Hi
Around May it will be time to return to NYC with my three girls who are now in their late teens. We are having the same discussion as several years ago--I want the Met they want shopping.( including clothes for me!) The deal is we will do both--so my questions are:
where is the best clothes shopping for the young women ? what about the mother?
Last time stayed ?? upper west which was cosy and villagey- any other suggestions?
We will be in NYC for a week travelling from Sydney via Poland

many thanks in advance

I think it depends on what kind of shopping you intend to do. For the girls, if they like trendy and cheap, I'd suggest you go to H&M on Fifth Ave (around 51st?). Leave them there and cross the street to Saks for yourself. There are plenty of other places on Fifth to see -- some for them (Banana Republic, Gap) and some for you (Ferragamo) and some for both of you (Henri Bendel).

If you're up for some real spending, you might try the designer shops in SoHo. If you have a half day to kill and want a bargain, trek downtown to Century 21.

If you're wanting to do the Met and shopping, why not stay on the Upper East Side or in midtown on the east side? Don't know what your budget is, but many of the UES hotels will be pricey, more reasonable as you hit midtown.

I'd do the Met in the morning when it's a bit less crowded, Sundays being the most crowded days.
Then, walk out the front of the museum and walk straight to Madison Avenue, turn right, and walk down it. Lots of shopping throughout Madison Avenue from the East 70s (cross streets) down to 57th St. Then, turn right onto 57th and walk to Fifth Avenue, turn left, and walk down some more.

As mentioned, Soho also has great shopping, especially for the younger crowd. Century 21 has amazing prices, clothes to shoes, to towels and sheets, but it's crowded on weekends, and you have to be willing to rummage through not-so-tidy racks and shelves. It can also be hit and miss, especially on shoes; a bargain is a bargain, but they don't have every style in every size.

I'd consider staying at the Wales Hotel
(Madison Avenue at East 92nd St). It's a quirky hotel, some rooms larger than others, but it's a cute, quiet neighborhood. Pleasant walking distance to the Met, galleries, and shopping, and Centeral Park. Pricier, but fancier, is the Mark Hotel, a little further down Madison, on East 77th St.

I don't know if I could take three teenagers into Century 21. Shopping at C21 is work and not for the faint of heart.

Totally agree with H&M.

Also, Armani Exchange A/X right across the street from H&M is sort of an upscale GAP.

Daffy's and Syms are also good.

In terms of where to stay, a lot depends on budget. For a week you might prefer an apartment or at least a suite hotel. The only all suite hotel on the upper eastside is the Surrey and it's pricey.

The upper westside is still one of the best places to stay because there is a choice of decent hotels (the Beacon, the Milburne, the Lucerne, the Excelsior) most of which have 1 bedroom suites for some extra space, it's a nice residential area and has good transport options to midtown and elsewhere.

If you want a change of scene, I'd suggest maybe staying downtown this time which is a bit younger and hipper (but also further away from the Met). Budget will dictate a lot as prices have gotten a bit crazy in NYC.

You've gotten good advice on shoppping. Teens seem to like H & M, Urban Outfitters, Abercrombie & Fitch (at the South STreet Seaport), Diesel, Zara. You'd probably all like Anthropologie in Soho (anthropologie.com)

newyorkhabitat.com and furnishedquarters.com

are websites for apts. but it's probably too early to get a commitment for 1 for May.