34th Street

The basics

Whether you take a hop-on hop-off bus tour, join a walking tour of Manhattan, visit NYC’s most iconic movie locations, or fly over the city in a helicopter, 34th Street will likely be on the agenda. Prebook tickets to the Empire State Building to guarantee entry at your preferred time. Or, take a holiday lights tour when 34th Street is illuminated, and Macy’s Herald Square glows with festive displays.

Things to know before you go

• The classic Christmas movie Miracle on 34th Street was filmed here, along with other films such as King Kong and Sleepless in Seattle.
• It takes about 45 minutes to walk 34th Street from the Hudson River to the East River, as it's about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers).
• Many shops, attractions, and subway stations along 34th Street are accessible to people using wheelchairs.

How to get there

In Midtown Manhattan, 34th Street runs between the Hudson and East rivers. To get there via subway, take the 7 to 34th St-Hudson Yards; A, C, E to 34th St-Penn Station; B, D, F, M or N, Q, R, W to 34th St-Herald Sq (near the Empire State Building); 6 to 33rd Street; or M34/M34A bus. As for getting around, the best way to explore 34th Street is like a New Yorker—by walking.

When to get there

The famous 34th Street is in the heart of Manhattan, so expect it to always teem with people and traffic. Any time is a good time to explore this area, and it’s worth swinging by during the day and at night. It’s most atmospheric over the holidays with its festive lights and legendary events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Shopping along 34th Street

Shoppers have plenty of options in the 34th Street area, starting with the enormous Macy's Herald Square department store. You’ll find more than 175 stores throughout the district, most concentrated between Eighth and Fifth avenues, and plenty of restaurants and food vendors. On the street's west end, visit the Hudson Yards mall, which is packed with luxury and high street brands, from H&M and Zara to Fendi and Dior.