East 57th St, Sutton Place

Just do it! It’s the famous mantra for so many athletes and sporting wannabes and if you know exactly what I’m talking about, then get yourself down to East 57th Street where you can check out the New York Nike store. Whether it’s the latest trends and fashions that you want to snap up or check out the retro styles that helped build the Nike brand, this is a place with swoosh.

East 57th Street isn’t too far out of the way if you’re doing a bit of Park Avenue browsing – this street offers plenty of shops and restaurants that tend to cater to the wandering tourists in town. At the intersection of Fifth Ave, there is the (expensive) department store Bergdorf Goodman, and there is a Louis Vuitton store on the street as well as a Levi’s Store (which I love for featuring jeans that aren’t a million dollars).

Tiffany's! Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend! Blue Box! This is where the magic happens.

I tell you, entering this store is like candy for the superficial. I saw SO many tourists in fanny packs walking through, buying the cheaped thing they could find just to acquire a coveted blue box. Diamonds aren't really my thing, but they actually have a lot of other merchandise.

In terms of bags you'll find Louis Vuitton here. I don't know why you'd want to buy one (personal taste) but it's filled with little girls with daddy's credit card looking to score some LV signature pieces. Once again, not my thing.

For food, you can go to Norma's Restaraunt at La Parke for some nicely dressed American dishes. Food... so my thing!

East 57th Street is close to several metro stations and is close to many buses. Foot traffic is heavy and I recommend the street to EVERYONE!

We've lived in an apartment between 2nd and 3rd streets for about 2 years. We love it up here, it's not cheap but you get the best shopping (only a few blocks to Bloomingdales) and Borders Books is on the corner of E 57th and Park Ave. The expensive (tourist) shops around 5th Ave are also nearby. Neighbors keep to themselves. Favorite restaurants for us are Daniel (60 E 65th) and Tao (out the back of the Four Seasons Hotel). We also have a once a month dinner at Peacock Alley (at the Waldorf Astoria). Central Park is also walkable.