This is probably a really stupid question, but I’m a complete idiot when it comes to shopping. I need an air mattress, the kind with a pump that you can inflate and sleep upon, but I have absolutely no idea where one would go to get such a thing.
If you need it immediately, go to a megamart like Wal-Mart or Target and take a look in the sporting goods department.
If you need it fairly quickly, go to a sporting goods store like REI, Galpin’s, Sport Chalet, etc. and you should be able to find a decent one.
If you just want to order it, go to froogle and type in “air mattress” and shop to your heart’s content. You could also try amazon, or any of the above listed stores’ web sites.
The Doctor
*** I have no idea if any of the stores I listed above are located in your area.
The key question is: What kind of air matress? Is this just a simple pad, or do you want a full queen-size bed?
The former is fine for my purposes. I didn’t even think of a sporting goods store (told you I was an idiot). I’ll check that out.
These products generally divide into full size “guest” type matresses and smaller camping type mattreses. Which type are you looking for?
A serious outdoor - camping goods type store should have the latter type. MAny larger department stores should have the bedroom type
Walmart doesn’t exist in New York City, and the closest Target is in Queens.
However, make your way to Bed Bath & Beyond (1st Ave and the Queensborough bridge) and pick yourself up an AeroBed.
They deliver.
Take a look at friedo’s location. 
Yeah, but the part of Queens that Target is in is really out of my way, so that’s why I wanted a place in Manhattan. I’m going to try the K-Mart that’s near Macy’s on 34th Street. Surely they have a sporting goods section.
(In fact, Macy’s probably has a sporting goods section also, but I despise Macy’s with the fury of ten thousand suns.)
Go to the Macy’s mall on 34th and 7th. There should be a store in there that sells them.
Modell’s, Sports Authority, Paragon (Union Square), Eastern Mountain Sports (Soho and Columbus Circle). One of those is more likely than Macy’s.
Queens is fricking huge silenus. It’s so big it’s got two airports.
The only Kmart I know of is in Astor Place, and I’ve never noticed aerobeds in there. Sporting goods are in the basement, but all I’ve seen them carry is foamies (to go under a sleeping bag).