Street · New York
Fifth Avenue (Midtown)Fifth Avenue
Walk the Midtown stretch from the New York Public Library at 42nd Street up to Central Park at 59th Street: about 25 minutes without stops, with Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral on the way. Worth it for window shopping and landmarks; in late November and December expect heavy holiday crowds.
Map to the start
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Length
1.4 km0.9 mi
approximate
Walk end to end
23 min
without stops
Traffic
Open to traffic
Best time
10:00–13:00 on a weekday; early evening from late November for the holiday windows10:00 AM–1:00 PM on a weekday; early evening from late November for the holiday windows
At a glance
- Area
- Midtown
- Length
- 1.4 km0.9 mi
- Start
- New York Public Library at 42nd Street
- End
- Grand Army Plaza at 59th Street, by Central Park
- Traffic
- Open to traffic
- Currency
- USD
Decide
What the street is for, and when to be there
At a glance
New York's best-known luxury shopping avenue, where flagship stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co. and Bergdorf Goodman line the blocks between Rockefeller Center and Central Park.
Getting there
Subway: 5 Av (7) or 42 St–Bryant Park (B, D, F, M) at the south end; 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center (B, D, F, M) and 5 Av/53 St (E, M) in the middle; 5 Av/59 St (N, R, W) at the north end. Many buses run downtown on Fifth Avenue.
Traffic and walking hours
Open to traffic. A busy one-way (southbound) avenue with heavy traffic. In recent Decembers the city has closed some blocks around Rockefeller Center to cars on certain Sundays for holiday crowds (check).
Hours change for events and holidays: check locally.
Morning, afternoon, night
Best time: 10:00–13:00 on a weekday; early evening from late November for the holiday windows
05:00–11:005:00 AM–11:00 AM local time
Stores open 10:00 (some 11:00 or 12:00 on Sundays, check). Office workers and delivery trucks; a good time to see the buildings.
Best time: 10:00–13:00 on a weekday; early evening from late November for the holiday windows
See & do
The stops in walking order, then where to shop and what to eat
Walk this street
↓ about 11 min · 790 m0.5 mi
↓ about 9 min · 670 m0.4 mi
↓ about 3 min · 200 m0.1 mi
Minutes are walking time at an easy 5 km/h3 mph with a margin for crowds; add time for shops. The GPX opens in Organic Maps, OsmAnd or Google My Maps.
Where to shop and what it costs
- Saks Fifth AvenueFlagship department store across from Rockefeller Center, famous for its holiday windowsUS$50–5,000 / itemPrice check →
- Tiffany & Co. LandmarkThe jeweler's flagship at 57th Street, with a café and exhibition floors (check)US$150–50,000 / itemPrice check →
- Bergdorf GoodmanLuxury department store at 58th Street facing Grand Army PlazaUS$100–10,000 / itemPrice check →
- Apple Fifth AvenueThe glass-cube store at 59th Street, open long hoursUS$20–3,000 / itemPrice check →
- Global fashion flagshipsDesigner and mass-market brands in large stores between 48th and 59th StreetsUS$30–5,000 / itemPrice check →
Typical buys
- Coffee to goUS$3.5–7 / cupPrice check →
- Hot dog or pretzel from a street cartUS$3–7 / itemPrice check →
- Deli sandwich for lunchUS$12–20 / sandwichPrice check →
- Designer handbag at a flagship storeUS$1,000–8,000 / itemPrice check →
- Top of the Rock observation deckTimed tickets; check current pricesUS$40–70 / adultPrice check →
Ranges, not quotes: prices move with season and exchange rates; the equivalent in your currency is approximate. Checked Sep 2026.
Eat on or near it
- Grand Central Oyster BarTwo blocks east of the library in Grand Central Terminal; good for a seafood lunch.
- Street carts and delisHot dog and halal carts and delis on the side streets are the budget option; restaurants on Fifth itself are few and pricey.
- Bryant Park kiosksCoffee and snacks in the park behind the library, with outdoor seating.
Sights on the street
- New York Public LibraryThe Beaux-Arts main branch with its stone lions; free to enter (check hours).
- Rockefeller CenterChannel Gardens, the plaza and, from late November, the Christmas tree and skating rink.
- St. Patrick's CathedralGothic Revival cathedral opposite Rockefeller Center; free to enter outside services.
- Grand Central TerminalTwo blocks east of the start.
- Central ParkEnter at Grand Army Plaza; Bethesda Terrace is about 15 minutes' walk in.
Practical
Getting a ride there, what goes wrong, and access
Show the driver
Show the driver
Please drop me at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, by the New York Public Library.
Please drop me at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, by the New York Public Library.
Fifth Avenue runs southbound only; if you come from the south, the driver may drop you on Madison Avenue a block east.
Safety, traffic and scams
Pickpockets in holiday crowds around Rockefeller Center medium
Traffic at crosswalks low
Scams and traps
- People dressed as monks hand you a bracelet or card and then ask for a 'donation': do not accept anything handed to you.
- Sellers pressing CDs or bus-tour tickets into your hands: decline and keep walking; buy tours from official sites.
- Counterfeit designer bags sold on the street: poor quality, and buying them can be an offense.
Accessibility
- Wide, flat sidewalks with curb cuts, though very crowded in December.
- Subway stations vary: check which have elevators before you travel (the MTA lists accessible stations).
- Most flagship stores and the library have step-free entrances (check side entrances).
Photo tips
- Shoot the Rockefeller Center Channel Gardens from Fifth Avenue looking west, especially with the tree in December.
- From Grand Army Plaza, look back south down Fifth for the avenue lined with towers.
A line of history
In the 19th century upper Fifth Avenue was lined with the mansions of New York's richest families. In the early 20th century most were replaced by department stores and offices, and the Midtown blocks became the city's prime shopping street.
Combine with
- Bryant ParkBehind the library at 42nd Street; a good start with coffee.
- Central ParkWalk into the park from 59th Street at the end.
Questions people ask
When are the holiday windows up?
Usually from the week of Thanksgiving to early January; Saks' window unveiling is a popular event (check dates).
Is Fifth Avenue worth it if I'm not buying luxury goods?
Yes for a walk: the library, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's and the park entrance are all free to see.
Deep dive
Sources; hours, rules and prices change, so check before you go
Sources
- officialNYC Tourism + Conventions (nycgo.com)
- secondaryWikivoyage: Manhattan/Midtown