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Almost anything from around the globe can be found in New York's higher-end boutiques, jewelry stores, department stores and designer shops. From the latest trendy items to luxury collections and world brands, New York City prides itself on unique shopping areas that surpass all expectations. There are even districts devoted to speciality stores and malls such as the Fashion Center. Simply put, shopping in New York is irresistible. The abundance, diversity and distinctiveness of retailers can tempt shoppers for many days as they try to juggle visiting as many shops as possible. Visiting all the shopping areas in a huge city like New York is an almost impossible mission; for that, plan on visiting two or three shopping areas at most each day.

	A Summer Garden at New York's Fashion Center1

CRYSTAL & JEWELRY STORES

The Crystal District is a stretch of five blocks along Madison Avenue between 58th and 63rd Streets, encompassing a rich concentration of crystal and jewelry shops. The French crystal boutique Baccarat Crystal is one of the area's highlights, boasting gold, silver and precious stones with showcases devoted to dazzling chandeliers, vases, stemware and china. Swarovski is another high-end store located in the same area. The jewelry collection varies from rhodium-plated brooches in black and white enamels to necklaces with various pastel shades and drop-pierced earrings with colored crystal beads. Swarovski's collection also extends to home décor crystals inspired by nature's flora and fauna.

The whole area at 47th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues is the Diamond District, providing an opportunity for visitors to explore a diamond haven where anything can be custom made. One cannot miss the classics and the sparkling treasures of Tiffany & Co., featuring Swiss watches and diamond rings for all occasions and anniversaries. Tiffany was founded in 1837 when Charles Lewis Tiffany opened a store in downtown Manhattan. Today, more than 100 Tiffany & Co. stores and boutiques are located in both the United States and international markets. Tiffany in New York is one of the biggest and most popular stores in the chain.

Established in 1878 and located on Fifth Avenue and 55th Street, Wempe is home to traditional watches and jewelry. The refined German and Swiss watches, classic Akoya pearls, malleable and shiny silver and Santa-Maria-Africana—a particularly fine quality of aquamarine with a deep blue color—are all found in Wempe's collections. Another must see store is Fortunoff, offering diamond chandelier earrings, freshwater-cultured pearls and pear-shaped amethysts. Fortunoff is conveniently located at Fifth Avenue and 54th street near the Diamond District.

For more information on New York City jewelry stores visit:
Manhattan Jewelry Shops | Bronx Jewelry Shops

DEPARTMENT STORES

New York's department stores are another world to discover and explore. There is an irresistible variety of products in these stores, some of which date back to the late 1800s and have been associated with American culture, symbols and landmarks.

Macy's in Herald Square, New York2

Macy's
Founded in 1851 by Rowland Hussey Macy, Macy's flagship store is located in Herald Square at 34th Street and Broadway. Famous for its mid-range prices, visitors flock to this store to shop its 10 floors of merchandise. Holding two floors, Macy's shoe department is huge on its own, providing a wide variety of designer shoes and sports footwear. Beauty products, men's and women's fashion and designer dresses are also found in the store's trendy boutiques. Every November for over 75 years, Macy's has maintained a true New York experience, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a tradition celebrating America that also prepares shoppers for Christmas. In the 1920s, most employees at Macy's were first generation immigrants who wanted to celebrate their adopted American culture and keep European traditions in a European-like festival. Macy's enthusiasts and employees dress as clowns, cowboys, knights and sheikhs and march from 145 Street down to 34th Street. In this event, viewers can also enjoy professional bands and live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo.

Saks Fifth Avenue
Established in 1924, Saks Fifth Avenue is one of the most lively retail stores in New York. Out of 61 branches, the largest and most popular Saks Fifth is located in the heart of Manhattan at Fifth Avenue and 50th Street, covering almost the entire block across from Rockefeller Center. The 10-floor building is vast with its retail extravaganzas, but an information booth is available for assistance on the 50th Street side. Each floor includes a department with different specialties such as the 8th floor, where gowns for brides, bridesmaids and flower girls from world brands are found. At the ground floor, guests cannot miss feeling the energy of the salespeople in the cosmetics and perfume departments. Other floors contain a line of genteel and elegant boutiques from Escada, Chanel and other designers.

	Bloomingdale's in New York3

Barney's and Bergdorf Goodman
Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman are two luxury department stores located on Fifth Avenue at 60th and 57th streets respectively. Barneys is often called the younger version of Bergdorf Goodman, however both have similar elegance and class. Barneys has gained more fame since actress Sarah Jessica Parker expressed her obsession with this store. Fashion fanatics shop at these stores for almost anything. Clothing brands for women and men run from Ralph Lauren to DKNY and Earl Jean.

Bloomingdale's
Another Manhattan department store is Bloomingdale's. Affectionately nicknamed Bloomie's, this retail store offers a wide selection of women's clothing, including fashionable denim and dresses, designer shoes and handbags, bridal collections and swimsuits. Located on Third Avenue between 59th and 60th Streets, Bloomie's include a men's department with all types of suits, from the trendy to conservative, as well as designer brands and Bloomingdale's own label. The children's department has upscale brands and the toy section includes Bloomie's Barbie, made exclusively by Mattel for Bloomingdale's. This store also has extras such as a fur salon, a bridal and baby registry, a foreign currency exchange and an interior design department.

For information on New York department stores visit:
Manhattan Department Stores | Brooklyn Department Stores

Model at a Betsey Johnson Fashion Show4

DESIGNER SHOPS

Almost every prominent world designer has a store or a tie to New York. In many cases, designer boutiques are found in shops and upscale department stores such as Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Barneys. Shoppers who want one-to-one fashion or cosmetics consultation and prefer exclusively-made cocktail dresses, wedding and evening gowns can visit the upscale designer stores situated along Madison Avenue. Brand-name fans can also find exclusive shoes, accessories, cosmetics, fragrances and jewelry in these designer shops. Designer from Gucci to Calvin Klein, Chanel to Christian Dior, Betsey Johnson to Valentino and Versace are located in New York's upscale department stores and boutiques.

For more information on fashion designer boutiques in New York City visit:

Manahttan Designer Shops | Manhattan Boutiques

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

1. Fashion Center; A Summer Garden at New York's Fashion Center; New York, NY, USA
2. Federated Department Stores; Macy's in Herald Square, New York; New York, NY, USA
3. Federated Department Stores; Bloomingdale's in New York; New York, NY, USA
4. People Daily Online; Model at a Betsey Johnson Fashion Show; New York, NY, USA