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Macys
As the world's largest department store and a registered New York City landmark, Macy's is more a shopping empire than mere retailer. Seven floors of merchandise, from beauty products and men's fashion to dinnerware and designer slip dresses, fill the store's one million square feet of retail space—that's one solid city block of stuff, seven stories high. Each and every day, thousands of sightseers and city dwellers coast through the glass and wrought iron doors on 34th Street into the mammoth Herald Square flagship, Macy's home since 1924. But while the store is best known for accessible mid-range fashions, there's more than souvenir logo T-shirts, Calvin Klein sportswear and A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz celebrity-copycat gowns; Macy's inventory of housewares and kitchen gadgets exceed most other city stores, and its furniture and mattress departments are affordable alternatives to the city's higher-end designer showrooms. Ride the old-fashioned wooden escalator to the sixth floor to browse the growing stock of luxury linens by designers like Kate Spade and Oscar de la Renta. In the home department, find enough All Clad and Calphalon kitchenware to operate your own bistro; for something to put in your new pot and pans, head to the cellar-level market for gourmet prepared and packaged foods, baked goods, fancy condiments, designer chocolates and more. — Molly Noonan
Extra
De Gustibus and the Kitchen in Macy's Cellar offer regular cooking demonstrations, many with edible souvenirs.
Key Departments
Shoes, Women
Occupying two floors, Macy's shoe department stands as a gigantic store in itself. Just past the cocktail dresses on the fourth floor is a winding path of casual, comfort-built footwear, like Easy Spirit walking shoes and Naturalizer mules. Find sleeker designs on the fifth floor, including Charles David slides and BCBGirls stilettos.
Food-Restaurant
For the often-packed Cellar Bar and Grill, a classic French-trained chef has created a menu of American favorites. Savor a salmon fillet in the dining room or enjoy happy hour and comfort food in the bar, both of which boast a warm, mahogany-heavy décor.
Children's Clothing
Despite its size, Macy's is surprisingly kid-friendly, with an entire floor devoted to trendy children's apparel and nursery accessories. When attention spans run short from eying Baby Phat dresses and Carter's overalls, treat them to a Happy Meal at the McDonald's on the same floor.
Bridal Gowns
The venerable department store opened its huge new bridal suite (complete with a walkway platform) but the service remains one-on-one. Macy’s carries the entire Demetrios collection of traditional gowns, clean, simple designs from Marisa, many of Maggie Sottero’s wrap-front, corset-back dresses, and much more.
Lingerie
Count on its jumbo lingerie department for plenty of basics—bras, panties, girdles, and nighties in every conceivable combination of Lycra and lace. All the usual Americans are represented, from Warner’s to Ralph and Calvin.
Bridesmaids
A particularly sensible choice for brides whose friends live in far-flung locales, this store has a strong selection of classic cocktail dresses from designers like Jordan and Belsoie by Jasmine, plus stylish bridesmaids’ accessories such as gloves from Dazzle by Ansonia.
Men's Formalwear
This well-priced store has one of the biggest suit selections in town; you’ll also find a selection of tuxedos by designers like Lauren by Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss.
Children's Formalwear
Manhattan’s bedrock of retail can easily deck out wedding-bound tots of all ages. If you want your newborn to dazzle in white, check out the ivory Tommy Hilfiger Cuddly Double Quilt set.
Bridal Shoes
Macy’s has one of the largest and most democratic shoe departments in the city: Big-name bridal vendors like Stuart Weitzman, Via Spiga, and Adrienne Vittadini are mixed in with less expensive chain-store brands (Nine West, Esprit). There’s always a good selection of white and silver options.
Men's Watches
Predictably, this midtown mainstay is packed with affordable watches from companies like Kenneth Cole and DKNY. But Macy’s also stocks high-end pieces from venerable European makers like Tissot, Movado, Bulova, and Gucci.
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