Top 5 Tips for Visiting the Flatiron Building

Rising 21 stories high, this turn-of-the-century office building is known for its distinctive triangular shape.

2 min read•Nov. 22, 2019•By Mandy Hegarty

Make the most of your trip to the Flatiron Building.

Hi, I'm Mandy!

Mandy Hegarty is a writer who specializes in food and travel. Currently based in Dublin, Ireland, she’s previously lived in New York, London, and Montreal. She has written for the likes of Time Out New York, Air Canada, and Singapore Airlines.

1. Photograph the Flatiron

For the best views, park yourself on Flatiron Plaza just north of the building. From here, you can photograph the iconic structure with Fifth Avenue and Broadway stretching out beyond it on either side.

2. Get a bird’s-eye perspective

For an alternative view, head to the Empire State Building. Just 11 blocks away, the 86th-floor observatory towers above the Flatiron and lets you see how it fits in with the surrounding cityscape.

3. Wrap up

The unique shape of the Flatiron building can produce unpredictable wind currents (when the building was first built in 1902, it was notorious for stirring up enough wind to reveal women’s ankles). If you come here on a blustery day, wrap up well as wind chill can make it feel colder than other parts of the city.

4. Dine with a view

At Madison Square Park, the ever-popular Shake Shack concession serves burgers and milkshakes, which can be enjoyed at outdoor tables overlooking the Flatiron Building.

5. See the Flatiron's little sibling

Though the Flatiron is New York’s most notable wedge-shaped structure, it’s not the only triangular building in town. Just a 20-minute stroll away in the Meatpacking District, you’ll find the former Silas C. Herring Lock and Safe Company Building, now affectionately known as the Little Flatiron.