Shopping near the Statue of Liberty

The Oculus is one of the world’s most expensive train stations, serving 12 subway lines and the PATH train, with a beautiful mall inside of it. Its wild exterior designed by Santiago Calatrava, which resembles the skeleton of a whale, has white metal-clad steel ribs that reach up and out which actually symbolize a hand releasing a dove. The structure is a lasting reminder of the attacks of September 11, 2001 — it is in alignment with the sun’s solar angles on each September 11, from 8:46 am, when the first plane struck, until 10:28 am, when the second tower collapsed. Its central skylight fits this alignment and washes the Oculus floor with a beam of light. The shopping center inside boasts stores like the Apple Store, Aesop, Cole Haan, Golden Bar, Moleskine, John Varvatos and others. Dining includes Eataly, Gansevoort Market, Wasabi Sushi & Bento and more.

A Gucci men’s suit for $300? A Marc Jacobs cashmere sweater for less than $200? Stella McCartney sunglasses for a scant $40? No, you’re not dreaming—you’re shopping at Century 21. You may have to rummage to unearth a treasure, but with savings from 25% to 75% off regular store prices, this is a goldmine for less-minted fashion addicts.

Chefs and restaurant insiders have known about this kitchenware specialty shop since it opened in 1982. Lucky for us non–Top Chefs, the showroom finally welcomed the public in 2002, allowing anyone to snag Japanese- and Western-style knives ($30–$5,800) and specialty tablewares ($2–$600), like a plum-shaped soy sauce dish ($4). One of the highlights of the high-ceilinged space, lined with Japanese Shoji sliding wooden doors, is the opportunity to watch house knife master Chirau Sugai sharpen customers’ cutters (the service costs $15–$25) in a glass room. Sugai also offers free sharpening demo classes (Tue, Sat 2pm; reservations required), but before you get in on the action, score Misono Swedish steel knives with dragon graphics engraved on the blades ($65–$210) or Togiharu hammered-texture steel knives ($50–$150). If Martha Stewart is your homegirl, you’ll be itching to use the store’s eye-catchingly colorful printed plate sets (five for $29), Toruku Blue Nanban rectangle dishes ($13), cherry-printed chopsticks ($15) and Mishima Donabe flower-patterned ceramic pots ($25) for your next dinner party. Or make any pregame that much cooler by snagging a modern clear-glass sake carafe with a blue ice reservoir ($11).

Husband-and-wife team Aslan and Jenn Cattaui fill their cozy 450-square-foot store with the stuff kids dig—Junk Food concert tees, Uglydolls, Eazy Bean chairs and vintage wear that’ll make parents envious. The shop mainly focuses on the under-six set, but the Cattauis have recently begun stocking pieces for older children from popular lines such as Chaos Recycled. You'll wish this stuff came in your size.

Wall Street has long been a place for making money, but with the opening of this discount designer superstore’s fifth Manhattan locale (it joins stores in Union Square, Midtown West, Midtown East and on the Upper West Side), the neighborhood will be a place for saving cash, too. Discover racks upon racks of mostly current-season men’s and women’s clothing up to 60 percent off. In homage to its location, this T.J.Maxx will offer an expanded selection of menswear suitable for the office, including Izod plaid button-downs ($18), Kenneth Cole dress shirts ($18) and Calvin Klein slacks ($30). Accessories include ties by Penguin and Michael Kors ($13 each), and Fossil leather belts ($15). Women will find perfect party wear for the holiday season with Cynthia Rowley tank dresses ($30) featuring exposed zippers, Lauren by Ralph Lauren lacy sleeveless frocks ($100) and Nine West suede wedges ($40). Kenneth Cole trenches ($80), Elena Solano cashmere wraps ($70) and Lauren by Ralph Lauren leather handbags ($150) lend the finishing touches.

Daffy Dan's Bargaintown started off as a modest discount store in New Jersey 47 years ago; today it’s known as Daffy’s and has outposts in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. The family-run business wants to make high-end designer brands accessible to everyone. The stock varies from store to store and new merchandise comes in every week, so scoring that coveted haute loot might require a little patience, or just luck.

Devotees of mystery, crime and spy genres will know owner Otto Penzler, both as an editor and from his book recommendations on Amazon.com. His shop holds a wealth of paperbacks, hardbacks and autographed first editions.

This rustic shop is a South Street Seaport gem: Catering to mutts both large and small, owner Amanda Zink holds events like "Puppy Proms" and has "Santa Paws" visits at Christmastime. Among the boutique's amusing offerings are L.A. label Shabby Dog T-shirts, emblazoned with cheeky sayings like MY OTHER LEASH IS A GUCCI and TOO CUTE TO FETCH ($26), and thirst-quenching Bowser beer ($4) made with beef broth for the dog days of summer. Collars range from simple rope styles ($18) to design-your-own leather pieces ($100), though customers go barking mad for the tough nylon all-weather coats ($40--$65), which can be custom-fitted for every size and are inspired by racing horses.

The smartly curated local-food bazaar combines East Coast produce with speciality items from butchers, cheese makers and other purveyors. Regional events highlight beloved foodstuffs such as hard cider, heritage beans, tomatoes and artisanal breads. Fuel your browsing with plenty of free samples.