So you're in New York City for the weekend and you're obsessed with shopping and it's literally all you want to do…except maybe take some breaks to eat. Undoubtedly there are far too many districts in the city to do them all in one day, but luckily for you New York is a well organized and well connected city, so if you're uptown and you want to head downtown to check out SoHo, the Village and the Meatpacking District, you can do that without missing all the good bits on the way.
We're going to start you out in Midtown because there's a lot to see and do along the way, and 5th Avenue is literally teeming with stores and delicious restaurants. So, if you head to 57th and 5th, you can start your day by fueling up with tea or breakfast at the world famous Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel or Demel Patisserie for a sinful snack. When you're done there you can head across the street to the Apple Store or FAO Schwarz and either pick something up for a special kid in your life or for the little kid that still lives inside you! Heading down 5th from there you'll be able to pop into Bergdorf Goodman, Louis Vuitton, YSL, Tiffany's, Prada, Fendi, Pucci, the Disney Store, Henri Bendel, Gucci, Brooks Brothers, Cartier, H&M, Zara, Sephora, the Gap, and if you're feeling really spendy… Harry Winston, one of the most famous jewelry stores in the world (which is always fun to browse in even if there's no intention to purchase anything!) Once you're done with that row of shops (and believe us, there will be many more to stop into along that way) you should check out the interior of St. Patrick's Cathedral because it is absolutely gorgeous and right across the street from Saks Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center!
From there it's just a short walk down to the NYC Public Library, which is gorgeous and worth seeing (especially if you love "Breakfast at Tiffany's") and then to complete your first day of heavy duty shopping you can shoot down to the Garment District which spans from 5th to 9th Avenue, from 34th to 42nd St. In this district, in addition to Macy's which always seems to draw huge crowds, especially around the holiday season, you can also find tons of amazing little fabric and accessories shops if you're interested in making your own things, or having them specially made for you. Just down the street from Macy's is M&J Trimmings, which is one of the city's most famous "crafting" stores and is sure to delight anyone who lusts for ribbons, bows, feather trims, buttons, grommets, and all kinds of embellishments. Also located in this area are the Empire State Building, Penn Station, and Madison Square Garden, just in case you decide to get some sightseeing in along with the shopping.
The Uptown and Midtown shops on the east and west side should be grouped into your first day of shopping because by the end of the day you'll likely be too exhausted to head downtown. The next day, you'll have three brand new general areas to explore, all filled with incredible shops and restaurants, and each as different but quintessentially New York as you can get. Once you head downtown you get to where the heart and soul of the City is, and probably where the most fun fashion can be found. Greenwich Village, the East Village, the Meatpacking District, and SoHo can all be tackled in one day and will take you from to sparse to the bohemian to the luxe and back again.
Starting higher up and working your way down is always a good way to go because it allows for a significant amount of wandering. The Meatpacking District is an area of the city that has garnered a lot of attention recently because of its vast transformation from its seedy past as a center of the meat market in Manhattan and slummy apartment buildings to a veritable hub for designer shops. Here you can find Comme des Garcons, Jeffrey New York, Y-3, Paul Smith, Diane Von Furstenberg, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and many other stores of that ilk. Again, the cobblestoned streets and old warehouse-style buildings will bring a brand new ambiance to your shopping experience and you'll find it hard to believe that you're in the same New York as the Upper East or West Side.
Next we think it's time for you to go to the West Village. This is one of the most charming areas in the city and after the Meatpacking District you can head to local favorite Pastis for a delicious French lunch to recharge your batteries (or one of the many other restaurants in the area). The West Village is a very popular location for new, fresh designers: Marc Jacobs, Intermix, Ralph Lauren, Juicy Couture, Oliver Peoples, Reiss, Boutique Ludvine, Christian Louboutin, Bleecker St. Records, James Perse, Andy's Cheepees, and Catherine Malandrino to name a few. There's also a lot of history in the West Village, which has long been known for its Bohemian past, including the brownstone made famous by Carrie Bradshaw in Sex And The City. Cobblestones line the streets here which will make you feel like you're back in old-time New York. Housing Works Thrift Shop is also a lovely place to stop and shop for home goods and vintage clothing, and although the West Village is home to two of these charitable donation based shops, there are many throughout the city and the proceeds from all purchases go to charity. Famous Christopher Street might be an area you'll want to steer clear of if you're with the kids, as it's known for its sex shops and head shops selling paraphernalia and illicit videos, but if you're in the market for a tattoo, this is one of the best places in the city to shop for it. There's also a lovely spa called Avalon Day Spa on Bleecker and Christopher, where you can stop for a manicure or massage if the stress of all this shopping starts to get to you…
Moving east, you'll run into the East Village which is known to be one of the last "true neighborhoods" in the City. St. Marks Place offers loads of cheap, fun things to buy (think sunglasses, jewelry, big earrings and necklaces, cheap bags, etc.) and it's also lined with local favorites like Mamoun's Falafel and Pinkberry, so it's a good place to start working on the East Village. There's no possible way that we could give you any kind of concrete guide to tackling the shops here because there are so many tiny but wonderful little known shops and the best way to go about finding them is to do it yourself. However, we can give you a couple of milestones that will surely help you connect the dots in between. First and foremost, Tokio 7 is one of the best consignment stores in all of Manhattan and offers fantastic, young clothes in great condition for half or more than half off retail prices.
Shop Until You Drop is located in the Midtown neighborhood of Manhattan. Midtown West From the hustle of the Port Authority Bus Terminal to the bustle of Seventh Avenue and 42nd Street, much of New York's dazzling vibrancy and energy emanates from this area stretching from Times Square to Central Park South. Packed with theaters, tourist attractions and tall office buildings, the buzz and glow of the city are most obvious amid the huge neon signs, giant wraparound news tickers (ABC News has a studio location here) and Broadway marquees. After braving the crowds of pop-obsessed teeny boppers gathered around MTV Studios visit the Hershey’s Time Square Store to satisfy your sweet tooth. Or grab a bite to eat at typical tourist meccas like TGI Friday's or the Dave & Buster's. A stroll up Broadway, whether in the early morning or late at night, passes by some of America's most cherished institutions, and the number of glowing lights are rivaled only by the Las Vegas Strip. Little wonder that Mondrian's inspiration for "Broadway Boogie-Woogie" came from this amazing array of places and colors; some of the facades literally scream out at the visitor as though ready to burst out from the grid of Midtown's streets and fly into orbit! If you need a respite from the sensory overstimulation of Times Square, visit the New York Public Library. The majestic Beaux-Arts building, flanked by the two famous marble lions, Patience and Fortitude, has been the heart and soul of the New York library system for nearly a century. It’s great for a little peace and quiet, and of course a great read. The library is to adjacent Bryant Park, which is a lovely patch of green in the middle of skyscraper territory. Among the amenities available to visitors are a French-style carousel, a boule board, chess tables, free summer movie screening, over 25,000 varieties of flowers, the Bryant Park Grill, and free wireless access, as well as 2,000 moveable chairs. Midtown West is also home to Radio City Music Hall (home to world-famous dancers, the Rockettes), Museum of Television and Radio, Museum of Modern Art, Carnegie Hall and the newly renovated Museum of Arts & Design. These extraordinary cultural institutions play host year-round to natives and tourists alike, so catch an eye-catching exhibit or enjoy a symphony and bask in some of New York’s greatest artistic offerings. There's also no shortage of restaurants in the area. For some excellent French fare try La Bergamote, which is known for its vast menu, with nearly 30 types of luxurious French pastries, six sorts of croissants, over a dozen types of breads as well as diverse handmade chocolates. For dinner try Aquavit, the country's preeminent Scandinavian restaurant. There really are too many dining options to list, but click here to check out entire listings of restaurant in the Midtown area. If you're looking to spend your stay in New York right in the heart of Midtown, there are plenty of hotel options. The DoubleTree by Hilton is located right in Times Square, as is the sophisticated Park Central New York. And for the more budget conscious traveler there's the Comfort Inn Midtown and the Portland Square Hotel. Midtown East Midtown East stretches from 42nd Street north to 59th, and East of Fifth Avenue to the East River. The area is populated with some of New York’s most iconic landmarks. While walking along 42nd Street and Park Avenue a visit to Grand Central Station is certainly in order, for Grand Central is one of the most stunning railroad stations in America. Walk in to admire its stunning brass clock, the exquisite staircases, and the unique celestial ceiling, its light bluish-green background filled with well-known constellations dotted with tiny lights. Restored in recent years, the cavernous main hall is bathed in natural light during the day, and pulsates with activity at night, thanks not least to its three busy restaurants: Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, Metrazur, and the famous Oyster Bar. Another superb restaurant in the area includes the Benjamin Steakhouse, housed inside the ornate 1903 Beaux-Arts Dylan Hotel. There's also Sparks Steak House which is known for not only its massive steaks, but its massive wine list as well. The gorgeous Chrysler Building (which turned 75 in 2005) is also nearby. In the bright sunlight, the upper floors gleam, reflect, and even seem to pulsate light, directing the eye upwards towards the spire. Its gorgeous Art Deco lobby, with murals celebrating transportation themes, is definitely one of New York’s finest. Examine the ornamental details, the typical Deco motifs, the lush marble, and the charming light fixtures, all restored in recent years. You’ll also definitely want to visit Rockefeller Center. The plaza, adorned with Paul Manship’s massive golden 1934 statue of Prometheus contains the world-famous ice skating rink and of course is home to the giant Christmas tree every December, making it a must-see holiday destination. While you’re in the neighborhood take a tour of the United Nations and get a behind-the scenes look at the diplomacy in action at the global meeting place of the General Assembly and Security Council. Midtown East is also home to some of the world's most well known department stores, including Lord & Taylor, <a href=”/yellow_pages/bergdorf_goodman.112561/">Bergdorf Goodman and of course the original Saks Fifth Avenue. All those retailers have an extraordinary selection of upscale goods and are considered classic, can’t-go-wrong stops for any shopaholic. So take your time strolling through this quintessential region of Manhattan - explore those famous landmarks, have a stop for lunch, and then proceed to do a little upscale shopping. Midtown East is an ideal neighborhood to spend your stay in New York, as the area is full of attractions and iconic landmarks. The beautiful, Art Deco styled Roosevelt Hotel is just four blocks from the Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall and within walking distance of Times Square and Museum of Modern Art. There's also the Grand Hyatt, which is located right near the United Nations and St. Patrick's Cathedral. The spacious and elegant Dylan Hotel, as well as the W New York – The Tuscany are other exceptional options. Click here for a complete list of hotels in close proximity to Midtown East.