Simply put, New York is one of the greatest shopping destinations on the planet. Each and every year millions and millions of people from all over the world take advantage of its nearly unparalleled assortment of retail riches. Whether you’re in town to do some sightseeing and want to carve out a bit of time to experience what the hype’s all about firsthand, or you’ve descended on the city specifically to treat yourself to a well-deserved shopping spree, New York has a shopping scene tailor-made for your tastes.
Below you’ll find a quick rundown of some of New York’s most popular types of shopping, with information on where to head in the city if you’re interested in that style of shopping experience.
Fifth Avenue
This one’s easy, and gets an entry all to itself. Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue is one of New York City’s most famous addresses, and it’s an essential destination for most visitors, shopaholics or otherwise. That’s because its mixture of high-end storefronts, unique retail experiences, and flagship brands are located in proximity to several quintessential New York attractions, which makes it perfect for the whole family. There’s nowhere else in the world where you’d find high-end specialty retail like Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and NBA Store mere blocks from iconic tourist attractions like Central Park, Rockefeller Center, and the Museum of Modern Art.
Big Names
Fifth Avenue isn’t the only place in Manhattan where you’ll find big-name brands operating in the midst of prominent New York City landmarks. Herald Square, a small public plaza situated at the intersection of Broadway, Sixth Avenue, and 34th Street, is perhaps best known as the site of Macy’s flagship location. This one-million-square-foot store is where the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade concludes, but you’ll encounter other huge retail spaces dedicated to global chains like H&M, Levi’s, Target, and Sephora here, too.
Secondhand Treasures
Certain shoppers take tremendous pride in identifying fascinating pieces of gently used clothing, rescuing them from a store rack, and bringing said pieces back to life with their own distinctive flair added to the mix. If this sounds like you, definitely take advantage of New York’s incredible thrift shop scene. The city is full of secondhand stores where you’ll be able to hunt down lost treasures. For best results, head to Manhattan’s East Village. This artsy neighborhood is full of places like No Relation Vintage that are overflowing with hidden gems.
Vintage Style
For many discerning shoppers, thrift shops and secondhand stores go hand in hand with developing an unbeatable vintage style. Vintage fashion can, of course, take plenty of different forms, but generally speaking there are certain neighborhoods that come to mind when one invokes this particular style genre. The East Village again, with beloved stores like Cobblestones (best known for its 1930s and 1940s-inspired women’s clothing and accessories), is a can’t-miss destination for vintage, as is Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood. Its vintage-clothing scene is headlined by Brooklyn-based chain, Beacon’s Closet, a popular thrift shop with a notable emphasis on vintage gear.
High-End Designers
As one of the world’s major capitals of fashion, it naturally follows that New York City is home to a significant number of high-end designer stores. Certainly Fifth Avenue (see above) has its share of such brands, but that’s far from the only spot to go if luxury goods are your jam. SoHo would have to be at the top of this list, as the area “south of Houston Street” is famous for its luxury stores helmed by some of the fashion world’s biggest names. In recent decades, West Side neighborhoods Chelsea and the Meatpacking District have laid claims to the title of “Most High-End Designers in A Several Block Radius.” Whether you intend to window-shop or splash the cash, it’s there that you’ll find heavy hitters like Hermès, Restoration Hardware, Dior, Fendi, Cartier, Chanel, and more.
Find it all a bit rich for your tastes? Never fear, Chinatown is the spot for affordable knockoff items approximating the luxury products sold by these high-end designers. You can also snag all sorts of cheap souvenirs there, too.
Chic Boutiques
Few things scream “I’m in New York City!” like stepping into a chic boutique and shopping for that unique outfit. The West Village’s Bleecker Street is a mecca for shoppers desiring this experience, with the hip, bustling street being graced today by popular boutiques like the bohemian designer Anine Bing, the floral-centric stylings of LoveShackFancy, and many, many more. NoLita is quickly becoming another chic boutique hotspot, though the inimitable John Fluevog Shoes has held it down in the neighborhood for over 30 years now. L’Appartement Sézane operates one of its only locations in the world here in NoLita, too.
Indie Pride
If shopping independent means something to you, you’ll want to make your way to “the other Fifth Avenue” . . . Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood, that is. This lovely area of Brooklyn is more than just expensive brownstones and proximity to Prospect Park, it’s a hotbed of independent businesses, quirky shops, and idiosyncratic stores. The most emblematic of these would probably have to be Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store, where you’ll be able to pick up a truly one-of-a-kind gift for . . . well, anyone you can think of—or, don’t be bashful, you’re visiting New York City, treat yourself!
Fun for Foodies
Sometimes when thinking and talking about New York City shopping there’s a tendency to focus exclusively on classic purchases like, say, clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, etc. And while as the information above should more than demonstrate, you can devote an entire New York trip to shopping for these goods and products alone, it’d be a mistake to overlook the fun one can have scouring the city shopping for . . . food! The local food markets of Chinatown carry the freshest seafood, produce, spices, and more, while Union Square’s Greenmarket is considered by many to be New York’s finest farmers’ market. Meanwhile, NoLita’s not all chic boutiques—some of the city’s hottest cafés are located there, making it a breeze to combine quality shopping and fine dining into one memorable excursion.