Twenty chic places for an unforgettable shopping experience in New York

Shopping in New York is not just for Carrie Bradshaw or Blair Waldorf. There's something for everyone, from elegant luxury shopping to affordable, unique places to find the perfect gift.

Although shops and shopping centers can be found almost anywhere in the city, SecretNYC have compiled a list of 20 places where you can spend your salary and not regret it.

1.Williamsburg

From vintage to cannabis, Williamsburg's shopping experience is in keeping with the eccentric atmosphere for which it is famous. Popular New York economy stores such as Buffalo Exchange and L Train Vintage are located here. As for chain stores, you'll find the recently opened H&M, which often hosts themed events and offers a more upscale environment than their regular stores.

For unique spots in the area, locals recommend visiting thrift store Brooklyn Woke Vintage and CBD store 7 Leaf Clover. To directly support local artisan vendors, check out The Mini Mall's stalls, which sell jeans, underwear, candy and even books.

Where: Williamsburg's "main street" is located on Bedford Avenue.

2.NoLita

NoLita, or the northern part of Little Italy, is full of retail charm. Shop sustainable clothing boutique Coclico NOLITA, Swedish sportswear chain Fjällräven or quality casual clothing store Oroboro.

Check out the Little Moony children's toy and clothing store. If you're looking to decorate your body or home, check out Love Adorned Jewelry for unique items and home decor, both modern and vintage.

Where: NoLita is located from Bowery to Lafayette streets and from East Houston Street to Broome Street.

3.Madison Avenue

Madison Avenue is known for its luxury shopping. In this shopping area you will find flagship stores of designers Ralph Lauren, Bottega Veneta and Carolina Herrera. The representative office of the online store TheRealReal is also located here. On this East Side strip you can find just about any luxury product you'd like.

The avenue includes chain retail stores Madewell, LoveShackFancy and J.Crew. But don't limit yourself to shopping for clothes. To satisfy your cravings, stop by La Maison du Chocolat Madison for Parisian-style chocolates and pastries.

Where: Madison Avenue's main shopping strip lies between East 43rd Street and East 93rd Street.

4. China Town

Chinatown is a rich cultural district full of traditional East Asian goods that you will find just by wandering the streets.

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If you want to buy skin products, oo35mm is a store that sells cosmetics and skin care products mainly from South Korea. And for special gifts and food, Canal Street Market is the perfect store for imported goods and quality snacks you won't find anywhere else.

Where: find the Chinatown boundaries from Essex Street to Baxter Street and from Grand Street to Worth Street.

5. Soho

Artfully designed stores like Little Market, Housing Works Thrift Shop or even Nike and Aritzia in SoHo are as much about the products they sell as the experiences they provide. It's also a hot spot for pop-up shops, so we recommend keeping an eye on the area via social media or your favorite brands. Home to Glossier's new flagship store, these cobblestone streets may be needing your wallets soon.

SoHo is one of New York's busiest shopping destinations, so try to visit during off-peak times, such as weekdays.

Where: Lower Manhattan and Hudson Square, stretching along the shore to Canal Street.

6. Chelsea market

You never know what you'll find at Chelsea Market, but we can guarantee it will be a fantastic find. Here in the Meatpacking District, you'll find a variety of artisan shops, boutiques, and unique food vendors that you could spend hours perusing.

Where: 75 9th Avenue

7. Bloomingdale's

Iconic department store Bloomingdale's is, of course, known for its Christmas lights, but it's a must-visit for its wide selection of fashion, beauty, and home products. It has been featured in many films and contains everything from men's suits to pots and pans.

Where: 59th Street & Lexington Avenue

8 Greenwich Village

Even though Greenwich Village has some of the most expensive homes on the market, it's a relatively down-to-earth shopping area with plenty of indie bookstores, record stores, and stores for budget-conscious shoppers.

There are a large number of second-hand retro and vintage shops in and around the area, such as Beacons Closet, Reminiscence and Hamlet Vintage. If you're looking for vintage suits and fashion, check out Screaming Mimi's Vintage.

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If you're looking for a gift, check out nearby bookstore Three Lives and Company, or The Evolution Store if you're looking for a unique science or history-related collectible. If you're interested in avant-garde designer unisex fashion, check out Shop Untitled.

Where: Third Avenue and Sixth Avenue and 14th Street to East Houston Street.

9. Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue, as you probably know from all the films filmed in New York, has all the best stores where every fashion lover enjoys shopping.

Fifth Avenue shopping has been a New York City staple for decades, and for good reason. This exclusive location is home to some of Manhattan's most iconic stores: Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier and more. The Tiffany & Co. flagship store is also located here, where you can enjoy “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” in the Blue Box Cafe.

If these stores are out of your price range, don't worry, there are MUJI, Urban Outfitters, and even Five Below nearby. Book lovers should definitely check out Barnes & Noble on Fifth Avenue. The store was included in the Guinness Book of Records in 1999 as the largest bookstore in the world.

Where: Fifth Avenue's main shopping strip is between East 40th Street and East 60th Street.

10. Union square

This area of ​​Manhattan is packed with events and entertainment, but it's also great for shopping.

It's no secret that you can find almost anything in Union Square, be it clothes, books, sweets, toys or something special. During the holidays and on select weekdays, Union Square hosts the impressive Greenmarket, which sells local artisan goods, including the famous strawberry wine in a heart-shaped glass bottle. Visiting the market to buy flowers, fresh produce and seasonal treats is a great way to spend time with friends or even alone.

To add a little magic to your life, head to nearby Flatiron to visit the world's largest Harry Potter store, where you can purchase merchandise, books, and magically sweet candies.

Where: Union Square is bordered by East 14th Street and East 18 Street, as well as 5th Avenue and Irving Place.

11. Herald Square

Shopping in New York doesn't have to be expensive. This is exactly what you'll find in Herald Square. On the streets you will see not only the familiar Macy's, Target and H&M chains, but also some of the largest stores in the country.

Gamers will love the combined GameStop and ThinkGeek store, which sells video games and merchandise from just about every fandom you can think of.

The Rainbow store is located next to the Empire State Building, and the Japanese store TESO is the most popular place in Koreatown. If you're looking for a furry friend, check out Build-A-Bear. On your way to Penn Station, stop by Jacks Supermarket for a quick snack or some household supplies.

Where: Herald Square between East 34th Street and East 35th Street and 6th Avenue and Broadway.

12.Westfield

Why visit only one shopping center when you can visit two in the same area? In midtown Manhattan, you'll find both Westfield and Brookfield Place within a couple of blocks of each other, but each is different (and you can go to one or both, depending on your tastes and budget).

Inside the World Trade Center are Westfield shops and restaurants. Here you will find familiar stores like Sephora, Kiehls, UGG and even Duane Reade. If you're looking for a bite to eat, head to Eatly for imported and freshly prepared Italian delicacies.

Where: World Trade Center at 50 Church Street

13. Brookfield place

A few streets away from Oculus is Brookfield Place, where you'll find upscale stores like Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, and Lululemon. In this luxury shopping center you will also find shoemakers, hairdressers and even a Russian math school.

What sets this mall apart from the usual shopping experience are art exhibits, waterfront dining and entertainment, a glass atrium known as the Winter Garden, and a rooftop ice skating rink. With palm trees growing on the floor and sunlight filtering through the crystal walls, shopping at Brookfield Place feels like a vacation, only much closer to home.

Where: 230 Vesey Street

14. Empire Outlets

Empire Outlets features big box store retailers like Gap, Banana Republic and Levi's at a lower price than other locations. It's easy to find great deals here, and after shopping, don't forget to grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants.

Staten Island is not only a great place for shopping, but also a ferry ride back home.

Where: 55 Richmond Terrace

15. Columbus Circle

Columbus Circle is home to not one, but two shopping destinations: Turnstyle Underground Market, an underground food market serving delicious street-style food, and The Shops at Columbus Circle, a sophisticated shopping mall located in a skyscraper featuring Lululemon brands. Jo. Malone, Williams-Sonoma and Coach.

Where: 10 Columbus Circle and 1000 S 8th Avenue.

16.Hudson Yards

Hudson Yards, home to the Highline and Vessel, also has a luxury shopping center. Home to Aritzia, Dior, Kate Spade and Pandora stores, the retail options are endless. There are plenty of eateries and cafes at your disposal if you want to refresh yourself after shopping.

Where: 20 Hudson yards

17. Astoria

We can't leave the biggest area off our shopping list. While Queens has plenty of shopping options, including the Queens Center Mall and “The Avenue,” Astoria is worth exploring for its many independent bookstores, tearooms, and boutiques.

If you're looking to buy vintage casual clothing and accessories, Loveday31 is the place to find what you're looking for. And on a rainy day, you can cozy up at the Astoria Bookshop and Astoria Tea. Gift and office supply stores Morning Glory, Lockwood (a local SNYC-approved business), and Side B are ideal for finding a gift. And in the Ditmars-Steinway area, check out The Brass Owl, which sells handmade jewelry, shoes, bags and other trinkets.

Where: most of these stores are located within 31st and 34th Streets and 28th and 34th Avenues.

18. Yonkers

On the outskirts of the Bronx lies Yonkers, an area known for its quaint Cross County Center shopping mall. Here you can visit Guess, Zara, Steve Madden, Hollister and other famous stores. There are chain restaurants like Red Lobster, Stickys and Panda Express, but you can also check out Japanese fusion hibachi restaurant Mitos.

The mall hosts fun seasonal activities like ice skating in the winter and a photo op with the Easter Bunny in the spring.

Where: 8000 Mall Walk

19. Garment District

If you can't find it, make it yourself.

For those who can handle a sewing machine, the Garment District can be your ally, with over 1 businesses to shop from. From Botani Trimmings and Lampo Zipper NYC for buttons and zippers to Fabric House, District Leathers and New York Elegant Fabric, the Garment District is a fever dream for creative souls. In addition, you can check out the new Button sculpture, which is currently on public display.

Where: The Garment District is located between West 42nd Street and West 43rd Street, as well as 9th Avenue and 6th Avenue.

20.Century 21

After filing for bankruptcy and permanently closing all stores in the fall of 2020, everyone in New York City was thrilled to see Century 21 last year. This world-famous department store is known for its discounted designer merchandise, where you can find clothing, accessories, and home goods at affordable prices.

Where: 22 Cortlandt Street