Living in the Upper West Side puts you in a family-friendly neighborhood with plenty of friendly dining establishments, cultural opportunities, and green spaces. Although it’s not as famous for places to shop like Fifth Avenue, it offers plenty of unique shops and boutiques where you can purchase just about anything. Whether you want clothing or furniture, you can find it on the Upper West Side.
Our List of Places To Shop
1. The Shops at Columbus Circle
One of the best places to shop in the Upper West Side is at the Shops at Columbus Circle. This shopping center is located in the exact center of Manhattan. The building curves around Columbus Circle, inviting you in to shop, socialize, dine, and drink. The shopping center features more than 50 retail shops and boutiques, including Coach, Aveda, Cole Haan, H&M, J. Crew, Swarovski, and Lululemon. It also contains a Whole Foods Market, a gym, and several eateries. It’s a one-stop-shop for your afternoons in Manhattan.
2. Madewell
At Madewell on Columbus Avenue, you might finally be able to find the perfect pair of jeans. Madewell offers personal assistance for shoppers who want a proper fit. It also collects used jeans for recycling.
However, it’s not all about denim. The retailer carries classic clothing and accessories that look great with jeans. This is not the largest Madewell store in NYC. You might find a limited collection compared to some other locations. However, the store is well-organized. The salespeople are helpful without being intrusive, and it’s easy to find what you need.
3. Nordstrom Women’s Flagship Store
The Nordstrom Women’s Flagship Store is located at the southern end of Central Park. It lies across the street from the Nordstrom Men’s Store, making it a convenient shopping destination for everyone in the family.
The seven-story shop is the company’s largest. It features so many Nordstrom brands that you could spend all day shopping. But you can take a break to relax. A few food venues offer a variety of cuisine, from pizza to ramen. You can break up a long shopping trip with a bite to eat or a casual beverage.
4. Grand Bazaar NYC
Grand Bazaar is known as NYC’s largest curated weekly market. It’s a farmer’s and flea market in one, and it’s always changing. You can find custom items from artisans, delicious food from local chefs, and antiques that come in their original vintage form or have been upcycled into new products. The vendors are carefully curated to bring visitors the best of what NYC’s creative scene has to offer. You’ll find rare and limited-edition items, antique finds, and original pieces. The market runs every Sunday throughout the year. If you live close by, you can visit the market regularly.
5. Magpie
Magpie is a one-of-a-kind boutique that offers eco-friendly products for gifts and home décor. If you’re shopping for someone else, you’ll likely find something that’s just quirky enough to satisfy their tastes. You might also pick up something that captures your attention. Many of the items in the shop are handmade or fair-trade. The owners look to local artisans and craftspeople for their charming and distinctive items.
The retailer carries paper goods, accessories, quilts, and artwork. Space is decorated with bamboo shelving and VOC-free paint to further support its sustainable, eco-friendly vibe.
6. Unique Boutique
Unique Boutique in Columbus Circle is a thrift store and donation center. It’s the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind steals. The clothing has been gently used, is in nice condition, and is affordable. The shop also sells accessories, books, jewelry, and home décor items. Because many of the well-to-do Manhattanites donate their clothing to the Unique Boutique, the shop carries plenty of designer items. Whatever you find here will be a bargain.
7. Laytner’s Linen and Home
Not much is better than high-quality linens. Laytner’s offers well-priced, high-quality bed sheets, blankets, comforters, and towels. It’s tough to find a specialty shop in this day and age. If you’re tired of trudging through department stores and large home-décor stores to find your sheets, visit this retailer for a streamlined selection. This store does offer some home décor and home goods items. You can find some gifts here in addition to the large selection of superior bedding.
8. Bin 70 Wine
Do you prefer to buy your wine and liquor from someone knowledgable? At Bin 70 Wine, the staff can help you find anything you need even if you don’t know what you want. The selection is excellent, and the prices are reasonable. The shop sells some liquors as well as sake. It’s a great place to find a hostess gift or treat yourself to something special. If you live in a place like Lincoln Towers in the Upper West Side, Bin 70 Wine is practically on your doorstep.
9. Olive and Bette’s
Olive and Bette’s is a clothing store with personality. It features sophisticated and playful fashions for women. You can find tops, bottoms, dresses, jackets, and accessories. The store also sells some products for the body, including perfumes and lotions. The shop has been around for more than 20 years and prides itself on custom-picking the contemporary items in its stores. It’s an out-of-the-box place to shop to enhance your wardrobe or find a gift for a friend.
10. Roche Bobois
If you like to bend the rules, check out Roche Bobois. This French furniture retailer makes you feel like you’re in an art gallery. The showroom is spotless and airy. It gives you a good idea of how to arrange the furniture in your home. It’s an excellent place to spend the afternoon while you’re dreaming of upgrading your home. The staff is incredibly helpful. The store also offers ordering and shipping options to deliver the pieces directly to your home.
11. Shishi
This women’s boutique is casual, chic, and fun. The prices are surprisingly affordable for NYC, and you’ll always find something new. Shishi doesn’t stock heavy volume in each style. Therefore, if you like something, you should snag it.
I hope you enjoyed our list of places to shop on the Upper West Side. If you or someone you know is looking to move to the UWS please contact me here.