Top New York City Shopping Districts List & Map

NYC Shopping Districts -5th Avenue Stores Visitors from all over the world come to New York; most do a fair share of shopping while in town. The options are as diverse as they are endless. NYC shopping doesn't get more upscale than Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue, or funkier than Greenwich Village, or richer in culture than Chinatown. You can browse through the unique shopping districts of Chelsea, East Village or South Street Seaport. Manhattan offers shopping experiences for every taste and every budget.

Review our guide for highlights and links to more details about the best NYC shopping districts and our New York Shopping Districts Map at the bottom of the page for locations and directions.

Best New York Shopping Districts

Chelsea Shopping District

Boundaries: N-30th Street, S-14th Street, E-6th Avenue, W-Hudson River
Highlights: Chelsea Market, Limelight Marketplace, Art Galleries, Boutiques, Barneys CO-OP.

Overview: The Chelsea Shopping District offers a vast array of shopping choices, from trendy boutiques to large nationally-known retail outlets and departments stores. The Limelight Marketplace is a mini-mall, though it has struggled to find its niche. Chelsea Market offers primarily food, sprinkled with a few retail shops. West Chelsea is home to over 200 art galleries. Just south of Chelsea, in the Meatpacking District, you'll find lots of fashion boutiques, including Diane von Furstenberg and Barneys Co-Op.

Web Links:

Chinatown Shopping District

Boundaries: N-Grand Street, S-Worth Street, E-Bowery Street, W-Lafayette St
Highlights: Knockoffs, bargaining, souvenirs, Pearl River Mart, street food vendors.

Overview: Manhattan's Chinatown Shopping District is home to nearly 100,000 Chinese, the greatest Chinese population in the western hemisphere and many who speak no English. Here is where you'll find all sorts of souvenirs, jewelry, apparel, arts, gifts and accessory knockoffs. The food markets specialize in herbs and spices, produce, meats and seafood. Chinatown is where you'll want to implement your bargaining skills. For one-stop souvenir shopping, check out Pearl River Mart. Grab a bite to eat from one of the street food carts or do a sit-down at one of hundreds of restaurants. Note that most vendors will accept cash only.

Web Links:

East Village Shopping District

Boundaries: N-14th Street, S-1st Street, E-1st Avenue, W-Broadway
Highlights: Funky Shops, Second Hand Stores, Books, Sidewalk Artists

Overview: Head to East 9th Street to find a slew of small boutiques in the East Village Shopping District. The Strand Bookstore on Broadway dates back to 1927 and carries old, new and rare titles - they claim 18 miles of books! For a great deal buying or selling used books, check out East Village Books, located on St. Mark's Place. You'll find all sorts of interesting trinkets at the Pink Olive on East 9th Street.

Web Links:

Fifth Avenue Shopping District

Boundaries: N-60th St, S-39th St, E-Madison Ave, W-6th Avenue
Highlights: Saks 5th Avenue, Tiffany's, Luxury Flagship Stores,

Overview: The 5th Avenue Shopping District is the heart of Manhattan retail. Department stores include Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Lord & Taylor and Saks 5th Avenue. Here you'll find clothing stores galore, from Abercrombie to Zegna. Specialty mega-stores include Niketown, Disney Store, Apple, plus many more featuring beauty, jewelry, shoes, handbags, gifts and more.

Web Links:

Greenwich Village Shopping District

Boundaries: N-14th St, S-Houston St, E-Sixth Ave, W-Hudson St
Highlights: Bleecker Street, Uncle Sam's Army Navy Outfitters, Record Stores, LGBT Shops

Overview: Within the Greenwich Village Shopping District, you'll find one-of-a-kind shops amongst the mainstream retail names. Stores in this area feature specialty music and books, antiques, gourmet food and trendy clothing. Many of the boutiques carry the big names of fashion, particularly those along Bleecker Street.

Web Links:

Lower East Side Shopping District

Boundaries: N-Houston Street, S-Canal Street, E-Ludlow Street, W-Allen Street
Highlights: Essex Street Market, The Pickle Guys, Economy Candy, Lower East Side Visitor Center,

Overview: Head to the Lower East Side to check out the Historic Orchard Street Shopping District. Bargains can be found on leather goods and fabrics. At the Essex Street Market, over 20 merchants sell fresh produce, seafood, meats, gourmet foods and more. For an escape to the past, visit The Pickle Guys on Grand Street and Economy Candy on Rivington S. Note that many of the shops are closed on Saturdays for the Jewish Sabbath.

Web Links:

Madison Avenue Shopping District

Boundaries: N-86th St, S-57th Street, E-Park Ave, W-Fifth Avenue
Highlights: Barney's, Ralph Lauren Store, Lalique

Overview: The Madison Avenue Shopping District features high-end retailers, both large-scale and small boutiques offering apparel, jewelry, accessories and more. The list is endless - Gucci, Chanel, Kate Spade, Vera Wang, Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Armani, Prada and so much more.

Web Links:

34th Street District Shopping District

Boundaries: N-36th Street, S-31st Street, E-Madison Avenue, W-9th Avenue
Highlights: Macy's, Manhattan Mall

Overview: The 34th Street Shopping District, including the Herald Square and Greeley Square neighborhoods, is home to over 175 department stores, specialty shops, boutiques and national chain flagships, including apparel, shoes, accessories, cosmetics and more. The best known is Macy's, the largest department store in the world, with 9 floors and one million square feet of retail space. Macy's is host to the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. At the nearby Manhattan Mall and throughout of District, you'll find a variety of nationally known retailers.

Web Links:

Nolita Shopping District

Boundaries: N-E. Houston Street, S-Kenmare Street, E-Bowery, W-Lafayette Street
Highlights: Independent Boutiques

Overview: When visiting Nolita (north of Little Italy), head out along Elizabeth, Mott and Mulberry Streets for an array of trendy independent boutiques. Check out Belle by Sigerson Morrison for shoes, Resurrection for vintage clothing and more, Unis for menswear, and McNally Jackson Booksellers with two floors of books and a cafe. Nolita is home to Paul Frank's NY location where you can find clothing and many other items featuring the store's mascot - Julius the monkey.

Web Links:

Soho Shopping District

Boundaries: N-W. Houston Street, S-Canal Street, , E-Broadway, W-Sixth Avenue
Highlights: Boutiques, Art Galleries, Pearl River Mart

Overview: The Soho Shopping District features high-end boutiques as well as national brand retailers. Among the independent boutiques, you'll find J. Crew, Old Navy and H&M. Bloomingdale's has a location on Broadway. Pearl River Mart is the first Chinese American department store; they carry Chinese housewares, clothing, herbal products and more. Make a stop at Dean & Deluca store with gourmet and specialty foods, premium wines and high-end kitchenware.

Web Links:

South Street Seaport - Pier 17 Shopping District

Boundaries: N-Beekman St, S-John St., E-East River, W-Water Street
Highlights: Shopping, Dining & Entertainment in an Historic Setting

Overview: The South Street Seaport Shopping District is an historic spot with shopping, dining and entertainment. In the summer on weekends, the Fulton Stall Farmer's Market is open.

Web Links:

Map of Best NYC Shopping Districts

Browse the list of shopping districts to the right of the map, click on the name and see the map location and a pop-up window with additional information, including directions from your location. Zoom the map in and out, drag it left or right with your mouse.