Fifth Avenue / 53rd Street (E, M)

This stop puts the Fifth Avenue in Saks and the Breakfast in Tiffany’s. It’s old money, white, touristy, and very … Catholic churchy?

The stores here give their displays their all, especially around Christmastime. I’d visit this station just to browse the extravagant setups, even if I had no intention of buying anything. But, you’ll probably be side-eyed by a security guard or two if you don’t fit the “demographic” of the average shopper. IYKYK.

The Swarovski store is almost like a mini fashion museum. 

If you can brave the withering looks of the sales associates who know you’re not going to buy anything, why not walk right into Omega or Hublot, or any of the other stores selling six-figure trinkets that are dotted along Fifth Avenue. If you added up the prices of all the goods for sale within a few blocks’ radius of this subway station, I wouldn’t be surprised if the number was in the billions.

Money moves in this part of Fifth Ave. 

The Saks Fifth Avenue flagship is worth a visit. Go to the second floor, spray some scents, get your makeup done for free by one of the designer beauty experts if they’re available, or take a break at the cafe.

The Lego Store has some genuinely impressive displays. As an adult who didn’t even care for legos as a kid, I was still obsessed.

Go to Tiffany’s Landmark Flagship Store and take the elevator all the way up, where you’ll find a very cute cafe. And then walk down the grand staircase to see the store’s whole display floor by floor. If you buy something, you get a special silver bag trinket that’s only available at this store.

Shopping aside, The MoMA is and always will be a great museum, and their design store across the street is worth checking out. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is architecturally impressive on the outside just because it’s so big and smack in the middle of 5th avenue. But on the inside it’s just your standard giant cathedral.

What did I miss? Let me know in the comments.