The holiday shopping season has undeniably arrived in NYC. The Rink at Rockefeller Center is bustling and tinsel has begun cropping up in store windows from midtown to Battery Park City. And now the main event (dare we say the Super Bowl of shopping?) is nearly here. Black Friday. There’s no better city than NYC to shop off post-Thanksgiving food comas. For the best way to spend the day, no matter your choice of neighborhood, read on for our guide to tackling Black Friday in New York.
The Best of Black Friday NYC: The Flatiron
It’s the day after Thanksgiving, so an athletic activity is strongly encouraged. Hence, why we recommend some laps up and down Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District. First stop? Tory Sport, where Tory Burch’s preppy-chic vibe makes for loads of covetable workout wear. From sweaters knit with wool and Coolmax fibers (to wick away moisture) to bomber jackets that would look as fitting on the tennis court as at happy hour. For a stamina boost mid-shopping there’s no better place than City Bakery. Go for their famed hot chocolate, but stay to sip it and nibble one of their equally beloved pretzel croissants.
Tory Sport, 129 Fifth Avenue. torysport.com
The City Bakery, 3 West 18th Street. thecitybakery.com
The Best of Black Friday NYC: Financial District
Frigid temps post-Thanksgiving? No matter. The coziest place is right smack dab in the heart of the Financial District. The new Santiago Calatrava-designed transit hub is a monumental gateway to two new malls: Brookfield Place and the Westfield World Trade Center Mall. First stop? Head to the new Saks Downtown, which features an assortment of fashion-forward, edgy designers (think: cult- favorite Vetements) and a vast shoe floor. At the moment we’re partial to their avant-garde jacket selection, perfect for offsetting the grim winter weather ahead. Next, take an espresso and crêpe break at Le District, the 30,000-square-foot French food hall which serves up glorious pastries, sandwiches, and even cocktails.
Saks Downtown, 225 Liberty Street. saks.com
Le District at Brookfield Place, 225 Liberty Street. ledistrict.com
The Best of Black Friday NYC: Midtown
For nearly a century, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a quasi-official part of the holiday weekend. It is only fair then to head to the 10-floor behemoth of a store to admire the Christmas windows and shop for virtually any item imaginable. Their holiday assortment is a riot of jewel-hued ready-to-wear and accessories. A current favorite is the velvet Michael Michael Kors slip-on sneaker. Take a quick walk crosstown to admire the bustling Grand Central Terminal shops, including their Holiday Fair which features dozens of artisanal vendors in the station’s Vanderbilt Hall. To finish off your Friday festivities, make sure to stop by the new Great Northern Food Hall, featuring Nordic-inspired food by culinary star Claus Meyer. Absolute must-try items include the open-faced sandwiches (known formally as smørrebrød) and savory porridge bowls.
Macy’s, 151 West 34th Street. macys.com
Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair, 89 East 42nd Street. grandcentralterminal.com
Great Northern Food Hall, 89 Vanderbilt Avenue. greatnorthernfood.com
Black Friday Watch Specials
Take advantage of Black Friday through Cyber Monday sale events with 50% off select styles at Tissot Boutiques. Midtown: 666 Fifth Ave. (btw. 52nd & 53rd Sts.), 646-669-7894; Times Square: 1515 Broadway (btw. 44th & 45th Sts.), 646-678-4930; Westfield World Trade Center: 185 Greenwich St. (Albany St.), Balcony Level C1, 212-732-0334; us.tissotshop.com
