First Avenue, avenue in Manhattan

First Avenue is a major street in Manhattan running from Houston Street in the south to 127th Street in the north, cutting through the borough's east side. As you walk along it, you encounter varying neighborhoods with different types of buildings, from older homes to modern high-rises, and it remains consistently busy throughout its length.

First Avenue was part of the systematic street plan of 1811 that aimed to organize Manhattan with straight, numbered streets for better navigation. During the 20th century, it lost its earlier role as an automobile hub with car dealerships and transformed into a major transit corridor with apartments, shops, and public transportation.

First Avenue takes its name from the planned street grid established in 1811 and now serves as a meeting place for Manhattan's diverse communities. Walking along it, you see international markets, colorful storefronts, and cafes that reflect the many cultures making their homes and livelihoods here.

First Avenue runs in a single northbound direction, making navigation straightforward, and multiple subway stations at 14th, 23rd, and 59th Streets offer easy access to public transit. Bus lines run along the entire street, and dedicated bus lanes help public transportation move faster during peak hours.

A tunnel beneath 42nd Street that opened in 1953 allows traffic to bypass the busiest intersections and move through more efficiently. The section between 42nd and 48th Streets was named United Nations Plaza to honor the nearby UN headquarters and was widened to create plazas and parks.

• Location: Manhattan
• GPS coordinates: 40.76178,-73.96039
• Latest update: February 7, 2026 09:31