The best neighbourhoods for Christmas shopping in New York City

In December when Christmas is in sight, where better to do your holiday shopping than NYC! It’s fair to say that New York City is one of the best places in the world to do your Christmas shopping.

Whether you plan to take a flight to New York and go in December or at some other point in the year you need to know what’s what in each of the different shopping districts. So here’s a brief guide to some of the ultimate shopping locations Manhattan has to offer.

New York City offers everything from boutiques to markets to department stores. There certainly is something to satisfy all shoppers’ cravings. It ensures that at the end of each day everyone leaves laden with bags, light of pocket and satisfied that they have found the ultimate gift!

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Soho, Lower East Side & Little Italy

In Soho, Lower East Side and Little Italy you’ll find everything from Italian trattorias to Jewish delicatessens. This ensures your taste buds are firmly satisfied before you begin your days shopping.

In these neighbourhoods you may feel a little overwhelmed by the mix of different cultures on offer. They are packed full of little thrift shops, vintage clothing stores, markets, coffee shops and bookshops. You will get fantastic value for your money here when searching for that perfect gift.

If you are looking for something truly amazing then be sure to check out the Hester Street Fair. This weekend fair features local foods, special events and lots of vintage clothing and handbags. There is even an amazing vintage exchange/cocktail bar here in the form of ‘The Dressing Room’.

Midtown

If you fancy seeing some of the amazing sights that New York City has to offer then head to Midtown. The Midtown neighbourhood is the centre of Manhattan. With any city centre generally comes tourists and Midtown is no exception.

However, do not let this put you off as this is home to some amazing places! This is the location of Times Square, the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Centre. There is much to see and do here if you want a break from shopping.

But if shopping is your main objective then here you will find Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany’s. There’s other well known department stores packed full of gifts. It is quite possible to complete all of your Christmas shopping in just one shop but then what is the fun in that?

Chelsea & Meatpacking District

The Chelsea and Meatpacking District feels a little more cobbled together with a mixture of small streets, historic landmarks and warehouses. All these blend well together to give an amazing ambience that cannot be matched anywhere else in the city.

The vibe is totally unique here and you will find art galleries, bars, restaurants and clubs. There’s also a well thriving LGBT community.

Shopping here is best done in the Chelsea Market if you are looking for delightful architecture and fantastic food. There is even a Bloomingdale’s nearby (Upper East Side) for all your ultimate New York purchases.

Upper East Side

The Upper East Side is probably the wealthiest part of Manhattan and boy does it show. This area feels a little more family orientated with the town houses and older mansions adding a classic New York feel to the area.

The ultimate New York City shopping experiences are here in the form of Barney’s and Bloomingdale’s. Both are filled from wall to wall with amazing gifts, treats and much much more!

The festive displays here are wonderful and will really help to get you in to the Christmas spirit! Madison Avenue is jam packed full of designer labels and even if you can’t afford these now what harm is a little bit of window shopping?

Upper West Side

Full of wonderful culture the Upper West Side is a place to visit for some more relaxed shopping. You’ll escape some of the crowds that can be found in some of the busier tourist areas.

If you are looking to take a break from shopping and soak up some atmosphere then you will find lots of artists here. There’s also museums and theatres including the Avery Fish Hall, home to the New York Philharmonic.

If you are looking for somewhere lovely to walk then you will be satisfied here with West End Avenue and Riverside Drive both being wonderful streets to walk down. The majority of shops here are boutiques and unique shops that you won’t find anywhere else. On Sundays there is a wonderful flea market that will allow you to pick up some real bargains.

Williamsburg, Prospect Park and Clifton Hill

Break away from the norm in Williamsburg, Prospect Park and Clifton Hill. If you are a repeat visitor to New York City, then you may well be looking for something a little different or off the beaten track.

Well, you can find that here, and so much more. Brooklyn is only 20 minutes on the subway from Manhattan and therefore you can still head off to check out the sights whenever you want to.

Bargains hunters will find lots on offer here with Beacon’s Closet being an amazing place to pick up a vintage bargain. Grand street is home to lots of delightful little boutiques for that truly unique present.

Fifth Avenue is packed full of fashion and jewellery to ensure that you are cuts above the rest when you return home. The Brooklyn Flea Market, on Sundays, is great for indie pieces.

Just 20 minutes away, by train, from Manhattan is Prospect Park and Park Slopes which are absolutely delightful areas just waiting to be explored.

Wherever you end up in New York City you can be sure of an amazing shopping experience and some amazing accommodation that is incredibly reasonable. Find some real amazing bargains – take your time or shop in one large department store to get it all done.

Photo credits: Manhattan Bridge by andrew c mace, Katz’s Deli by iambents, Macy’s by CeeKay’s Pix, Chelsea Market by Steel Wool, Brooklyn Flea Market by sweetjessie, and Prospect Park by forklift

My thanks* for this article to Netflights – check out their cheap flights to New York from London Heathrow

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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