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The Big Apple is one of the best shopping destinations in the world, rivaled perhaps only by London, Paris, and Tokyo. Its compact size, convenient subway system, and plentiful cabs (or Uber or Lyft rides) make it easy to navigate with plenty of bags in tow. But what it really comes down to is the staggering number and variety of stores. If you can't find it in New York, it probably doesn't exist.
If you like elegant flagships and money is no object, head to Midtown, where you'll find international megabrands like Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, and Gucci, as well as famed department stores Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys. Nearby Madison Avenue has couture from Carolina Herrera and Vera Wang, and 5th Avenue is lined with famous jewelry stores such as Tiffany, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Harry Winston. This is also the neighborhood to indulge in bespoke goods, such as handmade shoes from John Lobb. If you like designer pieces but can't afford them, don't despair—there are plenty of upscale consignment shops around the city where you can find last season's Chanel suit or a vintage YSL jacket.
The small, independent shops that once lined SoHo have largely been displaced by the likes of J.Crew and UNIQLO, but if you want to hit the chains, this is a great place to do it, because the neighborhood also provides high-quality people-watching and superb lunches. Poke around on the side streets and in nearby NoLIta for outposts of smaller local and foreign designers and, if you're craving some of old SoHo's artistic spirit, don't discount the street vendors' stalls, which sell handmade jewelry and simple cotton dresses.
The East Village and Lower East Side are hotbeds of creativity and quirky coolness, with little boutiques selling everything from retro furniture to industrial-inspired jewelry. They're tucked among bars and old tenement buildings. The Meatpacking District is another great shopping destination to find chic designer stores like Diane von Furstenberg and rag & bone along with independently owned boutiques. And if you jaunt over to Brooklyn, you'll discover that some of the city's hippest designers are hanging out at boutiques just across the East River.
Famous for revamping Gucci, among other accomplishments, Ford does not disappoint with either his eponymous line or his Madison Avenue flagship, a sleek, grandiose temple to glamorous fashion. Women's stilettos and clutches are unabashedly sexy; men's selections veer toward the traditional and impeccably tailored. Shirts come in more than 300 hues, and off-the-rack suits start around $3,000. His Black Orchid unisex fragrance is a cult favorite.
The global flagship of this preppy boho label is housed in an elegantly restored town house. The five-story space features Tory Burch's signature orange-lacquer walls, purple curtains, and gold hardware. If you already own her iconic ballet flats, browse through the ready-to-wear collection, handbags, shoes, and jewelry. Her new Tory Sport line is sometimes available as well.
This punk mecca is famous for dressing stars like Debbie Harry and the Ramones back in the '70s, and its rock-and-roll vibe lives on, albeit two blocks from its original location on St. Marks Place. Goths, punks, and pro wrestlers shop here for bondage-inspired pants and skirts, as well as vinyl corsets and minikilts.
Make a beeline to this boutique if you like glowing, happy colors and 1970's-influenced clothing. The shop, designed by Jonathan Adler, showcases Turk's ready-to-wear clothing in a bright, airy setting. Swimwear is a standout, and menswear is also sold here.
Theatrical posters both large and small are available here, and the selection is democratic, with everything from Marlene Dietrich's Blue Angel to recent Broadway shows like Hamilton represented.
The name of this narrow shop, in business since 1973, refers to the indulgent practice of adding two extra scoops of coffee grounds to every pot you brew, and if you're at all fond of indulging your coffee or tea tastes, you must stop in here. The wide selection of top-quality beans and leaves is complemented by brewing paraphernalia, artisanal honey, and hard-to-find brands of U.K. sweets and other comestibles.
At 89,000 square feet, this flagship is the biggest retail space on 5th Avenue, and the biggest UNIQLO store in the world (in New York, there are also branches in SoHo, Hudson Yards, and Brooklyn's Barclays Center). Scoop up fashion staples such as sweaters, skinny jeans, and button-down shirts in a rainbow of colors, made for women, men, kids, and babies. Don't miss the limited-edition collaborations with big-name designers and stylists. The Heattech clothing range, pocketable parkas, and ultra light down parkas and vests are affordable and stylish options to react to any unexpected New York City weather.
Pick up your copy of A People's History of the United States or anything by Noam Chomsky at this three-decade-old diminutive bookshop, which also peddles novels and non-overtly political nonfiction. Or just stop by to discuss what Bernie Sanders has been up to.
No one does a better red than Valentino, and the mix here at this four-story town house is at once audacious and beautifully cut; the fur or feather trimmings, low necklines, and opulent fabrics are about as close as you can get to celluloid glamour. Big spenders can request the VIP suite.
This French jewelry company is considerably more low-key than many of its blingy neighbors, in both design and marketing ethos (you won't see them opening a store in your average mall). Their best-known design is the cloverleaf Alhambra, which can be found on rings, necklaces, and earrings.
The celebrity designer's dreamy wedding dresses are sophisticated without being over-the-top. Choose from A-line and princess styles, as well as slinky sheaths. If money is no object, bespoke gowns are available. An appointment is essential.
All the jewelry here is handmade in New York City, and none of it is typical. Design motifs include wrenches, Big Macs, and seahorses. Tilda Swinton is a fan.
Allow St-Tropez to influence your summer style. This iconic French swimwear designer began by making classic striped, floral, and solid-color trunks in sunny hues for both men and boys. Nowadays, it has expanded to include a women's line, resort wear, and summery accessories.
If you want to feel the love, come to this little boutique owned by lifelong surfers Winnie Beattie and her husband Rob Magnotta. Everything has a sunny, beachy vibe, from leather sandals, bikinis, and bleached sweaters to handblown glass vases. There's also a collection of children's books, indie magazines, housewares, and menswear.
One typically talks about the Oculus as the sprawling transportation hub housed under a soaring, glassy structure that resembles a prehistoric skeleton. In truth, the interconnecting subway and commuter rail lines lie only at the periphery. What's actually under those ribs is the Westfield World Trade Center luxury shopping mall that houses stores like Apple, Breitling, COS, Sephora, Tumi, and many more. Seasonal exhibits, art installations, and occasional events are hosted on the giant atrium floor. Dining options include Epicerie Boulud and Eataly at the base of 4 WTC (on the site's southeast corner). You'll find Devon & Blakely café and the British sandwich chain Pret a Manger in the West Concourse, which leads to the PATH station and trains to New Jersey. The Oculus is connected by an underground passage to the Fulton Center, which has a mezzanine-level food court with one of Lower Manhattan's two Shake Shacks.
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.
Looking for a mid-century modern Danish desk or a funky knickknack for your home or as a gift? This is your place. Owner Stuart Zamsky crams his store with surprisingly affordable pieces that are mostly from the 1940s through '70s, including tables, lamps, and chairs. Quirkier pieces include vintage paper mobiles, old fondue sets, and antique medical-office cabinets.
Selling homemade candy apples, marshmallow sticks, popcorn, nuts, and giant lollipops for more than 75 years, this old-school corner candy shop with the yellow awning is a Coney Island mainstay. Owner Peter Agrapides used to visit the store with his mother when he was a kid; he's been the proud owner for over 30 years.
This massive store is the largest Zara in the United States, and the place to come for affordable, stylish fashion for men, women, and children. New merchandise arrives twice a week and ranges from classics like blazers to edgier skinny trousers as well as test merchandise that you won't see in other Zara stores. It's an enticing, airy flagship, plus there are two lounge areas for relaxing. (Look for other Zara stores around Manhattan, including one at Hudson Yards.)
This three-story shop claims to be a pharmacy, and while you can fill a prescription here, it’s primarily a fragrance, bath, and beauty shop, with top brands including Roger & Gallet, Bulgari, Lazartigue, Rene Furterer, Phyto, Mason Pearson, Rigaud, Seda France, and Crislu. There’s also a selection of kid’s toys, jewelry, hosiery, travel accessories, and more displayed appealingly in a landmark building.
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