If you want to have the ultimate trip to New York City, you need to check out these Times Square stores.
But a visit to this busy tourist attraction can be overwhelming. With the sheer abundance of retailers, it’s hard to know what to check out and what to skip.
That’s why we’ve made a list of the five best shops to stop into. You’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but this guide can help you know where to start.
Let’s go shopping!
About Times Square
Though it has been known as Times Square since 1904, it didn’t become a popular tourist attraction until about 25 years ago because of the high crime rate in the area. Today the area sees less criminal activity and has become known as the Crossroads of the World.
The five-block attraction draws in over 370,000 visitors every day. Tourists can marvel at the neon signs and flashing billboards. You can enjoy a variety of street artists and have your photo taken with some of them for a small fee. Over one million people flock to the area each year to see the infamous ball drop on New Year’s Eve, making it the most popular time to visit.
Most people advise going to New York City in the spring or fall because it gets too warm for comfort in the summer, and the winter tends to be frigid. With nice weather, you can grab a picnic table to take in the sights and sounds of the bustling city.
Once you’ve fulfilled your desire to people-watch from your table, you’ll want to explore the area. Along this five-block stretch, you’ll find many restaurants, bars, and shops. We think the number of things to do can be overwhelming, so we’ve made this list of the Times Square stores you won’t want to miss.
Traveling to NYC? These are 5 Reasons to Avoid Times Square in New York City
#1 Hershey’s Chocolate World
If you love sweets, you can’t miss a chance to visit Hershey’s Chocolate World during your trip to the Big Apple. You can swing by the store any day except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. You’ll find it at the intersection of 7th Avenue and West 47th Street.
One of the best things to do at this location is make your own Reese’s cup, and you’ll get to fill up this giant one-pound candy with the filling of your choosing. We also think that the items in the gift shops make exciting souvenirs.
Other visitors love to make custom wrappers for their chocolate bars and eat gooey s’mores. If you need a sweet treat to snack on while you meander around Times Square, look no further than Hershey’s Chocolate World.
#2 Grand Slam New York
We’ve probably all seen the iconic I-HEART-NY t-shirt, and you can get your hands on one at Grand Slam New York. In fact, you can get almost any souvenir you can think of for an affordable price at this popular Times Square store.
From snowglobes to playing cards, this shop has it all. You might not have gone in to purchase a bobblehead of the Statue of Liberty or a piggy bank shaped like a taxi, but we bet you’ll be happy you found them. Sports enthusiasts will also be excited to see Grand Slam’s collection of Yankees, Mets, and Giants gear.
This shop can be found on Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets. You’ll see it adjacent to Father Duffy Square.
Prefer to avoid the crowd? Do this Times Square Panoramic Puzzle instead.
#3 Sabon
Instead of checking Google Maps for the nearest Bath & Body Works, stop into this luxury beauty product shop. Sabon can be found just a few blocks south of Central Park on 6th Avenue between 55th and 56th Street.
This Times Square store has your needs for lotions and soaps covered. They also make candles, fabric mist, and face wash. Whether you forgot a few toiletry essentials at home or want to up your beauty game, Sabon has everything you need. You can even try it before you buy it, so you’ll definitely be satisfied.
The company prides itself on being vegan, except for using honey and goat milk in some of its bar soaps, and they don’t test on animals.
Pro Tip: Skip Times Square and head to Central Park instead. But before you pitch your tent, find out Is Camping in Central Park Okay?
#4 M&M’s World
Once you’ve worked up an appetite from exploring the Big Apple, stop into M&M’s World to replenish your energy. The three-story building is on Broadway and 48th Street, just 300 feet from Hershey’s Chocolate World. You can visit this location every day from 10 AM until 10 PM.
Tourists love to stop into this shop to make customized candies. In under two minutes, you can have your picture or any words printed on your M&M’s. The store also has specialty flavors that you can’t find just anywhere. We think this colorful hands-on experience deserves a stop during your time in New York City.
#5 Midtown Comics
People travel from around the world to see this graphic novel shop. Midtown Comics has three floors packed with all sorts of comic book goodness. From merch featuring your favorite anime characters to collectible Marvel and DC stories, the shop has it all. You can find Midtown Comics at 200 W 40th Street near its intersection with 7th Avenue.
Whether you consider yourself a casual or serious comic enthusiast, you’ll love this Times Square store. Swinging through this store will be a memorable experience, and you’ll probably find a souvenir to take home. In addition to graphic novels, they have action figures, posters, and apparel.
Add These Stores to Your Times Square Itinerary
Visiting Times Square stores doesn’t have to be stressful! Stop into some of the shops on our list, and during your stroll between locations, pop into any other place that catches your eye. You can even have a picnic or visit the sculptures in the area too.
And don’t forget to bring a backpack for all the souvenirs you’ll collect at these awesome places! Your shopping experience will be even more enjoyable if you aren’t lugging around handfuls of plastic bags.
Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA
To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).
You should give it a try!
As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.
Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers who love to score the best site!
We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Access the list by submitting your email below: