Best Shopping Areas in New York
Shops at Columbus Circle, a stylish mall that houses J. Crew, Williams-Sonoma, Coach, Armani Exchange, Whole Foods, and more. 10 Columbus Circle, shopsatcolumbuscircle.com, On the opposite side of Central Park, iconic Fifth Avenue is known to house some of the best shopping in the world. Crowded with shoppers and tourists alike, you can cruise by classic NYC stores like Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and more luxury shopping venues.
A block further east, Madison Avenue offers less foot traffic and other excellent shopping options like the iconic Barney’s and its shoe department.
SoHo is home to a wide variety of boutiques, department stores, and vintage shops. Walk down Broadway and its offshoots to find vintage stores, cute boutiques like Brandy Melville, and unique stores like Purl Soho or The Evolution Store.
Sprawling across the island, 14th Street is lined with shops selling everything from ethnic food to vintage clothing at Rags a Go Go. Stop in Union Square for the Market and larger stores like DSW and Forever 21 and continue east for more local venues.
East 9th and East 7th Streets also host some classic NYC boutiques with affordable prices such as Rena Reborn and Sustainable NYC. The Big Gay Ice Cream Shop is another must-visit dessert stop in the neighborhood.
On the Lower East Side, Orchard Street used to be home to garment workers and clothing peddlers, and still honors the clothing tradition by closing the street on Sundays to make extra room for pedestrian shoppers seeking out a classic suit or custom-made dress.
The long and curvy Bleecker Street in the West Village is full of petite boutiques,independent record stores and accessories vendors, and popular stores like Marc Jacobs and Seven for All Mankind. The original Magnolia Cupcake rests at the end of the long walk.
Do not miss the plethora of boutiques in the Meatpacking District such as Tory Burch, Alexander McQueen, and Diane von Furstenberg.
West 125th Street in Harlem houses plenty of street vendors celebrating Black culture in America and plenty of independent clothing stores surviving gentrification.
Bedford Street in Williamsburg is key to visit for vintage shopping and unique little boutiques. Brooklyn Charm sells cute jewelry making supplies and Beacon’s Closet on North 11th St is a popular (and huge) thrift store.
People of 2Morrow is a vintage store at 65 Franklin Street, Brooklyn you wont have to wade through mountains of old rags. This store is beautifully decorated with clothing from all eras and gorgeous homewares there is also a childrens section. Items are carefully chosen to compliment the store.
ACustom Apparel 330 W. Broadway at Grand is a bespoke tailor with a twist! If you are looking for a new suit then a trip to ACustom Apparel is an experience! Once in in your private fitting room strip down to your underwear and wait for the 3D scanner to retrieve 200,000 data points on your body in 60 seconds! All your have to do after that is peruse the samples made in beautiful fabric! Located 330 W. Broadway.
Miansai at 33 Crosby Street, nr. Broome Street, SOHO is a handmade accessories store which started in Miami in 2008 by Michael Saiger. The brand showcases in 40 States and 36 countries, bringing with it elegance in all their stock. A custom station offers leather monogramming while you can wander to the front to the tea bar for a refreshment.
Alphaville – if you are after anything Kitsch then these people should have it! Formerly a bricks and mortar store now a pop up at Brooklyn Markets. Specializing in memorabilia from the 40s to the 70s. If you are after iron on Popeye, Laugh In colouring books or a Howdy Doody handkerchief then go down to Brooklyn Flea Markets and check them out.
Twisted Lily at 360 Atlantic Ave., nr. Hoyt Street, Brooklyn will surround your senses with their beautiful botanicals and magnificient array of glass bottles. Eric Weiser and Stamatis Birsimijoglou has bought Paris to Brooklyn in their beautifully decorated store.
Tinkersphere 304 E. 5th St., near First Ave is geek heaven for kids of all ages. What about a Bioloid beginner robot kit complete with frames, nuts, bolts and programming to construct 27 different robots. Also creative no tech toys and puzzles to keep all ages busy. Owner Sharon Gershi a 23 year old NYU graduate with degrees in Computer and Electrical Engineering she is only to happy to advise on gifts for all ages. A must visit.
The Astoria Bookshop 31-29 31st St – A great community bookshop becoming the boroughs only indie bookstores. You will find best selers, classics and a section for Queens and NYC. The staff recommend their choices handwritten on oak tags. Lots of events and in store writing workshops.
Home Of The Brave 67 West St. nr. Milton St. Fancy a limited edition Sequin and leather Louis Vuitton bag, how about a Gaia Repossi ring? Wander into Max and Bethany Vogel store and marvel at their products. What about a Cowhide rug sourced from a Brazilian Farmer.
Dover Street Market – 160 Lexington Ave., at 30th St. This stores houses some of the leading brands which are spread through this seven storey building. Louis Vuitton bags, Gaia Repossi rings and Prada. Go straight to the sixth floor in the all glass elevator to view some of their runway creations. Fourth floor houses some emerging designers.
Satya Twena Fine Millinery – 212 W. 35th St., at Seventh Ave.
Fancy have a hat party where you can have a hat made while sipping on cocktails, nibbling on finger food while listening to a live jazz quartet! After scrapping together enough money Satya reopened the famous Makins Hats which had been going 40 years.
Whatever you hat requirements are Satya can craft you one.