Where? In the affluent suburb of Manhasset, Long Island, a 50-minute train ride from Manhattan.
Who? Built in the 1950s, the 220,000-square-foot shopping haven began as a neighbourhood strip mall. In the early 80s, owner Frank Castagna decided to offer Long Island residents a retail experience to rival any in Paris, Milan and Manhattan, and transformed it into a luxury shopping destination.
Fashion finds: aside from the regular designer boutiques, which include Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Escada, Bottega Veneta, Oscar de la Renta, Loro Piana, Louis Vuitton and Jil Sander, those looking for more affordable fashion can visit 45 other stores, including Gap, Banana Republic and Coach. Also thrown into the mix are department store Barneys NY, fashion emporium Hirshleifer's (which stocks Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and J. Mendel) and funky boutique Intermix. London Jewelers carries high-end gems by the likes of Vera Wang and David Yurman, while children can get dressed up at Burberry and Oilily.
The crowd: think old-money ladies who lunch and Manhattanites who want to get away from the city but need their fashion fix. Even LVMH president Bernard Arnault has stopped by. Tourists also love this one-stop shop.
The vibe: Madison Avenue meets Rodeo Drive. The open-air mall was re-designed in the 80s by American architect Peter Marino, who also designed the new Chanel and Louis Vuitton boutiques in Hong Kong. Think space-age chic.
Extras: if you need a break, have a treatment at the Estee Lauder spa or a bite at gourmet restaurant Cipollini. The centre regularly holds designer trunk shows and other events. Personal shoppers are available to guide you through the numerous boutiques.