Canal Street, New York City

An interesting mix of tourists and sketchy street sellers, with great Chinese food around the corner!

Canal Street Snapshot

Location

Canal Street is the most southern street in Manhattan and runs from river to river, approximately three miles south of Times Square. It runs through Chinatown and there are multiple subway stops around the area.

Hours

The hours of operation of stores on Canal Street varies, but this is the city that never sleeps.  So hours do vary from store to store. 

What You'll Find

Canal Street is full of stores selling inexpensive items.  What I like about it is you can hop in a shop for a classic NYC souvenir and walk out to be greeted by a lady trying to sell you a wallet or purse.

Market Video 

Bargaining on Canal Street in NYC

In this video, I head to the Big Apple, NYC to see if I can find a way into the back to see if I can bargain for a Rolex and some name brand items. 

Everything to Know About Canal Street in NYC

How to Get to Canal Street

Canal Street is the most southern street in Manhattan and runs from river to river, approximately three miles south of Times Square. Because of its position, and because it extends east to west along the whole width of the island, there are many subway stops along the street.

Canal street is technically in the area that includes Chinatown. 

canal street subway station entrance new york city

Transportation in NYC

Getting around NYC is fairly easy.  You can hop on the subway and get everywhere around the city or you can hop into a taxi to get where you need to go.  Also Uber and Lyft are a great option to get around the city.  The subway system is… ok. Quite old and dirty but that gives NY it’s vibe. I’m no expert on where and where not to go regarding safety so I would play it safe and try to avoid it after dark if you can. Better to plan your day before setting out into the city.
I personally enjoy taking a cab, however, as you can imagine, it’s going to be expensive. Take the subway by day and if you’re running late, have a taxi fund. Or just book an Uber!

Shopping on Canal Street

What Can I Find on Canal Street?

Canal Street is full of stores selling inexpensive items. Other than the typical souvenirs you can get at multiple shops up and down the street.

You’ll find cheap merchandise such as luggage, clothing and shoes, handbags, jewelry and watches, perfumes and electronics, all at very low (and negotiable) prices.

I’d recommend trying your luck with getting a watch or wallet on the street corners here. You’ll know who’s selling because all the ladies like to congregate in the same place. It’s actually quite funny how noticeable it is. They also sell bags, purses etc.

sunglasses on canal street NYC

Needless to say that not everything you’ll find for sale on Canal Street is authentic, but the truth is that you’ll find some of the most popular brands (including Chanel, Celine, and Louis Vitton) at a fraction of the real price.

Be careful though, undercover police walk up and down the streets all the time (even though I think the seller’s are the ones that are more at risk).

Neighborhoods & Where to Stay in New York City

New York is so big and diverse that it is worth visiting as many neighborhoods as you can to enrich your experience. With the easily accessible New York City Subway System, you’ll be able to quickly get from one neighborhood to the other without the need of catching a cab.

New York City, Times Square, Canal Street

My favorite areas in NYC are Chinatown and Times Square. Those are the 2 must see spots to start off your trip (especially Times Square) Bright lights, tall buildings, it’s New York baby!

Here are some popular neighborhoods you should consider to visit or even stay when in New York City:

Chelsea

Once an important industrial center, Chelsea has become one of Manhattan most cultivated cultural spots, known for the many art galleries and for being a center of the city’s contemporary art scene

Greenwich Village

Known for being the focal area of NYC’s bohemian movement in the 60s, today Greenwich Village is famous for its iconic nightlife and the shopping opportunities, as well as the charming architectural landscape.

Williamsburg 

When looking for trendy nightlife and good dining, you should head to Williamsburg. It started as an artistic neighborhood and recently turned into one of the main centers of real estate development.

Upper East Side

Without a doubt, the Upper Eastside is the embodiment of the posh Manhattan culture: you’ll find the Central Park, famous Fifth Avenue and the historic East River.

Harlem

Known for its African American Heritage, Harlem is an important center of jazz and soul food restaurants as well as newly developed luxury apartments.

Food in NYC & On Canal Street

What is There to Eat in NYC?

New York City is heaven for foodies. The variety of options you’ll find is immense and some tips and tricks might be helpful when looking at what to eat in NYC. From excellent food trucks in NYC to fine dining, no matter your budget, you’ll find something delicious to eat in New York, no doubt!

You can get a bit of everything on Foods of New York tours where you can choose from 6 different tours and get a taste of some of the most popular food in New York while learning some history about the city.

NYC food truck, canal street

If you like food markets, there is no better place to go than Chelsea Market, one of the best indoor food halls in the world. Some of the best places to eat in the market are Los Tacos No 1, where you’ll find some authentic tacos, or Num Pag Sandwich, where you’ll find delicious Southeast Asian inspired paninis. But be ready to explore and eat your way through the market!

When looking for some pizza, you’ll find an incredible amount of options, but if you can’t make your mind up, you can find delicious ones at Artichoke Basille’s Pizza. Another great pizza restaurant is Juliana’s pizza, which was named the best pizzeria in the United States.

Food Near Canal Street

What I love about canal street is that it is located in Chinatown. This means that there are many traditional Chinese restaurants that serve amazing food. Definitely look for some dumplings served in a bowl of hot sauce!

Another place to eat is Canal Street Market, which boasts spin-offs from several NYC favorites such as Nom Wah, Uma Temakeria, and Boba Guys. The variety is attractive and spans from Asian food, burritos, tacos, or delicious cafe, the choice is up to you!

About Canal Street in NYC

Canal Street is a major street in the lower part of Manhattan, which runs from East Broadway to West Street and through the neighborhood of Chinatown, forming the southern borders of SoHo, Little Italy, and the northern on of Tribeca.

Today, Canal Street is a bustling and lively commercial area, crowded with street vendors and open storefronts, where you can find items such as perfumes, hardware, and purses at low prices (some are notoriously counterfeit).

However, Canal Street has not always been like that. The name of the street comes from the fact that by 1800 one of New York City’s sources of freshwater called Collect Pond, got polluted with sewage, which caused the creation of swamps and marshes that limited the city’s growth potential.

Canal Street, NYC bridge

To keep growing, the Council of the city ordered to drain the swamps, and the area was quickly developed. A canal was built to carry off the excess water, but the canal got covered because it turned out pretty ineffective and Canal Street was created in 1820. From there, the area quickly grew and became one of the main jewelry trade centers of the city.

With the years, it became known as the hawker’s heaven and a place when haggling is the norm. The truth is that you can bargain prices and pay very little for what you are looking for if you know how to do it.

Chinatown NYC, Canal Street NYC,

But Canal Street is not only that. You can also visit Canal Street Market and walk around stalls on retail, food, culture, and art. You’ll find several green spaces throughout the area along the Hudson river, such as Battery Park and the Little Redhouse, as well as Seward Park, which is just great if you are looking to play some games, such as basketballs or volleyball.

Introduction to New York City

New York City is known for being a dynamic metropolis, with plenty of things to do, suited to all tastes. It is not an exaggeration to say that you can spend your entire life living in New York and do something different every day. With so many things to see and do, it might be a bit of a challenge to plan your visit to the Big Apple.

Of course, there are some classic attractions that you should not miss, such as the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, or the Natural History Museum, for example. But you cannot leave New York without wandering around some of the major and most famous streets of the city. For sure one of the most common things visitors of NYC are looking for is shopping. And there is no better place to go bargain shopping than Canal Street, where you can find attractive deals for watches, accessories, and handbags, for example.

NYC, New York City

Global Trade in NYC

Canal Street is full of stores selling inexpensive items. Here you’ll find cool bargains and quirky finds as well as an attractive atmosphere. For sure, one of the best places to go if you are looking to bargain is Chinatown.

You’ll find cheap merchandise such as luggage, clothing and shoes, handbags, jewelry and watches, perfumes and electronics, all at very low (and negotiable) prices.

Needless to say that not everything you’ll find for sale on Canal Street is authentic, but the truth is that you’ll find some of the most popular brands (including Chanel, Celine, and Louis Vitton) at a fraction of the real price.

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