shopping in New York
 

What is the best area for shopping. Chicago has the mag. mile, any thing like that in New York???

That would be 5th Avenue (in the 50s)...if you are looking for big department-store shopping, Tiffany's, etc. But there are many, many other big shopping areas like Herald Square, which has Macy's, H&M, and the Manhattan Mall (this area wins for Most Crowded), and there's Broadway in Soho (a mix of funky, discount, designer, and chain stores).

There's also Madison Avenue in the 60's.

The areas mentioned are all good. Also Broadway in Soho (Houston St - Cancal St.) is beginning to look more and more like a outdoor mall. Good shopping in NYC is in many areas. Some areas are more geared towards high end boutiques while other are chain stores, dept. stores, discount stores or a mix.

My vote goes to Madison from the 60s to the 80s.

The answer to this question, of course, depends on what you're looking for, both in terms of goods as well as price range.

Madison Avenue in the 60s & 70s has many of the top fashion designer boutiques (and top prices). Fifth Avenue in the 50s has stores like H&H, Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany's (and other name brand jewelers), the Trump Tower mall, the Rockefeller Plaza mall, Brooks Brothers (but not the original BB, which is on Madison Ave. in the 40s), etc. and is also pricey. There is also the 57th Street gallery district, which may be something else you want to take in.

Soho not only looks like a mall these days, it is a mall. But in addition to the usual mall clothing stores, you'll find many furniture stores, a few jewelers, opticians and a more interesting selection of restaurants to choose from. Most of the art galleries in Soho have moved to Chelsea, although there are a few left. Plus there's the "euro-trash" factor.

East Soho/Nolita is turning into an interesting, boutiquey, "of the moment" shopping district. Young, trendy, hip and fashionable, it's at least as entertaining to go people watching there as it is to go shopping.

Here's a great tip: for interesting items and stores in the city check out New York Magazine. Check their web site -- their "Best Bests" section lists new, fashionable items. Their sales and bargains section lists sample sales and the like. www.newyorkmetro.com/