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St. Marks Place is LITERALY a permanent street market. Here, you'll find endless jewelry stands and T-shirt vendors, and of course used-record stands at the right times. Keep in mind, if it's shady or illegal, you'll find it on St. marks Place. Definitely wouldn't recommend this area for tourists or families with children; but if you're a risk taker with a brave soul, try exploring the harder-edge East Village southward toward the Bowery.

East 9th Street is a busy street with a smart collection of boutiques, and no longer portrays that the East Village area is "just for kids." The quality and originality of fashion in this area is excellent, and the area is home to several established fashion designers including Huminska and Jill Anderson.

Elizabeth Street, formally a quiet little compliment to Little Italy, is now known as "Nolita," absolutely one of the hottest shopping strips in the area. Scattered all along Elizabeth Street, are an increasing number of shops, and this number seems to grow more and more every year. Elizabeth Street is also an easy walk to the subway unlike many shopping destinations in NY.I would DEFINITELY recommend shopping on Elizabeth the next time you're in town, you won't be disappointed.

Mott Street proves to display the most interesting of Chinatown's off Canal shopping. A variety of antique shops are dispersed among the tiny storefronts, many of whom sell different varieties of classic authentic blue-and-white Chinese dinnerware. Want to feel some of the history of Chinatown? Just around the corner, peek into Ting's Gift Shop which is by far one of the oldest operating businesses in Chinatown. The gift shop not only features an authentic vintage pressed-tin ceiling, it also sells quality Chinese items such as toys and lanterns.

Fulton street (NY) is an all together true city experience. With souvenir salesmen on every corner, and "mom and pop" stores and food shops everywhere you look, there's never a dull moment. Fulton street has a historic feel to it as well. If you're interested in checking out some historic buildings, pass buy #2-4 Fulton, which used to be home to old-time popular restauraunts Sloppy Louie's fish joint and Sweet's Restauraunt.