41 Best Places to Shop in USA

Only a few stores in New York occupy an entire city block, and the uptown flagship of this classic New York retail institution is one of them. The main floor is a buzzy, glittery maze of mirrored cosmetic counters and perfume-spraying salespeople. Navigate past this dizzying scene to find good buys on designer clothes, shoes, bedding, housewares, and more. In true upscale Bloomie's style, in-store personal shoppers will help you score styles for yourself (or gifts for others) like a VIP.

For many New Yorkers, this downtown fixture is the place to hunt for the mother lode of discount wares. Seven floors are crammed with everything from designer shoes to half-price cashmere sweaters to high-end housewares, though you have to sift through racks and fight crowds to dig out the gems. Devoted shoppers with ample time can uncover some dazzling finds, and early birds can beat the throngs. Don't miss the children's section either, or basement-level luggage bargains.

If you're on the Upper West Side or in Downtown Brooklyn, you can check out more discount shopping at the other two locations, at Broadway and 66th or at City Point, respectively.

The well-heeled woman looking to find designer apparel without breaking the bank---or someone shopping for her---would be wise to stop in here. This four-story packed-to-the-gills spot is filled with all manner of clothes from the likes of Badgley Mishka, Karl Lagerfeld, along with lesser-known names, including unique sweaters, black-tie dresses, hats, and more. Handbags of every color and size are available, while unique yet reasonably priced jewelry and other accessories line the store's corners and walls.

Seattle's own retail giant sells quality clothing, accessories, cosmetics, jewelry, and lots of shoes—in keeping with its roots in footwear—including many hard-to-find sizes. Peruse the various floors for anything from trendy jeans to lingerie to goods for the home. A sky bridge on the store's fourth floor will take you to Pacific Place Shopping Center. Deservedly renowned for its impeccable customer service, the busy Downtown flagship has a concierge desk and valet parking. The Nordstrom Rack store at 4th Avenue and Pine Street, just next to Nordstrom, has great deals on marked-down items.

Renys is a beloved Maine institution—or, as their slogan says, "a Maine adventure." It has 17 locations throughout the state, and a visit to Maine truly isn't complete without browsing the endless bargains at at least one of them. Damariscotta is where it all started seven decades ago, and the original store—a quaintly crowded clothing store at  116 Main St.—is still going strong. Stop in there for bargains on Columbia, Carhartt, and other brands. Then cross the street and browse the larger outlet at  163 Main St. for great deals on housewares, nonperishable food items, seasonal goods, toys, and much more. You'll be amazed at what you find. And don't miss Waltz Soda Fountain, open during the summer at the left side of the building. It's been there since 1948. Order a malted, egg cream, lime rickey, or Moxie ice cream float at the counter, and slide into a booth to enjoy your sweet trip down memory lane.

One of the city's premier men's stores has been selling high-end suits, tuxedos, casual wear, and made-to-measure apparel since 1924. Brands range from Brioni and Zegna to Ralph Lauren, Prada, and Hugo Boss.

This 660,000-square-foot-flagship store remains a high-fashion force and continually revamps its modish offerings with contemporary designer lines, such as Proenza Schouler and Victoria Beckham, and legacy brands including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel. The Vault, with a 1920s-inspired grandiose bank interior, offers fine jewelry and luxury watches and has Hōseki, a six-seat, modern omakase counter spearheaded by Michelin-star chef Daniel Kim. The second-level beauty department stocks an incredible array of products, from classic to edgy. The department store also has a designer sneaker shop, and Barneys at Sax, featuring fashion-forward designers.

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, JF Lazartigue, Rene Furterer, Phyto, Mason Pearson, Rigaud, Seda France, and Crislu. The selection of items is dazzling; there's even a large space dedicated to hair accessories, such as clips and headbands. There’s also a selection of kids’ toys that runs the gamut from umbrellas to bicycles, jewelry, hosiery, travel accessories, and more, displayed appealingly in a store that's lasted, and stayed current, for nearly 75 years. 

Covering 90,000 square feet, the massive six-level store boasts ample space for women's high-end designer threads, shoes, an expansive menswear department with on-site tailoring, and an in-house Co-Op, which carries clothes for young adults. After dropping a dime (or two) on fashion-forward finds, head up to the bright and airy sixth-floor eatery Fred's at Barneys for a chopped salad.

The ultimate shopping destination, this luxury department store is one of the city's iconic stops for designer clothes and impeccable service. This location focuses specifically women, children, and housewares, and is known for its extravagant holiday window displays, on view from late November through early January. The shoe department is stellar, and the range of products in the beauty department is unparalleled. Refuel with a bite at the seventh-floor BG Restaurant, which has Central Park views, or a quick bite at the beauty-level Palette. Cross 5th Avenue to shop at Goodman's Men's Store, with fine selections of menswear and accessories, as well as the posh, second-floor Goodman's Bar.

Chicago's Bloomie's is built in a clean, airy style that is part Prairie School, part postmodern (and quite unlike its New York City sibling), giving you plenty of elbow room to sift through its selection of designer labels.

Beneath the royal-blue canopy and white-marble entrance, you can find a large department store full of avant-garde Italian imports and dozens of other styles and designers, from Oscar de la Renta to Dior. The store has departments for extra tall, large, and short men; formal wear; and shoes; and there's free valet parking and many tailors on the premises.

You'll find designer clothing, upscale cookware, kitchen gadgets, and footwear at this store that's been selling to Katonah locals since 1924. The salesperson-to-customer ratio is high, so expect some old-fashioned service.

The Boston-based upscale fashion discounter attracts bargain hunters looking for steep discounts on designer clothing—if you find something that suits you, it'll be the best deal in town by far. Off-price shoes, children's clothing, household goods, perfume, and accessories are sold as well.

Independent department stores have mostly shuttered in the modern era, but Gwynn's has been holding strong since 1967, offering the type of thoughtful service and classy environs that many shoppers no doubt remember from childhood outings to buy Mother's Day gifts. Those still in the market for the same should make a beeline for the rice bead case.

A small store that specializes in Christian merchandise, Holy Grounds is crammed with crosses, angels, Bibles, study books, and embellished T-shirts. In the back of the store you'll find more than 100 flavors of whole-bean coffee.

To understand Kemmerer's roots, stop at the JCPenney store, which is where James Cash Penney began his merchandising career. This small retail establishment, known as the "mother store," sells clothing. Just down the street, Penney's historic home is open to visitors in the summer.

Fine china, and lots of it, is front and center at this upscale small department store in downtown Northeast Harbor. Many patterns are formal, yet one big seller here is a line of dishes embellished with a red lobster or a blue octopus. Among the other impeccably arrayed offerings: kitchen items, toys, home decor, and children’s clothing. A sister store with uber-nice women’s apparel is down the street. Open year-round and daily during peak season.

Located in a large shopping center by itself, this small but upscale Macy's features name brands and island-influenced clothing for men, women and children, plus designer handbags, shoes, jewelry, and housewares, along with top-quality luggage if you find yourself needing to take more than you have room for. It's the best place in Kona to find high-quality, name-brand aloha shirts. They always have great sales and are beloved by local residents.

The Chicago flagship on State Street, formerly Marshall Field’s, is known for the beloved Walnut Room and iconic holiday traditions like the Great Tree and their magnificent holiday windows as well as for its position as a National Historic Landmark. Macy’s State Street is well known for its architecture and ornamentation; it has a Louis Comfort Tiffany vaulted ceiling, two "Great Clocks" on State Street at Randolph and Washington, the Burnham Fountain, and more. 

This iconic New York department also has a home in Boston, at one of Downtown Crossing's flagship locations in a historic building at the corner of Washington and Summer streets. Browse through men's, women's, and children's apparel, fragrances and skin care products, kitchen gadgets, and home furnishings.

With more than 1 million square feet of retail space to explore, it's easy to spend an entire day shopping at Macy's vast, iconic Herald Square flagship store, which stocks everything from fragrances and beauty products to shoes and handbags to furniture and appliances. The brand itself is legendary, having launched in 1858 and opened these Midtown doors in 1902. On the Broadway side, check out the painted streetscape (refreshed every year) for the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Hello Kitty, one of Japan's most popular toys, is on hand here, as are the Transformers and Godzilla. Dress up with a washable poly kimono or a more luxurious silk version, or check out the luminous pearl jewelry. Other popular items include animé art, chopsticks, and Kit Kat bars in assorted flavors. You'll be tempted to take home some sweets after watching a Japanese Candy Art demonstration.

The original Neiman Marcus is a huge Dallas draw and has been since 1907. Skip the elevator and take the escalator to each level to appreciate the whimsical decor and surprising displays of art. Each floor is a distinct experience, all the way up to the sixth floor, where you can dine with ladies (and men) who lunch at Zodiac or get your hair done in the salon. On the way out, stop at the first-floor coffee bar for an affordable treat.

This couture salon frequently trots out designer trunk shows, and most locals go right to the shoe department, which features high-end footwear favorites like Giuseppe Zanotti and Christian Louboutin. A café on the third floor keeps your blood sugar high during multiple wardrobe changes, while a bar on the fourth is for celebrating those perfect finds with a glass of champagne.

Shop for top-name designer goods accompanied by courteous, service-oriented sales staff and live music from a grand piano at Nordstrom.

This is a lovely department store with a killer shoe department, a vast juniors' section, great petites and menswear departments, and outstanding customer service. Leave yourself time to linger at Café Nordstrom on the fourth floor.

Just south of Central Park is NYC's shiny Nordstrom, opened in 2019, with a unique wave-form glass facade that lets passersby peek into (and out of) its bright-and-shiny retail wonderland. The 320,000-square-foot department store occupies a full seven floors plus a mezzanine-level "beauty haven," all at the base of one of America's tallest residential buildings. The flagship offers the refined sartorial wares you'd expect from Nordies, plus children's clothing, fragrances, handbags, shoes, accessories, and more. The inventory is curated for New Yorkers with special launches and exclusives available only here, along with designer pop-ups—though it's almost entirely for women. (You'll have to cross Broadway to browse the Men's Store.) Sales can be excellent. Several cafés and the Shoe Bar (for cocktails) are within the store, as are contemporary full-service restaurants including Wolf and Bistro Verde.

The upscale eclectic mix at Parkleigh includes everything from greeting cards and soaps to freshly ground coffee and Clarks shoes.