Fifth Avenue: New York’s Most Famous Avenue
Fifth Avenue is to New York what the Champs-Élysées are to Paris. This is where the world's luxury brands have made their home. You'll also discover countless museums and landmarks along this iconic street.
What You Need to Know About Fifth Avenue
- Fifth Avenue is New York’s most famous avenue, running the length of Manhattan.
- The avenue stretches from the north of Manhattan down to Washington Square Park at 4th Street, dividing Manhattan in two. Fifth Avenue marks the boundary between East and West street names.
- Fifth Avenue is by far New York’s most prestigious avenue. The section alongside Central Park, starting at 85th Street, is lined with the city’s most elegant buildings. You’ll pass through Millionaires’ Row, where the world’s wealthiest families keep their New York residences.
- Want to spot celebrities? Head to the stretch between 42nd Street and Central Park, ideally continuing up to 85th Street.
What to See on Fifth Avenue
- At 34th Street stands the Empire State Building, built on the site of the Astoria Hotel, which had drawn wealth and high society to Fifth Avenue since 1893.
- Don’t miss Trump Tower at 56th Street. Inside, take the escalators to see the marble walls and fountain, then head up to the terrace. On the ground floor, you’ll find displays celebrating the 45th and 47th U.S. President Donald Trump.
- Just steps away is St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 50th Street, the largest cathedral in the United States.
- Also worth visiting: Rockefeller Center, between 42nd and 57th Streets. A New York landmark featuring shops, restaurants, and an ice skating rink.
- Further south, the New York Public Library sits at 42nd Street. It’s the largest library in New York.
- A must-stop for photos: the Flatiron Building, where Broadway and Fifth Avenue meet at 24th Street. The building is famous for its narrow, triangular corner facade.
Museums on Fifth Avenue
From 70th Street to 105th Street, Fifth Avenue is known as “Museum Mile” because of its concentration of world-class museums:
- 105th Street: Museo del Barrio.
- 102nd Street: Museum of the City of New York.
- 92nd Street: Jewish Museum.
- 91st Street: Cooper-Hewitt Museum.
- 88th Street: Guggenheim Museum.
- 84th to 80th Street: Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- 70th Street: Frick Collection.
Shopping on Fifth Avenue
Here are some of the most prominent stores on Fifth Avenue:
- Apple Store at Grand Army Plaza, at the edge of Central Park. This is the brand’s flagship store, where major product launches take place.
- Bergdorf Goodman at No. 754.
- Tiffany & Co. jewelry at No. 727.
- Prada at No. 724.
- Disney Store at No. 711.
- NBA Store at No. 666.
- Cartier at No. 653.
- Sephora at No. 636.
- Saks at No. 611.