How to Shop Like a Local in New York City

Tourism takes center stage in New York City. Popular shopping spots abound; but it can be fun to learn about those locations known only to the locals. From groceries to shoes, books to clothing, find out how you can shop like a local in New York City by reading below.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Avoid high-traffic tourist shopping areas, and try to shop during the week rather than on the weekend. Spots to avoid shopping include Times Square, Macy's Department Store, Madison Avenue, Fifth Avenue and 57th streets. Though it's hard to completely avoid tourists while living in New York City, locals have preferred spots that become their favorite kept secrets.

2. Hit designer spots that make New York City the fashion capital it is. Look for designer shoes at the forefront of women's fashion, including Blahnik, Choo, Paciotti, Ferragamo. From stilettos to pumps, you'll find the shoe meccas that only the locals know by asking fellow shoe shoppers for tips and suggestions regarding their favorite boutiques.

3. Go off the beaten path. Some of the best shopping can be found this way... shops that are loved by locals, but kept hush-hush to avoid them becoming over-populized and chaotic. Simply walking and exploring on your own--rather than following the advice of maps and popular tourist travel guides--will land you in eccentric and little known boutiques that may be exactly what you were looking for.

4. Shop the different neighborhoods to get a sense of what types of shopping you most enjoy, what your budget is, and what the quality of items is like in each area. There is a world of possibilities to choose from while shopping in New York City. For example, bargain sales in Chinatown are completely different from the trendy boutiques in SoHo and TriBeCa, and still further different from Fifth Avenue or the Village.

5. Ask locals for advice. Whether its your hotel concierge, a friendly face at a coffee shop, or simply someone you pass on the street, give them a warm greeting and ask them if they have any tips on where you could go shopping while avoiding major tourist traps. One of the best ideas, if you're shopping for clothing, would be to stop someone who has a similar fashion style as you.

6. Do your homework to find designer sample sales. Locals take advantage of these events to purchase designer clothing at dramatically reduced prices.