Shopping near the Empire State Building

The iconic open-air Chelsea flea, brought back from the dead by the team behind  Smorgasburg and Brooklyn Flea, showcases 40 veteran vendors selling mostly historic collectibles. If you love eclectic costume jewelry, quirky furniture, midcentury art and ceramics, records, antiques and art, and more, you’ll spend hours combing for treasure here. Plus, you'll now be able to grab a rewarding snack on the way out from various Smorgasburg food vendors that will soon be revealed. 

Everything you need to know about visiting Macy’s Herald Square (151 W 34th St, NY 10001). While the giant signs that adorn this department store with the label of “The World’s Largest Store” are not currently true, there’s no doubt that the flagship Macy’s is massive (with a big history to boot). For over a century, New Yorkers and visitors from the world over have been visiting Macy’s at its iconic location at 34th Street and Broadway. Though originally founded as a dry goods emporium in the 19th century, today shoppers flock to the store's 2.2 million square feet—which takes up a whole city block—to buy clothes, accessories and home goods.  Shop till you dropAs one of the few major brick-and-mortar shops specializing in mid-priced fashion left in New York in this age of online retail and luxury brand–palooza, Macy’s carries a large amount of designer names you recognize that won’t cost you premium prices—especially during the deeply discounted sales offered periodically throughout the year. The 63,000-square-foot shoe department is the biggest on the planet and carries everything from dress shoes and delicate stilettos to work boots and slippers. Last-minute gift shoppers might be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options of perfumes, ties, scarves, watches and more, but great deals await those with patience.   Bloom into springEvery spring for over four decades, folks have flocked to the Macy’s Flower Show. Extravagant floral arrangements that use roses, violet,...

In 2003, Artists & Fleas first opened in Williamsburg, but thanks to owners Amy Abrams and Ronen Glimer, you can shop awesome vendors in Manhattan's Chelsea Market. Just like the original location, this version of Artists & Fleas features goods that run the gamut from art and design to fashion and vintage. There are more than 30 independent designers hawking their goods everyday, so stop by to check out our personal favorites such as menswear brand Curated Basics, baubles from Brooklyn Charm and ready-to-wear designs by Avalove.  

There’s a rotating mix of astoundingly well-preserved designer and nonvintage clothing here, as well as one-of-a-kind housewares, shoes and accessories. We’ve found vintage Yves Saint Laurent blouses for $12, striped skinny ties for $6 and a pair of classic Salvatore Ferragamo pumps with bows on them for $10. Pretty much everything is a find, but you still get that thrill-of-the-hunt feeling.

Santa’s Dream World has everything you need to make your holiday sparkle. This year’s collection of ornaments—which can all be personalized!—features a mix of timeless classics and quirky, themed treasures guaranteed to make your tree pop. Rep the Big Apple with NYC-themed ornaments like the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building. Or decorate with whatever floats your boat, from Elvis, outer space and pickles to fan faves like Star Wars and Nightmare Before Christmas. And if it’s Baby’s First Christmas, they’ve got the sweetest keepsakes to mark the milestone. Head to the 34th Street location for the best selection, and while you’re there you can snap a pic with Santa himself. Because nothing says Christmas in New York like ornaments, decor and a little holiday magic.

Since opening in Soho in 1993, Ina Bernstein’s minichain of designer consignment shops has expanded to six locations throughout NYC, including spots on the Upper East Side, in Nolita, Noho and now Chelsea. The spacious store is painted stark white to let the covetable preworn pieces—including Prada wool coats ($375–$625), a pair of Miu Miu leather boots ($250) and a Louis Vuitton leather mini logo purse ($595)—stand out on its well-edited racks and organized shelves. If you’re saddled with name-brand threads, make an appointment to unload your gently worn castoffs for up to 40 percent of the overall resale value. Keep an eye out for INA’s own eponymous house label of unisex basics that complement the higher-end merchandise, such as comfy cashmere beanies ($90), arm socks ($85) and fingerless gloves ($75).

The mothership for ladies-who-lunch (particularly those who love to lunch at the Kelly Wearstler–designed BG), this venerable institution—housed in the former Vanderbilt mansion—is the Neiman Marcus of New York (they're part of the same company, so you can use your Neiman's card here). Though they play host to extremely established and elegant lines like Carolina Herrera and Ralph Lauren, they up their edge factor with design stars such as Proenza Schouler and Doo.Ri. The much-trafficked fifth floor is packed with more-affordable, on-trend iterations from See by Chloe, Catherine Malandrino and Anna Sui while the shoe department—a series of small, boutique-like rooms—features tried and true classics like Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik along with upstarts such as Loeffler Randall. And like all good department stores, they have a plethora of upscale beauty products, including Slatkin candles, Laura Mercier lipglosses and Frederic Fekkai hairbrushes. The men’s store is across the street at 745 Fifth Ave.

It's cool to donate your old duds and furniture to Housing Works, so the shelter-oriented charity's thrift stores are among the city's best. The prices aren't the lowest, but the stock is quality. If you're lucky, you can score designer pieces (in clothes and furnishings) you'd never be able to afford new. You just have to do a little rummaging.

Billed as the first sex shop for women, by women, Eve's Garden strives to steer female sexuality away from penis-shaped straws and subpar vibrators. The store's founder, women's-rights activist Dell Williams, designed it to be high-class, welcoming and anything but scary. The shop holds workshops and events on- and off-site, with topics ranging from couples' communication to masturbation.

MoSex’s recently overhauled gift shop is now twice the size (2,000 square feet) and double the pleasure. “We wanted the store to be a destination shop,” says creative director Mark Snyder. “We’re looking at products for their art, their design and their technology.” Such lofty merch includes the Dirty Flirty Novelty Company’s festive glass “pornaments” and Matteo Cibic’s functional fishbowl dildo.