Shopping and Stores in New York City
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The selection of stores in New York is immense and the shopping options are many and varied. However, if you are visiting other locations in the US, I recommend you do your shopping there and minimize shopping in New York as much as possible. There are several reasons for this:
It is much more convenient to shop when you have a car at your disposal, where you can put your "loot." It is very inconvenient to wander around with children and packages in the streets of a large and busy city. Sales tax in New York City is relatively high. The large and discounted factory outlet centers are located outside the city, more than an hour's drive away. The trip is expensive (especially for a family) and wastes a lot of time. Many New Yorkers themselves travel out of the city to shop cheaply...
The cost of living in New York is more expensive than in the other destinations you will visit in the US. It is not worth wasting precious time of your stay in the city on shopping. It is much more convenient and cheaper to live in a hotel in Las Vegas or in a villa in Orlando and do your shopping in those destinations.
Of course, bargains can also be found in Manhattan, but it is primarily advisable to do "Window Shopping" there.
Manhattan's main shopping area extends from 32nd Street to 59th Street and from Third to Eighth Avenue. Fashion stores are concentrated on Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue. The stores include boutiques, electronics stores, jewelry stores, and of course giant department stores.
Shopping Trips in New York:
To order from GetYourGuide.com:
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Shopping trips to order from Viator:
Large Department Stores
♦ Macy's, which is the largest department store in the world, located at Broadway and 34th Street. If you are in the city leading up to Christmas, do not miss a visit to it. Macy's "Santa Land" is the best in the city. In the spring, for Easter, a wonderful spring flower show is held in the store.
♦ Bloomingdale’s, a high-end and classic department store, with 10 floors. Address: 1000 Lexington Ave. at 59th Street.
♦ Lord and Taylor on Fifth Avenue at 38th Street and the elegant Saks Fifth Avenue on Fifth Avenue near 49th Street.
All these department stores are huge, prestigious, sell famous brands, and the prices in them are high. Only during special sales can items be found at a reasonable price. It is worth entering at least one of them just to get an impression of the size, selection, and luxury, but to do the actual shopping in cheaper stores.
Toy Stores
♦ A giant branch of Toys R Us is located in Times Square featuring a three-story Ferris wheel, which can be ridden free of charge (it is recommended to reserve a ride time on the wheel immediately upon arrival at the store), as well as a giant model of a dinosaur, a massive Barbie house, Lego models of famous Manhattan buildings, and other attractions.
♦ Toy Store: The most famous toy store in New York and one of the most famous in the world that starred in children's movies ("Big" and "Home Alone 2") is FAO Schwarz. The store closed in 2015 and reopened in a different location – at Rockefeller Center in late 2018.
Electrical Appliances, Electronics, and Computers:
When you are examining an electrical appliance for purchase, check if it is compatible with both 110V and 220V so that you can also use it in Israel. In New York, there are plenty of stores selling electrical products compatible with Israel: 220V and the broadcast system suitable for Israel (important for televisions, video cameras, and TV games). It is a dubious pleasure to buy in these stores and the prices are also tens of percent higher compared to the same products themselves operating in the American system and voltage. Products such as stereo systems, computer scanners, or printers whose power consumption is low should be bought in the American system (110V) and a suitable transformer purchased for them. This way you can buy at cheaper prices and in well-known and reliable chains. In the Lower East Side, the Jewish shopping area in the south of the city, there are many stores selling electrical appliances compatible with Israel. On Chambers, Canal, and Essex Streets there is a large concentration of stores considered cheaper. Note that most of the sellers understand Hebrew well, so do not argue among yourselves in Hebrew about the product or its price in their presence. In these stores, it is recommended to bargain with the sellers over the price, also in Hebrew, as mentioned.
Similar stores, with similar prices, can also be found in central Manhattan. Check the products carefully and inquire about international warranties.
♦ The Apple branch in Manhattan is a dream come true for gadget and computer enthusiasts. Here you will find and can experience all the latest technological innovations from Apple, including iPhones, iPads, etc. Even those who are not fans of the company's products will be impressed by the store's striking design.
♦ Nintendo World is the flagship store of Nintendo presenting the latest word in computer games, from mobile games for the road to home games. In the store, you can test and play the latest games that have just been released. There are comfortable spaceship-like chairs and many stations for playing and testing. Warning: it is extremely difficult to extract children who are computer game enthusiasts from the place! The store is located in Rockefeller Center, at: 10 Rockefeller Plaza.
♦ Photography: B&H Photo is one of the best photography stores in the world. This is the place to purchase cameras, video cameras, and all related accessories. The range of products is extremely wide and the prices are attractive. Address: 420 9th Ave (between 33rd and 34th Streets). The store is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
Other stores most favored by children and youth are:
♦ Abercrombie & Fitch, the clothing store loved by young people, address: Fifth Avenue between 58th and 57th Streets.
♦ The NBA Store could certainly be considered the "NBA Hall of Fame." This is a must-visit site for any basketball fan visiting the city. In the store are various stations for shooting hoops, computer games, movies, multimedia, and more, all on the subject of the legendary American basketball teams. Naturally, you will find it difficult to leave the place without purchasing a souvenir or two... The store hosts many events, including face-to-face meetings with NBA and WNBA players. Address: 545 5th Ave (at 45th Street).
♦ "Dylan’s Candy Bar" is a giant candy store located on Third Avenue, at: 1011 Third Ave. The store (which has branches in other US destinations) has more than 5,000 types of candies and is considered the largest candy store in the world. The store spreads over three floors and is superbly designed (it has won many design awards) and also features a cafe and bar.
♦ The M&M's World is essentially a giant candy store featuring the beloved M&M chocolate candies. In the store, which spans three floors, you will find a multitude of chocolates but also gifts, dolls, and souvenirs. Address: 1600 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. If you haven't had enough sweets and chocolates, you can also visit Hershey’s Chocolate World. The store is located in Times Square and in it you will find a special candy machine where you can make candies according to your taste and preferences, souvenirs, gifts, and of course candies and chocolates from the sweet house of Hershey. ♦ Toy Store: The most famous toy store in New York and one of the most famous in the world that starred in children's movies ("Big" and "Home Alone 2") is FAO Schwarz. The store closed in 2015 and reopened in a different location – at Rockefeller Center in late 2018.
Discount Stores and Bargains
In New York, a wealth of "bargains" of all types and kinds can be found. Carefully examine the products you wish to buy. Sometimes attractive merchandise at a tempting price is flawed. Also, not every "inventory liquidation before closing" is real. There are several stores in New York that have been liquidating all their merchandise for over twenty years…
There are several chains in New York specializing in bargains where shopping is usually worthwhile:
♦ Loehmann’s - a chain of stores selling well-known and high-end brands (primarily women's clothing) at a discount of about 30-40% compared to their price in regular stores. The Manhattan branch is located on Seventh Avenue between 16th and 17th Streets. Additional branches in the Bronx and Queens. Visiting this chain is recommended!
♦ Burlington Coat Factory - another chain selling, besides coats at comfortable prices, also brand-name labels. Address: 707 6th Avenue, Phone: (212) 229-1300.
♦ Century 21 - a popular and worthwhile department store. Three floors packed with clothing, footwear, cosmetics, linens, luggage, etc., at attractive prices. Address: 22 Cortlandt Street (between Church Street and Broadway) in Lower Manhattan.
Factory Outlet Centers:
At a distance of about an hour's drive from New York, there are several large factory outlet centers. A celebration for brand lovers who do not wish to go broke. The largest and most popular are:
♦ Woodbury Common Premium Outlets – 220 factory stores about an hour's drive north of Manhattan. Address: 498 Red Apple Court, Central Valley. A round-trip shuttle service from Manhattan can be booked by bus:
NYC: Woodbury Common Premium Outlets Shopping Round Trip Service
♦ Jersey Gardens - the largest factory outlet center in New Jersey, at a distance of about fifty minutes' drive west of Manhattan. Address: 651 Kapkowski Road, Elizabeth, NJ. It can be reached from Manhattan by bus number 111.
Buying entrance tickets to attractions and museums in New York:
New York City Pass - is a combined entry ticket to six popular tourist sites in the city, including the Empire State Building, a cruise around Manhattan or to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and four museums. It is worthwhile for those who plan to visit at least four of these attractions. The ticket can be used for 9 days from the day you visited the first attraction. There is also an option to purchase a ticket for only 3 attractions.
The ticket can be purchased directly from this site:
CityPASS
- New York - 6 great attractions in one ticket.
Recommended site for purchasing tickets for shows, theater, and sports events in New York:
Tickets for popular shows in New York from Viator: