travelerquestion

Looking for advice on finding the best and biggest regional indoor regional shopping mall in suburban New York City. (can be in either New York, New Jersey, or CT)

During the Thanksgiving weekend a group of us are planning a trip up to New York. While we may spend a night in midtown, we also want to check out the suburban areas of New York, New Jersey and CT.

Because the Holiday Season is coming up, we want to do some serious shopping. What is the absolutely best somewhat upscale huge regional in-door shopping center within 40 miles of New York City?

niskyboss

Woodbury Commons, in upstate NY.

almesq

I don't know what you mean by "regional shopping mall" but there are many malls in the area. Obviously, they will be packed thanksgiving weekend, but if you want to brave the crowds, here goes:
Mall at Short Hills in Short Hills NJ--very upscale with stores such as Nieman Marcus, etc.

Garden State Plaza in Paramus NJ (15 minutes or so from NYC) also good but it's not open on Sundays (blue laws) and is JAMMED on saturdays. (Has Nordstrom and other good stores).

Palisades Center (HUGE, think Mall of the Americas) in West Nyack, NY (about 30 minutes outside of NYC in Rockland County). Has Lord & Taylor, Filenes, plus typical mall stores, and mega stores like circuit city, comp usa, staples, etc. While it's big and lots of people, never seems so crowded since it's so big.

almesq

In response to other post, Woodbury commons, about 1 hour from NYC, started out as a factory outlet center, but has evolved from that and while they call the stores "outlets" most of them really are not. Many stores make brands just for these stores, or sell last year's stuff. Also, it is NOT indoors, and must walk outside from store to store. Used to be good, now overrated I think. Gets very crowded also.

wantsomesun

If you are looking for great shopping and even better prices, you can get a bus out of the Port Authority to Franklin Mills just north of Philadelphia.

We shop there on a regular basis and I have gotten so many amazing bargins there. You can also purchase a discount book, (cheap) and it will give you even better discounts.

There is a Wilson outlet (think $350 dollar leather jacket for $60). It's a mile of stores so bring comfortable walking shoes.

Have a great time.

LoriNY

The upside to shoppiong at the Garden State Plaza is that there is not tax on clothing in NJ. The downside is it is huge - it is known as 'the mall that ate NJ', and as stated previously - it is absolutely jammed on Saturdays.

lisettemac

Another option might be the Westchester in White Plains. It is an upscale mall, with Neiman's, Nordstrom's, several specialty stores, etc. There is a Bloomingdale's (freestanding) down the road and a huge Fortunoff's one block away. The Westchester, though, is an indoor mall.

adoptionisfab

Roosevelt Field - I think some of the other malls maybe more convenient from NYC. Also Sales tax is 8.75(?) on Long Island. NJ has not tax on clothes. I would probably go to Jersey.

Mall Highlights
Roosevelt Field offers Bloomingdale's, JCPenney, Macy's, Nordstrom and more than 245 specialty stores, including Aeropostale, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, The Disney Store, Gap, The Limited, Victoria's Secret and many more. Roosevelt Field is located at the intersection of Old Country Road and Meadowbrook Parkway in Garden City, NY.

TedTurner

When did outlet malls and discount centers begin to qualify as "upscale"?

suzanne

Jersey Gardens Mall is my favorite. It actually is an outlet mall, though not an "upscale" (i.e., expensive) one. It's huge, and even I - someone who typically hates shopping - can easily spend all day there. It's 17 miles from the city. And there are buses that go there from Port Authority.

Roosevelt Field is great too, I used to go there back in the days when I owned a car. Besides the mall, there is a ton of other shopping in that immediate area.

adoptionisfab

TedTurner,
Woodbury Common has Chanel, Tod's, Gucci, Burberry etc. It is an outlet but an expensive one!

nigelsmom

I'd have to 2nd the Jersey Gardens suggestion. Has Neiman Marcus Last Call, OFF Saks, BCBG, Nautica, Bed Bath & Beyond, Burlington, Marshalls, GAP and so on. You can rent a vehicle & head thru Lincoln Tunnel to I-95 South Exit 13A or jump on a bus at the Port Authority @ 42nd & Eighth Ave.

puddy

NJ is definitely the way to go for indoor, tax-free clothes shopping. Almesq gave the best advice... Mall at Short Hills is the best in the area and is only about 30 minutes or so from the Holland Tunnel. Garden State Plaza would probably be your second best choice. Another option for total upscale shopping would be Riverside Square Mall in Hackensack, NJ (it's just down the road from Garden State Plaza on Rt 4). Very upscale but a bit smaller than Short Hills. You can check out their websites for store info:

http://www.shopriverside.com/
http://www.shopshorthills.com/
http://www.westfield.com/us/centres/...aza/index.html

Lake

I second wantsomesun's advice about going to Franklin Mills Mall in Philadelphia.

http://www.franklin-mills-mall.com/index2.html

Rhea

As stated, N.J. would be your best bet fiscally.
Not mentioned so far is the Tangier Outlet way out on Long Island in Riverhead.
A bus service for $35 rd-trip just began & tickets can be bought at the Grand Central Office headquartered on Park Ave facing the overpass.

mclaurie

The Tanger mall that Rhea mentions is not indoor & is much farther than the other options.

I haven't been to Woodbury Commons but I hear it's great. Otherwise go to NJ for tax free shopping. If you're also looking for potential place(s) to relocate, the choices might be different.

Leona

Riverside Square Mall is very upscale, contains a Tiffany & Co. It is rarely crowded, even during the holidays, but it is relatively small. I always find everything I need there, including no crowds and no tax on clothing!

Woodbury Commons is wonderful too, but crowded and not enclosed, so it's cold in the winter. And I think they only charge 3% sales tax up there.

rjw_lgb_ca

Not to be mean and bring geographic realities into this little discussion, but the suggestion of Franklin Mills near Philadelphia runs against the requirement that the mall be "within 40 miles of New York City", doesn't it?

Do you really want to be stuck in a bus for 1 1/2 to 2 hours each way? Focus on the New Jersey malls, if you absolutely must get your shopping fix in. Personally, I'm doing ALL my Xmas shopping online this year, but that's another "Oprah"....

puddy

I wouldn't consider Franklin Mills upscale in anyway unless it has changed drastically in the 10 years since I have been there. Outlets at Jersey Gardens (indoor) or Woodbury Commons (outdoor) are much better and closer.

MikeT

Is it me, or is the idea of going to NYC and then seeking out a suburban mall for shopping a little like going to NYC and then going to Long Island to see a community theatre production of "Cats"?

Why go all the way to NYC and then shop in a mall with the same mall outlet stores you can find in Alabama, Idaho, or Kansas?