New York City's Greatest Department Stores

New York City department stores are some of the most fashionable and trendy in the world. They are characterized by endless floors with its trademark main floors dedicated to perfumes, powders, and other cosmetic fashions. Tourists from Great Britain and Euro spending countries love to flock here during the holidays looking for mega deals. Plus, NYC department stores meet virtually any style and budget with sales all over the place at any given time of the year. How do we filter out the Mom and Pop shops from Herald's Square type glitz and glamour stores? Here is a list of some of the best department stores in the city.

Bloomingdales - One of New York City's shopping meccas. Known for its Big and Small "Brown Bags", it is home to a dazzling array of merchandize from men's clothing on the lower levels to fashion accessories, handbags, and jewelry on the first floor. In addition, Bloomingdale's sells women's coats, sportswear, furniture, dinnerware, and has a famed chocolate shop on the sixth floor (Martine's Chocolate.) There are also a variety of shoppers' services offered, like personal shopping assistance for disabled shoppers, a coat and package check, restaurant reservation booth, and even translators that will help you communicate with cashiers and in-store personnel.

Look for it at 59^th and Lexington Avenue
Get there with the 4 5 or 6 train to 59^th and Lexington
Hours: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 8:30 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm

Lord and Taylor - One of the oldest shopping stores, with its first set up in 1826, Lord and Taylor boasts good value and homegrown designers as their merchandise focus. Although more low key than Saks Fifth Avenue and other popular New York City department stores, it has a character of its own.

Look for it at 38^th st and 5^th Avenue
Get there with the B D F V or 7 train to 42^nd St. and Bryant Park

Macy's - Unquestionably the most popular and biggest department store in the world by square feet, Macy's rules Herald Square on 34 St. It has a whopping 10 floors selling everything from Coach handbags on the 1^st floor to maternity clothes on the 3^rd floor all the way to fur coats on the 5^th. In addition, you might want to grab a visitor's guide at each entrance with a layout of the departments on every floor along with restaurants (there is a Starbucks!)

Look for it at 34 St. and Broadway

Barney's - Clearly one of the most trendy and expensive department stores in Manhattan, this place offers the latest when it comes to fashion. Since it is so upscale, it is recommended that you dress really well to attract the best service. Overall, you will enjoy the 9 floors of men's and women's clothing and accessories. Plus, Barney's has a 9^th floor restaurant called Fred's that serves everything from tea (of course!) to sandwiches.

Look for it at 61^st and Madison Ave.
Get there via Train N R or W to 5^t9st and 5^th Ave or the 4 5 or 6 to 59 St. and Lexington Ave.
Open Monday to Friday from 10 to 8, Saturday from 10 to 7 and Sunday from 11 to 6

H&M - H&M provides the perfect blend of men's and women's clothing with a Swedish touch. You can find anything from miniskirts to giant earrings along with suits for men at discount prices. It deals almost exclusively with non designer clothing and has an eye for being trendy with the latest styles and designs in the fashion world. If $9 for a tank top and $20 for jeans sounds good to you, check out H&M

Address: 52^nd St. and 5^th Avenue (various locations throughout city)
HM.com

Henri Bendel - This store is trendier and more expensive that most, offering the latest styles from famous designers. For starters, you can expect to pay upwards of $1000 for a dress and spend $100 on a pair of jeans. There are six floors in all in this architectural masterpiece, with clothing, cosmetics, luggage, and jewelry. If your pockets are deep enough and you want to find rare designer pieces, Henri Bendel is your store.