The best department stores in NYC in 2026 are Bergdorf Goodman for luxury fashion on Fifth Avenue, Saks Fifth Avenue for designer labels and its famous holiday windows, Bloomingdale's on Lexington Avenue, Macy's Herald Square — one of the biggest stores in the world — and Nordstrom's seven-floor Midtown flagship.
The pinnacle of New York luxury shopping, beside the Plaza.
Bergdorf Goodman, at Fifth Avenue and 58th Street across from The Plaza, is New York's most exclusive department store, with designer fashion, a famous shoe salon and a separate men's store across the avenue.
Its holiday windows are some of the most artistic in the city.
Good to know: The seventh-floor restaurant has Central Park views.
754 5th Ave, New York, NY
Designer floors and the city's most famous holiday light show.
Saks Fifth Avenue's flagship, opposite Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral, has been on Fifth Avenue since 1924 and is famous for its designer collections and, at Christmas, the light show projected across its facade.
The shoe floor is huge.
Good to know: Visit in December for the facade light show across from the Rockefeller Center tree.
611 5th Ave, New York, NY
'Bloomie's' — a full-line department store and New York icon.
Bloomingdale's flagship fills a block at Lexington Avenue and 59th Street with fashion, beauty, home and its famous Little Brown Bags.
It is more accessible than Bergdorf's, with a huge range of brands.
Good to know: International visitors can ask about a visitor discount at the information desk.
1000 3rd Ave, New York, NY
One of the largest stores in the world, with wooden escalators from the 1920s.
Macy's Herald Square occupies an entire block on 34th Street and is one of the largest department stores in the world. Some of its original wooden escalators still run, and it hosts the Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Fourth of July fireworks.
It is mid-market, with everything from fashion to housewares.
Good to know: Look for the vintage wooden escalators on the upper floors.
151 W 34th St, New York, NY
A modern seven-level flagship with famously good service.
Nordstrom's New York flagship, at Broadway and 57th Street near Columbus Circle, opened in 2019 with seven floors of fashion, beauty and restaurants, and the brand's reputation for excellent customer service and easy returns.
A men's store is across the street.
Good to know: Combine it with Central Park and Columbus Circle.
225 W 57th St, New York, NY
In New York City, clothing and footwear items priced under $110 are exempt from sales tax; items at $110 or more are taxed at the full 8.875%. Rules can change, so check your receipt.
The big department stores unveil their holiday window displays in mid to late November, and they stay up through the end of December. Saks's facade light show and Bergdorf's windows are highlights.