Shopping Tours in New York City

New York City is known as the world's top fashion capital, boasting high-end designers and endless opportunities for shopping across five boroughs.

With two fashion weeks a year and plenty of other events in between, the big apple is one of the best places on earth to spend your money. There are countless options to choose from while shopping in New York City, so a guided tour is the best way to see as much as possible during your visit while getting some insider tips.

Here's all you need to know about shopping tours, some of the most captivating shopping & fashion experiences in New York City.

What are the most popular shopping tours in New York City?

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets shopping tour in New York City

One of the best shopping tours in New York City is a roundtrip transfer to the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, just one hour upstate from the city. This excursion begins with a bus pickup from a meeting point in Manhattan.

There are several different departure windows to choose from and flexible returns based on your own personal itinerary. After a 1-hour scenic ride to the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, you’ll enjoy a day-long shopping spree at over 200 different luxury and designer stores.

Your guide will provide you with a VIP discount booklet, providing even bigger markdowns on brand-name shops such as Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Fendi or Gucci. Break for meals at the large food court that features more than 15 different eateries for all taste buds. Finish with a relaxing ride back to NYC in the evening.

Semi-Private Secondhand and Vintage shopping tour in New York City

This highly-rated shopping tour in New York City visits the city’s best resale and vintage shops with the help of a shopping expert. You will begin at a meeting spot where you will find your guide and the rest of your small group to begin an exciting day of shopping.

Explore the city like a local while visiting various neighborhoods by bus and subway. Your expert shopper will provide you with an exclusive mapped guide listing over 120 of the best stores citywide to use during your tour and after.

You’ll pass through the Flatiron District, Madison Square Park, Williamsburg, Greenwich Village, East Village and more on this 4-hour excursion. You’ll have plenty of time to try on clothes and enjoy specialized help from your professional shopper.

Hamptons, Sag Harbor and Outlet shopping tour from New York City

On this exciting day tour, you’ll travel outside of the New York City center for a unique shopping experience in the Hamptons.

This 14-hour trip begins with a meet-up at Port Authority in Manhattan where you’ll board an air-conditioned bus with a professional tour guide. From there, you’ll travel up through Queens and onto Long Island for a first-hand look at the lives of the rich and famous.

You’ll feel entranced by the beauty of the rolling meadows and beautiful homes along the way. Your first stop will be Southampton, where you’ll stroll the charming main street, visiting boutique shops along the way. Afterward, you’ll head to some of Hampton’s iconic vineyards to take part in a delicious wine tasting.

Next, your group will head to Sag Harbor, a quaint town filled with antique stores and old-world shops to be explored. After lunch, you’ll finish your day with a visit to the Tanger Outlets to hit brand-name stores at a major discount. Finish with an evening arrival back in NYC.

Garment District Wholesale shopping tour

The New York Garment District has been considered the center of American fashion since 1919 and is still home to some of the best designers across the globe. On a tour of the district, you’ll get an exclusive look at what the wholesale shops have to offer with the help of a savvy fashion guru guide.

This exciting day begins with a meetup just one block south of Central Park where you’ll join your personal shopper for a 4-hour excursion through the Garment Center Showrooms. Your guide will lead you behind the scenes to private showrooms that are not accessible to normal shoppers.

You’ll find up-to-date seasonal items at a discounted price while learning about current cutting-edge fashion trends. To close out the tour, your guide will provide you with an Extra List to take with you for future shopping endeavors.

Fashion on Fifth Avenue shopping tour

Take the pressure off of picking out high fashion finds with this exclusive tour along New York City’s famous Fifth Avenue. This 3-hour excursion begins with a morning meetup in Midtown Center where you’ll discuss your shopping goals with your professional guide.

From there, you’ll head to the city’s finest high-end boutiques where your stylist will help you find the best clothing for your skin tone and body shape. Visit staples such as Saks, Juicy Couture, Armani Exchange and Zara throughout the day. After the tour, you can opt-in for a clothing makeover before heading to a coffee break at Trump Tower.

What are the highlights of NYC shopping tours?

Tours to the Woodbury Common Premium and Tanger outlets will see over 200 high-end outlet stores with discounted prices. Excursions that focus on the vintage and second-hand stores in the city will visit some of the finest neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Manhattan where these vendors reside.

Tours that head out to Long Island will get a glimpse at the ritzy Hamptons and Sag Harbor antique shops and boutiques, while trips to the garment district will visit private wholesalers in the area. On a tour of the Fifth Avenue shops, you’ll see some of the most revered designers and luxury retailers in the world.

What are the prices of shopping tours in New York City?

Tours to the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets that include roundtrip bus transportation cost about US$42 per adult over the age of 12 and US$32 per child over the age of 3. All younger children are free. A semi-private secondhand and vintage shopping spree in the city costs about US$100 per person for all ages.

A roundtrip tour to the Hamptons, Sag Harbor and the Tanger Outlets costs about US$42 per adult over the age of 12 and US$32 per child over the age of 3 with all infants free of charge. A tour through the garment district with a professional stylist costs about US$110 per person for a 4-hour trip.

A fashion tour and makeover through Fifth Avenue costs around US$155 per adult over the age of 13, US$147 per child over the age of 3 and is free for infants.

What is included?

All shopping tours in New York City include an expert guide to lead you to the best fashion hot spots. Shopping excursions to the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets and the Hamptons include roundtrip transportation and the scenic drive to and from the destination.

Hamptons excursions also include a free wine tasting at the regional vineyards. Tours that visit any outlets also include a VIP discount booklet to use at your discretion.

Most city-based shopping tours will include an insider map of New York’s best shopping spots. Excursions that involve a personal shopper will include their styling services in the ticket price.

Where does it start?

Most shopping tours begin at a centralized location in Manhattan. Tours that travel out of the city usually meet at a bus station such as Port Authority.

What is the duration of NYC shopping tours?

Shopping tours that travel upstate or to Long Island typically last a full day, including roundtrip transportation and plenty of time to sightsee and shop. Excursions that take place in the city center will last about 3 to 4 hours.

When is the best time for a shopping tour in New York City?

The best times for a shopping tour in NYC is when there are sales, typically post-holiday in January and in September. During Black Friday it is not advisable to visit big outlets and shopping districts because the crowds can be overwhelming.

If you wish to walk around and shop with mild weather, spring (March - June) and fall (September - November) are the ideal seasons.

If you wish to avoid crowds, weekdays are generally less busy than weekends. Earlier in the day, around store opening times, also tends to be less busy.

Travel tips

• NYC has a variety of shopping districts each known for specific types of stores, so it is good to know what are the shops you want to go to before planning your shopping spree.
• NYC requires a lot of walking, so comfortable shoes are a must. Dress in layers so you can adjust to the weather and the often heavily air-conditioned stores.
• Carry a water bottle and snacks, or plan to stop at NYC's many cafes and food carts to keep your energy levels up.
• Don't miss out on iconic NYC department stores like Macy's Herald Square, Bloomingdale's, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
• If you're looking for a bargain, stores like Century 21, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls often have designer items at discounted prices.
• Most clothing and footwear items costing under $110 are tax-free in NYC.
• Always check a store’s return and refund policy before making a purchase and keep all of your receipts just in case.
• NYC has numerous flea markets (like the Brooklyn Flea) and vintage stores that offer unique items you can't find anywhere else.
• Like any major city, keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded areas.
• After a day of shopping, consider relaxing in one of the city's many parks or enjoy a Broadway show to make the most of your NYC experience.