Madison Avenue Shopping Business District: An Intimate 5th Ave Alternative

WHY GO: If you’ve got the funds for – or curiosity about – high end fashion designers, and don’t fancy a trip to France or Italy, you’ll be exceedingly satisfied with the shops, restaurants, and hotels that make up the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District. In fact, you’ll find that Madison Avenue Shopping is more designer-y than 5th.

Spanning Madison Avenue from 57^th to 86^th St., the Madison Avenue BID is one of 76 such Improvement Districts within the five boroughs.

Created in 1996, BID, a quasi-government Not For Profit agency, is the mechanism through which businesses collect funds for street cleaning, store security, holiday decorations and more.

But how does this relate to tourism? And how did the avenue most associated with advertising (Madison Avenue Men/aka Mad Men) become such a Mecca for fashion?

I was curious.

Visitors tend to be obsessed with 5th Avenue, so, I spent the good part of a day walking 1-½ miles on the boulevard that most tourists miss.

What I found really surprised me.

(For more on places to take your honey in NY State, consult our Best Romantic Getaways In NY post.)

A Short History Of Madison Avenue

This reach of Madison Avenue, north of the commercial office buildings that house those noted advertising agencies, has always been an exclusive residential area of Manhattan. Wealthy women, who could afford couture, flew off to Europe for the latest fashions.

70’s Designers Establish Showrooms in NYC

But in the late 70’s, early 80’s, designers began to open their own boutiques outside of Paris. On the Upper East Side’s Madison Avenue, they could be just steps away from their haute couture clientele.

First Yves St. Laurent established his store on the corner of 71^st St (where E. Pucci is now).  And then, in the early 80’s, Ralph Lauren opened his flagship in the former Rhinelander Mansion on 72^nd. More and more designers moved in.

Now, not only do top designers work on Madison Avenue, some can even be found in their shops. (And, at least one, Giorgio Armani, built condos and moved here).

Window Shop Madison Avenue

Walk this area of Madison and you’ll be privy to intimate glimpses of neighborhood life that you won’t see in the larger designer establishments on 5^th Ave. And, as a bonus, stores are much less crowded and frenetic.

Peek through any glass door, generally manned by a doorman, and you might see a few locals pouring over diamond rings, or considering a dress that has just arrived.

Despite your inability to spring for, say, a $200,000 grey diamond ring from De Beers, shopkeepers welcome you warmly.

Read on for the best of Madison Ave shopping, and walk along this tony avenue that includes lesser-known historic sites, two museums (one within view, but off-Madison), five hotel options, and a bevy of restaurants and coffee shops.

FYI – for those serious about shopping these stores, and want VIP treatment, download the Preferred Privileges Luxe Pass – which include private shopping before and after hours, Champaign in certain stores, hotel delivery or shuttles, and other experiences.

Walking Tour of Madison Avenue

START: At Central Park South

Begin at Central Park South and then make your way east to Madison Ave at 57th Street.

The first several blocks of the Business Improvement District leans commercial. Work spaces tend to be above stores the likes of Fendi, Coach, Lalique, Mont Blanc, Vercase, and Prada.

Ralph Lauren actually comes to work in an office building across from Baccarat and next to Celine near 58^th.

STOP into the tiny Sermoneta Gloves

You just might find the 6^th generation of this family-owned Italian leather goods company, Aldo Sermoneta, helping customers. “Our Jewish family started out making gloves for the Pope in 1960,” says Aldo. “The headquarters in Rome is an Italian landmark.” Handcrafted leather and cashmere Sermoneta gloves, in contemporary vivid shades, have graced the hands of celebrities, royalty, and quite possibly, you.

Walking north – the buildings start to get more residential. Here, you’ll find the Tom Ford flagship, Berluti,  Missoni, and more men’s fashion shops.

Ford, Missoni, Hermes

Around 62^nd St., there are two Hermes across from each other: Men’s and Women’s. Step into Women’s store, if only to ogle the hand stitched tan leather on the circular staircase rails. Heading up, there’s Georg Jensen, Hublot Watches, Chopard, Jimmy Choo’s flagship.

The Bling Block

The bling block begins around 63^rd, where you’ll find Graff (diamonds), David Yurman, and the Brit-based De Beers.

Stop into De Beers, known as “The Home of Diamonds Since 1888.” It’s expensive, but shopkeepers are friendly, even if you don’t intend to spend millions on a rock. (Or even a couple of hundred grand).

Bottega Veneta, Givency, Chanel

Bottega Veneta Masion (64th) restored three landmarked buildings and opened to much fanfare in 2018. Stop in for a look at the triangular-shaped spiral staircase – a cool architectural element.

Heading up, find Chanel Accessories and Shoes, Alexander McQueen, and Givenchy.

NYC homes of both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and FDR’s mother Sara

Take a right on 65^th, walk down the block and you’ll find #47 and #49 65^th, the former NYC homes of both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and FDR’s notably overbearing mother, Sarah, now owned by Hunter College.

Built as a wedding gift, the two residences share an entrance with two separate doors. However, the homes were joined on the top floor. So much for privacy. And no surprise that Eleanor was not happy here.

Notable as the spot where FDR first heard he’d won the Presidential election, tours of the building and its small museum are offered to the public.

de la Renta, Cool Newbies, and More

Walking uptown, gaze at (or enter) Oscar de la Renta’s place on 66^th. When he was still alive, de la Renta would play the piano there during Fashion Night Out – drawing clients such as Barbara Walters and Sara Jessica Parker to croon around the keys.

Back up to 67^th, you’ll pass J. Mendel Furrier, Michael Kors Collection Store, and a slew of art galleries. Continuing north to 68th, find Kate Spade, Tory Birch, Frette Flagship, and Max Mara. Watch tailors at work on the second floor catwalk at Isaia, a small Italian men’s shop where you can order a custom suit in the softest of wools.

Onwards and upwards, past Valentino (which also is on 5^th), Dolce & Gabbana, Akris, Anne Fontaine, Prada, the old Westbury Hotel (now condos), Elie Saab (the only store in the USA), Lanvin, Emilio Pucci, and the must see Ralph Lauren Flagships across from each other at 71^st.

Ralph Lauren Flagships

The two stores could not be more different, with equally swanky interiors worth perusing. Lauren holds his Spring Fashion Shows in the brightly lit, white marble chambers of his Women’s Home and Jewelry establishment, which also houses the brand new Ralph’s Coffee – a sophisticated place to refuel.

Across the street, also on 71^st find the former Rhinelander Mansion, now Ralph Lauren’s Men Store. This decidedly masculine space is darkly paneled and crammed with cigars, dog and horse art, watches, and the like. Neither establishment is meant for big crowds.

Pause for a spot of tea and a macaron at Laduree

If you’re hankering for a spot of tea and a macaron right about now, the place to go is Laduree between 70^th and 71^st. It’s a jewel box of a shop, straight out of Paris, with mint-green walls and cookies in every conceivable pastel color. Boxed chocolates cost a pretty penny.  But they are a popular hostess gift around here.

Paul Morelli Jewelers

You’ll find the jeweler, Paul Morelli, on the corner of 72^nd St.  Known for delicate necklaces and bracelets in gold and diamonds, Morelli also designs wearable art pieces in colorful precious gemstones. Shopkeepers are warm and friendly. Even if you’re just looking and polite, they apparently enjoy the company.

Apple Store Like No Other

Stroll a couple of blocks before popping into an Apple Store like no other, on 74^th. This one, in a former grand bank building (go downstairs to see the vault), glows with backlit art on every wall. It’s a very cool space – and surprisingly not overcrowded.

A few paces away, you’ll find a few stores with a more funky downtown vibe: Golden Goose Delux Brand, among them.

North of the MB, is Carolina Herrera, the famous red-soled Christian Louboutin Flagship, and something you don’t see much anymore – an independent department store.

Zitomer, a Throwback Department Store

The family-owned three story Zitomer is a throwback to the 50’s, and a true upper East Side landmark that sells everything from cosmetics and pharmacy items to clothing. It’s worth it to stop in and see where locals shop and what they wish to preserve.

Stop for an Espresso at Sant Ambroeus or Chocolate at La Masion du Chocolate

The very European Sant Ambroeus is another good resting spot for sweets, espresso, gelato, or the Christmas gift favorite, their Panettone Cake. You can also pick up a Baguette Sandwich, which puts one in mind of an Italian sidewalk café.

From first glance, La Masion du Chocolate seems like strictly a chocolate shop. But there’s a back room with table service. Some even say it’s got the best hot chocolate in the City.

Acquavella, Calder, and Art on Madison Ave

Just off 79^th, art galleries in former mansions beckon. Don’t be shy, and don’t assume you can’t enter. Acquavella is more like a museum than an art store, so by all means, check it out.

Look down, and pay attention to the wavy black and white sidewalk art installation, emblazoned with “AC 70”. Alexander Calder’s paint studio was right here. In 1970, he designed the path just outside his door.

Nicholas Brawer Giant Binoculars

Around 80^th St. step into a shop that is so specific, so esoteric, as to actually encourage questions. Nicholas Brawer is a collector/restorer of rare giant binoculars that had been used by Navies around the world during WWII. Some even came from the Japanese military. An unconventional hobby has turned into a career, to be sure. But the functional and burnished results of Brawer’s restorations are nothing short of magnificent works of art.

Gotta have a William Greenberg Black and White – Plus Zabar’s and Lobel’s

Moving north, along with shops like Jaded Jewels, Barbour, Peress Lingerie, and the family owned JJ Marco, you’ll find Eli Zabar’s E.A.T. Café and Gifts, Nectar Diner, the very high-end Lobel’s Butcher – and the “Home of the Best Black and White Cookie” – William Greenberg. (Do yourself a favor and get at least one. Those accolades are no hype.)

Congratulations. You’re within sight of the terminus of the Madison Ave. BID, at 85^th St, just in time for “elevated Italian” at Restaurante Morini on the corner of 86^th.

Metropolitan Museum of Art 

Or, if you have time, make sure to walk a few blocks to the Metropolitan Museum of Art one avenue over on 5^th and 82^nd. For those who’d like to combine a bit of Fantasy and Magic with their (window) shopping, sign up for the following two hour tour.

Fable & Lark  Tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art at 82nd. and 5th

For an intimate behind the scenes treat, book one of Fable & Lark’s Storied Adventures – programs that employ iconic stories as template to explore iconic NYC Museums. In fact, the latest tour, “The Art of Stories”, looks at tales of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (82^nd and 5^th), with backstories of the works of art, and scavenger hunt-like engagements.

One of Fable & Lark’s most popular tours, Griffins, Goblets, and Gold: A Magical Arts tour, developed on the 20^th anniversary of the first Harry Potter book in 2016, remains an “activities-based” trip through the Met.

With a great deal of knowledge and a robust imagination, Evan Levy peppers her groups with questions. IPad in hand, she shows and tells participants how each relic and room is suggestive of legends of yore, along with the books and pop culture icons that have popularized them.

You meet in the Metropolitan Museum’s Great Hall (beneath the Pharaoh statue), a carbon copy of the Great Halls of Europe upon which the Hogwart’s Dining Hall was modeled. One Roman Statesman’s marble bust, with busted nose, looks eerily like Lord Voldemort.

At various points in the tour, you’ll be tasked with brain-engaging challenges (which I won’t spoil alert here), scavenger hunts. Plus, you get goodies to take home. By the end of the 2-hour tour, you’ll have walked the complete quarter mile long Met Museum. Check website for tour times and rates, and to sign up. RSVP required. Private tours by request.

Hotels In Madison Avenue BID

STAY: Plaza Athnee on 64^th

Hotel employees know repeat guests by name at this very old world, luxury of another era lodging establishment.

STAY: The Carlyle on 76^th

Home of the famous Bemelmans Bar (featuring murals painted by the artist famous for his children’s book, Madeline), and star-studded Café Carlyle, the Carlyle Hotel is as old school traditional as it gets. And proud of it.

STAY: The Surrey Hotel on 76^th

Renovated to chic modern aesthetics, the grey and white mosaic lobby floor is stunning, as is the similarly hued Chuck Close painting hanging near the elevators. Rooms are done up in 1920’s glamour – so it’s no wonder that this is one of the top hotels in Manhattan (which is saying quite a lot).

STAY: The Mark

The most trend-forward of the lot, The Mark purportedly has the most expensive hotel rooms, and is particularly hot during the Met Ball (the Metropolitan Museum of Art is 5 blocks away).

Weekend Getaways In New York City

• 15 Top TV Shows and Movies Filmed In NYC
• NH Collection Madison Ave., Grand Central Terminal, Morgan Library
• Times Square NY For Non-Touristy Tourists
• Chelsea NYC: FIT, Flowers, Floating Gardens, Figures, and the Cool Cambria Hotel
• Central Park South: The New York City of the Movies
• Brooklyn Date Spots (and Other Reasons for a Weekend Getaway in New York City’s Hipster Borough)
• Flushing NY and Corona NY: As Close As You’re Going to Get to China (and Sachmo) in the USA
• Long Island City and Astoria Queens NY: The Other New York City
• Downtown NYC: I’ll Take Lower Manhattan
• See the Real Stephan and Other Opportunities in Midtown Manhattan
• See New York Getaways for all destinations in the state.