Midtown Manhattan's shopping highlights are some of the most iconic in the world—the whimsical windows of Barneys, the shoe salon at Saks and the vast collection of stores that make up The Shops at Columbus Circle are just some of the highlights of this neighborhood. Extravagant holiday window displays on Midtown's stretch of Fifth Avenue attract dense crowds of bundled-up viewers each winter, while the variety of massive flagships, from chic fashion retailers to stores geared toward kids, brings throngs of consumers all year long. The retail destinations below make Midtown a shopper's paradise.Macy's sits majestically on West 34th Street in Herald Square, and given its 10 floors and more than 1 million square feet of space, you might want to set aside a few hours to explore the grandiose retail spectacle. Thousands of tourists and locals pass through its revolving doors daily to peruse and purchase from the store's seemingly endless selection of clothing, cosmetics, housewares, furniture and more. Macy's is also known for its beloved Thanksgiving Day Parade, which fills the City's streets with an audience of more than 3 million people, while over 20 million watch the star-studded procession at home.Bloomingdale'sIt's nearly impossible to walk through New York City without seeing at least one of the recognizable Big (or Little) Brown Bags from . The store is a must-see for fashionistas of all stripes, offering pricey luxury designs as well as more contemporary and affordable items. Bloomingdale's is more than 150 years old, starting as a single store in Midtown Manhattan and ultimately growing to a national brand, but there's still nothing like a shopping spree in the huge original location, with its characteristic black-and-white checkered marble floor and all-around luxe atmosphere. Its selection is the most extensive for younger or trendier women, but with eight floors of merchandise, there's plenty to be purchased for men, children and the home, too.Barneys New York is another quintessential New York shopping experience. Head inside to gawk at the nine floors of wearable eye candy from hundreds of top designers, as well as cosmetics, jewelry, stationery and more. After working up a shopping-induced appetite, settle in for a meal on the ninth floor at Fred's, which prides itself on its fresh, farm-to-chef products and is a magnet for celebs and ladies who lunch.HARMAN Store NYCHarman has been synonymous with high-quality audio equipment for over half a century. The brand's is a must-visit for audiophiles, featuring popular products by brands like JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, Arcam, Revel and Mark Levinson. The store features covetable audio experiences like the JBL Synthesis Home Theater, Mark Levinson & Revel 2-Channel Listening Room and Headphone Sound Spider. Head here for two floors of headphones, speakers, home audio, receivers and amplifiers—not to mention knowledgeable sales staff—and compare sound quality between products in the store's soundproof Sound Cube. Sponsored by HARMAN Store NYC.Bergdorf GoodmanThe epitome of a high-end Midtown department store, fills the grandiose Vanderbilt mansion, a fitting home for its merchandise of unparalleled luxury and elegance—the couture floors' dressing rooms even have Central Park views. Browse hundreds of designer fashions and an especially large selection of accessories. Indulge even further on the penthouse floor, where the John Barrett salon offers a variety of beauty services, which include standards like haircuts, coloring, updos, makeup applications and manicures, as well as a few special offerings like eyelash extensions.Tiffany & Co.The , as renowned for its signature (and trademarked) blue as for its lavish accessories, has its flagship store in a bank-like building on Fifth Avenue—which now includes a café. The centerpiece of films and many a marriage proposal, Tiffany specializes in diamond and sterling silver jewelry. The store also shows off a range of silverware and elegant stationery, which constituted its original stock in its pre-jewelry days—so, after the proposal, brides can pick up their wedding invitations and get a head start on their registry.American Girl PlaceFor any American Girl doll enthusiast, . Tons of American Girl dolls, clothing and accessories are waiting to go home with you, but that's just the beginning. A salon lets dolls get really dolled up. They can get their hair and nails done, have their ears pierced or receive a cleansing facial. Then, girls can pose with their dolls at the photo studio. There's a doll hospital for damaged "girls" to be admitted and fixed up (the store sends the dolls out for that work), to be shipped back to their happy owners good as new. After all the excitement, unwind with a meal or afternoon tea at the American Girl Café—just be sure to make reservations in advance, because the tables fill up quickly.Saks Fifth AvenueWhat other department store has an entire floor devoted to footwear—one so large it has its own zip code? In this and many other respects, . The flagship's aforementioned shoe floor carries brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Versace and Christian Louboutin (the latter brand displayed in a 1,600-square-foot shop-in-shop, supposedly the largest in the world). Other floors stock makeup, fragrances, leather goods, accessories and apparel. In-store boutiques from the likes of Louis Vuitton and Chanel can turn even the most inexperienced luxury shopper into a pro.The Shops at Columbus CircleHoused in a soaring glass building that overlooks bustling Columbus Circle and Central Park, offers a luxe shopping experience. Come for a wide selection of brands including Coach, J. Crew, Stuart Weitzman, L'Occitane and Williams-Sonoma. If you're so inspired, stay for dinner: the building houses some of New York City's most famous high-end restaurants—Masa and Per Se among them.
