a handful of department stores occupy an entire city block; Macy’s is one, and Bloomingdales is another. The main floor is an astonishing maze of cosmetic counters, mirrors, and black walls. Get past this, and you’ll find some good buys on dependable designers, bedding, and housewares.

Macy’s

151 W. 34th St.
Herald Sq.
New York City, NY
Tel: (212) 695-4400

Macy’s headquarters store claims to be the largest retail store in America; expect to get lost at least once. Fashion-wise, there’s a concentration on the mainstream. For cooking gear and housewares, the Cellar nearly outdoes Zabar’s.
Toy Store

F.A.O. Schwarz

767 5th Ave.
New York City, NY
Tel: (212) 644-9400

Beyond the large mechanical clock at this wonderland are two floors of stuffed animals, dolls (including an overwhelming number of Barbies), things with which to build, computer games, and much, much, much, more.

Food

There’s more to shopping in New York City than just clothes and handbags. The city also boasts fine markets with fresh foods and unique specialty items.

Pick up a snack or a meal-to-go, or just go to check out the interesting selection. It might be a welcomed break from constantly eating in restaurants.

For a diverse selection of markets, from open air markets selling local goods to specialty stores with imported cheeses, read more about New York City Markets.