Barney’s
660 Madison Ave & 61^st street
(212) 826-8900

This is our editor’s favorite store in Manhattan. This legend in men’s haberdashery originally began at the location on 17^th street, but is now located in a swanky building on Madison Ave. Besides the fine clothing, Barney’s gained fame among New Yorkers for it’s outrageous holiday window dressings. You’ll find all the best names in men’s and women’s clothing at uber-retail prices, but what the heck, when’s the next time you’ll be at Barney’s? The clothes you get here will keep you stylish for years. The annual Barney’s warehouse sale is unbeatable. Call ahead to find out when it takes place.

Bendel’s
712 Fifth Ave. & 56^th Street
(212) 247-1100

A big part of Bendel’s charm is the lovely interior - it’s classic and sophisticated, an environment conducive to some serious shopping. The store features all the top brands as well as some of the lesser known, but cutting edge designers. It’s located in one of the best shopping areas in the world, so it’s worth a look.

Bergdorf Goodman
754 Fifth Ave. & 57^th Street
(212) 753-7300

This venerable old institution of high end shopping is one of the best known department stores in New York. It’s almost unfair to call it a department store because it’s about as far as you can get from JC Penny’s. It’s primarily known for it’s women’s fashions, but men can go to Bergdorf Goodman Man at 58^th street. This is a frequent spot for the fabulously rich, don’t expect too many sales.

Bloomingdale’s
1000 Third Ave. & 59^th Street
(212) 355-5900

Wow, now this is a department store. You can find just about anything here from clothes to furniture to housewares and everything in-between. Known as "Bloomies", this store is as much a part of New York as the Empire State Building. It occupies an entire city block and has created lots of traffic for surrounding stores, making it the center of a good shopping area. The prices are usually reasonable, but as always, wait for a sale. You’ll be sure to find some great souvenirs including the distinctive shopping bags.

Lord & Taylor
424 Fifth Ave. & 39^th Street
(212) 391-3344

Lord & Taylor is a well respected department store that caters to the upper-middle class. They carry a large selection of women’s clothing, especially those looking for the smart business suit. You can be sure to find clothes that are classic and comfortable. You might do just as well or better in Bloomies. Lord & Taylor is owned by the May Department Stores Company who also owns such department stores as Filene’s, Kaufmann’s and Hecht’s.

Macy’s
W 34^th street & Broadway
(212) 695-4400

Like Bloomies, this is one of the landmarks of the New York shopping scene. It also occupies a full block and is known for it’s outstanding selection. The Cellar in the basement of Macy’s is our editor’s favorite place to find housewares and other domestic items. The only drawback of shopping at Macy’s is that you’ll be sure to find lots of people wearing the same thing. For out-of-towners this might not be a problem (and you can be sure that New Yorkers are wearing it too.)

Macy’s is beloved by New Yorkers for their Thanksgiving Day parades and Fourth of July fireworks displays. They’re both a real spectacle, don’t miss them if you’re in town.

Saks Fifth Avenue
611 Fifth Ave. & 50^th Street
(212) 753-4000

You’d think that any store with the name Fifth avenue in it would instantly mean a 30% mark-up on all items, but that is not the case with Saks. This chain of stores has branched out nationally and carries all the top designers at a reasonable price. The flagship store is renown for it’s perfume counter and selection of hard to find fragrances. It’s proximity to such things as Rockefeller Center and the Dahesh Museum make it impossible to not stop in and browse.