New York is one of the top ten shopping destinations in the world, so it is no surprise that many savvy shoppers plan trips to the city to wrap up their holiday gift lists. Beginning in mid to late November, the city puts on its holiday best, with world-famous window displays at stores such as Macy's Herald Square (151 West 34th St), Bergdorf Goodman's (754 5th Ave), Lord & Taylor (424 Fifth Avenue), Bloomingdale's (1000 Third Avenue), and Barney's (660 Madison Avenue).
After enjoying the window displays, you can wear out your plastic at the designer shops and boutiques on Madison Avenue. Famous names include Prada, Hermes, Chanel, Calvin Klein, and Giorgio Armani. On Fifth Avenue, get that famous robin's-egg-blue box when you buy (even the less expensive items) at Tiffany & Co.
In the same area, delight the basketball fan on your list at the NBA Store (666 Fifth Ave), wow a young girl with something from the American Girl Place (609 Fifth Ave), or experience the famous FAO Schwartz (767 Fifth Ave), where for an incredible variety of toys.
Head south for unique boutiques in SoHo, where you will find important designers like Anna Sui (113 Greene St), Marc Jacobs (164 Mercer), and Betsey Johnson (138 Wooster St). The SoHo neighborhood is also known for its art galleries.
If you are a fan of the show, "Sex and the City," you won't want to miss the House of Field, just around the corner at 302 Bowery. Patricia Field is the award-winning designer that dressed your favorite characters on the show, and her shop won't disappoint (warning: not for kids).
For sophisticated, fashion-forward design (and the price tags to go with it), head to NoLita, now a center of ethnic design. Go to Amy Chan's (247 Mulberry St) for her signature mosaic-tile bags or find incredible beaded tunics at Indomix (232 Mulberry St).
If you are an art lover, you will also want to visit the Chelsea/Flatiron District, which has been transformed into the Chelsea Art District, with more than 200 galleries (mostly between 19th and 26th St, and between Ninth and Eleventh Aves).
Head to Greenwich Village for the reader on your list. The Strand Bookstore (828 Broadway) is the world's largest used bookstore; you never know what treasure you will unearth. For all things SciFi, make a stop at Forbidden Planet (840 Broadway).
For unique hip-hop boutiques, head up to 125th Street in Harlem, where you'll find Jimmy Jazz (239 W 125th St), Dr. Jay's (256 W 125th St), and Jersey Man Cap USA (112 W 125th St).
New York shopping isn't just for high-priced stores. There is plenty of great bargain shopping, if you know where to look. Century 21 (22 Cortlandt St) is the most well-known of the discount clothing stores. Loehmann's (101 Seventh Ave) has high-end designer merchandise at bargain prices. H&M (1328 Broadway) is a local favorite, with knockoffs of the latest styles and accessories at low prices. Head uptown to the Upper West Side to find a less-crowded bargain at Filene's Basement (2222 Broadway).
If you are headed to the Big Apple for shopping, CRSHotels.com has the perfect New York hotel for you. Choose the Belvedere Hotel, the Ameritania Hotel, the budget-friendly Portland Square Hotel (see the CRSHotels.com special deal), the Wellington Hotel, the Hotel Mela, or the Kimberly Suites. Stay at the Bedford Hotel, the Clarion Hotel Park Avenue, the luxurious Bentley Hotel, the Marcel Hotel, the Flatotel, or the Americana Inn. Enjoy the Excelsior Hotel, the budget-friendly Grand Union, Hotel 57, the Comfort Inn Central Park , the Marrakech Hotel, or the highly-rated Lucerne Hotel.
