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.

  Clueless dudes looking to become grooms should put this shop on their radar. The sister duo that runs the store can help you pick out the perfect engagement (starting at ($1,725) ring or Valentine’s Day gift for a reasonable price ($100–$2,000).

The Tribeca branch of Whole Foods offers something we never expected from a mainstream market: 115 ingredients sold in bulk. An entire aisle is filled with items such as 14 types of organic beans and lentils, seven organic varieties of rice, plus granolas, flours, sugars, spices and three grind-your-own nut butters—all at prices well below what you’d find in bags and jars.

This specialty foods store offers prepared foods and groceries.

Devotees of mystery, crime and spy genres will know owner Otto Penzler, both as an editor and from his book recommendations on Amazon.com. His shop holds a wealth of paperbacks, hardbacks and autographed first editions.

Owners Shaun Tangen and Peter Folich—an extreme snow-sports enthusiast and avid surfer, respectively—combined their joint interests to open this industrial shop. Aimed at powder bombers and wave riders, the store features an even mix of indie and well-known brands that the pair have personally tried out. Gear for hangin’ ten includes SUPERbrand patterned surfboards ($645) and O’Neill full-body wet suits ($150–$400). You’ll also find merch for chilling on shore, such as Indosole shoes ($20–$50) fashioned from Indonesian-landfill-bound moped tires and Arbor Collective bamboo-and-organic-cotton tees ($22). In the fall, you’ll find everything you need for hitting the slopes: YES snowboards ($380), NOW bindings ($289), winter-ready Airblaster jackets ($350) and Zeal Optics high-tech goggles ($499), which change their tint according to weather conditions and track your run stats, including speed, distance and jumps.

This downtown Barnes & Noble is known for hosting readings by hip and popular authors.

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).