Garment District - New York, NY Area Guide

Located between Fifth and Ninth Avenues, the Garment District appeared in the late 1800s when plantation owners began seeking cheap ways to outfit their workers. The same tailors were put to use during the Civil War to create uniforms for soldiers.

As women’s fashion modernized, so too did the Garment District. By 1910, the area followed the lead of the European fashion houses with biannual collections. With an ever-growing workforce, high-rise factories and boutiques appeared on 35th Street. In the 1970s, the area reached the peak of its economy and culture, remaining dominant until cheap overseas labor began to affect its success.

Culture in the Garment District remains closely tied to its roots, including The Fashion Walk of Fame, the only permanent landmark for U.S. fashion, and the Skyscraper Museum celebrating the city’s architectural heritage. Watch out for the Arts Festival each October and, of course, New York Fashion Week.

The restaurants and bars scattered throughout the Garment District mostly aim to wet your whistle after a long day of work. Local eateries run the gamut from traditional fare to the more eclectic.

Keeping with the theme of the district, some establishments feature fashion-related names. The Stitch Bar and Lounge serves a variety of beers and cocktails. If visitors feel peckish during their night out, they can fill up on all-American fare, such as buffalo wings, chicken tenders and nachos.

For locals stepping out of the office during their lunch breaks, Cafe Tarantin is about the size of a small coffee shop and offers ample seating for diners as well as employing a friendly staff to round out the experience. Try a generous portion of Mediterranean chicken salad or a roasted beet salad topped with salmon.

Combining amazing food and dramatic interior decor, Parker and Quinn on West 39th Street seems relatively nondescript at first, but locals enjoy the atmosphere and experience. Dine up front at the bar or in the back, seated in lavish leather booths with gilded mirrors and artwork on the walls. Diners rave about the peppers stuffed with short ribs, which come with a red wine sauce to be spooned over the food and crostini on the side.

Not known for its nightlife or music venues, the Garment District nevertheless houses a small number of clubs. The Sky Room is a two-level nightclub with a retractable roof and famed views of the city. Meanwhile, Stitch attracts locals after work for drink specials as well as dining, and Arena in the nearby Theater District plays host to trendsetting events, such as product launches.

Several subway lines serve the Garment District, including the A, C and E running under Eighth Avenue. Bus services run north to south routes on every avenue in the neighborhood, while the crosstown buses are available on larger streets.

Head out from Ninth Avenue to reach the Lincoln Tunnel and Twelfth Avenue, which turns into the Joe DiMaggio Highway further north. Street parking is limited in the area, but various private parking garages can be found dotted throughout the area.

Flag down a yellow New York City taxi cab or use Uber to hail yourself a ride. The easiest way to get around in this small city neighborhood is to walk, with most amenities and sights clustered together in one small area, while cyclists will find plenty of bike lanes and flat terrain.

The only park within the confines of the Garment District’s borders, Bryant Park provides events, recreation and relaxation throughout the year. Considered to be one of New York City’s best public parks, the park offers ping pong tables for casual competition and an ice skating rink in the winter. While skating is free, expect to pay a fee to rent your skates. At Christmas, you'll find a holiday market inside the park selling everything from ornaments to gifts.

A vibrant location at any time of year, Bryant Park represents a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city in a central location. Other amenities include a merry-go-round for the kids, a well-maintained lawn, flowerbeds and chairs and tables at lunchtime. The local library hosts an outdoor reading room in the summer. Dogs are welcome at the park, as long as they stay on a leash and off the grass.

The cost of living in the Garment District can be prohibitive for some, sitting at around 20 percent higher than New York City on average and double the average for the rest of the nation. Enjoy average gas prices for the city, but be aware that this represents around an 11.5 percent higher cost than the national average. Furthermore, a glass of beer will set you back around $7-8. Centrally located on the island of Manhattan, the median cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment sits around $3,520.

New Yorkers head to the Garment District to peruse sample sales and find couture clothing from world-famous brands. Locals also come to this area for the fabric stores, such as Rosen & Chadick Fabrics, Sposabella Lace, and Mood Fabrics of Project Runway fame.

In terms of shopping, the Garment District is home not only to an abundance of textile purveyors, but also to retailers like the Macy's on West 34th Street and H&M on 7th Avenue. The area also harbors some hidden gems. B&H on Ninth Avenue, for instance, carries cameras and photography equipment, while nearby Kinokuniya Bookstore offers a wide assortment of stationery, books, magazines, and other media.

Grocery options here include the Merci Market on West 42nd Street and the International Grocery on Ninth Avenue, or you could walk a few blocks south to the Fairway Market on Avenue of the Americas, to Trader Joe's a little bit farther down, or to the Whole Foods on 7th Avenue. Farmers market options include the Broadway French Market on Broadway.