Shopping near the Statue of Liberty

The Oculus is the world’s most expensive train station, 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 new shopping center inside has stores like the Apple Store, Aesop, Kate Spade, 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.

This restored 19th-century print shop makes quirky, retro-chic designs with on-site vintage presses. Find original letterpress note cards ($4) and customized stationery. plus quirky gifts like Yellow Owl Workshop stamp sets depicting mod sea and landscape designs ($38).  

  Clueless dudes looking to become grooms should put this shop on their radar. The sister duo that runs the store can help you pick out the perfect engagement (starting at ($1,725) ring or Valentine’s Day gift for a reasonable price ($100–$2,000).

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).

This specialty foods store offers prepared foods and groceries.

Jean Claude, this store’s manager, is a go-the-extra-mile kind of guy. He’s also something of a mattress savant, so ask him any questions you have about what kind of bed to put in your crib.

This downtown Barnes & Noble is known for hosting readings by hip and popular authors.

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.