Shopping in New York City

Located in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan, one of the coolest places to shop, especially for gourmet items of all kinds, is the Chelsea Market. Housed in a former food factory building, this market now takes up the bottom floor of a brick-walled, industrial space that looks like it is straight from the pages of a fine food magazine. Besides the shops, the upper floors are home to media companies like the Food Network, Oxygen, and publishing houses.

Weather its fine wines, rare meats and cheeses, fresh seafood, gourmet truffles, flowering herbs, exotic chocolates, or just a yummy cup of tea, this market is the place. Even if you don't need to buy anything, I highly recommend a visit just to walk through and see the space and offerings.

Find tasty selections from homemade gelato and artisan breads, to aged cheddar and fruity wines. There's a great Italian grocery, Buon Italia for all the Italophiles out there who crave treats like Parmigiano Reggiano or vats of olive oil. Grab a sandwich to go or sit on the small tables throughout the walkway enjoying a coffee or seafood bisque.

Not only does Chelsea Market offer shopping for foodies, but there's also a Salon, bookstore, and a Moroccan housewares shop. One might run into a sample sale from fine linens to designer clothes taking place in one of the empty shop areas - keep a watch on their website for listings. Currently there's an exhibition throughout the market of many amazing prints and posters by, Yee-Haw Industries (a Tennessee letterpress studio).

Seasonal festivities take place at the market as well, such as Halloween parties, and Christmas dances, and food shows. The interior always feels seasonal, as when we visited in October, pumpkins lined the walls and cobwebs hung from the ceilings.

• http://www.chelseamarket.com/
• 75 9th Avenue (Between 15th and 16th Streets)
• Metro stop: 14th St & 8th Ave (A, C, E, L)
• Open Monday - Saturday: 7am to 10pm, Sundays: 8am to 8pm

In 2008 during a visit to New York City, we were staying on the edge of Chelsea and Greenwich, and on a Sunday stroll to no where in particular, we came across a cute little market. The sign said it was the Chelsea Antique & Collectible Flea Market, and it was free to get in - so in we went.

Somewhat small and only the space of a corner parking lot, which is owned by a Catholic Hospital across the street, this market looked unique, quirky, and fun, so we decided to take a look. On the few rows of vendors stalls, there were tables and tents filled with trinkets of all kinds, from old army medallions and antique decks of cards, to naked porcelain dolls and rusty bike frames. Like many flea markets, buyers need to enjoy the trip as an experience rather than an errand, because if you come with something specific in mind to find - you'll probably leave disappointed. If, however, you leave the possibilities open, and come looking to plunder, rumage, and hunt - you may just find a wonderful treasure.

There used to many several more flea markets held outdoors around the various neighborhoods of Manhattan, and sadly, many are closing up. As of September 2009, this parking lot seems to be vacant on the weekends where this market used to be, although the sign is still up. Supposedly they're in the middle of figuring something out behind the scenes, but a number of the past vendors have moved to the more popular Annex/Hell's Kitchen Flea Market which is also held every Saturday and Sunday 9am - 6pm.

I'd highly recommend this little jewel of a flea market in Flatiron/Chelsea if it's still there, but it may be a good idea to call the info line first at (212) 627-0667 to know for sure before heading that way. If not, it's not to far to the exciting and trendy Annex/Hell's Kitchen market at West 39th Street between 9th & 10th Avenues. You'll find plenty of vendors here (as well as crowds), and may even run into some old vendors from the Chelsea Flea.

• 7th Ave and 17th Street (Flatiron)
• Metro stop: 14th Street (F, V, L, 1, 2, 3)
• Open Saturdays and Sundays (maybe closed for undisclosed reasons)

One of the places I had on my list to do some shopping last trip to New York was a fancy boutique of sorts for designer labels of exquisite quality...but it wasn't for clothes or shoes...it was for chocolate! Vosges Haute Chocolate is one of the hottest names in chocolate craftsmanship today.

With two locations in Manhattan (the other in the Upper East Side), we chose to visit the shop in SoHo in the heart of one of my favorite shopping areas of the city. I immediately got excited when I spotted the sign, and it was a lovely experience from first walking in. The place is a small space decorated in their signature purple and creme colors. There's a selection of chocolate bars along the wall, and a glass counter displaying all the truffle options. There's even a small bar where you can get tea or coffee to enjoy with your chocolate, and the staff was super friendly and knowledgeable in helping us make our decisions. Be sure and try some of the samples on the counter as well!

Chocolate bar flavors tempt you without ceasing like smoked almonds + sea salt, chipotle chili + cinnamon, curry + coconut, mushroom + salt, or ginger + wasabi + sesame seeds. The Vosges star of the shop is their famous Bacon + Chocolate series, either with milk, dark, or toffee. Yes, this strange pairing is what got their name out there and now people are willing to pay $8.50 for a single chocolate bar filled with Applewood bacon + Alderwood salt.

You can even get treats other than the strictly cocoa variety like Bacon Caramel Toffee, Bacon Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix, or books about chocolate with amazing photography and pairing ideas. If you have a special dietary need (not that "diet" is a word really allowed in a place like this), but ask about their gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options as the majority of the chocolate bars fit into these categories.

With a tagline of "Peace, Love, and Chocolate", you'll feel like Vosges hit it right on the mark because "happiness" is synonymous with chocolate when you've tried theirs.

• http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/
• 132 Spring Street (SoHo)
• 212.625.2929
• Open Daily: 11am - 8pm

Although Serendipity 3 is mostly thought of as a restaurant, they also have a fun little shop as well...and for the experience of going in, shopping, and getting out instead of dealing with the long wait to sit down, may be a better way to say you experienced this popular place.

Located in the Upper East Side and founded in 1954, this unique place is probably most famous for its Frrrozen Hot Chocolate (and the fact that many past stars like Marilyn Monroe and the Kennedy's used to frequent it). This glass of chocolate decadence comes piled with whipped creme and several straws since it's normally assumed that you'll be sharing with the other people at the table. Many people come just for this dessert, and I've found that the service tends to be quite snotty at times. Maybe its because they know that because they're popular, people will wait however long it takes to be seated, and then wait forever getting served, and deal with super cramped eating spaces, that the staff feels they can be aloof.

This is just another reason I feel like it's a stop worth making, and if you have some time, endure the wait, and enjoy the experience...but if you're looking just to check it out, squeeze by the lines of waiting customers outside and take a browse in their quirky gift-shop with all kinds of kitsch. You can buy chocolate scented perfume and cheesy mugs, to snow globes and recipe books. The main thing I would say to snag for your trip back home is a box of their Frrrozen Hot Chocolate packets so you can make this yummy dessert in the comfort of your own home! (Also, if you can get past the host just acting like you already have a table, try to walk through the dining area to check out the decoration. There's a big clock on the wall which was the table where Michelle Pfeiffer drank a hot chocolate in the movie, One Fine Day.)


• http://www.serendipity3.com/
• 225 E. 60th St.
• Metro stops: 4, 5, 6 at 59th St.; N, R, W at Lexington Ave.-59th St.
• Open Sun-Thu, 11:30am-midnight; Fri, 11:30am-1am; Sat, 11:30am-2am

There is a very calculated walk that people of all ages take through Midtown Manhattan during the holiday season - that is the walk past six of New York's finest department stores' window displays. I'm not sure why New York comes to mind when I think of Christmas, but I'm sure it has to do with all the hustle and bustle, Christmas Trees, lights, Santa Clauses on the street corners, cold weather, and lots of shopping bags. Last Christmas we were able to experience the city during this time and it was magical.

Of course, you can see these famous window displays during the day, but in the evenings is when they're most popular because you get the added effect of all the spectacular lights (and sometimes sound/light shows that accompany them). There is a self-guided tour route that many quidebooks recommend, so this is the track we followed. It's about a 2-mile walk spanning from Bloomingdales to the north and Macy's to the south. Depending on what time you start and the area of town in which you're staying you can start at either end. We had dinner around Central Park, and then started at Bloomingdales.

From Bloomingdales we walked west towards the edge of the park to Barneys and then Bergdorf Goodman on 5th Avenue. Continuing down 5th, we past Rockefeller Center Plaza where the huge Christmas tree stands, and then were able to watch as Saks lit up the side of their store with a light show of sparkling snow flakes complete with Christmas songs coming from speakers. Down 5th even more south, just past the Library we came across Lord & Taylor and decided to stop inside and shop a little bit to get away from the cold. Last stop was Macy's of 34th Street, which is always a fun display for all ages.

This is such a great thing to do for couple and families alike, plus there's plenty of places to stop along the way for shopping or to grab a hot drink and warm up. Be sure to watch your belongings as the windows get crowded and become an easy target for thieves to grab from unaware tourists.

If you're in NYC during the holidays, be sure to check out some of these creative displays, all dramatically themed from movies and toys, to geography and fairytales.