United States
New York (NY)
New York City
Things to Do in New York City
Canal Street
See all things to do

Canal Street

See all things to do
See all things to do
Canal Street
3.5
About
This pulsing street stretches from East Broadway to West Street and is the main drag of New York City's Chinatown. Come here for a great bargain—there are street vendors, open storefronts and jewelry shops peddling an assortment of "luxury" watches, "designer" bags, perfumes, and souvenir t-shirts. Though buyer beware, authenticity not guaranteed. Closer to Chinatown, there are fruit and vegetable stands and Asian grocery stores that the locals patronize. Take a break from the bustle at a nearby park: Hudson River Greenway, Collect Pond Park, and Columbus Park are all close by. This street is often a stop on walking tours of Lower Manhattan, along with SoHo and Little Italy. – Tripadvisor
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view

Top ways to experience Canal Street and nearby attractions

The area
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Bursting with an amazing array of sights, sounds, and smells on every block, a visit to Chinatown feels like entering a different world. It’s a colorful spectacle that gets even more crowded on weekends, when families stream in to enjoy huge dim sum feasts and to stock up at the markets on Mott Street. To take a break from the buzz, grab something sweet from one of the many bakeries in the area and head to Columbus Park, where many Chinatown residents exercise, play games, and chat the day away.
How to get there
  • Canal St • 5 min walk
  • Grand St • 5 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Alimama Tea
94
0.1 mi$ • Bakeries • Cafe • Fast Food
Taiyaki NYC
389
0.2 mi$ • Dessert • Japanese
Tomino - Taberna Gallega
250
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Spanish • Wine Bar
Shanghai 21
422
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Asian • Shanghai
Tasty Hand - Pulled Noodles
433
0.1 mi$ • Chinese • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly
Whiskey Tavern
183
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
Two Hands Nolita
370
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Healthy • Australian
Fried Dumpling
270
0.2 mi$ • Quick Bites • Chinese • Fast Food
Baz Bagel and Restaurant
298
0.2 mi$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Le CouCou Restaurant
566
0.3 mi$$$$ • French • European • Vegetarian Friendly
See all
Attractions
2,453 within 6 miles
Little Italy
3,660
0.1 miNeighborhoods
Chinatown
3,914
524 ftNeighborhoods
Mahayana Buddhist Temple
92
425 ftReligious Sites
Statue of Confucius
43
322 ftMonuments & Statues
Eastern States Buddhist Temple of America
10
360 ftReligious Sites
Museum at Eldridge Street
502
0.2 miSpeciality Museums
Church of The Most Precious Blood
8
0.1 miReligious Sites
Columbus Park
94
0.1 miParks
Alleva Dairy
91
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Museum of Chinese in America
131
0.3 miSpeciality Museums
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
214 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
61
Average
68
Poor
23
Terrible
14
bfltd0
London, UK668 contributions
Mulitcultural melting pot
May 2022
Having crossed Manhattan Bridge from Brooklyn, we walked down Canal Street to the A line subway station in the West side of the street in the early evening. It is a great dividing line between the different communities, as we crisscrossed in and out of Chinatown and similarly in and out of Little Italy.

We did take refuge in an Italian restaurant for a happy hour glass of Malbec. Unbelievably $5 a glass! Cheaper than London and definitely the cheapest alcoholic drink we had all week.

And that was only a tenth of what a Rolex would have cost, according to one of the street traders on Canal Street. I suspect it may not have been of Swiss manufacture, as I know for a fact that they have not made any quartz Submariners. :-)

Lots of hustle and bustle but never any sense of being overpowering, this is a must-see in any trip to New York, just for the pure diversity.
Written May 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia J
2 contributions
Purse Quality
Oct 2022
I still have a lot to learn about Canal street, but we did check out the purses. One of the people traveling with me bought a purse from a back room and the logo fell off of it less than a month later. I question how great the quality of the purses in the back rooms are. I looked at several designers and saw poor stitches, etc. You do have to be careful. When I worked with a gentleman on the street who showed me a laminated card with purses, I felt the quality was much better. Leather purses, and quite beautiful. Does anyone know if the vendors with laminated cards are usually considered higher quality?
Written April 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
businesstraveller333
Scotland13 contributions
Canal street ambience
Jan 2020 • Solo
Enjoyed the shady chinese community trying to attract me to handbags.. done very secretive yet very visible!!.. yes there is honest trading taking place and no need to feel they are shady!! Worth it for the experience!
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nomad607341
2 contributions
Basic but clean and modern
Nov 2022 • Couples
Basic but very clean and modern and bang in the heart of chinatown would recommend. Bed very comfy. Bathroom includes shower gel, shampoo and hand-wash attached to the wall in dispensers located at sink and in shower, which is very handy

Snacks for sale include water and soft drinks at reception and chips (crisps)
Written November 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary M
Belper, England, United Kingdom35 contributions
Great for souvenir hunting
Aug 2018 • Family
This is a must place to visit if you plan to buy NYC souvenirs. They are a fraction of the price you would pay in Times Square . Fake bags, sweatshirts, t shirts they are all here and it is a fun shopping experience haggling and bartering. Shop here and you will save $$$$$$.
Written September 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Five Road Trippers 🚙🎡🎢🧳
Long Island, NY15,276 contributions
Great Bargain Shopping
Jan 2019 • Friends
I love walking down Canal Street. I've been coming down here for over twenty years. Usually, we will walk most of the length from West Broadway down to the Manhattan Bridge. So many markets and shops to browse. Sometimes, I cannot resist grabbing a snack. For these walks, wear comfortable shoes!
Written March 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jcoghlan
Spokane Valley, WA52 contributions
Have to do this at least once
May 2018
It was an experience! Just walk down the street and hear "watches", "belts", "purses". Then when you look interested, someone whips out a large card with at least 100 purses pictured. You barter on the price....remember....never pay more than $60 (I paid less) and the person either jumps on a bike to retrieve the bag or calls someone who delivers it. It arrives in a large, black garbage bag and you look at it while it remains in the plastic bag. Worth the trip 1 time.
Written May 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sophiesmom2015
Toronto, Canada22 contributions
Cheap knockoffs and the store owners practically chase you down the street.
Feb 2018
I made the mistake of walking down Canal on my way to the subway. I stopped to glance at some scarves for sale and the store owners stand on the street in an attempt to get you inside where the stores are dirty and pretty much full of knock-off junk. Buyers be ware
Written March 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claudia T
Houston, TX121 contributions
SHOP!!
May 2019 • Couples
Okay if your looking for knock off anything this is the place! Be aware though because apparently its not legal to sell knock off items, so people approach you asking if you want to " look" at stuff, pretty safe as there are many cops around the area.
Written June 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelgal1994
Franklin, TN878 contributions
Avoid the “bag” ladies!
Oct 2017 • Couples
Ok yes guess we all want a bargain but this is beyond ridiculous! We went to this area to check out the possibility of the buying a purse.... and this is what happened!
Beware of the little ladies with hats who are a bit over dressed... when they ask if you want a Coach...you don’t! We followed this lady thinking we would go to “the room” in the back and check it out! Oh no... you look at a chart of purses tell-them the one or two you like and they disappear! Meanwhile another unsuspecting person is being told to pick from a chart!! We tourists stand there on the sidewalk waiting for these ladies to return from who knows where! They return with said purse in a big plastic bag and you have to make your selection! Nope.... I felt like I was part of a drug deal about to go wrong... not that I have any idea about that!! We said thanks and scooted on!! Whew... never ever will I do that again!! Thankfully I discovered Henri Bendle‘ sale and came home with the very best! And a funny story !
Written November 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 138
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Canal Street - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Canal Street

Canal Street Information

Excellent Reviews

48

Very Good Reviews

61

Canal Street Photos

110