My Hotel was right by this street...At first, it looks really lively and packed with things to do, but in reality, this is just a pedestrian street filled with leather merchants harassing you, and fast food joints...I walked by it several times, and after two strolls, I just got bored...I was really bothered by the amount of women laying on the floor, filthy, and with 2-3 children begging for money....They send the kids up to you to tug at your clothes, and ask for money...they are always there...everyday...the same people...I was just asking myself, "Do these children go to school?" On the other hand, there is a restaurant called "Il Grand Cafe" on Florida street where I had a very pleasant lunch...If in Buenos Aires, I recommend taking a stroll past this street, but it's not such a major attraction...

Calle Florida is a long pedestrian mall on a street closed to traffic. It's a tourist attraction and we found the hawkers relentless and annoying Gallerias Pacifico was a notable exception that provided a more genteel shopping experience away from the street. Street vendors offered mediocre products and the street seemed uncomfortable later in the day as a tougher crowd seemed to surface. We loved the Abasto - beautiful historical bldg that can be reached by sub t - a neighborhood feel. We absolutely fell in love with Buenos Aires.

My husband and I stayed only a few blocks from Calle Florida for two weeks last month. We walked the street almost daily so I became very familiar with what it has to offer.
I believe the street is about a mile long from Avenida de Mayo to San Martin Plaza. You will find all kinds of services along with the shopping.
There are, of course, the leather shops up and down the street. As another reviewer stated, there were people trying to get you to come into their stores but a firm no thank you was usually enough. The best bargain, in my opinion, is men’s leather dress shoes. My husband bought four pair while we were there.
Galerias Pacifico is a mall on Florida at the end near San Martin Plaza. It should not be missed for its beauty and architecture. Be sure to go in and look at the dome with the painted ceiling even if you don’t want to browse the shops. I posted a review on it with some photos.
We enjoyed several restaurants in the area and coffee shops. There are also several movie theaters where you can see a recent release for about $2US. We had several eyeglass frames fitted with prescription lenses for a very good price at an optical shop. My husband had a manicure at one of the salons. There are also banks, hotels, internet places called locutorios, shoe shine stations, etc.
There are young people who perform tango on the street and pass a hat. Artists sell their paintings. So you see, Calle Florida is much more than stores. You can still go there and have good time without stepping inside a store. Just go and enjoy the architecture and the people while you have a cafe con leche and an alfajor at one of the sidewalk cafes.

I thought that Calle Florida was awful. I thought the shopping was VERY second rate (especially compared to the other places in Buenos Aires - Palermo, San Telmo, Avenida Cabildo, Recoleta, ferias), the place was far too busy, everything was overpriced and it felt very sterile - like any other big city in the whole world. I wouldn't recommend it. You are right in the centre of the business district and there are soooooooo many people rushing around you trying to get to work, or get to a meeting, or go home - its horrendous. And the people propositioning you to go into their stores are annoying - they don't let it go, and if you're unlucky enough to catch the same one twice, they will ask you if you went in - then you feel like the naughty kid at school if you didn't go. If your shopping style, is safe, chain store fodder with no originality, come here. Also come if you don't like the sun and want to be surrounded by big tower blocks.