The best NYC department stores

This high-end department store literally has everything—a brow bar, a nail art bar and even some snazzy holiday windows. Stomach the crowds for the sporadic sales. Its big designer names such as AG, Badgley Mischka, Balmain, Cynthia Rowley, Eberjay, Fendi and more that keep shoppers strolling in. Bonus: don't miss Barney's at Saks, a retail collab that brings back the other beloved department store.

Bloomies is packed with enough designer duds, accessories and beauty products to ensure you’ll leave holding many of the store’s iconic big brown bags. Make your first stop the cosmetics counter for hair and skin care products, fragrances, makeup tools and men’s toiletries. Gents will love the grooming goods from the Art of Shaving, while ladies’ options include Nars makeup, Yves Saint Laurent fragrances and Bumble and Bumble hair products. Find clothing from top designers and big-name gender-neutral jewelry and accessories, such as watches and sunglasses from Burberry and Gucci.

Every visitor to NYC comes to the Herald Square flagship to see where Santa was born. Shop popular brands mixed with in-house lines and exclusive designer diffusion collections. Stop by the beauty counter for skin care products, grooming supplies and scents for both sexes, such as Chanel perfume, Dior cosmetics and Jean Paul Gaultier cologne. 

This eight-floor temple of sophistication is the place to go if you want to make a day out of designer shopping: It has in-store boutiques from the likes of Narciso Rodriguez and Jean Paul Gaultier as well as mid-priced fashions from Theory, AG Adriano Goldschmied and more. Once you’re done picking up some new threads, browse housewares or visit the beauty and fragrance department, then dine with amazing views of Central Park at BG Restaurant.

Grab your plastic and run—don’t walk—to the Nordstrom Rack near Herald Square. The 47,000-square-foot store spans three levels and is fully stocked with super-discounted designer duds from big names. You’ll also find a hefty shoe department and accessories for men and women, plus lifestyle and home goods. 

New York’s first-ever Nordstrom store (catered for men) offers a wide range of perks meant to combine a brick-and-mortar experience with the convenience of online shopping. Customers have the option to make purchases online to be picked up in the store. Digital reservations for in-store try-ons are available. And, perhaps the most important element of online shopping: You can order booze. Yes, a clubhouse bar serves cocktails at the sleek three-story outpost.

This super-upscale home furnishing store believes that your home is a sacred space and that you should decorate it accordingly: You can buy anything from kitchen and outdoor furniture to smaller accent items like vases, throws and candles. Even though most price tags make a true shopping trip here something to save up for, don’t let that stop you from heading there to get some Pinterest-worthy ideas for your next decorating project.

The reigning leader of cheap and chic megastores, H&Ms abound in New York, unloading on-trend goods at a frenetic pace. If you see it on the runways, you'll find it here just weeks later—and in-turn, you'll find affordable capsule collections from the runways' biggest stars.