New York City has been a favourite destination for shopping for millions of tourists every year! With designer brands and vintage stores in every corner of the place, it is a paradise for all shopaholics. Whether you are looking to spend big bucks or keeping your budget to a minimum, these listed shopping places in New York City are guaranteed to meet your requirements!
Top 10 Shopping Places in New York City
1. SoHo
Lined with stores of top names of the fashion industry, SoHo is a prime shopping destination in the city with high to mid and low end shops making it appealing for every type of shopper. You will find Prada, H&M, and Bloomingdale’s sharing space with small stores and boutiques all the way from Broadway west to Sixth Avenue. Soho truly embodies art, fashion and design with its visually stimulating bookstores, jewellery shops and thrift stores. The ambiance of the area adds to the whole experience and is unmatched by any other shopping arena in Manhattan with its historical buildings, cobblestone streets and beautiful Renaissance architectural style, all of which is recommended to be enjoyed during weekdays since weekends get extremely packed.
2. Chinatown
Chinatown is known for its dynamism and authenticity. From Canal Street to City Hall, you will find street vendors selling fruits, seafood, herbs and spices. The streets are filled with restaurants, stores and especially some good tearooms. A good place for buying souvenirs for your friends and family, bargaining is a common trend in the area. You are likely to come across acupuncturists and Chinese medicine specialists offering their services, along with stores displaying work of local artists. Some places to check out while in the neighbourhood include Kung Fu Tea, Tony Moly, Downtown Music Gallery, and Yunhong Chopsticks Shop.
3. Fifth Avenue
The city’s most famous shopping street, Fifth Avenue offers almost all high-end designer products ranging from Gucci, Tiffany and Co., Armani, and Louis Vuitton, you name it and you will find it here! Alongside the outlets of these hot shot designers starting from 42nd Street just above Bryant Park and extending to 59th Street at Central Park, you will find classic departmental stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman to indulge in quality shopping adventures. St. Patrick’s cathedral and St. Thomas Church along with other grand churches rest beside these top retailers.
4. Brooklyn Flea Market
You will find stunning pieces of art sold by vendors at the flea market every weekend. Jewellery curated by local artisans and designers, mid century Dutch furniture, vintage clothing and antiques,fresh food, everything is available at reasonable prices. Van der Most Modern, Savannah Hope and John Van Hees are some stores to check out. It is open on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 29 West 25th St.,between 5th and 6th Avenue and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays at Manhattan Bridge Archway – 80 Pearl St. Smorgasburg, an all-food market, is also operated by the flea market. Be ready to see about a 100 vendors selling pretty much everything and anything, from veggie korma to Vietnamese flan coffee jelly treats. It happens on Saturdays in Williamsburg and Sundays at Prospect Park’s Breeze Hill and is a must visit after a long shopping day at the flea market.
5. Nolita
With the same cobblestone streets, Nolita gives similar vibes as those of SoHo but when it comes to crowd density, the former offers shoppers some more breathing space. Located on Mott, Mulberry and Elizabeth, just south of Houston, the stylish boutiques and shops are a hub of fashion from all over the world. Steven Alan, Vince, Coclico, and Scotch and Soda offer in-style apparel for men, women and children. A heaven for accessory lovers, Love, Adorned , Erica Weiner and John Fleuvog are sure to satisfy those vintage, funky jewellery and footwear needs!
6. Madison Avenue
The kernel of shopping in New York, Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side is likely to have all high-end boutiques and luxury designer stores for your perusal. Lined across a mile and a half stretch between 57th and 86th streets, Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Jimmy Choo, Stella McCartney and Cartier are only some of the upscale retailer shops open here to help you have an awesome shopping adventure. From apparel to opulent watches and shoes, Madison Avenue covers it all!
7. Harlem
Harlem is your place to be if you are looking for some low-end shopping stores such as H&M, GAP, or MAC Cosmetics. You will find skincare brands, clothing stores, cafes and spas and everything in between when shopping in Harlem. Book lovers will find a safe haven in Hue-Man Books popular for keeping works of Harlem-based authors and local bestsellers. The world famous coffee chain,Starbucks, along with a line up of other fine selection of bistros and eatery spots like Ponty Bistro and The Honey Well will keep you going during your long shopping spree.
8. Union Square and Flatiron District
The Union Square stretches from 14th Street to 17th Street, and from Union Square East to University Place with Flatiron District in the surrounding neighbourhood between 14th and 23rd streets. With no dearth in the variety of stores available here, some retail brands include Forever 21, Ann Taylor, and The White Company. Some famous beauty and wellness stores like Bath and Body Works and L'Occitane are a must visit if you are aiming to self-pamper along with home decor and furniture outlets for classy fixtures for your house. Your shopping experience is supplemented with a vast choice of best cafes and restaurants including Cheesecake Factory, The Oak Room, and Flatiron Wine and Spirits. The Union Square Greenmarket, being the largest open-air market in the city, offers produce by numerous local farmers and bakers. Be sure to check out Barnes & Noble and Strand Bookstore if you are a bookaholic!
9. The East Village
Known for its Bohemian-hip vibes, the East Village is famous for its one-of-a kind antique boutiques and vintage shops. Fabulous Fanny’s for comfortable everyday wear, VeraMeat for funky jewellery designs, and Spark Pretty for vintage fashion and the 70s glam are some stores to definitely check out to get a true feeling of the shopping experience in the Village. A-1 records,Strand Bookstore, and Dinosaur Hill are few other stores to visit for vintage vinyls, book collections, author events and toys. You can also dig into some unique and delectable cuisines of the eateries available here such as Confectionary and Veniero’s to sate those sweet cravings and Tea Drunk for an a la carte tea tasting experience.
10. Meatpacking District
Bordered by Chelsea in the north and the West Village in the south, the Meatpacking district is the centre of activity with open shops, takeout restaurants,outdoor dining, wellness and art centres lined along the 14th Street and the Sixth Avenue. Alice and Olivia, Ayu New York, Belstaff, and Christian Louboutin men and women are some open shops you will find stretched along the streets. Blank Space and Fort Gansevoort are some art galleries showcasing contemporary work. Banter, Catch, and Insomnia Cookies will provide you with delivery options and panoramic views of the city’s skyline if you decide to dine out.
With a long list of top shopping destinations, New York City is bound to win over your hearts and most likely your wallets with its offering of some world-renowned designer stores and vintage boutiques!