Walk out of the 34th Street-Herald Square subway station and you’re immediately hit with a wall of sound. It’s a New York thing. Tourists are spinning in circles looking for the giant Macy’s, commuters are power-walking like they’re in an Olympic heat, and somewhere in the middle of that concrete fever dream sits Nordstrom Rack 31st and 6. Specifically, it’s located at 855 Avenue of the Americas.
It’s a weird spot.
Honestly, if you aren't paying attention, you might walk right past the entrance because the Sixth Avenue corridor between 30th and 32nd has a lot going on. But for those of us who refuse to pay full price for designer boots or need a last-minute blazer that doesn't look like it came from a fast-fashion bin, this specific Rack is a bit of a sanctuary. Or a battlefield. It really depends on what time you show up.
Why this location is different from the Union Square or Chelsea spots
New York has a few Nordstrom Rack locations, but the one at Nordstrom Rack 31st and 6 feels distinct because of its footprint. Unlike the sprawling, multi-level chaos you might find in suburban malls, this Manhattan outpost has to play by city rules. Space is at a premium. This means the inventory density is through the roof.
You’ve probably been to the Union Square location. That place is legendary, but it’s also a marathon. The 31st and 6th location—often referred to as the Herald Square or Chelsea North Rack—is a bit more manageable if you have a specific mission. It’s tucked into the base of the EOS building, a luxury residential high-rise. This matters because the "vibe" of the inventory often reflects the neighborhood. You see more professional attire and "going out" shoes here than at the more bohemian-leaning downtown locations.
The proximity to the PATH train and Penn Station makes it a magnet for New Jersey commuters catching a train home. If you’re shopping here at 5:15 PM on a Tuesday, God help you. The line for the fitting rooms will look like a TSA checkpoint at JFK.
Navigating the floors without losing your mind
When you walk into Nordstrom Rack 31st and 6, you’re greeted by the accessories and beauty section. This is the danger zone. It’s where those $15 luxury hair masks and discounted Ray-Bans live. They’re designed to distract you.
The layout is split between two main levels.
The ground floor is heavy on women's accessories, handbags, and beauty. If you’re looking for the heavy hitters—the actual clothes—you’re heading downstairs. This lower level is cavernous. It’s where the men's department, women's apparel, and the massive shoe section reside.
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Let's talk about the shoes. Nordstrom Rack is basically a shoe company that happens to sell clothes. At this location, the designer clearance section (the "Gold Label" or "Designer" racks) is where the real drama happens. You’ll see a pair of Valentino rockstuds sitting next to some beat-up sneakers someone tried on and decided weren't for them. It’s a hunt. You have to be willing to dig. If you’re a size 7 or 8 in women’s, or a 10 in men’s, it’s basically The Hunger Games.
The "Hidden" Designer Finds
People always ask if the stuff at the Rack is just "made for outlet" merchandise. The answer is: mostly yes, but not entirely.
Roughly 80% to 90% of what you see at a typical Nordstrom Rack is bought specifically for the Rack. It’s still good quality, but it never sat on a shelf at the full-line Nordstrom on 57th Street. However, the Nordstrom Rack 31st and 6 location gets a decent amount of "Penny Finds" and actual transfers from the flagship stores.
Look for the red tags.
A red tag usually means it’s a clearance item from a full-line Nordstrom store. If you find a tag that has multiple clearance stickers layered on top of each other, you’ve found gold. I once saw a Theory wool coat here marked down from $600 to about $110 because it was the last one in the system and had been transferred twice.
The Logistics: Getting there and getting out
If you are driving to Nordstrom Rack 31st and 6, I have to ask: why?
Parking in Herald Square is a nightmare wrapped in a headache. There are garages nearby, like the one on 31st between 6th and 7th, but you’ll pay $40 just to look at a parking spot. Take the subway.
- B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W to 34th St–Herald Square.
- 1, 2, 3 to 34th St–Penn Station.
- PATH to 33rd St.
The entrance is on the west side of 6th Avenue. It’s sleek, glass-heavy, and usually has a security guard who looks like they’ve seen everything New York has to offer and isn't impressed by any of it.
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Survival tips for the 31st and 6th regular
If you want to actually enjoy your time at Nordstrom Rack 31st and 6, you need a strategy. This isn't a casual stroll.
1. The Tuesday Morning Rule
Inventory usually gets replenished early in the week. By Friday night, the racks are a mess. Sweaters are on the floor, hangers are tangled, and the energy is frantic. If you can swing a Tuesday or Wednesday morning visit right when they open at 10:00 AM, the store is eerily quiet. It’s the only time you can actually see the floor.
2. Use the App (Seriously)
One of the best-kept secrets is that you can scan a barcode in the store using the Nordstrom Rack app to see if other sizes are available online. If you find a killer pair of boots at 31st and 6th but they’re a size too small, scan them. Sometimes the "Rack price" is available online even if the physical store is sold out of your size.
3. Check the Alterations Situation
Unlike many discount retailers, Nordstrom Rack offers on-site alterations. This is huge. If you find a pair of designer jeans that are four inches too long (which they always are), you can get them hemmed right there. It’s not free, but it’s convenient and they know what they’re doing.
4. The Return Policy Nuance
Don’t assume everything is returnable. Especially at a high-traffic city store, "Final Sale" means final sale. Read the receipt. Usually, you have 30 days, but if you’ve worn those shoes for a night out in Chelsea and try to bring them back, the staff at 31st and 6th will shut you down faster than a subway door.
Addressing the common gripes
Is it perfect? No.
The biggest complaint about Nordstrom Rack 31st and 6 is the fitting room wait time. Because this location is so close to major office buildings, the lunch hour (12:00 PM to 2:00 PM) is brutal. You will see people holding 20 items standing in a line that snakes around the men's department.
Another thing is the checkout. They have the "roving" checkout clerks with iPads, which is supposed to be faster, but it often leads to confusion about where the actual line starts. Just look for the person with the blue lanyard and the most tired expression—they’re usually the ones who can help you.
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Also, be aware of the "Rack vs. Nordstrom" distinction. If you bought something at the fancy Nordstrom Flagship on 57th Street, you can return it here at the 31st and 6th Rack, but it’s a bit of a process. It’s usually easier to return Rack items to the Rack and Nordstrom items to Nordstrom, though they are technically the same ecosystem.
Why this store stays relevant in 2026
With so much shopping moving to TikTok shops or giant Amazon hubs, physical stores like Nordstrom Rack 31st and 6 stay busy because of the "touch and feel" factor. You can’t tell if a leather jacket feels like butter or like plastic from a thumbnail image.
In a neighborhood that is increasingly filled with generic chain stores and overpriced tourist traps, the Rack offers a predictable, high-value alternative. It’s where the local office workers buy their "I have a meeting" shirts and where tourists go when they realize they didn't pack a heavy enough coat for a New York January.
What to do after your haul
Once you’ve successfully navigated the aisles of Nordstrom Rack 31st and 6, you’re probably going to be hungry or exhausted.
You’re steps away from Koreatown (K-Town). Walk over to 32nd Street between 5th and 6th. Grab some bibimbap or some Korean fried chicken. It’s the perfect antidote to the sensory overload of discount shopping. If you need a drink, there are plenty of rooftop bars in the immediate vicinity, though your Nordstrom Rack bags might mark you as a shopper rather than a socialite. Who cares? You got the deal.
Actionable Shopping Strategy
To get the most out of your visit to this specific location, follow these steps:
- Download the Nordstrom App before you enter; the basement level sometimes has spotty cell service, so having it ready is key.
- Head straight to the back left of the lower level for the "Designer Row" if you are hunting for high-end labels like Ganni, Theory, or Vince.
- Inspect every item for "as-is" damage. City stores see a lot of traffic, and sometimes makeup stains or missing buttons end up on the rack.
- Join the "Nordy Club" even if you hate loyalty programs. The points add up, and the "Notes" (store credit) are basically free money for your next haul.
- Skip the elevators unless you have a stroller. They are notoriously slow at this location. The stairs are faster and keep the blood moving.
Shopping at Nordstrom Rack 31st and 6 is a quintessential New York experience. It’s crowded, it’s a little chaotic, but if you have a sharp eye and a little patience, you’ll walk out with a bag full of stuff that makes you look like you spent way more than you actually did. That’s the whole point, right?