shopping destination in the US
 

Someone asked me what's a good place in the US for a shopping trip. (I suppose shopping trip to the US are somewhat common for Europeans.) I am familiar with some areas (areas where I've lived), but I don't know if others are actually better.

Some criteria:
- it must be reasonable to travel to (some destinations are expensive to fly in and out of), and along the same lines it has to have decently priced hotels (so a place like NYC is out)
- it should have good shopping options (a fairly accessible outlet mall, some other shopping malls)
- reasonable prices on goods (especially clothing), but I don't should not be a problem anywhere in the US48
- ideally it should have more than just shopping to offer (something to do/see in the area is a plus)
- preferably a low sales tax

Thoughts?

Similar question asked last month ... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...ht=shopping+US

Pretty much a complete destination all by itself.

http://www.mallofamerica.com/

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

I would not necessarily exclude NYC. With sites like Hotwire and Priceline, hotel rooms can be had for reasonable rates at off-peak times of the year. And travelzoo.com is another place where good hotel deals can sometimes be found.

There is no sales tax on items of clothing sold for less than $110 in NYC. And there is no sales tax on clothing sold in neighboring New Jersey, regardless of selling price.

In fact, if you don't require to stay at the St. Regis, you can find perfectly fine mid-priced hotels. And NYC is THE shopping destination in the US.

Otherwise, check out Las Vegas. Most of the main brands have stores there. There are lots of malls. Hotel rooms are plentiful. Once you get to the Strip, most of it is walkable.

Chicago is also a nice option and walkable.

How about a place like Boston? It's a big city that has many flights to Europe, there are many touristy things to do and you can easily rent a car and go shopping in outlets in Wrentham. There is also no sales tax on clothes in Massachusetts.

Boston is not a big city. It is a large town with pretensions.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/pre...daily-g,31554/

:D

NYC without a doubt for variety and price-and it can be combined with woodbury commons mall and tanger long island - if you are into that. Tming is all important as you want to arrive when sales are at their peak.

Tysons Corner Center, Northern VA - largest shopping mall in DC area. About a half hour to DC. From Tyson's Corner, Leesburg Outlet Mall is about1/2 hour away and about 40 minutes to Potomac Mills Outlet mall in Woodbridge, VA (largest outlet mall in the area). There is also shopping in Georgetown and of course plenty to see and do in the DC metro area. Area served by three airports IAD, DCA, BWI. There is a Ritz Carlton in Tysons Mall and other less expensive options in the area.

I was not aware of that thread. Maybe a mod can merge these threads.

The criteria is slightly different in that it does not need to be connected via public transportation. (Renting a car is an option.) An outlet mall in the area helps.

I thought of BOS myself (Wrentham outlets, other malls) although hotels are not on the cheap side. I also thought of CVG (at least 2 outlets + other malls, reasonable hotels, easy to navigate). PDX comes to mind, but I don't know the area very well.

Thanks for the input; really good info!

Northern NJ or southern Rockland County, NY. Fly to EWR, rent a car, and drive northwest as far as you feel like. Woodbury Commons (best outlet mall in the US) is within 45 minutes by car, Manhattan is within 45 minutes by commuter train, hotels are very reasonable.

i used to buy designer clothes for my wife in nyc. to avoid the sales tax, the stuff would be shipped to my home in the dc area. if that is still alive, stay in nj, or ct, and have the stuff shipped there.

If you're looking for outlets, what about Vegas?

shopping destination in the US
 

NYC has Woodbury commons and Century 21. Both seem to be super popular w tourists. Just don't go on a weekend.

shopping destination in the US
 

Philadelphia had no sales (taxfreephilly.com) on clothes or shoes! the city is great with too many excellent restaurants to only pick from. the barnes museum is unbelievable and then the various sports teams and of course the historic sites! shopping in center city or the King of Prussia mall has everything (30 min from Philly) -Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Macys and JCPenny are anchors and everything you can think of- I take many international visitors there. A bit further out from KofP is the outlet mall. lots of hotel options/pricing
New York and New Jersey have sales taxes
So give Philly a think and be surprised