Centrally located and packed with heritage, sights and bites, the Fashion District is a great place to take a tour. The Fashion Center is pleased to sponsor the following neighborhood walking tours, meaning they are FREE to you on a first-come, first served basis.
Free Fashion Center Neighborhood Walking Tours
Learn all about what makes the Fashion District the fashion capital of the world from a licensed tour guide who has studied and practiced in the business since 1965.
Next Available Dates
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 10 a.m.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 10 a.m.
Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 10 a.m.
Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 10 a.m.
Sunday, June 23, 2013 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, July 21, 2013 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 10 a.m.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at 10 a.m.
Sunday, August 18, 2013 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 10 a.m.
Sunday, September 15, 2013 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at 10 a.m.
Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, November 10, 2013 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, November 24, 2013 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, December 8, 2013 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, December 29, 2013 at 2 p.m.
Tours fill up fast! Reserve your spot by emailing MikesNYCTours@yahoo.com.
Presented by Mikes NYC Tours and sponsored by the Fashion Center Business Improvement District
Tour Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
Reservations: Reserve your spot by emailing MikesNYCTours[at]yahoo[dot]com
Meeting Location: Northeast corner of Seventh Avenue at 39th Street between the Fashion Center Information Kiosk and the bronze statue of the garment worker
Tour Overview: Mike’s NYC Tours offers you a chance to learn all about the Fashion District and the apparel industry from a licensed tour guide who has studied and practiced in the schmatta trades since 1965! Michael Kaback, a “garmento” himself for many years, leads this tour that takes participants through a brief history of the apparel industry in New York City, from Henry Hudson to the present time. Filled with anecdotes from his personal experience in the industry, Michael discusses the advent of mass production & the sewing machine, the development of “sizes,” the invention of synthetic fibers, and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and how it impacted both the building of the current Fashion District and the rise of unions in the industry. The tour will stop at iconic garment/fashion industry sites, including the Fashion Walk of Fame, and may include visits to showrooms and factories, depending on scheduling and group size.
About Mikes NYC Tours: Mike Kabak offers tours year-round in the Fashion District and in neighborhoods throughout the City. More information is available at www.mikesnyctours.com
Other Walking Tours
Educational & Historical Tours
Urban Oasis
Take a three hour educational tour designed for students, stylists, emerging fashion designers, alternative career seekers, tourists and local fashionistas. Urban Oasis offers a behind the scenes look at the Garment District and how garments are produced. Stops on the tour include: fabric stores, patternmakers, graders, small factories and showrooms. Join the tour individually or as a group. Tour schedule is 10-1pm; 2-5pm. Visit oasissoho.com to book a Garment District educational tour. Cost: $90 per person.
Shopping Tours
Though there are a limited number of fashion retailers open to the general public, the Fashion District can be a great place to shop. You can be your own shopping tour guide by referencing our local Sample Sale listings to find the latest bargains on designer apparel, all right here in the neighborhood. Or shop with a pro on one of the following shopping tours:
Urban Oasis
Take a three hour shopping tour of Manhattan’s Garment District. Available Monday through Friday. Group size is typically 4-12 guests. Join the tour individually or as a group. Tour schedule is 10-1pm; 2-5pm. Visit oasissoho.com to book a Garment District shopping tour. Cost: $55 per person.
Shopping Girlfriend NYC
Join fashion industry insider Pilar Katz as she reveals the greatest deals in exclusive wholesale showrooms. Pilar brings a personal touch to each tour and promises a wide array of styles, customized to meet your needs. Pilar’s tours are fun, friendly and fashionable! You will walk away with something deeply discounted that you absolutely love. Contact Pilar by visiting shoppinggirlfriendnyc.com
Shop Gotham
Shop Gotham’s Garment Center “Insider” Shopping Tour takes you on a “behind-the-scenes” shopping expedition to private wholesale showrooms and sample sales. Cost: $64 /person +$2 ticket charge. Groups of 6 or more will receive an automatic discount of 10%.
Elegant Tightwad Shopping Excursions
Elegant Tightwad Shopping Excursion participants will experience true bargainista bliss on this trek to private showrooms.