New York City Garment District

The Basics

Find excellent shopping and frequent sample sales in the Garment District, a fashion hub for brands and designers across the globe. To experience the best of the Garment District, book a neighborhood special access tour. These tours typically explore the Garment District and include stops at wholesale designer showrooms. City sightseeing tours usually stop by the Garment District, and with included transport, they avoid the hassles of navigating the city.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Fashionistas and design enthusiasts shouldn't miss the Garment District.

• The Garment District is packed with notion and textiles shops with supplies for sewing, crocheting, knitting, and quilting.

• For expert help navigating the neighborhood, visit the Garment District Information Kiosk, at 39th Street and 7th Avenue.

How to Get There

Set on New York's West Side, between Fifth and Ninth avenues—from 34th Street to 42nd Street—the Garment District is easy to reach by subway. Take the A, C, 1, 2, or 3 train to 34th Street-Penn Station. You can also take the N, Q, R, or W train to 33rd Street or Times Square-42nd Street. Another option is to hop on the 7 train, crosstown, to Times Square-42nd Street.

When to Get There

To shop, plan to arrive to the Garment District during business hours, Monday to Saturday. Expect more foot traffic at evening rush hour, since Penn Station—a bustling transit hub—is nearby. Walking the neighborhood is the best way to explore, so plan to arrive in spring, summer, or fall, since New York winters are notoriously chilly. Visit during Fashion Week for top-notch people-watching; select events are open to the public.

Experiencing Forward-Thinking Fashion at FIT

A few short blocks from the Garment District, you find the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Founded in 1969, the museum has a strong industry reputation and hosts numerous exhibitions, including gallery shows curated by FIT graduate students. Find the museum at 7th Avenue and 27th Street. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, and closed Sunday and Monday.

Ways to explore

Fashion lovers will be in their element here. Meet local artisans and clothing designers as you tour a garment factory, get the inside scoop on the fashion industry on a walking tour of the area, or dig through NYC’s coolest thrift stores on a second-hand shopping tour. Don’t miss the Garment Worker and Needle Threading a Button sculptures at the corner of Seventh Avenue and West 39th Street.

Many tours of Midtown Manhattan combine a walk through the Garment District with nearby attractions such as Times Square, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and Madison Square Garden.

Accessibility

The Garment District is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers; the subway stations at Times Square, Herald Square, and Penn Station are accessible.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, reusable tote bag (for shopping), bottled water, your sketchbook, or fabric swatches (if you’re shopping for fabric)

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes, a bit of fashion inspiration

Not allowed

Adhere to fabric store etiquette and always ask before taking photos, cutting swatches, or unrolling a fabric

Amenities

Restaurants, cafés, tourist information center, public restroom (at Herald Square), free Wi-Fi hotspots

Address

The Garment District covers the area from 34th to 42nd Streets between Fifth and Ninth Avenues, on Manhattan’s West Side. It’s easy to reach by subway or on foot from Times Square.

Driving

With narrow one-way streets, heavy traffic, and limited (and expensive) parking, driving in Midtown Manhattan will be a waste of your time and money. If you don’t want to take the subway, opt for a taxi or rideshare service instead.

Public transportation

The Garment District is surrounded by subway stations: hop off at 34th Street–Penn Station (A, C, E, 1, 2, 3), 34th Street–Herald Square (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W), or Times Square–42nd Street (N, Q, R, W, S, 1, 2, 3, 7).

Best times to visit

Arrive in the morning to avoid the crowds and leave before the evening rush hour—with busy Penn Station nearby, the area sees some serious foot traffic after work.

Best days to visit

To shop, visit the Garment District during business hours on a weekday—some shops are also open on Saturdays, but many close for the whole weekend. Midweek is generally the quietest time.

Best months to visit

Sample sales in May–June and November–December are the best time to nab a bargain, with designer clothing sometimes up to 80 percent off.

Special events

The Garment District is a hub of activity during New York Fashion Week, usually in February and September. It’s best to avoid tours and shopping at this time; settle into a café instead and watch the models, designers, and fashion-industry experts dashing past.