Fun on Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue is considered to be some of the most valuable (and most expensive) property in the world, and with good reason; everyone wants to live here!  From the penthouse suites of the ultra-wealthy to the hottest and hippest retail outlets,
a location on Fifth Avenue is one to be aspired to. But you my friend are not coming to Fifth Avenue to envy the rich and famous.  You’ve come to experience my city.
Start at the lower end of Fifth Avenue.  No, you’re not going to be able to walk the length of it.  Well, I suppose you could but it would probably take you at least two hours, providing that you didn’t bother to stop anywhere (it’s 6.8 miles from end to end).  
The lower part of Fifth Avenue; the section that starts just outside of Lexington Park (you’ll know you’re at the “bottom” of Fifth Avenue because of the lower address numbers) and Lexington park itself is worth taking a glance at.
But your first step of note is going to be the Empire State Building, which was built between 1929 and 1931 and is still a marvel of engineering.  Take the elevator up to the observation deck if you want a phenomenal view of the city, it’s worth every penny!

In the 400 block you’re going to want to keep an eye out for the New York City Library with its famous lion guardians.  But don’t just stand there gawking, take a stroll inside and get a glimpse of what real knowledge looks like.  

Did you know there are over 8 million books in this one building alone?  Some of them are incredibly rare first editions (which can only be viewed in the rare books collection and can’t be checked out) such as a first edition of Alice in Wonderland and a Gutenberg Bible.

Between 49th and 60th Streets is where the real fun begins.  Here you’ll find some of the largest and ornate flagships of some of the most prestigious retailers on the planet as well as some of the most posh boutiques.  
If names like Luis Vuitton, Prada, Armani, Tiffany Co., Emilio Pucchi, Salvatore Ferragamo and Cartier make your shopping sense perk up, then you are most definitely going to want to be on the lookout.  
But don’t overlook the luxury department stores like Lord  Taylor, Barneys or Saks Fifth Avenue.

f you feel as if you need to do penance for all the money you’re spending, then you’ve come to the right place.  You’ll find Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on 51st and 5th Avenue, and let me tell you, it is worth a stop thanks to its breathtaking architecture.

Of course if you really want to make your day, you are going to head a little further up Fifth and stop in at 767 5th Avenue, home to FAO Schwarz, only THE most famous toy store in existence.  And with good reason, they have everything (and I do mean everything!).  
From their humungous walk-on piano (yes, the one made famous in the movie “Big”) to their most awesome Lego department, the Muppet Whatnot Workshop and the widest assortment of stuffed animals (some of them life-sized!) that you will ever encounter,
if this store doesn’t bring out the kid in you, then nothing will. Last time I stopped in at FAO I spent the better part of the morning wandering through all the rooms and playing with the toys.  I’m sure I got some pretty weird looks, but I don’t care!

Of course if you’re tired of shopping you may want to head further up Fifth and stroll down the Museum Mile.  Here, where Fifth avenue boarders Central Park you’ll find some of New York’s most loved museums such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art,
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Jewish Museum, The Museum of the City of New York and (yes) The Museum of Sex, just to name a few!

Man oh man, have I covered everything?  Of course I haven’t.  It would be impossible to go in depth into everything that Fifth Avenue has to offer, but I hope that I’ve given you a taste of what one of my favorite parts of New York City has to offer!  
Maybe I’ll bump into you at the toy store.  We could play chopsticks!

Bye for now!

Love Shelby (S.O.S.)