3 Best Shopping in New York City, New York

Once called the Winter Garden, this expanded mall and event destination in the World Financial Center stands out for its towering palm trees, New York Harbor and WTC plaza views, and luxury stores, including downtown outlets for Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton, not to mention more down-to-earth shopping at J.Crew, Bonobos, and Lululemon. More interesting might be the dining options, including the best food court downtown, Hudson Eats (which has Black Seed Bagel, Dos Toros Taqueria, and Ani Ramen), among many other offerings. On the ground floor is Le District, a kind of Eataly for French cuisine. Outside in summer is an outdoor dining area with food stands (and a bar); in winter it becomes an ice-skating rink. Look out for events both during the week and on weekends year-round.

Some of New York's most interesting designers, artists, and food vendors fill this downtown market hall. Browse minimalist and functional housewares at Leibal's nook, cool jewelry at Beroep Tech, and independent magazines at Office Magazine Newsstand. Food choices range from Cantonese street food at Joe's Steam Rice Roll to Filipino tacos at Mucho Sarap bubble tea at Lazy Sundaes. Apart from the anchor vendors, the rest of the stalls rotate, so you never know what gems you'll find.

One typically talks about the Oculus as the sprawling transportation hub housed under a soaring, glassy structure that resembles a prehistoric skeleton. In truth, the interconnecting subway and commuter rail lines lie only at the periphery. What's actually under those ribs is the Westfield World Trade Center luxury shopping mall that houses stores like Apple, Breitling, COS, Sephora, Tumi, and many more. Seasonal exhibits, art installations, and occasional events are hosted on the giant atrium floor. Dining options include Epicerie Boulud and Eataly at the base of 4 WTC (on the site's southeast corner). You'll find Devon & Blakely café and the British sandwich chain Pret a Manger in the West Concourse, which leads to the PATH station and trains to New Jersey. The Oculus is connected by an underground passage to the Fulton Center, which has a mezzanine-level food court with one of Lower Manhattan's two Shake Shacks.