Shopping near the Statue of Liberty

The Oculus is one of the world’s most expensive train stations, serving 12 subway lines and the PATH train, with a beautiful mall inside of it. Its wild exterior designed by Santiago Calatrava, which resembles the skeleton of a whale, has white metal-clad steel ribs that reach up and out which actually symbolize a hand releasing a dove. The structure is a lasting reminder of the attacks of September 11, 2001 — it is in alignment with the sun’s solar angles on each September 11, from 8:46 am, when the first plane struck, until 10:28 am, when the second tower collapsed. Its central skylight fits this alignment and washes the Oculus floor with a beam of light. The shopping center inside boasts stores like the Apple Store, Aesop, Cole Haan, Golden Bar, Moleskine, John Varvatos and others. Dining includes Eataly, Gansevoort Market, Wasabi Sushi & Bento and more.

A Gucci men’s suit for $300? A Marc Jacobs cashmere sweater for less than $200? Stella McCartney sunglasses for a scant $40? No, you’re not dreaming—you’re shopping at Century 21. You may have to rummage to unearth a treasure, but with savings from 25% to 75% off regular store prices, this is a goldmine for less-minted fashion addicts.

This restored 19th-century print shop makes quirky, retro-chic designs with on-site vintage presses. Find original letterpress note cards ($4) and customized stationery. plus quirky gifts like Yellow Owl Workshop stamp sets depicting mod sea and landscape designs ($38).  

Chefs and restaurant insiders have known about this kitchenware specialty shop since it opened in 1982. Lucky for us non–Top Chefs, the showroom finally welcomed the public in 2002, allowing anyone to snag Japanese- and Western-style knives ($30–$5,800) and specialty tablewares ($2–$600), like a plum-shaped soy sauce dish ($4). One of the highlights of the high-ceilinged space, lined with Japanese Shoji sliding wooden doors, is the opportunity to watch house knife master Chirau Sugai sharpen customers’ cutters (the service costs $15–$25) in a glass room. Sugai also offers free sharpening demo classes (Tue, Sat 2pm; reservations required), but before you get in on the action, score Misono Swedish steel knives with dragon graphics engraved on the blades ($65–$210) or Togiharu hammered-texture steel knives ($50–$150). If Martha Stewart is your homegirl, you’ll be itching to use the store’s eye-catchingly colorful printed plate sets (five for $29), Toruku Blue Nanban rectangle dishes ($13), cherry-printed chopsticks ($15) and Mishima Donabe flower-patterned ceramic pots ($25) for your next dinner party. Or make any pregame that much cooler by snagging a modern clear-glass sake carafe with a blue ice reservoir ($11).

As you walk through the narrow entryway of this intimate Tribeca gem, it’s easy to become distracted by the timeworn grape-growing maps canvassing the walls. But as your eyes begin to refocus, you quickly become enraptured by its expansive wine and spirits offerings, which include everything from biodynamic wines to vintage amaros. Free in-store tastings are held daily at varying times.

The smartly curated local-food bazaar combines East Coast produce with speciality items from butchers, cheese makers and other purveyors. Regional events highlight beloved foodstuffs such as hard cider, heritage beans, tomatoes and artisanal breads. Fuel your browsing with plenty of free samples.

This rustic shop is a South Street Seaport gem: Catering to mutts both large and small, owner Amanda Zink holds events like "Puppy Proms" and has "Santa Paws" visits at Christmastime. Among the boutique's amusing offerings are L.A. label Shabby Dog T-shirts, emblazoned with cheeky sayings like MY OTHER LEASH IS A GUCCI and TOO CUTE TO FETCH ($26), and thirst-quenching Bowser beer ($4) made with beef broth for the dog days of summer. Collars range from simple rope styles ($18) to design-your-own leather pieces ($100), though customers go barking mad for the tough nylon all-weather coats ($40--$65), which can be custom-fitted for every size and are inspired by racing horses.

Jean Claude, this store’s manager, is a go-the-extra-mile kind of guy. He’s also something of a mattress savant, so ask him any questions you have about what kind of bed to put in your crib.

Wall Street has long been a place for making money, but with the opening of this discount designer superstore’s fifth Manhattan locale (it joins stores in Union Square, Midtown West, Midtown East and on the Upper West Side), the neighborhood will be a place for saving cash, too. Discover racks upon racks of mostly current-season men’s and women’s clothing up to 60 percent off. In homage to its location, this T.J.Maxx will offer an expanded selection of menswear suitable for the office, including Izod plaid button-downs ($18), Kenneth Cole dress shirts ($18) and Calvin Klein slacks ($30). Accessories include ties by Penguin and Michael Kors ($13 each), and Fossil leather belts ($15). Women will find perfect party wear for the holiday season with Cynthia Rowley tank dresses ($30) featuring exposed zippers, Lauren by Ralph Lauren lacy sleeveless frocks ($100) and Nine West suede wedges ($40). Kenneth Cole trenches ($80), Elena Solano cashmere wraps ($70) and Lauren by Ralph Lauren leather handbags ($150) lend the finishing touches.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, a slew of temporary stores have opened at the South Street Seaport in place of many still-closed businesses. One such example is this tiny space—less than 150 square feet—which futuristic accessories brand Nooka built from refitted shipping containers to match the mood of rebuilding along the shore. At the Australian retailer’s first U.S. location, shop watches ($119–$375), sunglasses ($129–$275) and fragrances ($5–$80) for both sexes. Highlights include zip-tie leather belts ($49), colorful wallets ($35) and passport cases ($45) and silicone square-faced watches ($119).