New York City Fifth Avenue

The Basics

Shoppers will fall in love with the stretch of Fifth Avenue between 49th and 60th streets, with stores like Armani, Bergdorf Goodman, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Beyond shopping, the street is the site of numerous museums and iconic buildings such as the Empire State Building and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Television fans may want to visit NBC Studios, and nature enthusiasts can wander through Central Park.

Your best bet to cover the miles and miles of sites along Fifth is booking a tour. Hop-on hop-off bus tours travel along the street and offer flexibility, and thematic tours cater to foodies, film aficionados, and architecture enthusiasts. Small-group and private tours are also available.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Purchase skip-the-line passes in advance to gain entry to the most popular spots.

• Guided bike tours are great for exercising while seeing the sites.

• Most citywide tours—and many neighborhood tours—will hit a stretch of Fifth Avenue.

How to Get There

The bus is a great way to get around Fifth Avenue; the M1, M2, and M3 all run on Fifth, so you can tour the avenue for the price of a Metrocard swipe. By subway, take the 4 or 5 train on Lexington Avenue and get off at your preferred cross street—86th Street is ideal for seeing museums, while 59th is best for shopping.

When to Get There

Fifth Avenue is great all year. In spring, summer, and fall, the weather is most inviting. Winter is cold, but window displays are festive and the Rockefeller Center tree is sparkling. On weekends, Fifth Avenue is busiest, particularly along shopping and museum corridors. Consider visiting during the day, midweek, to avoid crowds.

Explore Museum Mile

For museumgoers, Fifth Avenue is a dream. New York's Museum Mile runs from 82nd to 105th Street on Fifth. The area is home to 10 iconic arts institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Jewish Museum. To maximize your museum access, consider purchasing a combination pass to gain entry to several museums.

Ways to explore

Fifth Avenue is free to explore and best experienced on foot, with wide sidewalks and easy access to shops, landmarks, and museums. You can walk the avenue on your own or join a guided tour for historical context and insider tips. Many walking tours focus on specific sections, such as the upscale shopping district, architectural highlights near Midtown, or the cultural institutions along Museum Mile.

Seasonal experiences—such as holiday lights tours or spring fashion walks—highlight how the avenue shapes the city’s rhythm and style. Many tours include stops at Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the New York Public Library.

Accessibility

Fifth Avenue sidewalks are generally wheelchair accessible, and many buildings offer accommodations for visitors with disabilities.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Reusable water bottle, credit card (for cashless stores), portable phone charger

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate layers, sunglasses

Not allowed

Unauthorized drone use, commercial filming without approval

Amenities

Public restrooms at the New York Public Library and Central Park, Wi-Fi in many retail stores and cafés

Address

Fifth Avenue runs north-south through Manhattan, making it easily accessible from various parts of the city.

Driving

While driving is possible, traffic congestion and limited parking make public transportation a more convenient option. If you choose to drive, consider using parking facilities near your destination.

Public transportation

Multiple subway lines intersect with Fifth Avenue. For example, the 4, 5, 6, N, R, and W trains stop at 59th Street/Lexington Avenue, a short walk from the avenue. Additionally, numerous bus routes, including the M1, M2, M3, and M4, run along or near Fifth Avenue, providing easy access to various sections.

Best times to visit

Early mornings and weekdays offer a more relaxed experience with fewer crowds.

Best days to visit

Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends, so if you want to avoid congestion, visit on a weekday

Best months to visit

Spring (April to June) and fall (September to November) offer mild weather (and aren’t too hot), perfect for walking tours and outdoor sightseeing. December is also a popular time to visit thanks to festive holiday window displays, lights, and events, especially around Rockefeller Center.

Special events

Fifth Avenue hosts several annual events, including the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March and the Museum Mile Festival in June, where museums along the avenue offer free admission and special programming.