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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.
The red-and-white striped awning and black-and-white tiled floors may give the impression you're walking into an old timey candy shop, but this is a different kind of sweet: the city's only vintage smoke shop. It's not all ancient cigars and cigarettes, though. Instead, Biggie's sells metal lighters from the '40s and ashtrays from the '70s and beyond, plus a lot of odd antique Americana minutiae and paraphernalia from centuries past.
The ethos at Bond No. 9 is unique, with scents intended to evoke places and social values. Hence "The Scent of Peace" as well as a line that matches key NYC neighborhoods: "Central Park," traditionally a men's fragrance, is woodsy and "green," while "Park Avenue" is discreet but not too sweet. There's "Greenwich Village" and "Off-Broadway," just to name a few others. This flagship also carries candles and body creams.
Bonnie Slotnick has been running her eponymous cookbook shop for over three decades. Famous and not-yet-famous chefs regularly stop into this shop hoping to unearth some recipes of the past, where the shelves are stocked with over 5,000 rare, hard-to-find, and out-of-print cookbooks. There are newer cookbooks, too. Start planning your next meal here!
Upper East Siders shop at this pricey French children's boutique for the beautiful designs and impeccable workmanship—think leather baby booties, hand-embroidered jumpers, and cashmere onesies. This NYC flagship location has a loftlike design with whimsical touches, such as a large indoor tree and a cloud sculpture.
Is it an indie bookshop? A coffeehouse? A bar? If you guessed all of the above—ding, ding, ding!—you are correct. Book Club is a charming place to browse for your next exciting read and while away a couple of hours sipping coffee or a glass of wine without leaving the premises. Check the website for ongoing evening literary events.
Author Emma Straub opened this spacious and well-stocked bookstore after neighborhood landmark BookCourt closed, and she even used her predecessor's tall wooden bookshelves in creating the new space. Books Are Magic hosts author events—many with celebrated writers who happen to live in Brooklyn—several days a week. Don't miss the excellent kids' area in the back.
At the NYC outpost of this L.A. favorite, owner Laura Freedman sells a well-edited selection of jewelry from designers including Anita Ko and David Webb. Expect delicate and whimsical pieces, from diamond-encrusted ear cuffs to geometric rings.
Once called the Winter Garden, this expanded mall and event destination in the World Financial Center stands out for its towering indoor palm trees, New York Harbor and WTC plaza views, and luxury stores, including downtown outlets for Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton, not to mention more down-to-earth shopping at J.Crew, Bonobos, and Lululemon. More interesting might be the dining options, including the best food court downtown, Hudson Eats (which has Black Seed Bagel, Dos Toros Taqueria, and Ani Ramen), among many other offerings. On the ground floor is Le District, a kind of Eataly for French cuisine. Outside in summer is an outdoor dining area with food stands (and a bar); in winter it becomes an ice-skating rink. Look out for events both during the week and on weekends year-round.
If you can't crack a smile in this store—where all proceeds from superhero costumes, gear, and secret identity kits benefit 826NYC's writing and tutoring programs for kids—step immediately into its Cape Tester, or take the cure-all Vow of Heroism oath. Afterward, browse the inventory of superpowers like telekinesis, chutzpah, and wickedness, which are sold in plastic jugs and fake paint cans. The clever labels listing “ingredients” and “warnings” are worth the cost for every ounce of the tongue-in-cheek products.
With a marble-lined, jewel-encrusted flagship on 5th Avenue (one of several global Bulgari "temples"), situated within the outer facade of the historic Crown Building, this Italian company is certainly not meek with its branding, which includes watches, handbags, jewelry, fragrances, and accessories. The brand also has a location in Hudson Yards.
Occupying six stories, this glass-and-stone flagship is a temple to all things plaid and British, with clothing for men and women. The iconic trench coat can be altered for free here, thanks to their in-house tailor, and the signature plaid can be found on bikinis, scarves, and wallets.
You can find plenty of pashminas and textiles along 74th Street, but for spiritual and cultural goods, stop by this Hindu shop for incense, statues of Ganesha and Lakshmi, ceremonial garlands, singing bowls, Vedic books, and malas (sacred prayer beads). You can also find a decent selection of herbal teas, Ayurvedic powders, and skin-care products.
Founded in 1838, this is the oldest apothecary-pharmacy in the United States; Mark Twain used to fill prescriptions here. They still fill prescriptions, but the real reason to come is for the hard-to-find brands like Klorane shampoo and Elgydium toothpaste. Bigelow also has its own line of products, including green-tea lip balm and quince hand lotion.
Some of New York's most interesting designers, artists, and food vendors fill this downtown market hall. Browse minimalist and functional housewares at Leibal's nook, cool jewelry at Beroep Tech, and independent magazines at Office Magazine Newsstand. Food choices range from Cantonese street food at Joe's Steam Rice Roll to Filipino tacos at Mucho Sarap to bubble tea at Lazy Sundaes. Apart from the anchor vendors, the rest of the stalls rotate, so you never know what gems you'll find.
Herrera's designs are ladylike and elegant. At this New York flagship, her suits, gowns, and cocktail dresses in luxurious fabrics make for timeless silhouettes, while the store itself feels sumptuous, with bright colors, artful displays, and ample room for plush seating. Perfumes and makeup by the designer also are showcased, and shoppers can customize their lipstick or lip balm.
Established in 1917, this legendary French jeweler and firm favorite among royals and celebrities is the place to come for exquisite engagement rings, luxury watches, or cuff links. The brand's iconic designs include the panther motif, the Trinity ring, and Tank watches—all available at the famous Cartier Mansion on 5th Avenue, along with vintage accessories and leather goods. The entire building, which is a Gilded Age mansion built for Morgan Freeman Plant, son of railroad tycoon Henry B. Plant, is wrapped in a Cartier signature red bow every year for the holidays.
Magazine shops were once nearly ubiquitous in New York. Not anymore. Which makes this walk-in-closet-sized magazine shop all the more beloved. A West Village institution—local residents Sarah Jessica Parker, Julianne Moore, and Malcolm Gladwell are regulars—Casa Magazines stocks domestic and international magazines and newspapers. After a few minutes in here, you'll think you time-traveled back to pre-Internet days when print still ruled the reading world.
The five-story Midtown flagship on 57th Street has often been compared to a Chanel suit—elegant, timeless, and flawlessly crafted. Double-C devotees come here for the iconic suits and quilted handbags, along with other pillars of Chanel style: chic little black dresses, evening gowns, sunglasses, and yards of pearls. There's also a cosmetics area where you can stock up on the famed scents and nail polish.
This men's clothes shop traffics in a mishmash of garb, harkening back to the days when the neighborhood was filled with shops like this that catered mostly to gay men. The racks are loaded with everything from designer jackets to cardigans to party shorts to sexy jockstraps.
Lipstick-red soles are the signature of Louboutin's delicately sexy couture stilettos, and his pointy-toe creations come trimmed with beads, buttons, spikes, or patent leather. There's a similar design on stylish lipstick cases with colors such as Diva and Very Prive. Some other styles of shoes are available, as well as purses and other accessories. The brand also has branched out to many products for men and children.
The official store of NYC sells anything and everything having to do with the city, from books and pamphlets to fun gifts. Pick up subway-map socks, NYPD T-shirts, retired taxicab medallions, unique puzzles, toys galore, and home accent pieces you won't find anywhere else. The store shuts at 4 pm weekdays and is closed weekends.
L.A.–based designer Clare Vivier's New York store displays her signature simple-but-elegant leather fold-over clutches in many sizes and colors, as well as understated totes and duffels. There's a line of men's accessories, plus iPad cases, sunglasses, and various other sundries.
