Top 6 Places to Shop in the Upper East Side

Life on New York City’s Upper East Side is the epitome of luxury and glamor. Known for its impressive array of museums and art galleries as well as its coveted location beside Central Park, the Upper East Side retains its reputation as a neighborhood of elegance, culture, and class.

Homes for sale on the Upper East Side are no different, inviting individuals and families to reside in some of the most exquisite dwellings in the city. If you’re considering a move to the neighborhood, get to know everything that the area has to offer. To start off, explore this comprehensive list of the top spots for Upper East Side shopping.

Everyone on the Upper East Side knows Bloomie’s, the affectionate term for one of New York City’s most beloved department stores. Located at the southern edge of the neighborhood, Bloomingdale’s has been a Big Apple institution since the early 1870s. Its iconic 59th and Lexington location represents all the best of Upper East Side luxury and elegance.

Not only can shoppers find the latest in upscale men’s, women’s, and children’s fashion, but it features other high-end retailers as well, from Louis Vuitton to Saint Laurent. Fendi, Ralph Lauren, and Dior are just a few of the other brands available within. Those who want the true Upper East Side shopping experience should make sure not to pass up a trip to Bloomingdale’s, open Monday through Thursday at 10 am and Friday through Sunday at 11 am.

Another retailer synonymous with the Upper East Side is Ralph Lauren, whose flagship men’s clothing store has been part of the Upper East Side shopping scene since the mid-1980s. Step inside the incredible Rhinelander Mansion, which has played host to the upscale retailer since the stores were opened.

Ralph Lauren specializes in upscale designs with a coastal feel in a range of casual to formal styles. Just across the street from the men’s store are additional shops for women’s and children’s clothing. Ralph Lauren opens Monday through Saturday at 10 am and 12 pm on Sundays.

Nordstrom is another great department store on the Upper East Side, featuring men’s, women’s, and children’s fashions as well as departments for young adults, activewear, and home goods. Shoppers can also find the latest in cosmetics and beauty or shop for gifts for any occasion. The Upper East Side shop is a Nordstrom Local, offering shoppers the convenient experience of shopping online and picking up in-store. Nordstrom hosts top brands like Free People, SKIMS, and Gucci while offering services from shoe repair to custom tailoring. Open at 10 am throughout the week, Nordstrom is certainly a top shopping destination to add to the list.

 

Located on Madison, just a few minutes walk from the Jewish Museum, the Corner Bookstore is much loved by the Upper East Side literary community. A picturesque storefront presents manicured window displays that invite bookworms to enter the cozy, intimate space. Tucked beneath a beautiful townhouse. Locals rave about the Corner Bookstore’s knowledgeable staff and nostalgic feel. The shop strives to build ties in the community, getting to know locals who visit frequently and contributing to more of a small-town feel within the neighborhood.

With an impressive selection of popular titles and classics alike, the bookstore offers online ordering and home delivery. If the Corner Bookstore doesn’t have what you’re looking for, they’re great at recommending titles you might like instead. To pop into the Corner Bookstore, visit between 10 am and 6 pm Mondays through Saturdays or between 11 am and 5 pm on Sundays.

Speaking of quaint bookstores on the Upper East Side, Albertine and Shakespeare & Co are two more to consider.

In true Upper East Side fashion, Albertine features an eclectic mix of English and French books. In fact, the shop boasts the largest collection of French and French-translated books in the country. At home within the opulent Payne Whitney House, one of New York City’s last remaining structures from the Gilded Age, Albertine takes visitors on a trip back in time. The store inspires the mind with its academic feel and offers a great selection of titles to explore.

Finally, there’s Shakespeare & Co, with its floor-to-ceiling shelves, rolling ladders, and in-house coffee shop. Whether locals want to pop in for the latest release or sip and read by the window, Shakespeare & Co is a favorite of many on the Upper East Side. To visit these fantastic shops, stop by Albertine between 10 am and 6 pm Monday through Saturday. Shakespeare & Co opens at 9 am, Monday through Saturday, and 10 am on Sundays.

With so many high-end brands steps from Upper East Side real estate, residents are never at a loss for finding the best fashions. Unbeatable luxury retailers like Valentino and Oscar de la Renta are only the beginning.

For the ladies, Prada, Anne Fontaine, and Sephora are usually top picks. For the gentlemen, Tom Ford, Hermes Men, and J.Crew are favorites. From Apple to Zara to lululemon, there’s a shop for every style, need, and desire on the Upper East Side. Those who want to visit all the top shops should make a point of traveling along Madison Avenue, where the majority of these shops reside.

These top picks for Upper East Side shopping represent only a fraction of the incredible places that await any who calls the neighborhood home. If you’re interested in more of what the Upper East Side can offer and want to look into available real estate, consider partnering with a real estate team that has expert knowledge of the neighborhood. Each of New York City’s distinct neighborhoods has real estate markets of its own, with varying degrees of demand, available properties, and pricing trends. The Casagrande Team is making a splash in the New York City market, helping buyers across Manhattan discover their perfect properties. To have a smooth and efficient home buying experience, reach out to the Fung-Casagrande Team.