Shop Till you Drop in the Big Apple

New York City is a shopper's paradise no matterafter you can forego the big brands of 5th and head
what your prey. From the haute couture designerto 47th street, more popularly known as the diamond
boutiques, the knock offs in Chinatown, to the meccadistrict.
of discount trendy fashion shops and big nameAlmost 90 percent of the diamonds that enter the US
department stores, New York is the answer to anypass through this thoroughfare and it's one of the only
shopping question and is a world renowned destinationplaces in the US where diamonds are bought, sold, cut,
for shopping tourism from visitors spanning the globe.traded and set. Gold, silver, platinum and fine jewels
It's true that anything can be found in the big applecan also be found here and for amazing bargains due
where the saying, "shop till you drop" can be fullyto the outrageous competition. In the shops you can
implemented.see first hand jewellery makers at work creating and
New York until recently was considered one of therepairing jewellery, watches and other luxury items.
most expensive cities in the world. However with theTake a close look at the men with the serious
drop in the value of the dollar, New York has suddenlyexpressions walking down 47th clutching their
become one of the best value for money cities to visit,briefcases which are often handcuffed to their wrists.
especially if shopping is going to be the main attraction.They are not carrying paperwork; it is much more likely
Shopping is a neighbourhood thing in New York datingthey are transporting small fortunes in diamonds.
back to the industrial revolution. The fabric district, plantTourism is a huge part of the city's economy and the
district and jewellery areas all still exist and are truly aplethora of places to stay clearly makes this evident. It
throwback to the old days in the city. New shoppingis easy to narrow down where you want to stay in
neighbourhoods have emerged in more recent times;New York if you know where your credit card will
the most visited probably being the shops alongtake you. Finding a New York hotel near shopping
Madison Avenue. This street on the east side ofareas is easy and not as expensive as in the past.
Manhattan is lined with top name designer boutiquesThe range of places to stay matches the wide array
such as Prada, Yves St Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana,of areas to shop around and you are bound to find
Valentino, Coach, DKNY, Calvin Klein and more.your niche.
Just one block over on 5th Avenue are even moreIt is not necessary to only shop in one area, as getting
designers like Gucci and Versace but the street isaround by subway or on the buses is easy and
probably best known for Tiffany & Co, madeaffordable. Taxis also pack the busy streets are easy
infamous by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany'sto hail and offer another archetypal method of getting
and of course it's main rival Cartier just a few blocksaround Manhattan when you are in town.
further down the avenue. If jewellery is what you are