Shopping on Fifth Avenue

Shopping on Fifth Avenue is a New York dream for many. Starting north of Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village and running all the way to 143rd Street in Harlem, Fifth Avenue spans a large area. Because of the many luxury stores, the most well-known stretch is between 49th and 60th Streets, one of the most expensive places to shop in the world!

Why is shopping on Fifth Avenue so iconic?

Fifth Avenue is the place to go for shopping in New York. Lined with New York landmarks, it is home to iconic luxury brands, jewellery stores, flagship shops and department stores. This famous street has also appeared in films like ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ and TV shows like ‘Gossip Girl’ and ‘Sex and the City’.

Popular retail brands like Nike, UGG, Zara, Victoria’s Secret, Adidas, H&M and Abercrombie & Fitch have flagship stores here. Fifth Avenue shops include the most famous Apple Store in New York, with a striking glass cube entrance.

Many prestigious and high-end stores can also be found between 49th and 60th Street on Fifth Avenue. These include Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Rolex, Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana, and many more. Or visit one of the toy stores on Fifth Avenue, such as the LEGO Store and the nearby FAO Schwarz.

Fifth Avenue Shops

If you enjoy shopping, you could easily spend hours browsing the shops on Fifth Avenue. From Fifth Avenue flagship stores to designer boutiques, there are numerous places to visit during a shopping spree on the Fifth. Here are some of the most famous stores on Fifth Avenue:

Saks Fifth Avenue – The flagship store

This iconic department store is known for its superior assortment of American and international designer collections. The flagship store opened on Fifth Avenue in 1924 and takes up an entire block. In fact, the store is so big that the Saks Holiday Light Show, an annual Christmas tradition, is projected onto the side of the building.

📍 Location: 611 Fifth Avenue

Tiffany’s – The flagship store

The famous luxury brand is known for its jewellery in blue boxes with white ribbons. But the Tiffany’s store on Fifth Avenue is more than a jewellery store; over 40 works of art and never-before-seen pieces are displayed on ten floors.

📍 Location: 57th Street & Fifth Avenue

Bergdorf Goodman

A large department store featuring a whopping nine floors full of exclusive designer fashion. There is a wide range of brands available, such as Chanel, Prada, Chloé and Marc Jacobs. The department store also has a restaurant and a café.

📍 Location: 754 Fifth Avenue

Swarovski on Fifth – The flagship store

Step into the colourful world of Swarovski at their luxury shop on Fifth Avenue. The 2-storey shop is well worth a visit even if you don’t intend to buy anything. Discover unique jewellery, decorations, tableware and more. Here you can buy jewellery for less than $100 as well as jewellery in a higher price range.

📍 Location: 680 Fifth Avenue

Harry Winston

Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Hathaway and Natalie Portman are often spotted on the red carpet dripping in jewels from Harry Winston. Therefore, it’s no surprise that this store is also known as the Jeweller of the Stars!

📍 Location: 718 Fifth Avenue

Where to drink and eat on Fifth Avenue

All this shopping will make you thirsty and hungry. Although Fifth Avenue is primarily a shopping district, there are a few restaurants scattered throughout. For an upscale lunch, you can head to the Blue Box Café by Daniel Boulud at Tiffany’s, The Palm Court at The Plaza or BG at Bergdorf Goodman.

You can also go in the direction of Rockefeller Center, which has a variety of food options. Grab a salad from sweetgreen, a pizza slice from Ace’s Pizza or a bagel from Black Seed Bagels. You can also find several restaurants here.

What else is there on Fifth Avenue in New York?

On Fifth Avenue shopping isn’t the only thing you can enjoy. There are also a number of famous buildings dotted along the avenue.

Famous Buildings on Fifth Avenue

Be sure to visit iconic landmarks such as the Flatiron Building at Madison Square Park, the Empire State Building, the New York Public Library, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trump Tower and The Plaza Hotel.

Museums on Fifth Avenue

The section on the east side of Central Park between 82nd Street and 105th Street is also known as the Museum Mile. A number of museums located next to each other can be found here. Most noteworthy is the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (88th Street).

Every June, the Museum Mile Festival takes place to promote the museums and increase visitor numbers. During the Museum Mile Festival, entrance to the ten museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is free.

Parades on Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue has also traditionally been used for festive parades in New York City. For instance, New York’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world. Fifth Avenue also hosts parades on other public holidays in New York, such as Easter and Columbus Day.