14 Best Shopping in New York City, New York

Yes, you can find dance shoes here for a tango competition, pointe shoes for an aspiring ballerina, or tap shoes for your secret wannabe life as Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers. But this shop for men, women, and children in the shadow of Lincoln Center is also a great resource for super-comfy sneakers and walking shoes that provide TLC to your tootsies whether you are in rehearsal or just walking to or from errands or sightseeing, and at half the cost of the tip-of-the-tongue brand names. You can pick up leotards, tees, and other necessities for dancing or the gym as well.

Who needs to go downtown for cutting-edge fashion? This store stocks sleek designs from the likes of Ulla Johnson, Loeffler Randall, and A.L.C. The selection of bags and jewelry is just as stylish.

This could be called “the perfect fit shop,” since old-fashioned personal attention and experience ensure just that, for bras, bathing suits, lingerie, shapewear, loungewear, and sleepwear. Now operated by the fourth generation of the founder (the original store opened in 1888), it stocks basic brands along with those featured in fashion magazines, including Wacoal, Chantelle, Natori, Spanx, and Hanro. There’s also a selection of mastectomy undergarments. Staff members are trained for proper fitting.

When it comes to authentic New York food, it's hard to beat this iconic local-favorite specialty food emporium. Best known for its smoked fish counter, not limited to lox (smoked salmon), sliced to order, Zabar's also features one of the largest selections of domestic and imported cheeses and salamis in town, bakery items including cheesecake, ground-to-order coffees, and prepared foods like soups and stuffed cabbage the way Grandma made them. And that's only the ground floor. Upstairs are housewares, from espresso makers to fondue pots to serving dishes. Head next door, to the Zabar's Cafe, to score a cup of gourmet coffee and a bagel and lox with cream cheese.

You need a ticket to the museum to physically enter the multiple gift shops at this ginormous museum, most of them themed to the exhibit they adjoin and packed with books, totes, T-shirts, toys, and other memorabilia. For example, the Dino Store features T. rex socks and stuffed animals; the Cosmic Shop features telescopes and NASA memorabilia; the gems and minerals shop offers agate-topped wine stoppers and lapis lazuli jewelry. Not visiting the museum? Shop online!

Originally launched by a group of parents as a yard sale to raise funds for their children’s schools around 1979, this curated weekly market (held every Sunday, year-round) is now NYC's largest and oldest flea market and features the works of local artisans and independent vintage dealers. Dozens of vendors offer everything from 1950s rhinestone jewelry, vintage clothing, and posters to current items by local and international artisans. There are some food vendors, too, since browsing for bargains can make you hungry. If you need encouragement to shop, you might appreciate that 100% of the market's profits still benefit four public schools.

Since 1931, and now operated by the third generation of the family, Harry’s is an UWS footwear institution for men, women, and kids, with a knowledgeable and attentive staff to help you get the most comfortable fit. Brands include such fashion labels as Bruno Magli, Thierry Rabotin, and Allen Edmonds, and such comfort ones as Dr. Martens, Ara, and Merrell.

Furnished with restored antique apothecary cases and library ladders, this treasure chest houses a collection of fine, silver, costume, and designer rings, charms, brooches, belts, buckles, and more spanning from the early 19th century to the present.

Whether you're looking for the perfect daytime dress, a pair of J Brand jeans, or a puffer coat that doesn't make you look like the Michelin man, Intermix sells a well-curated assortment of emerging and established designers. Expect to see designs from DVF, rag & bone, and Missoni. There is another location on the Upper East Side.

This well-edited museum gift shop stocks high-quality crafts like beautiful handmade tableware, unusual jewelry, and rugs, often tied into ongoing exhibits. It's a great place to stock up on gifts.

With an assortment of New-York specific merchandise inspired by New-York Historical Society's vast collections and landmark exhibitions as well as themes of American history, this museum gift shop offers exceptional gifts and souvenirs. You'll find all the expected beautiful museum-store fare as well as unique exhibition-inspired gifts like a Katz's Deli chocolate egg-cream scented candle or bagel socks from the museum's Jewish Deli exhibit or a stunning Harlem Toile de Jouy Square Silk Scarf created by the celebrated New York City–based designer Sheila Bridges for the Kara Walker exhibit.

This cozy boutique, whose name means “simple” in Hebrew, specializes in casual wear for women and some items for men, too. You'll find limited editions and small selections of excellently made pieces. Simple styles, ideal for WFH or weekends, along with understated jewelry and a small selection of fragrance candles. There is another location in the East Village.

Curving around Columbus Circle and across the street from the southern entrance to Central Park, this light-filled mall in Deutsche Bank Center features more than 50 retail shops and boutiques, including Coach, Aveda, Cole Haan, Camp, Eileen Fisher, J. Crew, Jo Malone London, Williams Sonoma, Lululemon, and more. It also contains a Whole Foods Market and several eateries.

Wonderfully crammed to the rafters, this store offers both new and used books, including a rare book collection. Squeeze in among the stacks of art books and fiction titles, or pop outside for the $1 bargains. A short walk away, at  233 West 72nd Street, the sister record shop has an equally impressive collection of vinyl and CDs.