What to buy in New York City? — 13+ must-have souvenirs, gifts & best things to buy in NYC

If you choose an item that is very meaningful and light and easy to carry, you should choose to buy a metal $100 bill! With delicately engraved lines and a harmonious layout, the artisans skillfully cast this banknote, making it incredibly real. If you only look with your eyes, it will be very difficult for you to distinguish its authenticity. Choosing to buy a metal 100 USD bill as a gift not only symbolizes economic luck but also a lot of people love it.

New York Distilling Company Gin & Rye

Anyone who appreciates this city’s cocktail culture will love New York Distilling Company’s small-batch spirits, distributed in bars across the city. Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the distillery offers free tours and tastings on the weekends.

After sampling a few cocktails made with their signature gin and wine at the on-site bar called Shanty, visitors will definitely want to take home a bottle or more and mix it up accordingly on their own way. This is a great gift for those who love or understand wine well.

Mast Brothers chocolates

With a sweet taste, chocolate will be a special gift from New York City that you can give to your loved ones. Chocolate here is known as an attractive specialty of the city with many diverse types. They are often sold in department stores and supermarkets. Or if you want, visit New York’s famous chocolate shops to choose some of your favorite flavors!

For a sweet memory of your time in New York, pick up a bar or two of chocolate handcrafted by artisans in Brooklyn. Mast Brothers revamped their flagship store in Williamsburg earlier this year with a streamlined design, more tours, and new bonbon flavors. With beautifully designed packaging, these make great gifts. Best of all, the chocolate bars are very small, so visitors can take home more than just a few bars of chocolate, more over they are packed in beautiful boxes.

Water Tower Model Kit

In particular, you can choose to buy a unique Water Tower Model Kit as a souvenir. This is a model made from recycled cardboard. With this gift, you can choose to buy it at souvenir shops throughout the city without any difficulty. Because it has a wide popularity.

In addition to the famous Statue of Liberty models, visitors can choose a more novel gift of Water Tower Model Kit. Crafted locally by Boundless Brooklyn, the DIY water tower model kits are made of recycled chipboard and are fun gifts for crafty kids, or even adults, to assemble and decorate themselves. Featuring details that closely resemble real waterfalls, these kits are sold at MoMA Design Stores, PowerHouse Books, Owl and Thistle General Store, Red Pearl, High Line and many other stores around town.

Pastries from Momofuku Milk Bar

Award-winning pastry chef, Christina Tosi, creates famously quirky yet addictive treats like shortbread cookies, tempered cookies, and mushroom cakes. Although there are currently 7 Milk Bar branches in New York, Washington D.C. and Toronto, but it all started in Manhattan’s East Village. Guests can stop by any of the bakery’s New York City locations to pick up some sweets to-go or order delivery when purchasing online.

Baking enthusiasts can even take a class at the Williamsburg production kitchen or take home one of Tosi’s cookbooks. This is also a place that tourists should visit when thinking of buying gifts.

Whitney eco tote bags

If you feel that items with the phrase ‘I love NY’ are too common and no longer unique, you can think of tote bags delicately decorated with the name of a museum, favorite gallery or bookstore – Is a typical New York souvenir. For art lovers, a canvas bag from the new Whitney Museum in the Meatpacking District is a great choice. In addition, a tote bag from the literary mecca of Union Square known as The Strand is also a popular choice.

Where to shop in New York?

Below are a few suggestions for best shopping places, malls, stores, outlets… that you can visit.

Soho

This is the perfect shopping place that you should not miss when you have the opportunity to travel to New York. Here you can find many items that suit you as well as all famous brands such as H&M, Prada to J. Crew, Bloomingdale…

Besides shopping, this neighborhood is also an ideal place for you to visit with buildings with unique architectural works or artistic streets covered with cobblestones. In particular, after walking around the neighborhood and shopping to your heart’s content, don’t forget to stop at a certain corner to enjoy special performances by street artists.

Greenwich Village

Located on the west bank of lower Manhattan, Greenwich Village is a large residential area with a large middle-class concentration. In particular, this is also where you can find handicrafts as souvenirs, books or explore cuisine with famous restaurants. In particular, Bleecher Street is where most food stores are concentrated, while Christopher Street is a place for fashionistas with many appealing clothing stores.

Chinatown

Where to buy in New York? Chinatown is also an interesting place to visit and shop for you. This is an area where restaurants, Chinese eateries, fruit markets, and more are a paradise selling all kinds of popular clothes and handbags. In Chinatown you will not find the presence of high-end brands, however it is a great place for shopping enthusiasts to buy cheap souvenirs or simply stroll around and admire the street scenes of Asia right in the heart of New York.

The Shops at Columbus Circle

The Shops at Columbus Circle is known as one of the largest and busiest shopping centers in New York City located in Manhattan. This place makes the first impression on visitors thanks to its massive architecture combined with a modern dining area. Visiting this shopping center, you can not only choose products but also spend time walking in the square, admiring the marble statue of Christopher Columbus or resting at the fountain and enjoying art shows.

The Shops at Columbus Circle is a traditional yet upscale shopping mall in Time Warner Center, right in the heart of Manhattan. This is also a familiar destination for everyone, whether shopping, admiring the scenery or enjoying a meal with a view of Central Park.

Time Warner Center

This center is located next to Columbus Circle and home to more than 50 large and small stores specializing in selling fashion items. Moreover, from here you can also enjoy a panoramic view of Central Park or enjoy a cocktail at the famous Stone Rose bar.

Factory Outlet

Are you a lover of branded fashion? Then come to Factory Outlet, the cheapest, brand-name shopping place in New York. The price here is cheaper than other stores because it is located far from the city center so the price is cheaper, but you can be completely assured of the quality of the items at Factory Outlet.

Moreover, here there are often discount programs ranging from 25% – 40%, and even at times of strong discounts up to 80%, you can freely buy clothes and accessories. branded goods and products but still have plenty of money.

Bergdorf Goodman

One of the famous shopping places in New York that you should also visit is Bergdorf Goodman. There are many diverse and rich items for sale here such as handbags, fashionable clothes, shoes… including beautiful jewelry collections and unique accessories that are popular with many young people. favourite. In addition to satisfying your shopping needs, you can also admire and admire the luxurious design of Bergdorf Goodman that few places have. Guaranteed you will not regret your decision to come here.

Macy’s

Located in Herald Square, this is Macy’s flagship store and an iconic attraction in New York City. This shopping center is 11 floors high and nearly 103,000 m2 in area and is also the largest Macy’s in the world.

Located on an entire block of Broadway between 34th and 35th streets, inside this shopping center you will find a wide variety of items. From shoes, clothes, cosmetics, accessories, household appliances, furniture to gifts from top fashion brands. You’ll also find Burberry, Calvin Klein, Levis, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Clinique and Estee Lauder, among many others.

Brookfield Place

As one of New York’s premier shopping malls, Brookfield Place offers world-class shopping, dining and cultural experiences in Lower Manhattan. This shopping center is located in the Winter Garden with a 10-story glass dome and a concentration of luxury retail stores and eateries.

Visiting Brookfield Place, you will be able to shop freely at international fashion brands such as Hermès and Louis Vuitton or brands such as Paul Smith and Lululemon. The shopping center is also known for its flood of light, its greenhouse of 16 palm trees, and its location for art exhibits, live music performances, and the TriBeCa Film Festival.

After shopping, visitors can visit Hudson Eats, which includes 14 chef-led restaurants. Or visit Le District, a French-inspired market. At the back of the shopping center is a large outdoor plaza with views of the river and New Jersey. In the winter, the Brookfield Place ice rink is one of Manhattan’s busiest.

Manhattan Mall

If you are looking for a shopping place in New York, Manhattan Mall is also a place not to be missed. Because it is a small shopping mall, visitors may not find high-end brands here. But on the contrary, you will have the opportunity to find cheap items at some stores such as Barnes and Noble, Hallmark, Aeropostale, Sunglasses Hut and New York & Company. Also inside the shopping center, visitors can also stop by the Rosé Mansion, an ideal place to sample rosé wine from around the world.

Queens Place Mall

Queens Place Mall is a giant shopping center located in Elmhurst, a neighborhood in the borough of Queens, New York City. Covering an area of 40,877 square meters, Queens Place Mall owns many famous big-box retailers. Therefore, visiting this place will be an ideal suggestion for you to find some items at reasonable prices.

The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards

The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards is a large indoor shopping and dining center in the bustling Hudson Yards neighborhood of Midtown Manhattan. This is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike for its hipness and incredible architecture to explore and shops to visit.

Currently, The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards has more than 100 stores and 20 restaurants. Retail stores include Dior, Neiman Marcus, H&M and Zara. While you’re here, take in the breathtaking 360-degree views of the city from the top of the Edge observation deck. With a height of 100 floors, this is the highest observatory in the Western Hemisphere. Opposite the shopping center is the Vessel. This spiral staircase allows visitors to climb nearly 2,500 steps to enjoy beautiful views of the city and river.

Bloomingdale’s

Bloomingdale’s is an iconic American luxury department store chain. Its flagship store, located right on 59th Street in New York City, is a favorite destination for high-end shopping lovers visiting the Big Apple. With its large area, visitors can easily spend All day long exploring and shopping at this great store.

Alongside high-end fashion, decorations and homewares, you’ll also find opportunities to enjoy a range of culinary delights thanks to the on-site restaurants and cafes. This store offers a free Bloomingdale’s app for shoppers. With this app, you can easily get maps, information on dining options, and even access to special offers.

Fulton Center

Another New York shopping center that you should not miss is Fulton Center. It is essentially a subway station and retail complex at Fulton Street and Broadway in New York’s Lower Manhattan.

Not only does it own shops or eateries, this transportation center was also an architectural award winner thanks to its beautiful and unique design. Its highlight is the nearly 16 m diameter glass oculus, called “Sky Reflector-Net”, located above the large atrium. Oculus allows natural light to reach the lower two floors of the building. Visitors can visit the center for free or arrive on one of the nine different metro lines that pass through here.

Westfield World Trade Center

Located inside the sleek Oculus at the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, Westfield World Trade Center is the largest shopping complex in Lower Manhattan. It opened in 2016 and replaced the original World Trade Center shopping mall, which was destroyed in the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Brand-name shoppers can find more than 100 luxury stores, including MAC, Sephora, Apple, and Lacoste in this modern shopping center. In particular, it also offers more than 30 choices, from delis and casual cafes to high-end bars and restaurants for visitors to rest and relax after shopping. With eye-catching architecture inside and out and a great location near other tourist attractions, Westfield is always on the list of places to visit on every traveler’s journey to explore New York City.

75 Rockefeller Plaza

On your journey to explore and shop in New York City, 75 Rockefeller Plaza promises to be a great destination for you. This skyscraper is located near the famous Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan. It is home to a wide selection of retail stores from major brands, including Nike and SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker.

In particular, for those who love heights, Top of the Rock – Observation Deck on the 70th floor at Rockefeller Center is a great place that gives you a 360-degree view of the city. If you want to discover more about Rockefeller and its history, join a historian-led tour of Rockefeller Center. On this tour, visitors will learn about the Art Deco-style architecture and the various spaces within the center, including art and gardens.

The shopping centers and stores in New York are really huge, so it is difficult for you to explore them all during your trip. Therefore, to have a more enjoyable shopping experience, don’t forget to research in advance and choose the shopping centers that are closest and easiest to visit.

Some tips for cheap shopping in New York

Famous as the top shopping paradise in the United States, New York City is a place that can satisfy all shopping needs of visitors. Here you will find many items, from high-end to affordable goods, from fashion products to household and consumer goods or lovely souvenirs. In particular, with a rich and diverse shopping system, shopping in New York will certainly be a great activity for you. However, to have the most interesting shopping experiences here, equip yourself with some of the latest New York shopping experiences below!

Cheap shopping time in New York

If you are a true shopaholic, coming to New York around the end of November will be the perfect choice. Because this is the time when New York City holds many good promotions such as Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas, and New Year. The biggest promotion of the year will officially start on Black Friday, right after Thanksgiving ends and last until Christmas.

This is an opportunity for brands and shopping centers, supermarkets, retail stores, etc. to take advantage of launching all kinds of tricks to “attract” customers with discounts of up to 70%, even 90% compared to the value of the item. Normally, the items with the most discounts and best sellers during this sale include: electronics, household appliances, fashion clothing items,…

In addition to this huge year-end shopping occasion, in every month of the year, New York City will also hold many other attractive promotions such as Easter in April, summer sales, and National Day (July 4),… So no matter what time of year you book your flight to New York, don’t worry too much about shopping!

Inside the center are a series of large and small stores, including H&M, Hugo Boss, J. Crew, Amazon Books, Michael Kors and Swarovski. In particular, visitors will also find great dining options, including Michelin-starred dishes. Before leaving the center, don’t forget to take some photos of the voluptuous 3.7 m tall statue of Adam and Eve by famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero!

Bargain when shopping

When shopping in the US in general and New York City in particular, visitors can bargain to buy items at the most suitable price because the sellers here are quite easy-going and friendly. However, bargaining should only apply in markets, flea markets, etc. Particularly in shopping centers or high-end retail stores, the price will usually be pre-fixed on the product.

In addition, there is a small tip for you: when you discover a small error on the item for sale, such as: a small lipstick stain on a silk scarf, a shirt with a broken button or a small scratch on a leather wallet… In this case, if you know how to negotiate, you will only have to pay a much lower price.

Exchange and return goods

One advantage for you when shopping in New York is that you can return goods within a certain period of time. Provided that the goods are not damaged, lost, or have labels peeled off. Returns will also depend on each case and each store. For example, for discounted goods, you will not be able to return them or in some stores, they will not apply a return policy. In addition, the return time also varies between stores, for example, some places allow you to exchange or return goods within the same day, but others allow weeks or even months.

Pay with cash or credit card

According to shopping experience in New York, when shopping here you can be flexible in choosing payment methods. Depending on the situation, you can pay in cash or by card. Specifically, for items of small value you should pay in cash for more convenience. As for large value bills, it is best to choose to pay by card to save maximum time. In addition, please note that the invoice will be taxed according to local and state regulations!

Size standards

When buying fashion clothing items in the US, you should pay attention to size. Because in the US and some countries, size standards will be different (usually bigger). Therefore, if possible, you should try before buying to avoid buying unsuitable products.

Shopping during big sales

During big sales, goods will be discounted dramatically at shocking prices that can be up to 90%. However, if you are a smart consumer, during these discounts you should also make your own shopping plans so you can choose the products you like and not break your budget. For example, determine the products you need, avoid being cheap and choosing items that are not suitable for your intended use.

You should not focus on one store but should allocate appropriate time to visit many different places to buy. When shopping for sale or discount goods, you also need to pay attention to checking the origin of the product, the label, whether the product is defective, etc. Finally, the sale product will often be missing the size or no longer have the color you like, so whether or not you can choose a suitable product during the promotion season depends on your level of fastidiousness.

Shop at the outlets

This is a very popular shopping concept in the US and is also a habit of shopping enthusiasts. When shopping here, you not only have the opportunity to own genuine products but also buy them at prices up to 30% cheaper than outside stores. Because the outlets here are retail stores that directly sell products produced by the company directly to consumers without going through distribution agents in malls, supermarkets or intermediary stores, etc.

Especially, on holidays such as Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas, or at the end of the season such as April (spring), August (summer turns to fall), November (autumn turns to winter), etc. Most stores in outlet areas will have special discount programs, sometimes up to 70 – 80% compared to the original price.

Products here are also very rich and diverse. Depending on your shopping needs, you can find many products such as: fashion clothes, glasses, suitcases, shoes Calvin Klein, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Gymboree, Lacoste, Levi’s, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tumi, Bally… Electronic products come from famous brands such as Bose, Altec Lansing; functional foods GNC, Vitamin World…

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to New York you can refer to

• Klook Pass New York City
• New York Helicopter Tour
• New York CityPASS
• Aladdin Broadway Show Ticket in New York
• Summit One Vanderbilt Ticket
• New York Landmarks Cruise by Circle Line
• Klook Special: New York Attractions Combo Ticket
• LEGOLAND® New York Ticket
• The Lion King Broadway Show Ticket in New York
• 60 Minute Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Cruise in New York
• New York City Sightseeing Bus Pass
• Empire State Building Ticket in New York
• New York Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours (Open-Top)
• The Edge Observation Deck Ticket in New York
• Top of the Rock Ticket in New York
• The Museum of Modern Art Ticket in New York
• One World Observatory Ticket in New York
• The National 9/11 Memorial Museum Ticket in New York
• Go City – New York Explorer Pass
• American Museum of Natural History Ticket in New York
• Spyscape Spy Museum Ticket in New York

Check out more US guide here.