Flatiron District: Iconic Buildings, Great Food and Museums

The Flatiron District is a classic neighborhood in Midtown Manhattan, one of the New York neighborhoods that will best transport you to the early 20th century. The one you've seen in so many shows and movies.

It takes its name from the beautiful Flatiron Building (23rd Street, between Broadway and Fifth Avenue), one of Manhattan's most iconic buildings and the neighborhood's biggest attraction.

What to see in the Flatiron District

The Flatiron neighborhood spreads out around Madison Square Park, a good place to start your walk through its streets. This square, which opened in 1847, sits between Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue, and 23rd and 26th Streets. The very heart of Manhattan.

Office workers come here on their daily breaks to catch some sun on the benches. It's a lovely spot with an old-time feel.

Famous buildings in the Flatiron District

Just southwest of Madison Square Park you'll spot the neighborhood's Beaux Arts jewel: the Flatiron Building, one of the first skyscrapers in New York, completed in 1902.

You'll recognize it by its angular shape, brilliantly adapted to the triangular block created by the intersection of Broadway, Fifth Avenue and 22nd Street.

Besides the Flatiron, nearby you can see other classic Manhattan skyscrapers like the Metropolitan Life Tower (1 Madison Avenue), which was the tallest building in the world until the Woolworth Building took the title in 1913.

On the Woolworth Building, look for its gorgeous 210-meter marble clock tower, which you can see clearly from Madison Square Park.

Museums in the Flatiron District

The Flatiron District is home to the one-of-a-kind Museum of Sex, a visit for ages 18 and up only. It's educational and entertaining at the same time, exploring the sex industry's relationship with New York, among other topics.

If you're traveling to New York with kids, the National Museum of Mathematics, MoMath, is one of those places where little ones learn science through play. Perfect.

Speaking of kids, another spot I'd recommend is the Lego Store in the Flatiron District (200 5th Avenue), across from Madison Square Park. It's huge!

Inside you'll find sculptures and classic New York buildings built out of Lego, including the Statue of Liberty, plus a wide range of toys from this Danish company: a missing Lego brick for the set back home, a nice keychain, or more elaborate build kits.

Where to eat in the Flatiron District

The streets of the Flatiron District hold several Michelin-starred restaurants, but also classic Manhattan spots like Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop, where you can try one of the best pastrami sandwiches in New York.

If you like Italian food, you'll enjoy Eataly, a food market with products imported from Italy and restaurants at excellent prices (along the lines of the Mercato Centrale at Termini in Rome, if you've ever been).

Eataly is at 200 5th Ave, basically across from the Flatiron Building. The market also has locations at the World Trade Center and in other US and Italian cities, plus countries like Japan and Russia. It's a successful food project that started in Turin and spread quickly around the world.

While I'm at it, here's a tip: if Italian culture fascinates you, visit the Belmont neighborhood in the Bronx, where you'll still find the Italian New York that migrated out of Little Italy decades ago.

Nearby neighborhoods

The Flatiron District borders other classic Manhattan neighborhoods like Chelsea, Union Square and Gramercy Park. It makes sense to see them all in one outing.

History of the neighborhood

The Flatiron District often overlaps with neighboring Union Square. The two share plenty of traits, including having been among the first commercial districts in Manhattan.

This neighborhood has attracted a series of professional trades: first toy makers, later photographers and ad agencies, and in the 21st century web companies, which earned it the nickname Silicon Alley.

After the dot-com bubble burst, many of those offices closed and made way for other uses, but since New York is always changing, the dot-coms have been moving back into the area over the past few years.

Address

The Flatiron District runs from 17th to 27th Street south to north, and from Avenue of the Americas (6th Ave) to Lexington Avenue west to east.

How to get there

Subway lines 4, 6, N, R, F, M. 23rd Street station