Fifth Avenue shopping district, NYC
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Fifth Avenue - by Rémi Thorel on Unsplash
Description
Fifth Avenue is one of the best-known shopping areas in the world. It stretches north from Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village to West 143rd Street in Harlem but, for the purpose of this review, we will define the core shopping area as being between the Empire State Building and the south-eastern corner of Central Park (thereby excluding the "Millionaire's Row" with its hotels, mansions, embassies and the 'Museum Mile'). Many flagship stores are located along the avenue as well as landmarks such as The Peninsula New York, the St Regis New York, Saint Thomas Church, the Cartier Building, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Saks Fifth Avenue Building, the Sidewalk Clock, 500 Fifth Avenue, the New York Public Library Main Branch, the Knox Building, the Tiffany and Company Building, and of course, the Empire State Building.
Access & Transport
There are buses plying the Avenue as well as 6th Avenue and Madison Av., only 1 block away. Going from south to north, the most convenient underground stations are 33rd St (PATH, 4, 6), 5 Av (7), and '42 St-Bryant Park Station' (B, D, F, M), '5 Avenue-53 St Station' (E, M) and 5 Av/59 St (N, R, W).
Instructions & Recommendations
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Environmental & Social
It is an urban and commercial environment with relatively high electricity consumption Slightly negative from a social perspective because of the heavy focus on commercial activities driven by big brands, chains and advertising - although it helps preserve the city's architectural heritage.
Conclusion
A must-walk area for urban explorers who enjoy architecture and shoppers, of course. The shops are just shops, nothing exceptional there, but the skyscrapers and 'vintage' early 20th century buildings offer a window into the city's explosive modernisation during that period.
Key positive
Extensive choice for shopping
Some buildings with spectacular architecture
Central and well connected to the public transport network
Key negative
Crowded and noisy
Expensive shops and few niche / indie brands
Suitability
No restrictions but younger children are unlikely to enjoy it very much
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
Updated in October 2023
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 20m
est. visit time:2h 30m
Monday10:30 - 19:30
Tuesday10:30 - 19:30
Wednesday10:30 - 19:30
Thursday10:30 - 19:30
Friday10:30 - 19:30
Saturday10:30 - 19:30
Sunday11:00 - 18:00