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One of Union Square’s most established landmarks, this bustling footwear emporium claims the title of largest shoe store in the city. The range of men’s and women’s name-brand kicks is mind-bogglingly wide (the Converse collection alone could fill a shop), but the inventory is limited—trendy downtown kicks like Keds and slip-on Vans fly off the shelves quickly and can be hard to find in the right size. However, new shipments arrive every Monday, and there are plenty of other options: Doc Martens, Crocs, and Pumas, as well as more trendy names like Minnetonka and Lacoste. All the bases are covered, from sporty to stylish. The store’s tightly-spaced shelves and central location mean the showroom occasionally gets as packed as the sidewalk outside, but the bargain area downstairs offers a welcome, if slightly warehouse-like, respite from the madness—plus discounts of up to 80%. And if the cramped upstairs quarters and blue-shirted staff’s brusqueness get to be too much, there are three other smaller ShoeMania locations in Manhattan: one just a couple of blocks away at 30 E. 14th St., and two in midtown. — Alex Littlefield