Cheap Shopping NYC: Where You Get the Best Deals

Shopping in New York is a fantastic experience. There are no big malls here, the stores are out on the city streets, so you get to explore while you shop.

Here's everything I'm going to cover:

• the best neighborhoods for shopping in New York
• how to save at the department stores
• how to get to the malls and outlets outside NYC
• how to take advantage of Amazon deals
• where to find specific stores: shoes, perfume and electronics.

Best neighborhoods for shopping

Union Square, SOHO, Times Square and Fifth Avenue are the areas with the highest concentration of stores in Manhattan.

The most famous stores sit right next to each other, which makes shopping easy.

I'm talking about GAP, Victoria Secret, Crocs, Levis, American Eagle, H&M, Uggs, Old Navy, Payless Shoes, Sketchers, Foot Locker, Banana Republic, Aldo, Adidas…

But there are a couple of specific spots I recommend: Herald Square and Fulton Street in Brooklyn:

1. Herald Square

Here one store is literally steps from the next, plus you get the gorgeous flagship of Macy's.

The downside is that this shopping district is so central that it's always packed.

 How to get to Herald Square

Herald Square is at the intersection of Broadway, Sixth Avenue and 34th Street.

Lines 1, 2 and 3. 34 St – Penn Station
Lines B, D, F, M, N, Q, R. 34 St – Herald Square

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2. Fulton Street Mall

If you want more space and a calmer pace for shopping in New York, head to Fulton Street Mall in Downtown Brooklyn.

Fulton Street is an open-air mall with more than 250 stores spread over 17 blocks.

The GAP outlet (400 Fulton Street) is especially worth it, with genuinely low prices all year.

There are plenty of scruffy department stores that are full of surprises if you like digging. Modells, Rainbow and Price Mart, for example.

It isn't a big tourist spot, and you'll notice the shoppers here are mostly New Yorkers.

How to get to Fulton Street Mall

Fulton Mall runs along Fulton Street, between Flatbush Avenue and Smith Street.

Lines 2 and 3. Hoyt Street-Fulton Street
Lines A, C, F. Jay Street MetroTech
Lines 2, 4, 5. Borough Hall

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Department stores

New York's big department stores are shopping classics, but I want to tell you about two: Macy's and Century 21, which closed after going bankrupt during the pandemic and reopened its classic Lower Manhattan store in 2023.

1. Macy's

Herald Square is home to the flagship of the famous Macy's department store. It's a beautiful store where something is always happening (the flower show in spring and Santaland at Christmas, for example)

When you arrive, stop by the Visitor Center on the balcony level off 34th Street. Ask for your “Welcome International Savings Card,” which gets you 10% off on many items at Macy's.

How to get to Macy's

Lines B, D, F, M, N, Q, R. 34 St-Herald Sq

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2. Century 21

Century 21's slogan is «up to 65% off 100% of the year» and they mean it. That's why this huge store shows up in every guidebook, so brace yourself for the crowds.

The sacrifice pays off: on its messy racks you'll find treasures at outlet prices.

If you see something you like, buy it without thinking twice, because it won't be there when you come back (the store sells overstock from well-known brands).

How to get to Century 21

The flagship that reopened in 2023 sits across from One World Trade Center, which you can visit before exploring the store (Line R, Cortlandt St – Lines 4 and 5, Fulton St).

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IKEA Brooklyn

The Swedish chain's IKEA in Brooklyn deserves its own paragraph. Beyond all the goodies you can buy, you can get there in 10 minutes by ferry from Wall Street.

The ride to this popular Swedish store is worth it on its own, with spectacular views of Downtown Manhattan.

Read all the directions for getting to IKEA.

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Shopping on Amazon during your trip to New York

One great way to get competitive prices and variety without losing time walking from store to store is to buy directly on Amazon and use the Amazon Lockers.

What is an Amazon Locker?

They're self-service pickup lockers located all over the city where you can have your Amazon orders sent. Very useful if you want to take advantage of the site's deals but can't receive packages at your hotel (many hotels don't allow it or charge a fee).

Using them is easy:

• When you check out, choose the Amazon Locker that works best for you as the shipping address.
• When the package arrives, you'll get an email with a code.
• With that code you can pick the package up straight from the locker.
• You have up to 3 business days to collect it. If you don't make it in time, Amazon returns the package and refunds your money.

📍 There are lockers all over the city: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and more. You can find the closest one on Amazon or on sites like LockerMap.

This option is ideal for buying tech, cosmetics, books, perfume or even an unlocked phone without any hassle.

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Malls near Manhattan

If you have time to shop and want to hit the malls and outlets nearby, keep reading:

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

Woodbury Common is paradise if you want high-end brands at genuinely good prices.

It's north of New York and one of the largest outlets in the United States, with more than 250 stores from brands like Burberry, Carolina Herrera, Ralph Lauren, Fendi, Versace, Dior…

The difference from other outlets is clear: here you'll find high-end products discounted up to 65%, not just leftovers and clearance racks.

Keep in mind that between getting there, shopping, and getting back, you'll pretty much burn the whole day. You also need to factor in the cost of transportation.

There are buses that leave from Manhattan and even hand out discount coupons. Read more details on how to get to Woodbury Common Outlet.

Queens Center Mall

This is the biggest mall in Queens and it's about 35 minutes by subway from Manhattan (R train, Woodhaven Blvd station). It has stores like Macy's, JCPenney, H&M, the Apple Store, Target, and many more.

They recently added new stores like Primark, Psycho Bunny, and the Lego Store, and several spaces are being renovated, so you'll find it pretty lively.

It's ideal if you want to do more classic shopping without going far or spending the entire day outside the city.

Tangram: modern shopping in Flushing

If you want to check out a mall that's modern, different, and full of life, head to Tangram in the heart of Flushing.

This mall offers a mix of Asian food, specialty stores, a movie theater, and fun spaces like an interactive arcade and a cat café.

It's perfect if you're after something more local and authentic, with options you won't find in the traditional malls of Manhattan or New Jersey. Plus it's easy to reach by subway or bus, and the neighborhood is buzzing.

📍 How to get there?
Subway line 7, Flushing – Main Street station.

Shopping in New Jersey

If you want cheaper prices and everything in one place, you can cross over to the malls in New Jersey (see here how to get to NJ).

In this state next door to New York, taxes are lower, so shopping ends up being somewhat cheaper.

Jersey Gardens

This is a mall with outlet stores from well-known brands (Ralph Lauren, Adidas, Abercrombie, Victoria's Secret, American Eagle, Forever 21…).

The trip is worth it during the sale seasons in New York. Plus, if you show your passport at the information desks you'll get discount coupons, so don't forget to bring it 🙂

To get there, take bus 111 at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, gate 222 (buy a round trip ticket to Jersey Gardens at the counter, it costs US$ 13).

Our advice is to catch the first bus of the morning (9:45 am) so you make the most of your time. Keep in mind that the round trip from Manhattan can take you up to two and a half hours.

Newport Centre

This is a mall 40 minutes from Manhattan with all the big-name stores. You can get there easily by taking the PATH (Journal Square direction, Newport station).

Where to buy specific items in New York

If you're short on time and need to skip the window shopping and get straight to the point, we put together this quick guide to finding specific products:

Electronics

If you need to buy cameras, computers, tablets, or any other electronic device, there's always plenty of selection and good prices at Best Buy, which has several locations in NYC.

If you're looking for a store that specializes in photography, visit B&H (9th Avenue at 34th Street) or Adorama (18th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues).

Another classic spot for electronics in New York is the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue. A must-visit for Mac lovers. But there are actually several stores around the city where you can shop in peace (the Upper West Side one is ideal).

Unlocked cell phones aren't especially cheap in New York. Prices are good when they're tied to a carrier contract, which isn't our case. Our advice is to know the phone prices back home so you can tell whether it's worth it.

Around the Empire State and Times Square you'll find lots of small shops with very competitive prices.

The catch is that the devices may be refurbished, and it's common for the warranties not to be honored. If I were you, I wouldn't risk it.

A great idea is to buy your unlocked phone on Amazon and have it sent to an Amazon Locker.

Shoes

Every time I go to the city I get lost in the shoe section at Century 21. It's a total mess, but you'll find surprises at amazing prices.

34th Street, between Fifth and Seventh Avenues in Manhattan, is a classic street for buying shoes. You'll find one shoe store right next to another. Ideal for comparing prices and trying things on.

Around Times Square you'll also find stores from big brands like Doc Martens, Crocs, Skechers… Come with empty suitcases 😉

Perfume

The big department stores, like Macy's and Bloomingdale's, carry a wide range of perfumes at the same prices.

If you're not after a specific brand, try your luck at Century 21, where there are always batches of perfumes at really good prices. Great for gifts 😉

Another idea: buy your favorite perfumes on Amazon before the trip and send them to an Amazon Locker, as I explained above.

If you're looking for cosmetics, New York has several Sephora locations and MAC stores.

Souvenirs

If you're after more special keepsakes, visit the museum shops.

You'll find especially original items at the MoMA shop or its MoMA Design Store, at the New York Transit Museum, at the Lincoln Center, or at the Tenement Museum (which also sells specialized books about New York).

Other fabulous places to pick up very New York gifts to take home are the Strand Books bookstore and the NBC Store.

At Strand Books, along with the 18 miles of books promised in its famous slogan, you'll find one-of-a-kind bags, pencil cases, pens, posters, and postcards.

The NBC Store is a paradise for fans of TV shows and late shows.

Big Discount Seasons in New York

Whenever you travel, check whether your stay overlaps with a clearance and sale season in New York.

Shopping in New York during the sales is heaven. You'll find truly amazing deals 🙂