Flatiron District Neighborhood Guide

The Flatiron District is named after the iconic, wedge-shaped Flatiron Building that has been the subject of many photos and paintings. The boundaries are Madison Square and 23rd Street to the North, 14th Street, Union Square and Greenwich Village to the South, Park Avenue South and Gramercy Park to the East, and the Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) and Chelsea to the West.

The architecture, the vibe and the food combine to make the Flatiron District a bustling, diverse neighborhood with Madison Square Garden being a major draw along with food trucks lining Fifth Avenue and Broadway. Its historic charm blends right in with the trendy new boutiques and restaurants, and the area is well-known for its abundance of home and design stores. Beaux-Arts and castiron buildings as well as the Metropolitan Life Insurance Tower with its four clock faces, are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to architectural delights in the Flatiron District. As a passageway between downtown and midtown, this area ranks high for convenience.

Flatiron District Highlights

  • Flatiron Building – You just have to take a picture at this triangular shaped tower, plus there are storefronts on the ground level.
  • The National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) – lots of kid-friendly hands-on exhibits
  • Madison Square Park – Green retreat spans 7 acres with lawns, gardens, performances, and the original Shake Shack.
  • Architecture – the perimeter of Madison Park is great for seeing a variety of styles.
  • Met Life Tower
  • Italian Renaissance-style clocktower inspired by the Campanile in Venice, Italy
  • Metropolitan Life North Building – Art Deco
  • New York Life Insurance Building – Neo-Gothic with a gilded pyramid
  • New York State Appellate Division Courthouse – Beaux-Arts, Corinthian Columns
  • Stroll through the neighborhood to see cast iron buildings
  • Eataly – Disneyland for foodies in a giant emporium with a rooftop beer garden
  • Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace – Entry is free; visit to the period rooms is guided-tour only.
  • Grand Masonic Lodge – Pop in for free, public guided tours to see the stately rooms at the headquarters and base for NY Masons.
  • Lego Store on 23rd Street – Window displays alone are awesome.
  • 5th Avenue below 23rd Street is where you shop.
  • Flatiron Hall – Victorian style 25-ft. bar with 12 special beers on tap at all times. Eat too!