Where Can I Go Shopping In The Big Apple? – 18 Great Shopping Malls In New York City

New York is one of the biggest, busiest, most glamorous cities in the world. If you are making a trip to this amazing American capital, then you’ll want to cram in as many of the sights and sensory experiences as you can. And one of those experiences is shopping.

Where Can I Go Shopping In The Big Apple – 18 Great Shopping Malls In New York City

From the biggest brands to the most niche fashion designers, you can find the most clothing options in New York.

Whether you are looking for a blazer for a dinner party or searching for a pair of pants that you have only seen online, you can probably find it in New York.

So where can you find the best shopping malls in New York? How easy are they to get to?

Well, we have done some of the searching for you, narrowing down our choices to give you only the best, so you aren’t traipsing around and getting lost in one of the biggest cities in the world.

1.  Westfield World Trade Center

Following the tragedy of 9/11, New York wanted to show the world that they were not to be beaten and so they made one of the best shopping malls the city has to offer.

This has over 65 stores and 31 eateries, you won’t be struggling for things to do in this shopping center.

There are so many brands available here, whether you are looking for technology, clothing, jewelry, pretzels, or coffee, you’ll find it all under one large roof. But it’s not all about shopping, there is also plenty of culture here too.

If you like art, then you can always sit in on the Soho Fenaissance Factory, which is an art studio where plenty of the city’s most talented painters ply their craft.

There is also a massive international food market where you’ll be able to grab some of the rarest foods in the world.

You can also get lots of different types of cuisine from all around the world. Whether it is authentic Japanese, traditional Italian or deliciously cooked Latin American food, there is plenty to sample for the culinarily adventurous.

2.  Columbus Circle

This next shopping mall is quintessentially New York in the way it looks at feels.

It is located in the very middle of Manhattan, so if you love the hustle and bustle of city life, then this is the place for you. It is in a large skyscraper, so make sure you have a head for heights in this place.

There are plenty of shops in this shopping mall, with all the best designers on offer, including Rebag, Swarovski and Wolford. If you are looking for top-quality fashion, then this is the brand to opt for.

There is also something here for people who want diversity when it comes to their plated-up food. We would certainly recommend that you get the sushi, and some of these restaurants come with a handful of Michelin stars.

This is an incredibly spacious mall and you’ll be able to find plenty of seating when you want to rest your weary feet. However, we would recommend visiting this place on a weeknight, as it tends to get quite busy on the weekends.

3.  Brookfield Place

Next up, we have a huge shopping center, containing around 30 stores that offer amazing clothes, shoes, and jewelry. If you are looking for a brand-new pair of Gucci shoes or a Louis Vuitton handbag, then this is the place to shop.

There are also plenty of places for you to eat if you want to take a lunch break in between the intense shopping. One of the best things about this shopping mall is the range of Italian gourmet cuisine on offer.

But this place also offers you courses as well as shopping and places to eat. You can get vouchers for sailing weekends or to take a chef’s course at the Culinary Education Institute.

This also comes with seasonal events all year round. If you have the chance, you should get down for the skating weekend.

The best thing about this shopping center is that it has indoor palm trees and large windows that let in a lot of light. This makes it look far less cramped than other shopping centers, even when it is busy.

4.  Grand Central Terminal

Even if you have never heard of New York, you might have seen this place in the movies, as it is one of the most famous locations in the world.

Not only is it iconic to look at, but it comes with some amazing retail stores, events and some of the best restaurants the city has to offer.

There are millions of people that come to Grand Central Station every year, sampling over 50 stores that sell only the very best merchandise.

The one place we would recommend that you go is the Grand Central International Market, which possesses specialty foods from all over the globe.

There are plenty of unique and unforgettable dining experiences here too, from the Campbell Bar which serves bespoke cocktails and beers to the Grand Central Oyster Bar which has a famous reputation as being one of the best restaurants in New York (You might also want to check out Tourist Attractions In Buffalo, New York).

If you only have time to visit one place while you are in New York, we recommend this iconic restaurant. If you are interested in taking plenty of photographs, then you can fill your Instagram with pictures of you at this iconic location.

5.  Queens Center Mall

This is another very famous mall, home to Macy’s, Disney, Garage, Penny and Lego stores. If you want a one-stop shopping mall that will cater to all the family, then the Queens Center Mall will certainly be a safe bet.

There are around 30 eateries in this mall, and not all of it is fine dining (although they do have plenty of that). Even if you want to grab a quick coffee and a cheeseburger from Mcdonald’s, then Queens Center will cater to your junk food cravings.

This has around 198 stores, so if you are going to New York solely for shopping, then you should search for the list of stores, so you know which ones to hit. However, there is also a charm in getting lost in the maelstrom of retail and seeing where the mood takes you.

We particularly like the Cheesecake factory, a distinctively American institution, where you can find a gorgeous array of desserts and cheesecakes to sate your sweet tooth.

6.  Staten Island Mall

Next up, we have an impressive retail big-box mall that contains 200 retailers and eateries. But that’s not all, it also comes with art galleries, bonsai tree showrooms, and plenty of arcades where you and your children can play games.

This also comes with seasonal attractions such as the Staten Island Carnival, which is hosted there every year. This is one of the best places that you can take your whole family.

They also have a store called Children’s Place that sells clothing for children of all different ages.

There are some great culinary options at this mall, whether it is family-style restaurants such as Appleby’s or grilled and fried foods at Mcdonald’s and Burger King. This has plenty of things to explore and you can easily lose a day here.

This is also a very accessible venue, which is great if you are looking for a mall with plenty of room. This place will also be able to deal with the weekend rush, which is perfect if you tend to feel a little claustrophobic in crowds.

7.  Newport Center Mall

This next mall is a little more low-key, but it still comes jam-packed with around 140 stores inside. That’s one of the best things about these New York shopping malls, they really go big like no other shopping mall.

There are restaurants and retail stores galore in this shopping mall. Whether it is Korean chicken or vegan food or Indian cuisine or sushi, there is something for everyone at Newport Center Mall.

This is great if you have a few members of your group who want different sorts of food.

If you are going to sit in one of these restaurants, make sure that you get a window seat, as a lot of them overlook the Hudson river, which is a spectacular view, either on a sunny day or during the most cloudy of winter mornings.

You can also pick up bespoke clothing, mainstream fashion, or something that lies between the two.

With shopping malls like Atmosphere, Clarks and Social Apparel, you’ll be able to deck yourself out in keeping with all the modern trends.

8.  Macy’s Herald Square

Next up, we have a mall that is located at the center of New York City, one of the most recognizable on the American retail landscape. That’s right, it’s Macy’s.

This is the largest retail store in America, taking up nearly 3 million square feet of space. That is incredible!

All the classic high-fashion retail stores have stuck their flag in the ground at this department store.

From Calvin Klein to Levi’s, this place is a one-stop shop for some of the best up-to-the-minute clothing you can find on the market. You can also find furniture for your apartment and gifts for Christmas.

One of the main draws of Macy’s is the events that they hold all throughout the year.

They have a Thanksgiving Day Parade (one of the biggest in the world), a flower show and a massive Christmas display where children can meet and take photos with Santa Claus himself.

You can be sure that after visiting this Macy’s store you will have more than physical gifts to take with you.

You’ll also have tons of memories and photographs that you can plaster all over your socials to make everyone else super jealous!

9.  Hudson Yards

This next shopping mall and restaurant quarter is relatively new to New York, but that does not mean that it does not have as much to offer as some of the other big-box shopping malls in New York City, boasting around 100 high-quality retail stores.

If you are looking for a Cartier watch, then you should go here. If you are looking for denim cutoffs from Adriano Goldschmied, then you should also go here.

Or if you want to get something vintage to decorate your home from the exclusive Hudson Yard store Beyond The Edge, then you should definitely go here!

There is also The Shed, which is an arts center that allows you to browse works by some of the very best artists in the city, as well as relaxing with a bespoke coffee. When it comes to all-in-one shopping experiences, Hudson Yard really packs it all in!

10.   Atlas Park Shops

Next up, we have an open-air mall that covers almost 4,000 square feet of space.

You can find almost anything under Atlas Parks’ roof: pet centers, art studios, crafts workshops, all-age swimming classes, and a movie theatre showing everything from modern films to retro classics.

But that’s not all, there is also a fine selection of food on offer. If you like tucking into a warm pretzel fresh from Auntie Anne’s or you want to indulge in one of the many flavors of ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery, there’s plenty on offer for you at this shopping mall.

This is a great place to take kids, simply because there is so much for them to do here! If you are looking for a place where you can enjoy the whole day without having to worry, then Atlas Parks has plenty to take your mind off things.

11.   Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall

This next shopping mall is one of the biggest in the state and the 8th largest in the whole of the USA.

This contains over 250 stores inside, from Louis Vuitton to Omega to Burberry. There is more than enough for you to sample in one sitting at this gigantic shopping mall.

There are also some culinary delicacies that you can find here that you wouldn’t find anywhere else: Cuban, Japanese, Mediterranean, American, steakhouse, or seafood.

All of this is very upmarket, made to perfection with some of the freshest ingredients.

Whether it is handmade sandwiches or hot soup, you can get any food that you like, leaving you full for the rest of your day out.

12.   Bloomingdale’s

Now we have another American standard when it comes to shopping and that’s Bloomingdale’s. This is a premiere retail store that you can use to buy any kind of luxury clothing brand.

Make sure you have a full wallet or purse when you go to Bloomingdale’s, as you can be sure that there are many things you will want to pick up.

There might be many Bloomingdale’s around the country, but this one is the first ever store that opened, so you’ll be experiencing a little bit of retail history when you visit this iconic place.

This has shopping assistants that will cater to your every need, so why not treat yourself?

Luckily, Bloomingdale’s has done their research and they know that after covering nearly 1 million square feet of shopping space, you will need to have a snack at some point.

It has a bakery that sells some of the best pastries and cakes on the market, along with a cocktail bar and even a photo studio where you can take and develop snaps.

13.   Chelsea Market

One of the great things about New York is that it does have a history of some of the best retail centers in the world, a lot of which are over 100 years old. Another iconic place in the heart of New York’s meat-packing district is Chelsea Market.

There are plenty of things that you can say about this amazing place. It is where the Oreo cookie first came from, so if you like your sweet treats, then this is a crucial site that you should visit.

But that’s only the beginning of your culinary odyssey at Chelsea market.

You can get freshly farmed meats at this market, along with lobster, fine chocolates, black-seeded bagels and cheese from Saxelby cheese mongers.

Each one of these eateries has a long and illustrious tradition, so if you want food that is both gourmet and rustic, then Chelsea market is the place to find that.

This place is also highly treasured by the community, and it hosts all sorts of yearly art festivals and carnivals. You can also see some of the best local musical talents in NYC, so there’s plenty to hear and see as well as taste here.

14.   Green Acres Mall

Another bustling retail city within the capital, Green Acres mall is another famous hotspot on the tick-sheet of must-see retail outlets.

This is the 15th largest mall in the whole USA, jam-packed with over 150 stores, from jewelers to men’s vintage clothing to high-fashion underwear.

Like a lot of our other malls, this one does not shortchange you when it comes to great restaurants. You can go to the Olive Garden, which is famous for its rustic Italian food.

There’s also Red lobster, which is a little more mid-range, but is a staple American diner and serves some great seafood.

Green Acres really does span acres, leaving you plenty of room to browse and window shop with all the members of your family.

You can also get some high-quality furniture for your home, which is great if you have the wherewithal to ship it back with you.

15.   Smith Haven Mall

Next, we have another mall with decades of experience, housing over 130 stores and eateries, including places like American Eagle, P.F. Chang’s, Barnes & Noble, The Melt Shop, Empress New York and many, many more.

This is a wonderful place to shop until you drop, that’s if you have the stamina to traverse the 1.3 million square miles of retail space. This is a pillar of the local community, so you can expect it always to be thriving and busy.

The highlight of this place must be the video gaming sector. This place is full of casual and professional gamers, the perfect venue where you can drop off your teenagers while you scour through the shops looking for discounts and bargains.

Once you have finished shopping, you can then go and indulge in a grilled cheese sandwich, some sushi from a traditional Japanese restaurant, steak or even Brazilian cuisine.

There is something to fill your shopping bags and your stomach at these restaurants. So why not pack the family into the station wagon and get on down to Smith Haven Mall?

16.   Manhattan Mall

This is a much smaller shopping mall that is located right in the heart of Manhattan. This is somewhere you can go if you are visiting New York and you don’t want to spend too much of your budget.

Instead of high-end brands, you have affordable prices from Barnes & Noble, Hallmark and Sunglass Hut.

If you are a fan of wine, then this is the home of Rose Mansion, where you can sample all types of rose. The mansion comes with plenty of rooms that you can explore, taking some enviable pictures that you can upload to your socials right away.

17.   Queen’s Place Mall

This should not be mistaken for the larger Queens Center Mall that we mentioned earlier, as it is a separate, and equally as impressive, big-box mall.

This has nearly half a million square feet of retail with stores such as Macy’s and Best Buy. Again, if you want to indulge in that classic American shopping experience without the price tag, then this is a great mall for you.

There are also plenty of places where you can get steak, seafood and desserts.

If you are looking for the all-American fast food eating experience, then this is the right place for you to start. You can easily get from your hotel to this mall via the subway.

18.   The Fulton Center

Finally, we have a place for people who like to admire the outside of buildings as well as the inside.

This boasts some award-winning architecture, with a train station that lets in plenty of natural light and will cause you and your family to gaze around in wonderment. There are also plenty of classic American retail stores for you to visit.

There are plenty of eateries that you can sample, including the Freedom Wine Cellar, which has some of the country’s top wines that you can taste and buy.

This place is easy to get to and is open 24 hours. So why not visit in the dead of night and experience this New York landmark without the stress of dealing with other people?

Conclusion

We hope that our guide to New York shopping malls has given you enough to fill up your itinerary on your next trip.

Whether it is high-end fashion or a bite to eat, these places offer you everything that you could want for the complete shopping experience.

Alex Kallen
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