Chelsea's far west side, roughly 13th through 29th Street between 9th and 11th Avenue, has emerged as one of the city's true hotspots for finding contemporary art. Indeed, name" galleries like John Connelly Presents, Priska C. Juschka Fine Art, David Zwirner and Sonnabend combine to give the District cutting edge credibility, making it a prime stomping ground for artists, students and serious collectors. TRAIN: C, E to 23rd St

CHINATOWN. Bounded loosely by TriBeCa to the west, Canal Street to the north, and City Hall to the south, Chinatown is the Big Apple's most famous ethnic neighborhood. Its sights and sounds are easily identifiable: conversations in Chinese; ubiquitous red decorations and pagoda-styled buildings; signs depicting Chinese characters. Adding to neighborhood's draw are its many outdoor markets and street vendors peddling everything from fresh produce, fish, meat, and herbs to souvenirs. Over time, Chinatown has expanded northward into the area historically known as Little Italy. TRAIN: J, M, N, Z, 6 to Canal St

MIDTOWN WEST. It's chic boutiques. It's grand dining. It's the conviction that "money spends. It's Fifth Avenue, and it's one of the world's most famous drags. Here, retail elites such as Tiffany, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue have warmly embraced well-heeled spenders, and Euro shops like Cartier welcome luxury item seekers. Even hip chain stores like Banana Republic and The Gap get to the act, forever changing the dynamic of this district by drawing folks who want more affordable options. Aside from the fabulous shopping, the street also offers great views of some of the city's finest churches, including St. Patrick's Cathedral, St. Thomas's Church, and Fifth Avenue Presbyterian. TRAIN: E, F, N, R, 7 to 5th Ave

BROOKLYN. This open-air mall sees some 100,000 shoppers each day, easily making it one of the top three busiest commercial districts in the Five Boroughs. Alongside smaller specialty shops like Finish Line, Ashley Stewart, Jimmy Jazz and Zales stands a Macy's department store, ensuring that shoppers can find just about anything they're looking for. In addition to block after block of great shopping, Fulton Street Mall also boasts several restaurants, including Junior's, famous worldwide for its fabulous cheesecakes. TRAIN: 2, 3, 4, 5 to Borough Hall; A, C, F to Jay St-Borough Hall; D, M, R, Q to deKalb Ave; 2, 3 to Hoyt St; M, R to Lawrence St-MetroTech

GARMENT DISTRICT. New York's Garment District, an area-so-named thanks to its long run as a fashion design and manufacturing center, is located between the Theater District and Chelsea. Always energized and bustling with activity, the Garment District doesn't reveal its true colors until Fashion Week, when most of the world's top designers descend upon the city to showcase their latest cuts. TRAIN: 1, 2, 3 to 34th St-Penn Station