Shopping
Best shopping in New York: Fifth Avenue, SoHo and Brooklyn
New York is the shopping city everyone dreams about at least once. Here is Picolo’s guide to shopping in New York, from Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue to SoHo, the Meatpacking District and vintage in Williamsburg, with hotels that make it easy to get around.
Yellow cabs honk, steam rises from a grate in the street, and the windows on Fifth Avenue are dressed like Broadway sets. New York is a city where shopping is entertainment, whether you are stepping into Bergdorf Goodman or digging through a vintage store in Brooklyn. It is also huge, so it pays to plan by neighbourhood.
We have split this guide by the main shopping areas in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and picked hotels right in the middle of them.
The links to the hotels are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
How to choose the right shopping area in New York
Flagships and department stores: Fifth Avenue between Rockefeller Center and Central Park.
Luxury: Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side.
Brand stores and designers: SoHo and NoLita.
Trendy and creative: the Meatpacking District and West Village.
Vintage and local labels: Williamsburg in Brooklyn.
The department store classic: Macy’s on Herald Square.
Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue
Fifth Avenue is New York’s most famous shopping street, with Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany’s flagship and a long line of big brands. Around Christmas the windows and lights alone are worth the trip. One block east is Madison Avenue, with luxury boutiques and galleries at a calmer pace.
The Plaza: where Fifth Avenue meets Central Park
The Plaza stands on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South. You step straight out onto the shopping street, with Bergdorf Goodman next door.
It is one of the city’s most famous hotels, seen in countless films, and the lobby is an attraction in itself.
Book your shopping break: See rooms at The Plaza
The Pierre
Fifth Avenue by Central Park
The Pierre: classic luxury by the park
The Pierre is on Fifth Avenue by Central Park, with Madison Avenue a block away. It is a classic New York hotel with white gloves and views over the park.
For anyone shopping the Upper East Side with the park as their back garden.
Book your shopping break: See rooms at The Pierre
SoHo and NoLita
SoHo is known for its cast-iron buildings and streets such as Broadway, Prince Street and Spring Street, packed with brand stores and designers. NoLita, just to the east, has smaller boutiques, jewellery and coffee bars. You can easily spend a whole day here.
Smyth Tribeca
In Tribeca, near SoHo
Smyth Tribeca: a quiet base near SoHo
Smyth is in Tribeca, a short walk from SoHo. The area is calmer than most of Manhattan, with cobbled streets and great restaurants.
An intimate hotel for shopping SoHo by day and eating well at night.
Book your shopping break: See rooms at Smyth Tribeca
Public Hotel
The Lower East Side
Public Hotel: the Lower East Side
Public is on the Lower East Side, with NoLita and small boutiques within walking distance. It has a minimalist style and a popular rooftop bar.
A good choice if you like neighbourhoods with vintage, galleries and nightlife.
Book your shopping break: See rooms at PUBLIC
The Meatpacking District and Hudson Yards
The Meatpacking District and West Village have fashion stores, concept shops and the High Line, an elevated park on old railway tracks. Chelsea Market is a food hall in a former biscuit factory. Further north is Hudson Yards, a modern mall with many well known brands.
The Standard, High Line
Above the High Line in Meatpacking
The Standard, High Line: above Meatpacking
The Standard stands on pillars above the High Line in the Meatpacking District. The rooms have huge windows looking over the Hudson River and the city.
For anyone who wants to be in the middle of trendy New York, with shops and bars all around.
Book your shopping break: See rooms at The Standard, High Line
Pendry Manhattan West
Near Hudson Yards
Pendry Manhattan West: near Hudson Yards
Pendry is at Manhattan West, a short walk from Hudson Yards and the High Line. It is a modern luxury hotel with a good restaurant and bar.
Perfect for shopping Hudson Yards with Midtown within walking distance.
Book your shopping break: See rooms at Pendry Manhattan West
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Williamsburg is the place for vintage, records, local designers and coffee bars. Bedford Avenue and the streets around it are full of small shops, and at weekends there are markets with food and crafts.
The William Vale
Views from Williamsburg
The William Vale: a rooftop over Brooklyn
The William Vale is in Williamsburg and has one of Brooklyn’s best known rooftop bars, with views towards Manhattan. Every room has a balcony.
For anyone who would rather stay among the vintage shops than in Midtown.
Book your shopping break: See rooms at The William Vale
Sales tax, Black Friday and outlets
Prices in American shops are shown without sales tax, which is added at the till. The US has no VAT refund scheme for tourists. Check your customs allowances for the journey home.
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving at the end of November, kicks off the Christmas shopping season with big discounts. For outlet shopping, large outlet centres lie a couple of hours or less outside the city, with their own coach services.
When should you book your hotel?
December: Christmas shopping in New York is popular, so book early.
January and February: often cheaper hotels and sales in the shops.
Flexible rates: choose a cancellable room if you book far ahead.
Frequently asked questions about shopping in New York
Where is the best shopping in New York?
Fifth Avenue has the flagships and department stores, Madison Avenue the luxury labels, SoHo brand stores and designers, the Meatpacking District and Hudson Yards trendy shops, and Williamsburg in Brooklyn vintage and local brands.
Can tourists shop tax free in New York?
No, the US has no VAT refund scheme for tourists. Sales tax is added at the till and is not included in the price on the tag.
When is Black Friday in New York?
Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving, which falls on the fourth Thursday in November. Many shops run big offers on the day itself and throughout the weekend.
What is the most famous shopping street in New York?
Fifth Avenue is New York’s most famous shopping street, especially the stretch between Rockefeller Center and Central Park with department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman.
Where should I stay for shopping in New York?
The Plaza and The Pierre are by Fifth Avenue and Central Park, Smyth Tribeca is near SoHo, The Standard is in the Meatpacking District and The William Vale is in Williamsburg.