cfntmpn

I am very fortunate to be working the Heisman Trophy awards this weekend in NYC. I'm staying at the Westin - good hotel, excellent service - not cheap though! I'll be here for 7 days and there is no way I'd be able to afford it on my dime. Anyhoo - I have had some free time since I've been here and just wanted to give my observations of Macy's. WHAT THE HECK???

Since I've been here I have walked from Central Park all the way to Macy's, and I must say that there have been no bigger crowds than at Macy's. I understand it's history, and it's humungus (sp), it's windows, but I actually shopped at Macy's and I must say, it has the same things that the one at home has...other than the fact that there are like 6 estee lauder counters for every one at the local Macy's.

So, this is my observation. If you really want civilized shopping in a beautiful area, go to Lord & Taylor. The windows are really beautiful. The crowds are much thinner than near Macy's, and the park nearby is beautiful..can't think of the name.. it has an ice skating rink. The NY Public Library is literally right next door.

Just my two cents....

skatedancer

what are the Macy's windows this year? I remember them being very cool last year.

mp

It's Bryant Park - named for poet and editor William Cullen Bryant and the skating rink is called "The Pond".
http://www.bryantpark.org/

nytraveler

What Macy's Herald Square has is a bigger selection than the ones at the mall - since it's the largest department store in the world. But it's the same inexpensive/ moderate sort of stuff - but more picked over, with insufficient staff and massive lines to buy anything.

Lord & Taylor is a much smaller store, with much less selection and is more in the moderate range (has little that;s truly inexpensive). And - clothing only - no housewares, furniture, food departments etc.

nstevey

Just a forewarning - the "rink" in BP is nice, but it's more like a shrunken pond. It's tiny.

dmlove

My daughter skated at The Pond a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it. It may not be great if you're a real skater, but to just have some outdoor fun in a beautiful setting, it's great (by the way, skating is free, you just pay for the skate rental).

The Macy's windows (as well as the Saks windows) are LAME compared to the Lord & Taylor windows. The Lord & Taylor are intricate, detailed and beautiful, the Macys windows are more commercial, and both the Macys and Saks windows are very simplistic, lacking the sophistication and artistry of the Lord & Taylor windows.

Greenhouse

Were you there on a Saturday?

I was at Macy's this past Wednesday and although crowded, my SIL said it was NOTHING compared to the crowds last Saturday. She enjoyed it much more midweek than on the weekend.

If you're into window displays, check out Barney's.

shoefly

The very best thing about Macy's is their Spring Flower Show. It is WONDERFUL. It is usually around the first week in April.

And can you believe how *#&^$$% HOT it is in there? Last time I Christmas shopped there I wanted to rip my clothes off.

GoTravel

The only thing I like about Macy's is the building and the wooden escalators.

Otherwise I'm a Bloomies girl.

I'd like to be a Bergdorf Blond but can't afford it!

ellenem

Macy's has "Miracle on 34th St" scenes in the windows along 34th St . . . don't know about the Broadway windows.

Macy's at 34th St definitely has more designers than your local stores. The crowds diminish as you get farther away from the ground floor or Christmas departments.

Still, I too prefer the shopping experience at L&T.

aliska

Please don't get me started about the "Macyfication" of department stores in the USA. Memo to Terry Lundgren, the CEO, - why would anyone want to shop at Macy's since it doesn't matter if you visit in NYC or Omaha, NE - they all carry the same stuff? I am just old enough to remember the heyday of great department stores and lament turning them into middle class WalMarts.