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Most stores operate 10am–7pm Mon–Sat, until 8pm Thu, and 11am or noon to 6pm or 7pm Sun. Many stay open on holidays but all close for Christmas and Easter.

MasterCard and Visa are accepted everywhere; American Express and Discover in most places.

Department stores have the widest selections (see New York Stores), Madison Avenue has the designer names (see Madison Avenue Boutiques), and SoHo the best trendy fashions (see SoHo Boutiques). For discounts, try Orchard Street, Century 21, and Daffy’s.

For designer fashion go to Barneys, traditional styles Brooks Brothers or Paul Stuart, and Thomas Pink for hipper designs; John Varvatos is sporty.

Barnes & Noble carries a huge range; Murder, Ink specializes in mysteries; Books of Wonder is the place to go for children’s books; and the Strand has a wide range of used books.

Among the city’s gastronomic palaces, Zabar’s is the best known, but Dean & DeLuca, the Gourmet Garage, Citarella, and Agata & Valentina have their devotees.

Manhattan Art & Antiques and Chelsea Antiques carry a little of everything. For American folk, try Susan Parrish or For American folk, try Susan Parrish or Kelter– Malce, for Stickley furniture Gallery 352, and for antique-looking furniture, try Uproar Home.

F. A. O. Schwarz is amazing and Toys ‘R’ Us are amazing but less overwhelming is the Children’s General Store. Beautiful clothes are at Bonpoint, cool choices at Space Kiddets, and affordable outfits at Children’s Place.

Megastores Tower and Virgin will satisfy all tastes. Opera lovers should head for the Metropolitan Opera, vintage collectors the House of Oldies, and for house music Vinylmania.

Fresh is a Boston firm specializing in perfumes and bodycare. Kiehl’s has quality skin products. Aveda features natural products made from plant extracts.