Top 15 Best Shopping Malls in and around New York City

Rising from the ashes of September 11, the Westfield World Trade Center is the largest shopping complex in Manhattan. This multiple-level mall currently offers 365,000 square feet of retail and dining space – 65 stores and 31 restaurants.

Here, shoppers can find dozens of iconic brands all in one place – Apple, BOSS, Cole Haan, John Varvatos, Kate Spade, L’Occitane, Montblanc, NIM, Pandora, and Sephora are among the stores.

Dining choices include snack choices like pretzels, doughnuts, and coffee, trendy offerings like bubble tea and gelato, and more upscale Latin, Italian, and Japanese fare.

There are also plenty of cultural experiences to be had at Westfield World Trade Center, such as:

• Soho Renaissance Factory – A working art studio
• Smorgasbord – One of the finest outdoor food markets in NYC
• The Strangers Project – A collection of more than 65,000 handwritten stories from people across America

The jaw-dropping centerpiece of the entire WTC hub is the Oculus, a combination pedestrian tunnel, railway station, and shopping center. Measuring over 350 feet long and built at a price of $ billion, the Oculus looks like a bird flying from the hand of a child and is one of the most beautiful structures in NYC.

It does not get any more "New York" than the Shops at Columbus Circle, an upscale mall in the geographic center of Manhattan, located within a skyscraper complex next to Central Park. No wonder 16 million visitors come here every year.

For the best in luxury NYC malls, it’s hard to beat the Shops – among the 50-plus stores are Aveda, Coach, Devialet, Floga, Jo Malone, Rebag, Stuart Weitzman, Swarovski, and Wolford.

The Shops also boasts some of the most famous bars and restaurants found in malls in New York, including the Ascent cocktail lounge, Barmasa sushi and sashimi, Bluebird London, Momofuku Noodle Bar, and Masa, a 3-star Michelin restaurant. In other words, this isn’t your typical mall food.

For good luck, rub the 12-foot tall bronze sculptures of Adam and Eve.

Brookfield Pace advertises itself as the "best NYC destination for shopping", and that just may be the truth. This massive, 14-acre, 5-building retail complex provides one of the best shopping and culinary experiences of all NYC malls.

There are over 30 world-class stores for shoppers, including such iconic brands as Gucci, J.Crew, Louis Vuitton, Lululemon, and Omega.

While you are here, don't forget to check out the food from more than 25 eateries, offering whatever your palate could decide – sushi, burgers, tacos, pizza, gourmet Italian, barbecue, Lebanese, or just fantastic saloon fare.

But Brookfield Place provides more than great shopping and food; it is also an experience – whether you want to enjoy free sailing on the weekends at North Cove Marina, take a cooking course at the Institute of Culinary Education, skate with a view of the Hudson River, or just enjoy a beer while you marvel at the indoor palm trees and interactive lighting displays in the Winter Garden.

For over 100 years, the cathedral-like Grand Central Terminal has been one of the most iconic locations in New York City. This National Historic Landmark is primarily a railway station, but it has enough retail stores, upscale restaurants and bars, and attractions to qualify as an all-day cultural adventure.

In fact, with over 22 million visitors a year, "Grand Central Station" is one of the top tourist attractions in the US. And that doesn't even count train and subway passengers.

Retail tourists can shop in any or all of the 60 stores, including Banana Republic, Grand Central Watch, Inaya, TUMI, and Diptyque.

The dining and drinking options are eclectic, with such wide-ranging options as the iconic Campbell Bar, the famous Murray's Cheese, and the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant, the oldest restaurant in Grand Central. No matter what you are hungry for, you will find it among the 35 eateries.

For an unforgettable memory, you can re-create a scene straight from the movies – have a “meet me at the clock” rendezvous with friends and loved ones.

Since 1973, the Queens Center Mall has been a local institution. It is the largest mall in the borough, with almost a million square feet of retail space and 198 stores.

One of the most productive malls in America, Queens Center attracts nearly 27 million shoppers annually.

Among the many retail stores are such famous brands as Armani Exchange, the Disney Store, Garage, Ily Clothing, JC Penny, Lego, Lovisa, MAC, Macy’s, Michael Kors, PINK, Quails, Runway NY, and Steve Madden, to name a few.

Queens Center has over 30 restaurants, offering a wide variety of dining choices, from fast food like McDonald’s to typical mall fare like Cinnabon to casual dining at the Cheesecake Factory.

Fun Fact – The mall was built on the former site of Fairyland, a children’s amusement park.

Built in 1973, the Staten Island Mall is the island’s largest retail complex and the only indoor mall in the borough. This huge shopping destination houses well over 200 stores and restaurants within its 1,370,000 square feet.

Unique or premier shops include Adore Me, Archie Jacobson, Bonsai Art Gallery, the Children's Place, Cotton: On, Dynamite, Foxy Lady, H&M, Intimissimi, Land's End, Lush, Torrid, and over 100 more.

There are plenty of quick-service or casual dining options at the Staten Island Mall, from family-style at Applebee's to grilled creations at the Melt Shop to arcade fun at Dave & Buster's.

Every summer, the Staten Island Mall holds a carnival with rides and attractions for the whole family.

Commonly known as Newport Mall, this 1.1 million square foot, 3-level super-regional mall sits on the Hudson River across the water from Lower Manhattan.

Among the over 130 specialty stores in Newport Centre are Atmosphere, Charlotte Russe, Clarks, Coach, Fossil, Hollister Co., Kickclusive, Morphe, Social Apparel, and the Nxt Exit.

Satisfy your hunger with a huge selection of restaurants, including:

• Dosa Spot (Indian)
• El Jibarito (Latin)
• OBOX (Sushi)
• Roboburger (Burgers)
• The Little Beet (Vegan)
• Boom Fryers (Korean Fried Chicken)
• Hummus Grill (Middle Eastern)
• King Cajun (Cajun)

Because Newport Centre Mall is in an "Urban Enterprise Zone", state sales tax is half what it is elsewhere, just 3.3125%, while no sales tax is charged on clothing purchases. This is unique among malls in New York.

Although it’s not technically a mall, the flagship Macy’s store is larger than many of the other malls in New York City.

At 2.5 million square feet – half of that for retail space – it is the largest department store in America. A New York institution since 1902, the iconic building is a National Historic Landmark.

With eight sales floors, Macy’s offers hundreds of well-known brands, including Levi’s, Estée Lauder, Clinique, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren. More than clothing, however, Macy’s also offers gifts, housewares, and even furniture.

Macy’s is well known for its public events, including:

• Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – Held since 1924, it is the largest parade in the world. 
• Macy’s Santaland – Children can be photographed with Santa Claus in an area filled with toys and Christmas decorations.
• Macy’s Flower Show – Held every spring, the event is carefully coordinated so that flowers bloom just as they are placed in the store.
• Macy’s Believe Campaign – A special drive to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

One of the newer entrants on this list of malls in NYC, The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, opened in 2019. The mall has 7 floors, 1 million square feet of retail floor space, and 100 stores.

The upscale retail offerings at Hudson yards include high-end stores like Adriano Goldschmied, Beyond the Edge, Borobabi, Calzedonia, Cartier, Cremieux, and many other world-renowned luxury brands.

The dining options are just as impressive:

• Kamasu (Gourmet sushi)
• Queensyard (British)
• Electric Lemon (Seasonal Mid-Atlantic)
• Estiatorio Milos (Mediterranean)
• Fuku (Momofuku fried chicken)
• Jibs (Lobster)
• Mercado Little Spain (Spanish)
• Miznon (Israeli street food)

The Hudson Yards area provides several unforgettable experiences, including the Shed, an art center, Vessel, an interactive work of architectural art, and Edge, the highest sky deck in this hemisphere.

Opened in 2006, The Shops at Atlas Park is an open-air mall in Queens encompassing 373,000 square feet. 

The Shops is one of the best New York shopping malls to take your children because it has a lot of kid-friendly stores, such as:

• Bees Arts and Craft Studio (Art)
• Bobbi and the Strays (Pet adoption)
• The Bookary (Children’s books and tutoring)
• The Fade Room (Haircuts for children and young adults)
• Gold Fish Swim School (Swim classes for children ages four months and up)
• Laser Bounce (Laser tag, indoor bouncers, and video arcades)
• Little Pulp (Arts and crafts workshops)
• Regal Cinemas (Movie theater)
• United Skates of America (Rollerskating)

While you are there, you can stop for a pretzel at Auntie Anne’s, a slice or two at the California Pizza Kitchen, or an ice cream cone at Cold Stone Creamery.

Designed by the famous architect I.M. Pei, Roosevelt Field is the biggest mall in New York City, the second-largest in the state, and the eighth-largest in America.

This enormous retail complex is nearly 2.4 million square feet and has almost 250 stores.

Among the many luxury brands represented are BOSS, Breitling, Burberry, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, MCM, Montblanc, Neiman Marcus, Omega, TAG Heuer, and Tourneau, as well as over a hundred more retail stores.

Roosevelt Field is also a premier dining destination with dozens of choices, including:

• Havana Central (Cuban)
• Le Pain Quotidian (Artisanal soups, sandwiches, salads, and pastries)
• Neiman Marcus Cafe (Upscale Casual)
• Nomiya (Japanese)
• Nordstrom Grill (American)
• Olivos (Mediterranean)
• Osteria Morini (Italian)
• Seasons 52 (Steak and Seafood)
• Small Batch (Rustic American)
• The Capital Grille (Fine Steakhouse)
• True Food Kitchen (Conscious Nutrition)

Fun Fact – As an early airfield, Roosevelt was the take-off site for many famous aviators, including Amelia Earhart, Wiley Post, and even Charles Lindbergh on his historic solo transatlantic flight.

If you go shopping in New York City and don’t buy something at Bloomingdale’s, did you really even shop? For over 150 years, “Bloomie’s” has been the go-to luxury department store for the ultimate retail experience. It is the department store that malls in NYC want to be when they grow up.

Although there are nearly 60 stores around the country, Bloomingdale's on 59th Street and Lexington Avenue in Lower Manhattan is the flagship store.

One of the most recognizable and iconic buildings in New York City, the original Bloomingdale's store has over 800,000 square feet of high-end merchandise.

Prominent fashion designers like Norma Kamali, Perry Ellis, and Ralph Lauren all got their big break at Bloomingdale's, and today you can still find the most celebrated brands throughout the store. Stylists, personal shopping assistants, and tailors are all available to elevate the experience.

Bloomingdale’s has several dining options on-site, so you can take a breather between shopping rounds:

• Magnolia Bakery (Gourmet cupcakes, cookies, and desserts)
• Daikanyama (Fine Japanese)
• Studio 59 (World-class bar and photo/video studio)
• Forty Carrots (Smoothies, sandwiches, and salads)

Fun Fact: Bloomingdale’s pioneered the escalator and the designer shopping bag.

Located deep in the heart of the City’s meatpacking district, Chelsea Market is a historic retail complex and food market.

Originally constructed over 130 years ago, the building is the original home of Nabisco and the birthplace of the Oreo cookie.

Some of the best artisanal food shops in NYC can be found here – Black Seed Bagels, Chelsea Market Baskets, Dickson's Farmstand Meats, Fat Witch Bakery, Heatonist, La Devozione, Li-Lac Chocolates, Lobster Place, Manhattan Fruit Market, Saxelby Cheesemongers, and Seed + Mill.

As an important cultural touchstone for the community, Chelsea Market often hosts art and music festivals featuring local talent.

With more than 150 stores and more than 2 million square feet of retail space, Green Acres Mall is the 4th-largest mall in New York and the 15th-largest in the country.

Originally built in 1956, it was one of the first open-air malls on Long Island, but it was enclosed in 1968 to enhance the shopping appeal.

Familiar brands include Aeropostale, Asphalt NYC, Burlington Coat Factory, G by Guess, Jembro, Kay Jewelers, Macy's Men's & Furniture, Men's Wearhouse, Old Navy, Oshkosh B'gosh, Ulta, and Victoria's Secret.

There are dozens of food choices as well. Besides mall snacks and fast food, your options include:

• Applebee’s (Casual)
• BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse (Pub)
• Hook & Reel (Seafood)
• Olive Garden (Casual Italian)
• Red Lobster (Seafood)
• TGI Fridays (Casual)
• Sarku (Japanese grill)

Opening in 1969, Smith Haven Mall has over 1.3 million square feet of retail space and hosts over 130 stores and restaurants. The name is a combination of two local communities, Smithtown and Brookhaven.

Many major retailers are well-represented at Smith Haven, including American Eagle, Ardene, Barnes & Noble, Brighton Collectibles, Chico's, Dick's Sporting Goods, Empress New York,

Go! Games & Toys, Johnston & Murphy, L.L. Bean, Pandora, and Vera Bradley.

Smith Haven has some of the most diverse food offerings of all the malls in New York City :

• Bahama Breeze (Caribbean)
• P.F. Chang’s (Chinese)
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House (Steak)
• Texas de Brazil (Brazilian)
• Little Tokyo (Japanese)
• The Melt Shop (Grtilld sandwiches)
• Milky Ways (Ice cream and cereal bar) 

One of the coolest establishments at the mall is Belong Gaming, a video game arena for both casual and professional gamers. Another place sure to be a hit with your kids is Space Force, an indoor air-soft gallery with a space theme.