10 Best Shopping Malls in New York

Macy's flagship store in Herald Square is an iconic attraction in New York City. The 11-storey mall comprises over 1.1 million square feet of retail space and is the world's largest Macy's. Covering an entire block on Broadway between 34th and 35th streets, the mall is stocked with shoes, clothing, cosmetics, accessories, housewares, furniture, and gifts from top fashion brands. You'll find Burberry, Calvin Klein, Levis, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Clinique, and Estee Lauder, among many others.

The Macy's Visitor Centre's friendly staff can provide help and information about the massive department store. The Visitor Centre is located near the 34th Street entrance. International visitors qualify for a 10% discount pass for up to 30 days at any Macy's store in the US.

Brookfield Place offers world-class shopping, dining, and cultural experiences in Lower Manhattan. The mall is located in the Winter Garden, a 10-storey glass-vaulted pavilion that's home to luxury retail stores and eateries. Shop at international fashion houses such as Hermès and Louis Vuitton or brands like Paul Smith and Lululemon. The light-filled shopping mall also serves as a greenhouse for 16 palm trees and a venue for art exhibits, live music shows, and the TriBeCa Film Festival.

After a couple of hours of window-shopping, refuel at one of the upmarket restaurants. Hudson Eats comprises 14 chef-driven eateries, while Le District is a French-inspired marketplace. At the back of the mall is a large outdoor plaza offering views of the river and New Jersey. In winter, the Brookfield Place ice rink is one of Manhattan’s less-crowded rinks.

Manhattan Mall is a great little shopping mall 1 block from Herald Square and the Empire State Building. There's no parking lot available, but you can hop off the subway at the 34th Street–Herald Square station and walk to the mall in under 3 minutes. While you won't find luxury brands here, you can get good bargains at stores like Barnes and Noble, Hallmark, Aeropostale, Sunglass Hut, and New York & Company. 

Also inside the mall is the fun-filled Rosé Mansion where you can sample rosé wine from around the world. During the interactive experience, you'll wander through a labyrinth of eccentric, Insta-worthy rooms, such as Cleopatra's Palace, a vintage airline lounge, and a treehouse.

The Shops at Columbus Circle is a traditional yet upscale shopping mall in the Time Warner Center in the heart of Manhattan. Whether you come to shop, people-watch, or enjoy a meal with a 2-storey view over Central Park, it's unlikely you'll get bored here. There’s also free Wi-Fi.

The mall includes H&M, Hugo Boss, J. Crew, Amazon Books, Michael Kors, and Swarovski. You’ll also find excellent choices to fuel your shopping spree, including Michelin-starred dishes. There’s Chef Takayama’s Masa and Thomas Keller’s Per Se. Before you leave, be sure to snap some pics of the voluptuous 12-ft-tall statues of Adam and Eve by acclaimed Colombian artist Fernando Botero.

Bloomingdale’s is an iconic American luxury department store chain. Its flagship store on 59th Street in New York City is a favourite destination for upscale shoppers visiting the city. You can easily spend an entire day at the massive store. Besides high-end fashion, decor, and houseware, you can enjoy a range of culinary delights thanks to the onsite restaurants and cafés.

Stay orientated during your visit to the mega-store and download the free Bloomingdale’s app. The app has maps, information on dining options, and even access to special offers. And be sure to plan your visit on a weekday before lunch when crowds are the smallest.

Queens Place Mall is a gigantic shopping mall in Elmhurst, a neighbourhood in the borough of Queens. The 440,000-square-ft mall has many popular big-box retailers, so you'll find everything you could need in one trip and at reasonable prices. The anchor stores are Best Buy, Macy's, Target, and Designer Shoe House.

There are also a couple of eateries, including Red Lobster, Outback Steakhouse, and Mrs Fields' Cookies. Parking is available, but you can also reach the mall on the subway, getting out at Grand Avenue - Newtown station.

The Fulton Center is a subway station and retail complex at Fulton Street and Broadway in New York's Lower Manhattan. You may ask what's so special about a train station? In addition to shops and eateries, the sleek transit hub boasts award-winning architecture.

The highlight of The Fulton Center is the 52-ft-diameter glass oculus, called the "Sky Reflector-Net", that sits above the grand atrium. The oculus allows natural light to reach 2 stories below. It's truly a sight to behold. You can visit the centre for free, or arrive on one of the 9 different subway lines that pass through here.

The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards is a sprawling indoor shopping and dining hub in the buzzing Hudson Yards neighbourhood in Midtown Manhattan. This is a popular spot for visitors and locals, with a hip, arty vibe and tons of incredible architecture to explore and shops to visit. The shopping mall is home to more than 100 shops and 20 restaurants. Retail stores include Dior, Neiman Marcus, H&M, and Zara.

While you’re here, take in spectacular 360-degree views of New York City from the top of the Edge observation deck. At 100 stories tall, it’s the highest sky desk in the Western Hemisphere. Across from the mall is Vessel. This spiral staircase allows visitors to climb almost 2,500 steps to enjoy marvellous views of the city and the river.

75 Rockefeller Plaza is a superb destination if you’re looking for a unique shopping experience in New York City. The skyscraper sits near the famous Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan. It offers a great selection of retail outlets from big-name brands, including Nike and SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker.

If soaring heights don’t scare you, make sure to visit Top of the Rock. The 70th-floor observation deck in the Rockefeller Center offers 360-degree views of the city. If you’d like to discover more about the Rockefeller family and history, join a historian-guided Rockefeller Center Tour. During the tour, you’ll learn about the Art Deco-style architecture and the different spaces within the centre, including the art and gardens.

Westfield World Trade Center is located inside the sleek Oculus at the new World Trade Center Transportation Hub. It is the largest shopping complex in Lower Manhattan. The modern mall opened in 2016 and replaced the mall under the original World Trade Center, which was destroyed in the September 11 attacks in 2001. High-end shoppers can head to the more than 100 luxury stores, which include MAC, Sephora, Apple, and Lacoste.

Once you’ve finished shopping, head over to one of the eateries. The mall offers over 30 choices, from delis and casual cafés to bars and fine dining. With eye-popping architecture inside and out and an excellent location near other tourist attractions, a visit to Westfield should be on every traveller’s New York City itinerary, even if you’re just window-shopping.