New York City is the world’s shopping capital, and whether you’re coming in by train for a day and you’re going to store your bags, or you’re flying in from across the world for a weekend or longer, there are so many places to go regardless of your budget.
The following is your guide to shopping in New York City based on the different neighborhoods.
SoHo
SoHo is a great neighborhood if you want to find some of the bigger name-brand stores that are reasonably priced, such as J.Crew and H&M, but you can also find some higher-end names and discover stores you wouldn’t ordinarily see.
SoHo’s prime shopping areas go from Broadway west to Sixth and Houston, and south to Canal.
There’s a Bloomingdale’s offshoot located in this area on Broadway, and there are foreign-based retailers like Desigual and Uniqlo. You can also find Topshop and for something artistic, head to the Museum of Modern Art Design Store, which is on Spring Street.
SoHo is also where you’ll find great thrift and second-hand shops like What Goes Around Comes Around.
The West Village
For many visitors and residents alike, The West Village is easily one of the most charming neighborhoods in New York. You can enjoy sidewalk cafes and the feeling you’ve been transported to London. The West Village borders Greenwich Village, and there’s great architecture, cobbled streets, and a number of parks and green spaces.
West Village and Greenwich Village have a long history of bohemian culture, and they were also the areas of the city that gave rise to the LGBT movement.
There is a wide variety of architecture, that even if you’re just there for shopping will likely grab your attention. You’ll see Federal-style homes, Gothic Revival and Victorian Gothic architecture among the mix.
Some shops to check out include the goop Lab, C.O Bigelow, and Makie which is a children’s store with beautiful cardigans and sweater dresses. At Broken English there are new and estate jewelry items and Creatures of Comfort is in the neighborhood as well.
If you like food hops, visit Murray’s Cheese and Amy’s Bread while you’re in the area.
Hudson Yards
The Shops at Hudson Yards are one of New York’s newest mixed-use developments, and there are more than 100 stores that have moved in. There’s a Nieman Marcus, as well as staples like Zara and Banana Republic.
Uniquely there’s also B8TA, which is a showroom for internet brands.
The Meatpacking District
The Meatpacking District is fun, vibrant, and full of energy. This historic neighborhood has experienced a resurgence in the past decade and is now one of the hottest neighborhoods in Manhattan.
There are high-end shops mixed with national brand names, as well as independent boutiques.
Walk through Chelsea Market which is not only a mall but also a food hall, office facility, and television production facility. Chelsea Market takes up an entire city block in the area, and it was the original home of the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco).
Google’s parent company, Alphabet currently owns Chelsea Market, and it’s part of the Gansevoort Market Historic District, which is on the New York State and National Register of Historic Places.
Artists & Fleas is great if you love making unique discoveries. It’s located in Chelsea Market, and it’s a collective of designers, curators, and more. Also in the Chelsea Market is Imports from Marrakesh, specializing in Moroccan art and decorative items.
As far as the rest of the Meatpacking District, there’s a Diane von Furstenberg shop, which is below the designer’s headquarters.
Near the High Line is the Whitney Museum, and the Whitney Museum Gift Shop features items from contemporary artists, as well as being home to a Danny Meyer restaurant.
Fifth Avenue
Midtown’s Fifth Avenue is a great place to head for shopping, even if some of the stores are out of your budget. You can window shop at a minimum because these windows are world-famous for their ornate displays.
Fifth Avenue is home to retailers like Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Valentino, as well as Saks Fifth Avenue.
There are also less expensive national retailers like H&M and Zara.
While you might want to hit Fifth Avenue because it’s legendary, do be aware it’s also very crowded as a result of being so well-known.
What Neighborhoods Should You Skip?
If it’s your first trip to NYC or your time is limited, and your focus is on shopping, there are some neighborhoods you might want to skip, at least for the time being.
The Upper East and Upper West Side are quieter, more residential areas of the city and while there is shopping, it may not be as vibrant as what you’ll find in other neighborhoods. The Upper East Side is also primarily luxury shopping, and you’ll find shops like Gucci and Louboutin, but you can find these in other parts of the city so if you’re not staying near the Upper East Side, the trek up there may not be worth it.
The Flatiron District is a great neighborhood to visit, but not if you’re shopping. Most of the stores here you can find elsewhere in the city.
Rockefeller Center is very crowded, and the stores are difficult to get in and out of.
Times Square is also one of the worst places in the city to shop. The stores are massive, and many of them are chains that you can probably find in your own hometown or city. Prices are high simply because of the fact that it’s a tourist-centric area, and crowds can be a nightmare, to say the least. Getting in and out of Times Square is also a challenge, and you’re just not going to find much that’s high-quality or unique.
Not all neighborhoods are going to be your style, so you might visit a few before you find the shopping paradise you’re looking for, but often the hunt is half the fun.
