Walking Tours
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Destination Midtown is the best way to discover everything NYC's most exciting area has to offer. This insider's guide to Midtown Manhattan will let you plan custom walks, discover new places, educate you on NYC icons like the Empire State Building, and keep you up to date on the latest events in our area.
Listen to the history of the Garment District as told by The Bowery Boys podcast. Ready To Wear: A History of the Garment District
Free Garment District Walking Tour
Tour Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
Reservations: To reserve your spot, email MikesNYCtours@yahoo.com
Meeting Location: Northeast corner of Seventh Avenue at 39th Street, between the Garment District 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 Garment 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 insider's 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 and 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 Garment District and the rise of unions in the industry. The tour will stops 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.
2018 Tour Dates:
Sunday, April 15 at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, May 8 at 10 a.m.
Sunday, May 27th at 2 p.m
Sunday, June 10th at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, June 26th at 10 a.m.
Sunday, July 8 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, July 19th at 10 a.m.
Sunday, August 12 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, August 22 at 10 a.m.
Sunday September 2 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, September 23 at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, October 9 at 10 a.m.
Thursday, October 25 at 10 a.m.
Sunday, November 4 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, November 18 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, December 5 at 10 a.m.
Thursday, December 20 at 10 a.m.
Tours fill up fast! Reserve your spot by emailing MikesNYCTours@yahoo.com.
About Mikes NYC Tours: Mike Kaback offers tours year-round in the Garment District and in neighborhoods throughout the City. More information is available at www.mikesnyctours.com
Other Tours
Educational & Historical Tours
Seek New York Tours
Seek’s popular Garment District tour is a mix of garment manufacturing and retail industry history, fashion landmarks, famous design schools, and visits to the fabric and trim stores utilized by industry professionals. The emphasis of this guided walking tour is history and sightseeing, with several brief fabric shopping stops along the way. Tours can be customized to include additional history, extended fabric shopping time, or visits to unique showrooms and factories located within the Garment District. Tours also feature exclusive discounts at Garment District businesses including fabric and trim stores, restaurants, and coffee shops.
For a more in-depth look at the garment industry, Seek's popular group Fashion Week tours include all of the features of the Garment District tour, plus showroom and factory visits, a visit to the site of Fashion Week, special NYFW exhibits and events, and more. Select dates in September and February.
Group Fashion Week tours $55/person; private Garment District tours from $200/group. Large group educational tour rates available for sewing and quilting clubs, scout troops, and school and camp groups. Appropriate for ages 8 and above.
Please e-mail info@seeknewyorkllc.com or visit Seek New York Tours for additional information. Tours may be booked online by visiting Seek's tour booking page. Early booking is recommended for best availability.
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.
Urban Oasis offers Fashion Week Tours for all clients interested in a before the runway experience. This special 3-hour itinerary includes a fashion challenge great for students, historical perspective, a consultation with a veteran patternmaker, visit to a production facility, fabric stores, and places designers frequent for inspiration. In addition, a 4-hour behind the scenes Garment District/ Meatpacking District/ Chelsea fashion tour is now available by special request.
Shopping Tours
Seek New York ToursFor guests with an interest in purchasing clothing or accessories, Seek also offers hands-on shopping tours which can be designed around a specific theme or interest, such as Vintage Clothing, Makeup & Accessories, or Consignment Shopping. All Seek tours are led by fashion designers, costume designers, and other industry professionals who are also fully licensed New York City Sightseeing Guides. Please e-mail info@seeknewyorkllc.com or visit Seek New York Tours for additional information. Private tours may be booked online by submitting a tour inquiry form. Early booking is recommended for best availability.
Shop Gotham
Since 2001, Shop Gotham’s Garment Center “Insider” Shopping Tours have been taking guests on a “behind-the-scenes” shopping expedition to Private Showrooms for the exclusive opportunity to purchase at Wholesale prices (the same privilege afforded only to store buyers and fashion editors). Guests enjoy: 6 “by appointment–only” Designer Showrooms; a meet- greet with a designer or two, and a glimpse of the inner workings of the NYC women’s fashion industry. The focus of the program is shopping for chic apparel and accessories at deeply discounted prices, from new, emerging and established designers, which are sold in your favorite department stores and better boutiques. Guests will also depart with a list of all worthy Sample Sales taking place that day, for independent post-tour shopping. This quintessential “only in NY” experience is 3 hours and runs every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Recommended for women 17 – 80. For further details, please visit shopgotham.com.
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
Elegant Tightwad Shopping Excursions
Elegant Tightwad Shopping Excursion participants will experience true bargainista bliss on this trek to private showrooms. Visit theeleganttightwad.com for information.
Urban Oasis
Urban Oasis shopping tour is a curated insider’s wholesale shopping tour led by resort wear designer and fashionista Imani Alexander. We customize your wholesale shopping experience based on taste and price point. Our showrooms sell to boutiques, retail chains and upscales specialty stores.
