Canal Street
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
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The area
Neighbourhood: Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
How to get there
- Canal St • 1 min walk
- Canal St • 2 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
218 reviews
Excellent
49
Very good
62
Average
69
Poor
23
Terrible
15
bfltd0
London, UK631 contributions
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.
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
1 contribution
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.
Steve S
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Couples
My wife was in heaven! Stick to the street vendors and avoid the back rooms and anyone with laminated price sheets. Make sure you haggle. Say what you’re willing to pay and then “walk away.” You won’t get far before the vendor gives in.
To those complaining about the “smell of weed” and “drug dealing”: Get over yourself and go somewhere else in the city.
To those complaining about the “smell of weed” and “drug dealing”: Get over yourself and go somewhere else in the city.
Written June 25, 2024
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
Scotland15 contributions
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
11 contributions
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)
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 Kingdom32 contributions
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, NY16,136 contributions
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, WA48 contributions
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, Canada23 contributions
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, TX114 contributions
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.
There is no website I’m aware of. It’s more luck of the draw. Don’t buy from the first vendor you come to unless you really like the purse, or whatever.
Written January 19, 2019
Traveling to NYC first weekend of February.
I am aware that is the start of Chinese New Year. Does anyone know if the canal street vendors work during this time?
Written November 22, 2018
For me, the best way is to start at the Broadway end and work your way into Chinatown, then up Mulberry Street into Little Italy.
Enjoy!
Written May 26, 2018
What was the name of the restaurant! Thanks
Written May 9, 2018
I am afraid I do not have the answer to this question.. we were there around 10 am and it appeared that everything was open for business...
Written March 4, 2018
Where can I park when visiting Canal Street
Written December 27, 2017
Take a subway and enjoy walking around... not worrying about cars
Written March 4, 2018
Is canal worth going to if you're looking for a good quality replica Louis Vuitton purse? Don't want to waste my time if it's not worth it
Written November 28, 2016
The best quality original fakes you can get is the Istanbul bazaar (family business, carefully done), not at Canal Street. Don't waste your time.
Written November 28, 2016
Catbird5152
Kentucky, Australia
Is there a website that you can order and have them ship to you
Written November 20, 2016
I don't think so. This is part of China Town, New York, with hundreds of small shops and restaurants. An experience in itself!
Written December 26, 2016
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