The words “New York” and “shopping” go hand in hand, as spendthrifts from every corner of the globe descend on the Big Apple hunting for quality goods and bargain prices.
Midtown Manhattan is full of large department stores and designer outlets offering the fanatical shopper an unparalleled choice. If you can’t find it in New York you most likely won’t find it anywhere.
The major attractions are the department stores spread across the city offering everything from the very latest fashions to a bag of candy. The size of the city means a bit of forward planning is useful to get the best out of a short stay.
Location
Most of the big department stores are in the area north of the Empire State Building (34th Street) and south of Central Park and are within fairly easy walking distance of most hotels in Midtown Manhattan.
Opening hours
Opening hours vary between stores but most of the large department stores open at 10am on weekdays and 11am on Sundays. Closing times vary widely, for example, Bloomingdales close at 7pm every weekday while Macy’s stays open until 9:30.
Prices
Prices vary widely, some items attract premium prices while others are heavily discounted. Generally, while prices may appear attractive to overseas visitors they are higher than elsewhere in the US.
Sales Tax
New York sales tax is 8.25%, but clothing and shoes costing less than $110 are not taxed. Prices are normally marked before tax and the tax is added when paying. If in doubt ask. Items shipped directly from the store to an address outside New York State carry no sales tax, but may be liable to customs duties.
Customs
Overseas visitors will have a duty free allowance they can take back without incurring customs charges. This varies widely from country to country, so check before leaving home. Any items bought in excess of these allowances are liable to import duties.
Discount Stores
Are you scared off by New York prices? Try Filene’s Basement or Century 21, these offer designer goods at a fraction of retail prices. These are a little more difficult to find, Filene’s is on 6th Avenue near West 18th Street and Century 21, which claims to be “New York’s best kept secret”, is opposite Ground Zero, the site of the World Trade Center.
Addresses
Barney’s New York
660 Madison Avenue Phone +1 212 826 8900 Nearest Subway Lexington Ave/59th St
Bloomingdales
1000 3rd Avenue Phone +1 212 753 7300 Nearest Subway Lexington Ave/59th St
Century 21
22 Cortlandt Street Phone +1 212 227 9092 Nearest Subway Chambers St or World Trade Center
Filene’s Basement
620 Avenue of the Americas Phone +1 212 620 3100 Nearest Subway 18th Street
Lord & Taylor
424 5th Avenue Phone +1 212 391 3344 Nearest Subway Fifth Avenue/42nd Street
Macy’s
151 W 34th Street Phone +1 212 695 4400 Nearest Subway 34th Street Penn Station or 34th Street 6th Avenue
Saks Fifth Avenue
611 5th Avenue Phone +1 212 753 4000 Nearest subway Fifth Avenue 53rd Street
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