Where to Start with New York City Shopping
New York City has some of the best shopping in the country, and while the opportunities to purchase everything from electronics to high fashion can be appealing, the city’s endless retailers can certainly be a bit daunting if you’re not sure where to find what you’re looking for. Understanding the who, what, and where of New York City shopping can save you a lot of trouble.The primary hub for New York City shopping is certainly in the more posh neighborhoods of Manhattan. From SoHo boutiques to the big name designers on Fifth Avenue, Manhattan offers everything from unique shops to the biggest brands in the business.
SoHo is host to both small name designer boutiques and some of the staples of urban fashion. You’ll find boutiques like Oak and Opening Ceremony offering the trendiest fashions in New York and bigger retailers such as Urban Outfitters and Japan’s Uniqlo. Apart from clothing, SoHo is also home to a number of interior decor and art retailers as well as street vendors selling unique items you won’t find in any store. Simply strolling through the neighborhood, you are certain to find items that will have you opening your wallet.
For less trendy, but more high-end shopping, you might be better off browsing along Fifth Avenue around Central Park. The flagship stores of some of the best retailers in the world are located in this area, from Louis Vuitton to Tiffany & Co. The sheer number of high-end retailers selling fine jewelry, furniture, and clothing offers any visitor a sight to see – even if your budget can’t quite afford it. The shops along Fifth Avenue are especially worth checking out during the holiday season when each tries to outdo its neighbors with gorgeous holiday window displays.
For more traditional shopping outlets, you might be better suited to the shops around Herald Square, where Sixth Avenue and Broadway converge at 34th Street. Not only will you find the “biggest department store in the world” (Macy’s) but also the Manhattan Mall. This mall, anchored by J C Penny is a great place to shop if you’re looking for American mall staples – from Express to Abercrombie and Fitch. Many other chain retailers fill the mall’s large space. Just one block away on Seventh Avenue you’ll find a more ragged edge to New York City shopping in the form of the garment district.
Perhaps the area of town offering the most diverse choices for shopping is the area around Union Square and the Flatiron District. The district offers American shopping staples like Best Buy (electronics) and Barnes & Noble (books) while also having a number of stores selling clothing, shoes, fine foods and discount fashions. Not only does this area offer the biggest variety in a single neighborhood, it also has the benefit of being one of the most centrally located pockets of Manhattan, meaning an easy commute for all.
Having the bragging rights to the most expensive retail real estate in the world, Madison Avenue between 57th and 79th streets also hosts a number of high-end fashions so close together that frequenting the area is certain to bump you into a celebrity or two. Anchored by Barneys New York, the shopping mile is almost exclusively high-end, though don’t be afraid to look for some bargains on their racks. Look out for “sample sales” where retailers try to get rid of excess merchandise – these sales often happen with little notice and aren't advertised in advance but you can find some great deals even on high-end merchandise. Additionally, many international boutiques call Madison Avenue home, meaning you are certain to find some treasures unique to this area of the city.
On the opposite end of the spectrum of New York City shopping is Chinatown. While you’re not going to find any high-end retailers, don’t be surprised to see a number of high-end knock offs mimicking the styles of those you’ll see on Fifth or Madison Avenue. While shopping in Chinatown is certainly entertaining, the quality is often questionable meaning you've got to be on top of your shopping game to make sure you are getting your money’s worth. We don’t recommend buying electronics in the area, but if you must, be sure to at least try the item out before exchanging any money. This is one of the few areas of town where you can expect to bargain and haggle a bit for your goods. Don’t be shy to offer a price that is far less than what is originally asked for.
While Manhattan reigns supreme as the hub of shopping, the outer boroughs have some pockets that should not be ignored. In Brooklyn’s Park Slope, there are a number of boutiques and independently owned shops offering unique goods you won’t find elsewhere in the city. The majority of these retail secrets are located between Fifth and Seventh Avenue in Brooklyn starting at Flatbush Avenue. If you’re only in New York for a short time, strolling the streets of Park Slope will not only give you lots of retail options, but some great culinary ones as well!
While these are some of the best neighborhoods for shopping, any neighborhood is going to have a few gems that are great to check out. Harlem will offer indisputably better jazz shops while Brooklyn will boast unique independently owned boutiques and SoHo will leave you questioning some of the trendiest designs in the city. Likewise, the big box retailers that make some of the neighborhoods more convenient for shopping (i.e. Union Square) are going to be sprinkled elsewhere throughout the city. No neighborhood is simply the best for New York City shopping – but it’s good to have an idea of what you are getting into!