New York for Holiday Shopping: Scratch Your Holiday List at One of the Top Ten Shopping Destinations
New York is one of the top ten shopping destinations in the world, so it’s no surprise that many savvy shoppers plan trips to the city to finish their holiday gift lists. From mid to late November, the city puts on its holiday best, with world-famous window displays at stores like Macy’s Herald Square (151 West 34th St), Bergdorf Goodman’s (754 5th Ave), Lord & Taylor (424 Fifth Avenue), Bloomingdale’s (1000 Third Avenue) and Barney’s (660 Madison Avenue).
After window shopping, you can spend your plastic at the designer stores and boutiques on Madison Avenue. Famous names include Prada, Hermes, Chanel, Calvin Klein, and Giorgio Armani. On Fifth Avenue, get that famous robin’s egg blue box when you shop (even the least expensive items) at Tiffany & Co.
In the same area, delight the basketball fan on your list at the NBA Store (666 Fifth Ave), surprise a young lady with something from the American Girl Place (609 Fifth Ave), or experience the famous FAO Schwartz (767 Fifth Ave), where for an incredible variety of toys.
Head south to find unique boutiques in SoHo, where you’ll find top designers like Anna Sui (113 Greene St), Marc Jacobs (164 Mercer), and Betsey Johnson (138 Wooster St). The SoHo neighborhood is also known for its art galleries.
If you’re a fan of the show “Sex and the City,” you won’t want to miss House of Field, just around the corner at 302 Bowery. Patricia Field is the award-winning designer who dressed your favorite characters on the show, and her shop of hers won’t let you down (warning: not for kids).
For sophisticated, fashion-forward design (and the prices to go with it), head to NoLita, now a hub for ethnic design. Head to Amy Chan’s (247 Mulberry St) to shop for her signature mosaic bags or find amazing beaded tunics at Indomix (232 Mulberry St).
If you’re an art lover, you’ll also want to visit the Chelsea/Flatiron District, which has become the Chelsea Art District, with more than 200 galleries (most between 19th and 26th streets, and between 9th and 11th avenues).
Head to Greenwich Village for the reader on your list. The Strand Bookstore (828 Broadway) is the world’s largest used bookstore; You never know what treasure you’re going to unearth. For all things science fiction, stop by Forbidden Planet (840 Broadway).
For unique hip-hop boutiques, head to 125th Street in Harlem, where you’ll find Jimmy Jazz (239 W 125th St), Dr. Jay’s (256 W 125th St), and Jersey Man Cap USA (112 W 125th St).
Shopping in New York isn’t just for high-end stores. There are plenty of great shopping deals, if you know where to look. Century 21 (22 Cortlandt St) is the best known of the discount clothing stores. Loehmann’s (101 Seventh Ave) has high-end designer products at bargain prices. H&M (1328 Broadway) is a local favorite, with knockoffs of the latest styles and accessories at low prices. Head to the Upper West Side for a less crowded bargain at Filene’s Basement (2222 Broadway).