New York City's 11 best neighborhoods for shopping

With dozens of diverse enclaves spread out across the five boroughs, the shopping scene in New York City has something for everyone – namely thousands upon thousands of stores, from local small businesses and pop-up markets to big-name international brands. 

It’s impossible to cover them all, but these are a round-up of the best spots in each district that will help you discover finds of all kinds. Put on your best walking shoes and brush up on your subway knowledge – this is how to find the best shopping districts to explore across Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens and what you can expect from them.

1. SoHo

Best for high fashion meets the masses 

If you only cruise down Broadway and pop in and out of the big-name chains like Uniqlo, H&M, Zara, or TJ Maxx, you’d be forgiven for thinking this formerly artsy neighborhood isn’t what it once was. And it’s true: there’s not much edginess left in SoHo’s loft-lined, cobblestone streets. Still, if you’re coming to shop, there’s lots to like, whether you’re giving the credit card a workout or just browsing, especially once you cut away from the main drag and dig into the side streets. 

To the east, on Crosby, the Housing Works thrift shop and bookstore both support their parent organization’s advocacy work on behalf of people living with HIV/AIDS. Off Canal St, thrifty shoppers can find gently-loved vintage and contemporary fashion at The ReShop and 2nd STREET SoHo. On Mercer, look for high-end denim at A.P.C., lust-worthy boots at rag & bone, and stylish streetwear at Billionaire Boys Club. Another block west on Greene, there’s luxury galore, from big names like Versace and Dior to smaller brands like Golden Goose and Isabel Marant.

Over on Sullivan St, Global Table has eclectic, artisan-made dinnerware, and down on Spring St, the MoMA Design Store has the modern masterpieces you’d expect from an art-world superstar. Also on Spring, Dominique Ansel Bakery is renowned for its much-hyped pastries, and deservedly so, as everything here is executed to perfection. Try a seasonal cronut, or one of the exquisite tarts. 

Before you leave the area entirely, head up Broadway to NoHo, where science enthusiasts and curious collectors can score museum-inspired souvenirs at the Evolution Store.

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Getting there on the subway:

• 6 train to Bleecker St

• B, D, F or M trains to Broadway-Lafayette

• C, E or 6 trains to Spring St

• R or W train to Prince St

2. East Village & Lower East Side

Best for cutting-edge cool

With their rock ‘n roll roots and diverse styles, the East Village and Lower East Side have long been considered bastions of NYC cool. Today, these once-edgy areas are a bit more tame, but there are still pockets of grit to be found amongst the trendy restaurants and shiny new residential high-rises. 

In the East Village, you’ll find scores of boutiques carrying new and vintage gear, plus tobacco and tattoo shops. Trash and Vaudeville, on East 7th St, is punk rock heaven. On East 9th St, stop at Cloak & Dagger for on-trend styles; Spark Pretty for over-the-top pieces from the ‘80s and ‘90s; Love Only NYC for form-fitting separates; vintage and modern sunglasses at the iconic Fabulous Fanny’s; and Mr. Throwback for secondhand sportswear, including game-worn jerseys.

The neighborhood is home to some truly unique spots too. For ready-to-wear and custom made-to-measure chapeaus, there’s East Village Hats; Toy Tokyo is jam-packed with Japanese toys and collectibles; Exit9 offers quirky gifts and non-cheesy NYC memorabilia; and A-1 Record Shop is one of the few remaining places in the city for vinyl lovers to dig through the stacks and discover a rarity or two. 

South of Houston, Edith Machinist counts costume designers for film and TV amongst its clientele, thanks to a tightly curated selection of stellar vintage goods. Pilgrim New York carries previously worn items from luxury labels, and sustainability-driven chain Reformation has a house line created from repurposed vintage and dead-stock fabrics. Pulling together provisions for a picnic? VinVero is a wine shop that shines a light on bottles from “small family-owned, organic, biodynamic, and sustainable producers,” while Supermoon Bakehouse carries creative treats, like hot-honey pepperoni pizza focaccia and pumpkin cheesecake choux. 

While you’re on the Lower East Side, don’t miss Essex Market. In addition to produce, meat, fish, cheese (vegan and dairy alike), ice cream and prepared foods, this sprawling emporium also has some great specialty shops, such as Catalyst Records.

Getting there on the subway:

• L train to 1st or 3rd Ave

• F train to 2nd Ave

• F, J, M or Z trains to Delancey St/Essex St

3. Chinatown

Best for a bustling and busy atmosphere

Chaotic and crowded, Chinatown is potentially the most singular NYC shopping district for its sheer variety of offerings, with only its counterpart in Flushing, Queens, to give it a run for its money. Here you’ll find dim sum joints, hand-pulled-noodle houses, and bakeries stacked cheek-to-jowl alongside produce stands and shops selling everything from dinnerware and skin care to wind-up toys and slogan tees. 

Once a neighborhood go-to, Pearl River Mart relocated from Tribeca to SoHo post-pandemic, and it’s worth trekking a few blocks north for pan-Asian clothing and accessories, kitchen necessities, paper products, snacks and more. 

On Canal St, New Kam Man offers three floors of groceries, prepared foods, dishware, kitchen appliances, and even beauty products, and around the corner on Mott, Ten Ren’s Tea Time offers an assortment of packaged teas, plus expertly steeped hot tea and bubble tea too. A few doors down, Senti Senti is stocked to the brim with covetable Korean and Asian skincare.

Getting there on the subway:

• A, C, E, J, N, Q, R, W, Z, 1 or 6 trains to Canal St

4. Flatiron District & Union Square

Best for brand names

Named for the wedge-shaped optical illusion of a building that anchors the neighborhood, the Flatiron District features an assortment of big-box stores, including Theory, Madewell, Aritzia, Lululemon, and Cole Haan. Just west of Madison Square Park, there’s Eataly for all things Italian – groceries, restaurants, and one of the best rooftop bars in the city.

Around the corner, the LEGO store has always-amazing window displays as well as plenty of good stuff inside. Down toward Union Square, abc carpet & home has gorgeous decor at eye-popping prices, while Fishs Eddy has dishes, glasses and serveware in clever, vintage-inspired patterns at much more affordable costs. Union Square itself hosts one of the city’s premiere holiday markets, and just a few blocks south, the Strand carries an overwhelming 18 miles of used, new and rare books – more than 2.5 million copies in total. 

Getting there on the subway:

• L, N, Q, R, W, 4, 5 or 6 trains to 14th St-Union Square

• F, M, R, W or 6 trains to 23rd St

5. Chelsea

Best for art and galleries

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With the exception of the Upper East Side’s Museum Mile, it doesn’t get much artsier than Chelsea. A one-time industrial area that’s now an LGBTQ+ stronghold, today it boasts galleries galore, many of which are housed in the light-filled former warehouses and factories dotting the blocks between 10th and 11th avenues. 

The Shops at Hudson Yards are located by The Vessel, a highly recognizable hive-shaped structure. The adjacent mall has more than 100 luxury and high-end stores – including Dylan’s Candy Bar, Milk and Honey Babies, Scanlan Theodore and Phillipe Patek – spanning almost 30 acres.

On West 26th St between 10th and 11th avenues is the pioneering Paula Cooper Gallery: Cooper opened the first gallery in Soho in 1968, and was the first to shift operations up to Chelsea in the mid-’90s. She continues to garner respect, representing artists including Sol LeWitt and Claes Oldenburg. 

With three locations uptown and three in Chelsea – two on West 24th and one on West 21st –  not to mention outposts in Los Angeles, London, Paris, Geneva and elsewhere, the Gagosian gallery is a major player; accordingly, its exhibitions tend to feature art-world luminaries like Damien Hirst, Richard Serra and Donald Judd. 

If you need a break and a snack, head to the elevated High Line, which has 1.45 miles of gorgeous outdoor space floating 30ft above the city streets. Built on an abandoned train line, the area has been repurposed to showcase free art installations and interactive experiences. It’s a wonderful place to stroll or people-watch, and you can grab lunch or a snack in the nearby Chelsea Market.

David Zwirner had New Yorkers turning out in droves when he brought Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room to his 19th St gallery in 2013; he now has branches on 20th, 69th, and Walker streets as well as London, Paris, and Hong Kong. Pace Gallery is another blockbuster spot, occupying eight stories on West 25th and featuring works from big-name stars such as Richard Avedon and Barbara Hepworth. 

Getting there on the subway:

• A, C, E, 1, 2, 3 or LIRR trains to 34th St-Penn Station

• B, D, F, M, N, R, Q or W trains to 34th St-Herald Square

• 7 train to 34th St-Hudson Yards

6. Midtown

Best for famous department stores

When it comes to iconic shopping, Fifth Avenue in Midtown is a world-renowned destination and famously known as the most expensive street in the world. Here, you’ll find luxury retailers like Louis Vuitton and Bergdorf Goodman, as well as flagship stores like Tiffany&Co. Don’t miss FAO Schwarz, the larger-than-life toy store offering whimsical displays and gifts for children and the young at heart. Rockefeller Center combines sightseeing with a variety of retail options, from premium boutiques to souvenir shops. 

Head to Bloomingdales for chic designer collections and the opportunity to tote NYC’s beloved “brown bag,” as recognizable as a Yankees cap. Macy’s Herald Square is a must-visit stop for everything from high-end fashion to affordable essentials. One of the largest department stores in the world, the famed retail space first opened its doors in 1902 and is also home to the last wooden escalator in NYC. The Garment District is a fun stop for fashion designers, artists and anyone who loves the business of fashion, as it's renowned for the sheer number of designer showrooms, fabric stores and sample sales. Note that some stores are only open to industry insiders or those buying wholesale, so check before you go. 

Loved by first-time visitors and loathed by locals, there's certainly no missing Times Square. Bright lights and massive visual displays are the hallmark of this famous crossroads, and if you’re staying in midtown, it’s hard to avoid. It’s also jammed with retail spaces, and they suit the over-the-top surroundings. 

Getting there on the subway:

• 4, 5 or 6 trains to 59th St and Lexington (East Side)

• N, R or W trains to 59th St-5th Ave

• N, Q, R, S, W, 1, 2, 3 or 7 trains to 42nd St-Time Square (West Side)

7. Harlem

Best for soulful style

The epicenter of Black culture in America since the early 1900s, it's no shock Harlem is home to an assortment of Black-owned and run businesses, from galleries to bookstores to gift shops and boutiques. A treasured NYC shopping district, 125th St is known as the “Main Street” of Harlem and is a source of pride for the city's Black community.

On 116th St and Malcolm X Blvd (also called Lenox Ave), Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market is a covered bazaar overflowing with African goods, including drums, textiles, jewelry and traditional masks, while Calabar Imports on Frederick Douglass Blvd carries chic interpretations of classic designs as well as the classics themselves, including African print clothing, bold statement necklaces, and cute fabric dolls from Senegal.

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture – named after Arturo Schomburg, an Afro-Puerto Rican historian, writer, curator and activist – is the world’s leading center for the research and preservation of African American and African diasporic culture and history. The Schomburg Shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 5:45pm. There, you can purchase books, clothing, jewelry and clothing created by Black and Brown artists. 

Trunk Show Designer Consignment carries gear from current seasons in excellent condition, while Flamekeepers Hat Club offers flashy fedoras and more. Revolution Books has shelves stocked with tomes on communism, history, and the effects of enslavement and apartheid, as well as current fiction and poetry; it also hosts programs and events. 

A go-to option for standout gifts, NiLu boasts a roster of independent makers, from chocolates, candles and soaps to clothing, jewelry and fine art. And for more of the latter, there’s Kente Royal Gallery, a welcoming space devoted to art of the African diaspora.

On the East Side of Harlem, also known as Spanish Harlem, you’ll find La Marqueta. The marketplace runs underneath the elevated Metro North railway between 111th St and 116th St on Park Ave in one of the largest LatinX neighborhoods in the city. It’s the perfect place for food and artisan fairs, seasonal farmers markets, and cultural classes.

Getting there on the subway:

• 2 or 3 trains to 116th or 125th St and Lenox Ave (West Side)

• 6 train to 110th or 116th St (East Side)

• 4, 5 or 6 trains to 125th St

8. Lower Manhattan

Best for modern mall mania

New Yorkers have often bemoaned the so-called "mallification" of the city (see above re: SoHo), but when it comes to Lower Manhattan, it's not a euphemism. Overlooking the Hudson River, Brookfield Place is a five-building complex with luxury-label shops – everything from Bonobos and Bottega Veneta to Louis Vuitton and Vince – and a great food court that offers specials at happy hour. Ideal if you're visiting NYC on a budget. 

Then there’s Westfield World Trade Center, another fancy mall that’s home to dozens of stores including Apple, Eataly, and – in case of luggage emergencies – Tumi. The two malls are connected via the Oculus, a soaring, bright white, Santiago Calatrava-designed nexus linking the subway and the PATH trains. It’s also lined with shops, but it’s worth a visit for the photo ops alone. 

Getting there on the subway:

• A, C or E trains to World Trade Center

• R or W trains to Cortlandt St

• 1 train to WTC Cortlandt

• J, 2 or 3 trains to Fulton St

9. Boerum Hill 

Best for antiques and (indie) boutiques

Along Atlantic Ave between Hoyt and Bond, there’s a cluster of antiques shops with vintage-chic vibes. At Horseman Antiques, garden furniture and decor spills out onto the sidewalk, and inside, you’ll find multiple gems of mid-century design. A few doors down, cityFoundry carries modern pieces alongside a whimsical selection of objects, accents and architectural details (gargoyle reliefs, anyone?), while across the street, Humble House offers an Instagram-ready collection of beautifully restored vintage goods. 

Sprinkled throughout this Brooklyn enclave are gift and home-goods shops. Try Layla for vintage suzanis and handmade jewelry from India; Collier West for crystal-laden chandeliers and a stunning assortment of rugs; Michele Varian for ceramics and decor from local designers; Mud Australia for porcelain tableware; and Sterling Place for hostess gifts and even more rugs. For simple high-end clothing, hit the M. Patmos boutique; there’s also Meg for drapey, well-cut basics and Consignment Brooklyn for second hand designer gear. 

Getting there on the subway:

• A or C trains to Hoyt–Schermerhorn Sts

• D or N trains to Atlantic Ave–Barclays Center

• 2, 3, 4 or 5 trains to Nevins St

10. Greenpoint & Williamsburg

Best for vintage variety

If you’re on the hunt for previously worn treasures, head for North Brooklyn. In Greenpoint, start at the north end of McCarren Park, where there’s an outpost of local buy-sell-trade mini-chain Beacon’s Closet; exceedingly cheerful prints at Awoke Vintage; fashion from the nineties and noughties at Tired Thrift; and classic, well-constructed pieces at Mirth Vintage.  

South of the park, on Williamsburg's North 7th, Artists & Fleas welcomes nearly 50 vendors – vintage collectors as well as makers and designers – to its indoor market each Saturday and Sunday. On Bedford Ave, stoke childhood nostalgia with toys and collectibles – everything from sports memorabilia to Cabbage Patch Kids – from Brooklyn Woke Vintage; find menswear and accessories at Rugged Road & Co; and hit Amarcord for curated high-end vintage apparel. 

There’s even more action down on Grand St, especially between Wyeth and Havemeyer, where you’ll find at least ten vintage or consignment stores along the stretch. Start at the western end with Antoinette, where reasonably priced second hand apparel sits alongside pieces from new designers, then browse your way down toward Rabbits Vintage Fashion at Havemeyer, where the owner stocks rare pieces like antique kimonos and outerwear from the 70s and 80s. 

Be sure to save some energy for the secondhand specialty shops too, such as Southside Guitars and Main Drag Music, which stock vintage instruments and amps; and Spoonbill Books, which has been keeping the neighborhood in reading material – new, used and rare – since 1999.

Getting there on the subway:

• G train to Greenpoint

• J or M train to Marcy Ave

• L train to Lorimer St

11. Astoria

Best for small, independent businesses

Just 20 minutes from Times Square on the N train, Astoria in Queens is a historically Greek enclave that’s seen an influx of diversity in the past decade or two. The neighbourhood's dedication to small makers and businesses offers a welcome antidote to the mass-market goods found elsewhere in the city. Look for the collective "Shop Small Astoria" on Instagram, a solid resource for discovering indie brands, stores and more insider tips.

For decor, gifts and home goods from local creators, visit the Lockwood flagship on 33rd St; the mini-chain also has a stationery store and a size-inclusive boutique next door on Broadway. The Brass Owl is home to laid-back artisan apparel for women and children. On 31st Ave, Loveday 31 carries well-preserved, colorful vintage clothing (the likes of YSL, Chanel and Marimekko), and on 31st St, Astoria Bookshop offers new releases and old favorites, available to order online and pick up in-store. 

Film buffs should make time for the Museum of the Moving Image, which hosts special screenings, exhibits, and a shop teeming with books and gifts tailor-made for the cinephile.  

Getting there on the subway:

• N or W train to Broadway or 23rd Ave