New York City in August- Need places to shop!

[T0TEMAMA!]

So, I have never been to NYC in my whole life, and I am going in August. I would like some suggestions on where to shop, other than times square. I was wondering if there are any good outlets around the New Jersey/ NYC border? What temperature will it be? What should I pack?
Sorry for myself bombarding you with questions
Any help or tips would be appreciated!
,
T0TEMAMA!

[redney]

Whew! August will be the 3 H's - hazy, hot, and humid and it will likely rain/thunderstorm at some point while you're there. Many residents leave the city on the weekends so it will likely be a little *less* crowded than normal but if you don't know "normal" you'll stilll likely find it crowded...if all of that made sense! LOL

Personally, I would avoid shopping in Times Square (I think most of the stores there are either chains you can find in any suburban mall in the US or cheesy tourist shops). Since you've never been to NYC, you'll likely want to join the tourist crawl down 5th Avenue and browse through Saks 5th Avenue, the Tiffany flagship, etc.

Macy's Herald Square on 34th Street is an absolute ZOO, as is the Manhattan Mall nearby.

When I visit, I head downtown - to SoHo, Tribeca, Chelsea, the Village for designer and indie boutiques. Century 21 is a fun store to roll up your sleeves and dig for designer bargains.

I also recommend Barneys flagship on Madison Ave. at 60th and Barney's CO-OP in Chelsea.

Outside NYC, you can take a bus about an hour or so to reach Woodbury Commons, a premium outlet center with stores such as Burberry, YSL, Bottega, Chloe, Gucci, Tory Burch, etc. You can google it for location and transportation information.

You can get 1/2 price tickets for same-day Broadway shows at TKTS booths - one near the Marriott Marquis hotel near Times Square and the other in South Street Seaport.

You can walk through Central Park and across the Brooklyn Bridge - great views of the Manhattan skyline.

For packing, wear hot weather clothes and bring a wrap or cardy for A/C inside. New Yorkers dress up a bit more for drinks/dinner/clubs so bring some nice "going-out" clothes.

Have fun!

[T0TEMAMA!]

Thank you so much for your help redney.
I almost forgot to bring some fancy clothed [:
I am going to print out your post before I leave!
Thanks again!

[MBart]

Avoid Manhattan Mall!!! It's being re-done so JCPenny's can move in and is an awful mess inside. I think the some stores are still open but the food court is closed. Better off away from a mall in the city anyway with so many other stores around.

[don't blow!]

SoHo has become a bit of a tourist trap, that being said, shop there. If you can deal with the annoying crowds you'll still find some cute boutiques as well as your usual chain and designer stuff.

I also have a personal shopping route along the west village and meat packing district that I recommend. You could start at Marc by MJ on 10th and Bleeker st and continue up to 14th for some Jeffreys and McQueen. Keep walkin to 22nd st (between 11th and 12th aves) for Comme Des Garcons and Balenciaga. Along the way scattered throughout chelsea are some chain stores, but more importantly, the Barney's warehouse on 17th st between 7th and 8th aves!!! There are plenty of fabulous places along the way to eat and drink as well.

There's also Woodbury Commons which redney mentioned. They pretty much have every designer outlet imaginable, I've gotten some AMAZING deals there, it's def worth the hour commute to check out. I THINK buses go there leaving from Port Authority near Times Square, but I'm not 100% so you should prob ask around a bit more about it.

[pointie]

Consignment shops rock -- my favorites are the two INA stores(Thompson Street and Prince Street) and Fisch for the Hip. If you are feeling adventurous, pop into Trash & Vaudeville on St. Marks Place -- it's the source for rock-n-roll-n-punk fashion since forever.

[T0TEMAMA!]

Thanks for all your help ladies. When I go I'm printing out this thread!

[lolitablue]

Wow, this is an awesome thread!! I was going to ask the question myself b/c I am too, going to NYC either in August or September.

Keep them coming, guys!!

Thank you!!

[babieejae1101]

I agree, Woodbury Commons is awesome, but it's a about an hr or so away from the city. Century 21 also has some great deals. I would definitely google it. Times Square also has some great places to eat. It also gets extremely crowded on the weekends. Have a great time in NY.

[lolitablue]

Originally Posted by babieejae1101

I agree, Woodbury Commons is awesome, but it's a about an hr or so away from the city. Century 21 also has some great deals. I would definitely google it. Times Square also has some great places to eat. It also gets extremely crowded on the weekends. Have a great time in NY.

I hope that OP forgives me for hijacking her thread. But where to stay? I want to go to a Yankees game, see Miss Liberty and a play. Broadway sounds awesome and I get employee's discounts with Marriott. So how about the Marquis?

How about tickets for a game (any) and maybe The Phantom of the Opera?

[girl11]

Does Woodbury Commons have better stuff than the Tanger outlet in Riverhead? I don't think I've gone to WC in years.

I work near Times Square, and I really don't like shopping here. Too crowded.

[LOREBUNDE]

Great thread as I've been dying to go to Manhattan. In fact, I was furious w/DH couple weeks ago. We stayed overnight in New Rochelle and I heard 20 min away from Manhattan. DH said he heard NOT to drive into Manhattan, to take train and he had no idea where to begin. Needless to say we did not go. Just last week I saw on travel channel this ice cream place Serupdity (something like that). Anyone ever go there

[T0TEMAMA!]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I will try and find that ice cream place when I go.
LOL I don't mind your posting on my thread lolitablue, I was wondering some of the same things!

[i<3bags]

Serendipity is a waste of time- very long wait and ok food. DF and I went there last year (summer) and two weeks later it was shut down for health code violations. You can now buy their frozen hot chocolate mix from William Sonoma. I saw it the other day.

You can get ice cream from Dylan's (near Bloomingdales uptown) (This is the candy retreat that Dylan Lauren owns) There are also a few Pinkberry's in Manhattan. One downtown on Mott as I recall.

FOR TICKETS: As an above poster mentioned, TKTS for Broadway shows, the booth is near the Mariott Grand Marquois ATM. For sports tickets, try to buy them from ticketmaster or stubhub before you get into town- you can take the subway to Shea or Yankee Stadiums from midtown Manhattan. (about 30 min to 1 hr depending on whether it is a weekday game or weekend)

SHOPPING: For a "mall" you could go up to Columbus Circle (west side of the park at 58th and 59th), but most of the boutiques are downtown or UES (Upper East Side). Century 21 is worth it for designer deals- downtown near the World Trade site. The one near me had Botiker bags the other day- one was $650 as I recall. If you are into bags and the like- 57th Street between the park and Madison has lots of designer shops. You can check out Bergdorf's right there as well. Henri Bendel is there too and I believe there is also one downtown.

You can take the bus from Port Authority up to Woodbury Commons. Woodbury is great because it has more designer stores as mentioned above. AND you get a coupon booklet if you take the bus! Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, Last Call, Off 5th, Barney's Outlet, Tory Burch, Ugg, Lacoste are some of the outlets. This, as I have said before to others visiting the city, would be a day trip.

HINTS: Bring at least two pairs of comfortable walking shoes. A hat and sunscreen if you are going to a day baseball game. I agree with the sweater or wrap for indoors because of the A/C. Ask for a subway map at the ticket counter at the station if you are going to travel around by subway- which I suggest, it's way cheaper than cabs. Also, if you are planning on going/doing the club thing- some clubs do not permit jeans, so plan your outfits accordingly.

LORBUNDE- Next time you are in New Rochelle, you can take the LIRR/MetroNorth into Manhattan- leaves you at Grand Central. Takes about 40 minutes.

[LOREBUNDE]

Originally Posted by i<3bags

Serendipity is a waste of time- very long wait and ok food. DF and I went there last year (summer) and two weeks later it was shut down for health code violations. You can now buy their frozen hot chocolate mix from William Sonoma. I saw it the other day. You can get ice cream from Dylan's (near Bloomingdales uptown) (This is the candy retreat that Dylan Lauren owns) There are also a few Pinkberry's in Manhattan. One downtown on Mott as I recall. FOR TICKETS: As an above poster mentioned, TKTS for Broadway shows, the booth is near the Mariott Grand Marquois ATM. For sports tickets, try to buy them from ticketmaster or stubhub before you get into town- you can take the subway to Shea or Yankee Stadiums from midtown Manhattan. (about 30 min to 1 hr depending on whether it is a weekday game or weekend) SHOPPING: For a "mall" you could go up to Columbus Circle (west side of the park at 58th and 59th), but most of the boutiques are downtown or UES (Upper East Side). Century 21 is worth it for designer deals- downtown near the World Trade site. The one near me had Botiker bags the other day- one was $650 as I recall. If you are into bags and the like- 57th Street between the park and Madison has lots of designer shops. You can check out Bergdorf's right there as well. Henri Bendel is there too and I believe there is also one downtown. You can take the bus from Port Authority up to Woodbury Commons. Woodbury is great because it has more designer stores as mentioned above. AND you get a coupon booklet if you take the bus! Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, Last Call, Off 5th, Barney's Outlet, Tory Burch, Ugg, Lacoste are some of the outlets. This, as I have said before to others visiting the city, would be a day trip. HINTS: Bring at least two pairs of comfortable walking shoes. A hat and sunscreen if you are going to a day baseball game. I agree with the sweater or wrap for indoors because of the A/C. Ask for a subway map at the ticket counter at the station if you are going to travel around by subway- which I suggest, it's way cheaper than cabs. Also, if you are planning on going/doing the club thing- some clubs do not permit jeans, so plan your outfits accordingly. LORBUNDE- Next time you are in New Rochelle, you can take the LIRR/MetroNorth into Manhattan- leaves you at Grand Central. Takes about 40 minutes.

Thanks for the tip on the ice cream place and the directions. We'll be going back end of August, not sure if we'll have time but DH promised me!