Times Square shopping is unlike shopping anywhere else in the world — three-story candy stores with walls made entirely of chocolate, flagship fashion outposts the size of city blocks, and souvenir shops on nearly every corner selling everything from “I Love NY” mugs to genuine Broadway memorabilia. Whether you’re hunting for a gift to bring home or just want to explore between shows, this guide breaks down the best Times Square shopping by category, so you spend less time wandering and more time actually buying something worth the trip.
Nearly every store on this list sits within a five-minute walk of the TKTS booth in Duffy Square, making it easy to build a shopping stop into any Times Square visit without adding much extra walking to your day.
Table of Contents
- Times Square Shopping at a Glance
- Candy & Chocolate Stores
- Fashion Flagship Stores
- Sneakers & Sportswear
- Souvenirs & NY Gifts
- Beauty & Specialty Stores
- Toys & Kids’ Stores
- Best Times to Shop Times Square (Avoiding Crowds)
- Tipping, Tax & Payment Tips for Tourists
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Trust This Guide
- Final Verdict
Times Square Shopping at a Glance
Short on time? Here’s the quick-scan version of Times Square shopping before the full breakdown.
| Store | Category | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| M&M’s World | Candy | $$ | Personalized candy, photo ops |
| Hershey’s Chocolate World | Candy | $$ | Custom Reese’s, milkshakes |
| Max Brenner / Läderach | Candy | $$ | Gourmet chocolate gifts |
| Disney Store | Fashion/Kids | $$$ | NY-exclusive Disney merch |
| Levi’s Flagship | Fashion | $$$ | Custom denim, tailoring |
| Gap / Old Navy | Fashion | $$ | Everyday basics |
| American Eagle Outfitters | Fashion | $$ | Casual young fashion |
| Foot Locker | Sneakers | $$$ | Latest sneaker drops |
| Champs Sports | Sneakers | $$$ | Nike, Adidas selection |
| Skechers / Aldo | Footwear | $$ | Comfort shoes, classic styles |
| Swatch | Accessories | $$$ | Watches, unique designs |
| Sephora (Broadway flagship) | Beauty | $$ | Wide brand selection |
| Five Below | Souvenirs | $ | Cheap gifts, novelty items |
| Line Friends | Gifts/Toys | $$ | K-pop and character merch |
| Muji / Miniso | Home & Gifts | $$ | Minimalist goods, stationery |
Candy & Chocolate Stores
1. M&M’s World
- ⭐ Times Square NY Rating: 4.4/5
- 🛍 Category: Candy & Merchandise
- 💲 Price: $$
- 📍 Address: 1600 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
- 🕐 Hours: Daily, 9 AM – midnight
Why visit: a three-story, 24,000-square-foot store built around a two-story “wall of chocolate” with thousands of candy-filled tubes, plus a printer that puts your face or a custom message directly on M&M’s. Who it’s perfect for: families, chocolate lovers, and anyone hunting for a genuinely memorable souvenir. Insider tip: the personalized printer takes about two minutes and makes one of the best small gifts you can bring home from Times Square shopping. Pros: immersive, photo-worthy, open until midnight. Cons: prices run high for what you’re buying. Nearby attractions: steps from the TKTS booth and Duffy Square.
2. Hershey’s Chocolate World
- ⭐ Times Square NY Rating: 4.2/5
- 🛍 Category: Candy & Merchandise
- 💲 Price: $$
- 📍 Address: 20 Times Square, 701 7th Ave, New York, NY 10036
- 🕐 Hours: Daily, 10 AM – midnight
Why visit: a full-scale chocolate store with a make-your-own Reese’s cup counter and a milkshake and ice cream bar for warming up after a cold day of Times Square shopping. Who it’s perfect for: Hershey’s and Reese’s fans, and anyone wanting a sweet break between stores. Insider tip: staff often hand out free small chocolate samples near the entrance. Pros: interactive customization, cozy seating area. Cons: can get crowded during peak afternoon hours. Nearby attractions: a block from M&M’s World, making a candy-store double stop easy.
3. Max Brenner / Läderach Chocolatier
- ⭐ Times Square NY Rating: 4.1/5
- 🛍 Category: Gourmet chocolate
- 💲 Price: $$
- 📍 Address: Broadway, Times Square district
- 🕐 Hours: Daily, typically 10 AM – 10 PM
Why visit: a step up from the big chain candy stores, with Swiss-style chocolate slabs cut fresh to order and gift-ready packaging. Who it’s perfect for: shoppers wanting a higher-end chocolate gift rather than novelty merchandise. Insider tip: the fresh chocolate slabs make better travel gifts than pre-packaged candy since they’re made in front of you. Pros: genuinely high-quality product. Cons: pricier per ounce than the bigger candy stores. Nearby attractions: within the core Broadway shopping strip.
Fashion Flagship Stores
4. Levi’s Flagship Store
- ⭐ Times Square NY Rating: 4.5/5
- 🛍 Category: Denim & Apparel
- 💲 Price: $$$
- 📍 Address: 1535 Broadway (between 45th & 46th St), New York, NY 10036
- 🕐 Hours: Daily, 9 AM – 11 PM
Why visit: at nearly 17,000 square feet, this is the world’s largest Levi’s flagship, with the brand’s biggest in-house tailor shop and direct-to-garment printing for fully customized denim. Who it’s perfect for: denim fans and anyone wanting a genuinely one-of-a-kind piece of clothing from their Times Square shopping trip. Insider tip: check the clearance section toward the back of the store for deals on past-season styles. Pros: huge selection, real customization options. Cons: customization takes time, so build it into your schedule. Nearby attractions: same block as Swatch and several Broadway theaters.
5. Disney Store
- ⭐ Times Square NY Rating: 4.3/5
- 🛍 Category: Fashion & Kids’ Merchandise
- 💲 Price: $$$
- 📍 Address: 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
- 🕐 Hours: Daily, 9 AM – 9 PM
Why visit: two full floors of Disney merchandise, including New York-exclusive designs and Loungefly bags you won’t find at other Disney Store locations. Who it’s perfect for: families and Disney fans looking for a souvenir with real character. Insider tip: check the reduced-price racks near the back for end-of-range deals. Pros: exclusive NYC merchandise, escalator and interactive displays kids love. Cons: premium Disney pricing throughout. Nearby attractions: directly in the heart of Times Square shopping.
6. Gap & Old Navy
- ⭐ Times Square NY Rating: 4.0/5
- 🛍 Category: Everyday Fashion
- 💲 Price: $$
- 📍 Address: Broadway, Times Square district (same block as Levi’s)
- 🕐 Hours: Daily, typically 9 AM – 11 PM
Why visit: reliable, affordable basics if you need a warmer layer, a replacement item, or just practical everyday clothing mid-trip. Who it’s perfect for: travelers needing functional clothing rather than a souvenir. Insider tip: both stores run frequent promotions, so check for in-store sale signage before checkout. Pros: practical, well-stocked, familiar sizing. Cons: less exciting than the flagship specialty stores nearby. Nearby attractions: same block as Levi’s and Swatch.
7. American Eagle Outfitters
- ⭐ Times Square NY Rating: 4.0/5
- 🛍 Category: Casual Fashion
- 💲 Price: $$
- 📍 Address: Broadway, Times Square district
- 🕐 Hours: Daily, typically 9 AM – 11 PM
Why visit: a large-format store with the brand’s full range of jeans, outerwear, and accessories. Who it’s perfect for: younger travelers wanting trend-driven casual wear. Insider tip: the clearance section often has genuinely good markdowns compared to mall locations. Pros: big selection, frequent sales. Cons: can get crowded on weekend afternoons. Nearby attractions: within the core Broadway shopping strip.
Sneakers & Sportswear
8. Foot Locker
- ⭐ Times Square NY Rating: 4.2/5
- 🛍 Category: Sneakers
- 💲 Price: $$$
- 📍 Address: 1460 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
- 🕐 Hours: Daily, typically 9 AM – 11 PM
Why visit: a multi-level store dedicated almost entirely to sneakers, with new releases and exclusive colorways regularly hitting the shelves. Who it’s perfect for: sneakerheads and anyone chasing a specific drop. Insider tip: visit on a weekday morning to avoid the long checkout lines that build up by afternoon. Pros: huge selection across brands. Cons: can be loud, with music and announcements running constantly. Nearby attractions: close to the Foot Locker and Champs cluster along Broadway.
9. Champs Sports
- ⭐ Times Square NY Rating: 4.1/5
- 🛍 Category: Sportswear
- 💲 Price: $$$
- 📍 Address: Broadway, Times Square district
- 🕐 Hours: Daily, typically 9 AM – 11 PM
Why visit: the recognizable blue Champs sign has become something of a Times Square landmark, with an extensive Nike and Adidas sportswear selection alongside sneakers. Who it’s perfect for: sports fans and anyone shopping for team gear. Insider tip: stock room requests can take a while during busy hours, so build in extra time. Pros: deep selection across major sport brands. Cons: checkout lines can be long. Nearby attractions: in the heart of the Times Square shopping core.
10. Skechers & Aldo
- ⭐ Times Square NY Rating: 4.0/5
- 🛍 Category: Footwear
- 💲 Price: $$
- 📍 Address: Broadway and West 42nd Street, Times Square district
- 🕐 Hours: Daily, typically 9 AM – 10 PM
Why visit: Skechers covers comfort-focused walking shoes (useful mid-trip after a long day of sightseeing), while Aldo just up the block covers dressier, classic styles. Who it’s perfect for: travelers whose feet need a break from all the walking Times Square shopping requires. Insider tip: if your feet are sore from sightseeing, Skechers’ comfort lines are worth trying on before you commit to another day of walking. Pros: practical, comfort-first options. Cons: less exciting than the specialty stores nearby. Nearby attractions: near the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Souvenirs & NY Gifts
11. Five Below
- ⭐ Times Square NY Rating: 4.0/5
- 🛍 Category: Budget Gifts & Novelty
- 💲 Price: $
- 📍 Address: Broadway, Times Square district
- 🕐 Hours: Daily, typically 9 AM – 10 PM
Why visit: the most budget-friendly stop for Times Square shopping, with everything priced five dollars or under — practical for cheap souvenirs and stocking-stuffer gifts. Who it’s perfect for: budget-conscious travelers and families buying gifts for a long list of people back home. Insider tip: the novelty NYC-themed items here cost a fraction of what similar items sell for at street vendor carts. Pros: genuinely cheap, good for bulk gift shopping. Cons: quality is basic, as expected at this price point. Nearby attractions: within the core Broadway shopping strip.
12. Gotham Gifts & I Love NY Shops
- ⭐ Times Square NY Rating: 3.9/5
- 🛍 Category: Souvenirs
- 💲 Price: $
- 📍 Address: Multiple locations throughout Times Square
- 🕐 Hours: Daily, typically 9 AM – midnight
Why visit: classic souvenir shops for the essentials — “I Love NY” t-shirts, keychains, postcards, and mini Statue of Liberty figurines. Who it’s perfect for: anyone wanting the classic, unmistakable NYC souvenir. Insider tip: prices vary noticeably between nearby shops for identical items, so it’s worth a quick price-check across two or three stores before buying. Pros: everywhere, convenient, classic selection. Cons: quality varies widely by shop. Nearby attractions: scattered throughout the entire Times Square shopping area.
Beauty & Specialty Stores
13. Sephora (Broadway Flagship)
- ⭐ Times Square NY Rating: 4.4/5
- 🛍 Category: Beauty
- 💲 Price: $$
- 📍 Address: Broadway (between 43rd & 44th St), New York, NY 10036
- 🕐 Hours: Daily, typically 9 AM – 10 PM
Why visit: this is Sephora’s larger of two Times Square locations, stocking everything from Tatcha and Shiseido to Chanel and Clinique under one roof. Who it’s perfect for: beauty enthusiasts wanting a broad selection in one stop. Insider tip: there’s a second, smaller Sephora location a few blocks away on 42nd Street if this one feels too crowded. Pros: huge brand range, frequent samples. Cons: can get very busy midday. Nearby attractions: near the Levi’s and Swatch flagship stores.
14. Swatch
- ⭐ Times Square NY Rating: 4.1/5
- 🛍 Category: Watches & Accessories
- 💲 Price: $$$
- 📍 Address: 1535 Broadway, Ste 168, New York, NY 10036
- 🕐 Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 11 PM
Why visit: one of Swatch’s largest stores anywhere, with colorful, collectible watch designs that make distinctive gifts. Who it’s perfect for: watch collectors and gift shoppers wanting something more unique than typical souvenirs. Insider tip: limited-edition NYC and Times Square-themed designs show up here that aren’t sold at other Swatch locations. Pros: distinctive, giftable, well-organized displays. Cons: premium pricing for a “watch souvenir.” Nearby attractions: same block as the Levi’s flagship.
Toys & Kids’ Stores
15. Line Friends
- ⭐ Times Square NY Rating: 4.2/5
- 🛍 Category: Character Merchandise
- 💲 Price: $$
- 📍 Address: Broadway, Times Square district
- 🕐 Hours: Daily, typically 10 AM – 10 PM
Why visit: a colorful, K-pop-adjacent character store selling plush toys and merchandise built around the popular Line Friends characters. Who it’s perfect for: kids, K-pop fans, and anyone wanting a distinctly different souvenir from the usual NYC gift shop lineup. Insider tip: the store itself is highly photogenic, making it worth a stop even if you don’t plan to buy anything. Pros: unique, colorful, great for photos. Cons: niche appeal if you’re not familiar with the characters. Nearby attractions: within the core Broadway shopping strip.
16. Muji & Miniso
- ⭐ Times Square NY Rating: 4.0/5
- 🛍 Category: Home Goods & Gifts
- 💲 Price: $$
- 📍 Address: Broadway, Times Square district
- 🕐 Hours: Daily, typically 10 AM – 9 PM
Why visit: minimalist Japanese-style home goods, stationery, and travel accessories that make practical, well-designed gifts rather than novelty souvenirs. Who it’s perfect for: shoppers wanting something useful and design-forward rather than tourist-branded. Insider tip: the travel-size toiletry and organization items are genuinely useful to pick up mid-trip if you’re low on packing space. Pros: practical, well-designed, reasonably priced. Cons: less “New York” as a souvenir than other options on this list. Nearby attractions: within the core Broadway shopping strip.
Best Times to Shop Times Square (Avoiding Crowds)
Times Square shopping gets genuinely crowded, especially on weekend afternoons and throughout December. If you want a calmer experience, weekday mornings between 9 and 11 AM are consistently the quietest window, right after most stores open and before tour groups arrive. Late weeknight hours, from around 9 PM onward, are the second-best option — many flagship stores like Levi’s and M&M’s World stay open until 11 PM or midnight, well after the daytime crowds thin out.
Insider tip: avoid Times Square shopping entirely between 5 and 7 PM if you can, since that window overlaps with both pre-theater dinner traffic and rush-hour commuters cutting through the area.
Tipping, Tax & Payment Tips for Tourists
New York State sales tax is 8.875% and is added at checkout on top of listed prices — factor that in when budgeting for Times Square shopping, since none of the sticker prices include it. Tipping isn’t expected for retail purchases the way it is at restaurants, though staff who help with custom orders, like the Levi’s tailor shop or M&M’s personalized printer, appreciate a few dollars for the extra time. Most stores accept major credit cards and contactless payment, and nearly all now accept Apple Pay or Google Pay, so carrying large amounts of cash isn’t necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best store for souvenirs in Times Square?
M&M’s World and Hershey’s Chocolate World are the most memorable souvenir stops thanks to their personalization options, while Five Below and the smaller “I Love NY” shops are best for cheap, practical gifts.
Is Times Square shopping expensive?
It varies widely by store. Flagship brand stores like Levi’s and Disney Store carry standard national pricing, while smaller souvenir shops can vary significantly, so it’s worth comparing a few nearby stores before buying identical items.
What time do stores in Times Square close?
Most flagship stores stay open later than typical retail hours, often until 10 or 11 PM, with M&M’s World and Hershey’s Chocolate World open until midnight daily.
Are there sneaker stores in Times Square?
Yes. Foot Locker and Champs Sports both have large-format stores along Broadway with extensive Nike, Adidas, and general sneaker selections.
What’s the best time to go Times Square shopping to avoid crowds?
Weekday mornings between 9 and 11 AM are consistently the quietest, while weekend afternoons and the 5-7 PM pre-theater window are the most crowded.
Can I get tax-free shopping in Times Square?
No. New York State sales tax of 8.875% applies to most purchases in Times Square, and there’s no general tourist tax exemption at checkout, unlike some other countries’ VAT refund systems.
Where can I find custom or personalized gifts in Times Square?
M&M’s World offers personalized printed candy, and the Levi’s flagship store has an in-house tailor shop for custom denim, both offering genuinely one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
Is there a Disney Store in Times Square?
Yes, at 1540 Broadway. It’s a two-floor store carrying New York-exclusive Disney merchandise not found at standard Disney Store locations elsewhere.
What should I buy in Times Square that I can’t get elsewhere?
Personalized M&M’s, custom Levi’s tailoring, NYC-exclusive Disney Store merchandise, and limited-edition Swatch designs are all genuinely exclusive to the Times Square locations.
Are Times Square stores open on holidays?
Most flagship and chain stores stay open on major holidays, including Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, though hours may be adjusted, so it’s worth checking a specific store’s listing before a holiday visit.
Why Trust This Guide
This Times Square shopping guide was built by cross-referencing current store listings, official brand information, and visitor reviews from the Theater District, rather than relying on a single source. Every store included is currently operating with a specific, verifiable address, though hours and exact promotions can shift seasonally — always check ahead for holiday hours if visiting in late December.
Editor’s Tips
- Shop weekday mornings if you want to browse without fighting through tour groups.
- Factor 8.875% sales tax into your budget — it’s added at checkout, not included in sticker prices.
- Compare prices across two or three souvenir shops before buying identical items; markups vary a lot block to block.
- Save custom orders like Levi’s tailoring or M&M’s personalized printing for earlier in your visit, since they take extra time.
Final Verdict
Times Square shopping earns its reputation as a tourist destination in its own right — few places in the world pack this many flagship stores, novelty candy shops, and gift options into a five-block radius. If you only remember three stops from this guide, make it M&M’s World for the personalized candy, the Levi’s flagship for genuinely custom denim, and Five Below if you just need cheap, practical gifts for a long list back home. For more on planning the rest of your visit, see our complete first-timer’s guide to Times Square.