Sampling Street Food on Fifth Avenue

Photo by myself on Fifth Avenue in Midtown.

It's that time of year again, when street vendors are selling chestnuts and other hot snacks under bright lights.

On Fifth Avenue, between 59th and 35th Streets, the vendors are especially festive around the holiday months. The street is lined with fancy stores there, and many visitors are there to shop or just look around.

Above 59th Street, Fifth Avenue is residential. Street vendors are not permitted. If you're in that area looking for your morning coffee, you are out of luck.

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On a recent cab ride down Fifth Avenue recently, coworkers and I noticed that the vibe of the street has changed.

The stores along Fifth Avenue were of the more ritzy variety for the longest time. The Henri Bendel, Bergdorf, Saks, Cartier, Armani and Tiffany stores are located there.

In the last couple of years, a number of new flagship stores have moved in. Huge stores for H&M, Uniqlo, Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch now draw a younger crowd.

I suppose this is not a bad thing, it's more inclusive for all. It feels less like an outdoor high end shopping mall than a regularly-priced one.

Related posts: The Markets in Union Square, Christmas Windows to Warm the Heart, and Under the Lights, at 54th and 5th.