Bloomingdale's 59th Street

The Basics

Together with Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys, Macy’s, and Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s is one of New York’s best-known department stores. The 59th Street flagship store features an art deco frontage—the result of a 1930s overhaul—and elaborate window displays of merchandise. Admire Bloomingdale’s festive window displays as part of a holiday-themed walking tour, or visit Bloomingdales on a tour that focuses on NYC’s fashion industry.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Bloomingdale’s is a must-visit attraction for shoppers and first-time visitors.

• Download the Bloomingdale’s app to access in-store guides and other helpful shopping aids.

• In addition to selling clothes, the 59th Street store also offers personal shopping and stylist services, tailoring, monogramming, gift wrapping, a coat check, and concierge services.

• There are several restaurants in the store that serve everything from smoothies and salads to craft beer and cocktails, as well as an outpost of the much-loved Magnolia Bakery.

How to Get There

To get to Bloomingdale’s 59th Street, ride the subway (N, R, or W trains) to Lexington Avenue/59th Street station. The station connects directly to the basement level of the store.

When to Get There

Bloomingdale’s 59th Street is busiest during the holiday season, and the post-Christmas and summer sales. For the quietest shopping experience, come on a weekday morning.

Bloomingdale’s Brown Bag

The small, medium, and big brown paper bags dispensed by Bloomingdale’s to buyers along with their purchases have been around since the early ‘70s and have become an instantly recognizable trademark of the Bloomingdale’s brand. Their enduring design, the work of Massimo Vignelli, can still be seen on the arm of shoppers all around the city, either in paper bag form or in the form of reusable vinyl tote bags which are sold in-store.

Ways to explore

Together with Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys, Macy’s, and Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s is one of New York’s best-known department stores. Tours of the Upper East Side typically pass by the 59th Street store to admire its 1930s-era façade and elaborate window displays of merchandise on their way to and from other area highlights, including Park Avenue and Central Park. You can also admire the festive windows as part of a holiday-themed walking tour, or visit Bloomingdale’s on a guided shopping excursion or a tour that focuses on New York City’s fashion industry.

Accessibility

The department store is fully wheelchair-accessible.

Age limits

None, but this Bloomingdale’s does not have a children’s or a toy department.

What to pack

Cash or credit cards

What to wear

Comfortable shoes

Not allowed

Most Bloomingdale’s purchases can be returned with a receipt within 30 days, but there are some exceptions.

Amenities

Restrooms, restaurants, personal shopping and stylist services, coat check

Address

Bloomingdale’s 59th Street sits at the southern end of the Upper East Side, easy to reach from attractions in the surrounding neighborhood and Midtown to the south on foot or by subway.

Driving

Avoid driving to Bloomingdale’s 59th Street, where traffic is often snarled and parking is both limited and pricey. Instead, reach this landmark department store by public transportation or on foot.

Public transportation

To get to Bloomingdale’s 59th Street, take the subway, either the N, R, W to Lexington Av/59th St station, which connects directly to the basement level of the store, or the 4, 5, 6 to 59th St.

Best times to visit

This popular department store gets crowded with shoppers in the midday lunch hour and in the evening. Shop on a weekday morning for a less hectic experience.

Best days to visit

Weekdays are quieter than Saturdays and Sundays, when the store tends to fill with shoppers and tourists.

Best months to visit

December is both the busiest time at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street but also the most atmospheric, when the department store windows and interiors are seasonally decorated.

Special events

Christmas is the most festive time to visit Bloomingdale’s 59th Street, but the store hosts special pop-up events and sales year-round. Check the official website for a schedule.