Adidas Originals Store
With an inspired collection, the triple-stripe sportswear company has moved out of the gym and into retro fashion. Young jocks and wannabe D.J.’s come here for anything from key chains, track suits and tees to limited-edition shoes.
Plan B: Opt for streamlined apparel and footwear from the nearby Puma Store, abuzz with young hipsters.
American Girl Place
The 43,000-square-foot behemoth is home to a full line of eighteen-inch historical dolls (dressed in period clothes), a café, a bookstore, and a theater that brings the dolls’ characters to life.
Apple Store SoHo
The two-story space boasts a show-stopping glass staircase and a translucent walkway which glimmers in the sunshine flooding in from skylights. Test-drive everything in sight (iPods, digital cameras, software), play stump-the-tech-experts at the Genius Bar upstairs, or sit in on the free daily instructional seminars.
Barneys New York
Anyone worth her Manolos will tell you that Barneys’ Madison Avenue flagship is the final word in edgy designer fashion. The lower floors house sophisticated, expensive items like Prada suits; in the upstairs Co-op department, you’ll find Habitual jeans, Miu Miu dresses, and clingy Juicy tees.
Bergdorf Goodman
Ladies who lunch still come here for endless variations on the daytime suit; younger customers flock to the fifth floor for Michael Kors, Theory, and Diane von Furstenberg dresses. The second floor shoe salon is dazzling enough to get any woman in trouble and the massive bag collection is equally dangerous.
Bloomingdale's
Plow through "B-Way," the aptly named, crowded main-floor arcade that feels like Times Square on Saturday, and hit the second floor for trendy, well-priced American brands. Bloomies also carries all the requisite big-name designer labels and houses an extensive selection of lingerie. The SoHo location, opened in spring '04, caters to a younger, hipper crowd.
Century 21
The home of department store designer leftovers that are at least—and often far more than—40 percent off. You’ll find everything from Hanes to Helmut Lang for men and women. The linen department deals are even more incredible.
FAO Schwarz
In 1862, German immigrant Frederick August Otto Schwarz began supplying New York society with Europe’s finest toys. Today, you’ll find a smattering of ultra-high-end goods and an array of stuffed animals, dolls, train sets, blocks, board games, and even candy.
Grand Central Station
Looking for authentic New York cheesecake? You don't need to trek out to Brooklyn. This spectacularly restored landmark boasts a Junior's outpost—along with classy lounge The Campbell Apartment, the famous Oyster Bar & Restaurant, and a slew of shops, including Godiva Chocolatier, Kenneth Cole, L'Occitane, Banana Republic, Papyrus and many more.
The Greenmarket at Union Square
Farmers from as far away as Vermont arrive at this outdoor market four times weekly, toting the freshest of produce and an ample selection of flowers. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Plan B: Roam the long corridor at Chelsea Market, stopping for lunch, pastries, produce, or unusual blooms at their wholesale flower market.
Henri Bendel
In the disco era, Henri Bendel was the epicenter of modish New York. These days, the shop stays cool with favorites like Earl Jeans and Shoshanna dresses, as well as styles from designers like Sophia Kokosalaki. Visit the Tiffany’s Closet boutique for vintage handbags and jewelry.
H&M
The throngs of bargain hunters, thumping music, and huge fitting-room lines could fray even a Zen master’s nerves, but you can’t beat this Swedish chain’s ridiculously low prices on must-haves of the moment like club clothes, ethnic-inspired tops, and cargo pants.
Plan B: For years, European have loved the Dutch brand Mexx for many of the same reasons New Yorkers love H&M—accessible prices, amazingly quick trend-spotting. Prices are a step higher at Mexx and outerwear seems to be their strength.
Macy's
If you're looking for cutting edge fashion, head elsewhere. This is the spot for essentials from all the big brands—everyone from Guess and Esprit to Ralph, Donna and Calvin, and at all prices in between.
Madison Avenue
This haute strip boasts fifteen blocks of celebrity designer shops (Calvin, Jean-Paul, Giorgio) and flagship fashion house boutiques (Prada, Hermès, Chanel). Kick things off at Fratelli Rossetti on 58th Street for fab Italian shoes, and be sure to leave some time for the grand finale at the stately Polo Store on 72nd Street.
Plan B: Need to get it all in a hurry? Fifth Avenue is where you'll find the high-end department stores (Bergdorf's, Bendel's, Saks) carrying all the names you need. Plus a few that you won't find on Madison (Versace, Fendi, Ferragamo).
NBA Store
This bustling basketball temple carries everything from standard posters and authentic jerseys to jewelry, tableware and a new “nba4her” line, worn by Eve and Mariah Carey. Test your skills by shooting balls on the main-floor court or in the pop-a-shot game downstairs.
Niketown
The famed Nike swoosh is everywhere you look in this much-ballyhooed store. Stop in for the full line of Nike products—shoes, clothes, gizmos—and the terrific people-watching.
Ricky's
No one needs 80 kinds of hair brushes, but they look cool all lined up on the shelves. Ditto for wigs in shades of neon and hair bands in every shape. Makeup artists hoard the tiny plastic pots and bottles; club kids come for extensions and body glitter.
