SHOPPING IN NEW YORK

Garment District: 25^th Street to 40^th, Fifth Avenue to Ninth Avenue. Filled with small shops specializing in all areas of clothing needs – buttons, zippers, and trimming to finished pieces of clothing to fur.

Diamond and Jewelry Districts: West 47^th between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue is the world's largest market for diamonds. A second, smaller and older jewelry district focused more on jewelry in general is located at the northwest corner of Bowery and Canal Street.

The Flower District: This small stretch from 26^th to 29^th, along and off Sixth Avenue, is home to a large concentration of NYC's wholesale and retail florists. A virtual oasis of beauty in the middle of Manhattan, this is a wonderful area to stroll of a warm spring morning. Virtually any plant can be found at or ordered through these vendors.

Book Row: Fourth Avenue between 9^th and 14^th Streets. Once home to as many as 25 bookstores, this area now contains only two – but they are good ones. The famous Strand Book Store, boasting eight miles of books, and Alabaster Used Books. There are many, many independent and specialty bookstores throughout the city in addition to the monsters like Barnes and Noble and Borders.

Soho: Meaning "South of Houston", Soho stretches from Houston Street south to Canal, from Lafayette to Sixth Avenue. This area used to be known for it's art galleries, but sadly many of them have relocated to Chelsea. But not to worry – the storefronts are not empty for long, because trendy chains and boutiques are now Soho's main draw. Everything from underwear to jackets, hats to shoes can be found on the streets of Soho. Stores run the gamut, from cheap T-shirt vendors to high-end designers. There are also some jewelry stores, and many jewelry vendors on the sidewalks. There are also many artists selling their goods on the sidewalks.

Chelsea: Encompassing the area between 14^th and 34^th Streets, west of Sixth Avenue. According to one source, there are over 190 galleries in Chelsea. So if you want art, head to Chelsea. It is becoming increasingly trendy, spawning unique boutiques and many yummy restaurants.

Flatiron District: From 14^th to 34^th Streets, between Sixth and Park Avenues. Home to a growing number of furniture and textile stores, the Flatiron district is the place to go for home furnishings. It also has a variety of other shopping venues from small hip boutiques to large chains such as Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

Fifth Ave: This stretch of Avenue from 49^th Street to 59^th Street is where all of the biggies reside - Sax Fifth Ave, Lord & Taylor, Bergdorf Goodman, Gucci, Cartier,Trump Towers, and FAO Schwartz. It is also the location of countless movie scenes, annual parades, and reknowned Christmas displays. In addition to the shopping, there is great sightseeing such as Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the Plaza, as well as the entrance to Central Park at 59^th St.

The Village: Houston Street to 14^th Street, from the East River to the Hudson. Anything quirky or unusual can be found in the Village. There are many vintage clothing shops, consignment shops, record shops, poster shops, and shoe stores in addition to a variety of other shopping venues. There are also many artists selling their wares on the street, everything from jewelry to paintings.

Chinatown: Exotic shops offer strange foods, herbs, and souvenirs; bargains on clothing and leather are plentiful. All different Asian cultures are represented in this growing area. There are literally dozens of street vendors hawking everything you could imagine, from $2 NYC T-Shirts to fresh fish. The best authentic Asian food is found here as well.

South Street/Fulton Fish Market: South Street Seaport is home to many chain stores and restaurants, mostly the same type you'd find at your local mall. But the view is great, and there are several old ships and other museums to visit. Fulton Fish Market is the largest fish market in the country, and opens at 4 am to offer early risers the still-flopping catch of the day. Fish store and restaurant owners from around the city come here for their fish.