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Way Beyond Sneakers   Adidas Originals Store     With an inspired collection, the triple-stripe sportswear company as moved out of the gym and into retro fashion. Young jocks and wannabe D.J.’s come here for anything from key chains, track suits and tees to limited-edition shoes. Plan B: Opt for streamlined apparel and footwear from the nearby Puma Store, abuzz with young hipsters.     • Adidas: 136 Wooster St. near Prince St., 212-777-2001, adidas.com  • Puma: 521 Broadway near Spring St., 212-334-7861, puma.com           Make a Playdate   American Girl Place     The 43,000-square-foot behemoth is home to a full line of eighteen-inch historical dolls (dressed in period clothes), a café, a bookstore, and a theater that brings the dolls’ characters to life.     • 609 Fifth Ave. at 49th St., 1-877-AG-PLACE, americangirl.com           For Those With an Alternative Computing Style   Apple Store SoHo     The two-story space boasts a show-stopping glass staircase and a translucent walkway which glimmers in the sunshine flooding in from skylights. Test-drive everything in sight (iPods, digital cameras, software), play stump-the-tech-experts at the Genius Bar upstairs, or sit in on the free daily instructional seminars.     • 103 Prince St. at Greene St., 212-226-3126           Because You Can Afford to Look Fabulous   Barneys New York     Anyone worth her Manolos will tell you that Barneys’ Madison Avenue flagship is the final word in edgy designer fashion. The lower floors house sophisticated, expensive items like Prada suits; in the upstairs Co-op department, you’ll find Habitual jeans, Miu Miu dresses, and clingy Juicy tees.     • 660 Madison Ave. at 61st St., 212-826-8900, barneys.com • Barney's Co-op, 236 W. 18th St. near Seventh Ave., 212-593-7800 • Barney's Co-op, 116 Wooster St., near Prince St., 212-965-9964           Score a Suit. Buy a Shoe.   Bergdorf Goodman     Ladies who lunch still come here for endless variations on the daytime suit; younger customers flock to the fifth floor for Michael Kors, Theory, and Diane von Furstenberg dresses. The second floor shoe salon is dazzling enough to get any woman in trouble and the massive bag collection is equally dangerous.     • 754 Fifth Ave. at 58th St., 212-753-7300, bergdorfgoodman.com           Bag Big Name Brands   Bloomingdale's     Plow through "B-Way," the aptly named, crowded main-floor arcade that feels like Times Square on Saturday, and hit the second floor for trendy, well-priced American brands. Bloomies also carries all the requisite big-name designer labels and houses an extensive selection of lingerie. TheSoHo location, opened in spring '04, caters to a younger, hipper crowd.     • 1000 Third Ave. at 59th St., 212-705-2000, bloomingdales.com • 504 Broadway, between Spring and Broome Sts., 212-729-5900           Save Big   Century 21     The home of department store designer leftovers that are at least—and often far more than—40 percent off. You’ll find everything from Hanes to Helmut Lang for men and women. The linen department deals are even more incredible.     • 22 Cortlandt St., near Broadway, 212-227-9092, c21stores.com           Return of a Classic   FAO Schwarz     In 1862, German immigrant Frederick August Otto Schwarz began supplying New York society with Europe’s finest toys. Today, you’ll find a smattering of ultra-high-end goods and an array of stuffed animals, dolls, train sets, blocks, board games, and even candy.     • 767 Fifth Ave. at 58th St., 212-644-9400, fao.com           While You Wait   Grand Central Station     Looking for authentic New York cheesecake? You don't need to trek out to Brooklyn. This spectacularly restored landmark boasts a Junior's outpost—along with classy lounge The Campbell Apartment, the famous Oyster Bar & Restaurant, and a slew of shops, including Godiva Chocolatier,Kenneth Cole, L'Occitane, Banana Republic, Papyrus and many more.     • Grand Central Terminal, 42nd St. and Lexington Ave., grandcentralterminal.com           Take a Fresh Food Break   The Greenmarket at Union Square     Farmers from as far away as Vermont arrive at this outdoor market four times weekly, toting the freshest of produce and an ample selection of flowers. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Plan B: Roam the long corridor at Chelsea Market, stopping for lunch, pastries, produce, or unusual blooms at their wholesale flower market.     • Greenmarket: Union Square at 17th St., 212-788-7476, cenyc.org • Chelsea Market: 75 Ninth Ave., between 15th and 16th Sts., 212-243-6005,chelseamarket.com           Meet the Mod Squad   Henri Bendel     In the disco era, Henri Bendel was the epicenter of modish New York. These days, the shop stays cool with favorites like Earl Jeans and Shoshanna dresses, as well as styles from designers like Sophia Kokosalaki. Visit the Tiffany’s Closet boutique for vintage handbags and jewelry.     • 712 Fifth Ave. near 56th St., 212-247-1100           Go Euro-Fabulous   H&M     The throngs of bargain hunters, thumping music, and huge fitting-room lines could fray even a Zen master’s nerves, but you can’t beat this Swedish chain’s ridiculously low prices on must-haves of the moment like club clothes, ethnic-inspired tops, and cargo pants. Plan B: For years, European have loved the Dutch brand Mexx for many of the same reasons New Yorkers love H&M—accessible prices, amazingly quick trend-spotting. Prices are a step higher at Mexx and outerwear seems to be their strength.     • 640 Fifth Ave., near 51st St., 646-473-1164, hm.com • 1328 Broadway at 34th St., 212-564-9922 • 558 Broadway near Prince St., 212-343-2722 • 435 Seventh Ave. at 34th St., 212-643-6955 • 125 W. 125th St., 212-665-8300 • Mexx: 515 Broadway, between Spring and Broome Sts., 212-965-8975           Shop the Miracle on 34th St.   Macy's     If you're looking for cutting edge fashion, head elsewhere. This is the spot for essentials from all the big brands—everyone from Guess and Esprit to Ralph, Donna and Calvin, and at all prices in between.     • 151 W. 34th St. near Broadway, 212-695-4400, macys.com           Why God Made Window Shopping   Madison Avenue     This haute strip boasts fifteen blocks of celebrity designer shops (Calvin, Jean-Paul, Giorgio) and flagship fashion house boutiques (Prada, Hermès, Chanel). Kick things off at Fratelli Rossetti on 58th Street for fab Italian shoes, and be sure to leave some time for the grand finale at the stately Polo Store on 72nd Street.  Plan B: Need to get it all in a hurry? Fifth Avenue is where you'll find the high-end department stores (Bergdorf's, Bendel's, Saks) carrying all the names you need. Plus a few that you won't find on Madison (Versace,Fendi, Ferragamo).        • Madison Avenue, 57th to 72nd Sts.           Not Your Average Fur Store   Marc Kaufman Furs/ Fur Warehouse     This Fur coat and fur accessary company occupies the largest fur store in NYC. You will find all types of furs including mink coats, fox jackets, sable coats and many other furs all under on roof. If you are looking to purchase a fur, this is the place to shop     • 208 West 29th St. 212-563-3877 www.kaufmanfurs.com           Just Buy It   Niketown     The famed Nike swoosh is everywhere you look in this much-ballyhooed store. Stop in for the full line of Nike products—shoes, clothes, gizmos—and the terrific people-watching.     • 6 E. 57th St., between Fifth and Madison Aves., 212-891-6453, niketown.com           Not your Average Drug Store   Ricky's     No one needs 80 kinds of hair brushes, but they look cool all lined up on the shelves. Ditto for wigs in shades of neon and hair bands in every shape. Makeup artists hoard the tiny plastic pots and bottles; club kids come for extensions and body glitter.     • Multiple locations. Flagship Store: 509 Fifth Ave. near 42nd St., 212-949-7230,rickys-nyc.com           Shop a Classic   Saks Fifth Avenue     This top-end department store is filled with major American designers and plenty of Europeans, plus a complete collection of diffusion lines. The eighth-floor swimwear department swells seasonally to accommodate classics and styles with a little more va-va-voom.     • 611 Fifth Ave. at 50th St., 212-753-4000, saksfifthavenue.com           Explore the Downtown Crowd Pleaser   SoHo     This one-time artists' mecca has since morphed into the city's poshest outdoor mall. Cobblestoned streets and loft-like spaces make the neighborhood a prettier spot for shopping than the average galleria, but do expect seemingly impenetrable throngs on your way from Catherine Malandrino to Kate Spade. (Kill two birds and visit Chinatown for knockoff bags just blocks away.)     • W. Houston St. to Canal St.; Broadway to Sixth Ave.           Embrace Your Inner Technophile   Sony Style     It’s big, noisy, and always packed with elbowing tourists, but this shop’s the best place around for sleek gadgets and high-tech equipment.     • 550 Madison Ave. near 55th St., 212-833-5336, sonystyle.com           Browse 16 Miles of Books   Strand Book Store     Established in 1927, the dusty, flea-market-esque Strand is the largest, cheapest secondhand-book store in town. It carries everything from current fiction to old cookbooks, art tomes, and rare reads.     • 828 Broadway at 12th St., 212-473-1452, strandbooks.com  • Annex: 95 Fulton St. near Gold St., 212-732-6070,  • Strand Books Kiosk: Central Park, Fifth Ave. at 60th St., 646-284-5506           Score a Little Blue Box   Tiffany & Co.     The most democratic of the big jewelry houses, Tiffany’s welcomes shoppers who come by Town Cars, taxis, and tour buses. Snap up key rings, money clips and cuff links, or invest in beautifully-made men's watches, kitchenware, or their classic 6-prong diamond engagement ring.  Plan B: Compare styles and prices across the street at Van Cleef & Arpels, a surprisingly intimate, wood-paneled shop packed with the legendary designer's glamorous, classic rings.     • Tiffany & Co.: 727 Fifth Ave. at 57th St., 212-755-8000, tiffany.com  • Van Cleef & Arpels: 744 Fifth Ave. near 57th St., 212-644-9500, vancleef.com           Hitch a Ride Inside   Toys 'R' Us     Why spend your city time in this suburban staple? Smack in the middle of their midtown store sits a giant ferris wheel. Go for a loop, then make a beeline for the exit. You can always stock up on the chain's discounted name-brand toys and games later.     • 1514 Broadway near 44th St., 800-869-7787, toysrus.com • 24-30 Union Square East near 15th St., 212-674-8697           Tune in to the Music   Virgin Megastore     A sprawling retail palace, Virgin has surprisingly helpful salespeople and a good selection of everything from rock to show tunes.     • 52 E. 14th St. at Broadway, 212-598-4666, virginmega.com • 1540 Broadway near 45th St., 212-921-1020           Snag Knockoffs, Spanish-Style   Zara     This Spanish label offers runway looks at moderate prices, drawing style newbies from throughout the city. Count on silky dresses, colorful knits, and the skin of the moment (suede is a good bet).     • 750 Lexington Ave. near 59th St., 212-754-1120, zara.com. • 39 W. 34th St. near Sixth Ave., 212-868-6551 • 101 Fifth Ave. near 17th St., 212-741-0555 • 580 Broadway near Houston St., 212-343-1725