Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue is a major thoroughfare in the center of the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx in New York City, USA. It runs through the heart of Midtown and along the eastern side of Central Park, and because of the expensive park-view real estate and historical mansions along its course, it is a symbol of wealthy New York. It is the dividing line for the east-west streets in Manhattan and the Bronx, (for example, demarcating the line separating East 59th Street from West 59th Street) as well as the zero-numbering point for street addresses (numbers increase in both directions as one moves away from Fifth, with 1 East 59th Street on the corner at Fifth Avenue, and 300 East 59th Street located several blocks to the East). Fifth Avenue is a one-way street and carries southbound ("downtown") traffic. Some people refer to Fifth Avenue colloquially as "Fashion Ave," but many refrain from it to avoid confusion with the real Fashion Ave, also known as Seventh Avenue.

Located at the foot of Fifth Avenue, the Washington Square Park is famous for being a pivotal place for cultural activities that includes live music and theatre performances. The presence of huge trees and blooming flowers coupled with a large fountain makes this park an ideal place for picnics and recreational activities. In addition to this the park includes play areas for children, park benches, a playing area for checkers and poker, and paths for jogging or biking among others. Washington Square Park is home to energetic tourists or laid-back individuals who want to relax.

Many landmarks and famous buildings are situated along Fifth Avenue in Midtown and the Upper East Side. In Midtown are the Empire State Building, New York Public Library, Rockefeller Center, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. The stretch of Fifth Avenue from the 60s through the 90s (i.e., from 60th Street to 99th Street) has enough museums to have acquired the nickname Museum Mile and includes such institutions as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. That area was known in the early 20th century as Millionaire's Row after the many mansions built there as the richest New Yorkers moved their residences north to face Central Park. Earlier, several opulent Vanderbilt houses and other mansions were built in the 50s and in even earlier times further south.

Between 60th Street and 34th Street Fifth Avenue is a popular retail epicenter, with various luxury stores facing that street, most notably F.A.O. Schwarz on 58th Street.