Alternative Shopping in New York: NYC’s Best Shopping Districts Outside Manhattan

“New York, New York … the iconic destination has been written about, sung about, talked about too many times to count. But while Manhattan is arguably the city’s most famous borough, home to some of the best shopping on the planet, visitors to the Big Apple shouldn’t miss out on world-class shopping experiences from New York’s other four boroughs. Here is our guide to why, how, when and where to enjoy the alternative shopping opportunities in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.

Brooklyn
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Get stuck in to the quintessential Brooklyn shopping experience by heading for Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg. In addition to well-known chains such as Urban Outfitters and J Crew, you’ll also find one-off boutiques, charming book shops and vintage stores.

If you’re keen to pick up unique finds, head to the Brooklyn Flea weekend market. Taking place indoors in the winter, and every Saturday in Williamsburg and every Sunday in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) in the summer, this is the place to buy everything from vintage clothes and furniture to rare collectibles, antiques, jewellery and crafts.

If you want to spend the day shopping at a huge mall, head downtown to City Point Brooklyn, home to famous stores such as Target and Century 21, or visit Atlantic Terminal and Atlantic Centre, large shopping malls that are also filled with well-known stores such as Victoria’s Secret, Old Navy and Uniqlo.

There’s also the picturesque, brownstone-filled Park Slope to explore: browse the independent book shops, buy records at one-off stores and enjoy finding vintage treasures along Fifth Avenue.

Queens
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For a one-stop shop that will meet all your retail requirements, head to the four-storey Queens Centre shopping centre. There are over 150 shops, entertainment experiences and restaurants to enjoy, including big names such as Macy’s, Forever 21 and The Cheesecake Factory. Another popular shopping mall is Queens Crossing in downtown Flushing, which has 110,000 square feet of retail space, in which you can buy from well-known beauty, fashion, homeware and lifestyle brands and eat at a range of dining options.

For great gifts, go to the neighbourhood of Astoria, known for its cute boutiques. You’ll find independent shops selling clothing, jewellery and accessories, artisanal shops offering local fare for foodies and gift stores full of stationery and souvenirs.

If you’re in Queens on a Saturday night from May to September, make sure to stop by the Queens Night Market. The open-air night market sells art, merchandise, handmade crafts and tasty food from all over the world, from Thailand to Mexico. There are 100 independent vendors and there are also live, family-friendly performances for visitors.

Staten Island
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For fantastic deals on designer items, head to the only outlet mall in New York City, Empire Outlets. The 350,000-square-foot retail complex has 100 designer outlets to explore, and being close to the Staten Island Ferry, it’s super-accessible. The outlet mall has excellent discounts on designer brands including Banana Republic, Nike, Levi’s and True Religion.

Another popular spot is the Staten Island Mall, with over 200 stores to browse, including fashion, homeware, beauty, technology and jewellery. There’s also a plethora of dining options to explore, including Taco Bell, TGI Fridays and Wendy’s.

If you have kids in tow, don’t miss a visit to Brownie’s Hobby Shop, although adults will be just as enchanted with its offerings. The family-run store has been going for decades and is crammed with everything you need for creative crafts projects, such as science project kits, vintage reproductions of cars and ships, radio-controlled cars, boats, planes and helicopters and more. As they say, it’s where the “art of DIY fun is alive and well”, and is a great spot for kids to be inspired by a creative project.

The Bronx
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If you’re something of a shopaholic, you’ll be perfectly at home at the Bronx Terminal Market – the mall is close to one million square feet in size. Dating back to 1935, it’s built on a 17-acre site that was once the area’s centre for wholesale fruits and vegetables. There are six levels to explore with a whole range of shopping and dining options from household names including Applebee’s, Home Depot, Target and Bed Bath & Beyond.

Another popular spot is the Fordham Road district, which is home to over 300 stores and is the borough’s largest shopping district. Purchase sportswear, tech, fashion, jewellery, food and more at both national chains and small independent shops at the outdoor mall, and take a break either in one of the area’s green spaces or in one of several family-friendly restaurants. Check out the area’s calendar to see if your visit coincides with one of the many events, such as summer movie nights, the Bronx night market or a themed community festival.”