New York City Shopping Tips by jo104

Century 21: Discount Shopping at its best Century 21 Review

Century 21 advertises itself as New York's best kept secret but on the contrary its just the opposite. If you are planning to go get there early as it can be a real madhouse. I purchased a nine west handbag for a fraction of what it would cost in London. I also bought some accessories from the childrens clothing range upstairs. The designer stock changes on a regular basis so buy what you want when you see it. I am not convinced the perfume is that much cheaper but I did not price it anywhere else. Do remember you will be charged sales tax of 8.375% on top of your purchases.

You may need to hunt for what you want but there are some fantastic bargins to be had on this high end couture line - Happy shopping

Address: 22 Cortlandt Street

Directions: Between Church and Broadway, near St Pauls Chapel & Ground Zero

Phone: (212) 227-9092

Theme: Discount Store

FAO Schwarz: Exclusive Toy department store FAO Schwarz Review

A bit like Hamleys in London but not quite as big, it is a fairly expensive store stocking exclusive toys for those who can flash the cash. This store was featured in the Tom Hanks show BIG, we saw the piano he dances on although adults are discouraged to have a go at making sweet music. There are some completely impractical gifts here like these huge stuffed dinosaurs they would give me nightmares. Actually this store was in a bit of financial trouble & in danger of being closed but luckily some investors stumped up the cash to keep the legend going

Address: 767 Fifth Avenue

Directions: 59th and 5th

Phone: 212.644.9400

Theme: Toys and Games

Website: http://www.fao.com

Macy's: Named NYC Largest Department Store Macy's Review

If you are looking for a Macy bag then head downstairs to the basement. This department store has some wonderful preserved features such as the old wooden elevators. To be honest it is just so big in here I was too overwhelmed to shop

Address: Broadway/34th Street

Directions: Herald Square Metro line

Phone: 212 695 4400

Theme: Department Store

Website: http://www.macys.com

MAC: Make Up

Mac cosmetics are used to style some of the worlds famous models and they have won contless awards. Ok I'm not going to tell you that their products are necessarilly cheap cause thats definetly not the case although they are not outrageously priced, unless you want a make up brush which was around $70. I've been using their mascara with great results.

Address: Spring street & Mercer, Soho

Theme: Bath and Beauty

Website: http://www.maccomestics.com

Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop: Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop

This bookshop open since 1967 is the worlds oldest bookshop dedicated to gay and lesbian authors. The founder of this bookshop Craig Rodwell went on to create the Gay Liberation Movement after the Stonewall Riots of 1969

Address: 15th Christopher street - Greenwich village

Phone: 212 255 809

Theme: Books

Website: http://www.oscarwildebooks.com/

Co Bigelow Chemists: Bigelows Chemists

In America they call chemists drugstores, this is known to be America's oldest apothecary (168 years old). There are wonderful pots filled with with hazel salves and honey bee balms and other homemade remedies. We found it to be a delightful store to visit although its a bit on the expensive side

What to buy: homepathic rememdies

Address: 414 6th Ave btw 8th & 9th street

Directions: Greenwich village

Phone: 212-473 7324

Theme: Bath and Beauty

Website: http://www.bigelowchemists.com/

Rockerfeller Center: Rockerfeller Center

Is the answer to get out of the credit crunch spend spend spend? Well it certainly seemed the case with the building of the Rockerfeller Center during the 1930's Great Depression, this created jobs for 70,000 workers over a 9 year period.

There is 22 acres of luxary shops, banks etc in this building it also houses NBC Studies known as Radio City. During the lead up to Christmas there is always a large Christmas tree making it a focal point in Manhattan. During the winter season its the ideal place to come ice skating. There are some wonderful art deco sculptures to be seen.

Address: btw 5th & 6th Ave and 48th & 51st streets

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.rockerfellercenter.com

Daffys: Discount clothing shop

Soho is a great shopping area & this discount designer store set on 2 levels is no exception. I bought a designer handbag reduced by half the original price & then when I went to pay that price had been halfed again - bonus.

Its mainly womens, mens & childrens clothes with a few household items.

I really enjoyed my time spent here & it just wasn't as manic as centuary 21

Address: 462 Broadway @ Grand street

Theme: Discount Store

Website: http://www.daffys.com

Bloomingdales: Bloomingdales Bloomingdales Review

Bloomingdales has become well known with their trademark little brown bag and is one of America's upscale department stores owned by the same group as Macys. The famous store moved to its current location 59th & Lexington Street in 1886.

Do stop by the visitors centre and on proof of foreign identification be it drivers licence or passport you will qualify for an 11% visitors discount which covers the 8.375% sales tax nicely. If you spend over $200 there is also a free gift, we received a bloomingdales tote bag after almagamating our purchases. The lady on the sunglasses desk was ultra helpful & I ended up buying a pair that I never intended to buy - thats sales for you!

What to buy: designer gear!

What to pay: You decide

Address: 59th and Lex (or 1000 Third Avenue)

Directions: Its in the center of Manhattan. You can take the 6 train to 59th street and when you walk out of the station there is Bloomingdales right in front of you (on the Lexington Ave entrance)

Phone: 212 705 2000

Theme: Department Store

Website: http://www.bloomingdales.com