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Neighborhood and central business district in New York City
Photo: user:AngMoKio, CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Midtown East is the core retail and commercial neighborhood of Manhattan, containing the highest concentration of business and money this side of, well, the planet. The Empire State Building, the most iconic building (even if no longer the tallest) in the city is here. Shady Bryant Park abuts the imposing New York Public Library main branch at 42nd Street, while to the east is the magnificent Beaux Arts Grand Central Terminal. Le Corbusier's landmark UN Headquarters is located on the East River. The masterpiece art deco towers of Rockefeller Center and adjoining Radio City sit opposite 5th Avenue from St. Patrick's Cathedral, the seat of the city's archdiocese. Fifth Avenue below 59th remains the toniest and most exclusive retail neighborhood in New York City, home to names like Saks, Tiffany and Bendel (and Apple!). Murray Hill north of 34th Street is home to some of the city's nicest brownstones. Much of the real estate in this neighborhood is likewise quite expensive, and the restaurants, bars and other facilities notably cater to a higher-paying clientele.
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One of New York's many "pocket parks," Greenacre is a small plot of green space and an excellent place to relax, with a nice waterfall in the back, plenty of seats and tables, and lots of shade, plus a small tea shop.
Another pocket park which is celebrated among landscape architects and urban designers, Paley is a great place to relax, with plenty of chairs below a canopy of trees and a waterfall spanning the entire back wall of the park.
One of the most recognizable and favored structures of New York, the Chrysler was the world's tallest building when completed in 1930, but lost that title to the nearby Empire State Building less than a year later. But what it lost in fame it makes up for in beauty, with its gorgeous, instantly recognizable Art Deco crown.
With its distinctive slanted roof and long, slender base columns, this building is another great skyscraper with a grand atrium.
This Art Deco design classic, completed in 1930 to a design by Raymond Hood, was made famous by the Superman films; to be admired are the extreme verticality of the design, the understated setbacks and functional design. The newspaper no longer holds offices here, but the foyer is well worth a visit if passing, if only to see the newspaper's giant globe sculpture and wall weather stations.
A legend from the moment it was finished in 1931, the Empire State Building was easily the tallest building not just in New York, but the entire world for many years before being overtaken by another New York landmark - the twin towers of the World Trade Center. With the destruction of those two buildings, the Empire State Building was once again the tallest building in the city, but that lasted less than eleven years. But even though it's no longer the tallest, it remains iconic and one of the city's biggest tourist attractions. Expect long lines, and a lot of them - you'll have to wait in line to pass through a security checkpoint, wait in line to get tickets, wait in line for the elevators, and then make your way through the crowd on the outdoor observation deck on the 86th floor. One way to deal with the lines is to buy an express line ticket, which will bring you to the front of any line, but it will more than double the cost of your ticket. Another option is to visit very early in the day or late in the evening, when the lines will be considerably shorter. Despite the long lines and inevitable tourist kitsch, the views are excellent and the experience of being outdoors on top of New York City is a great one. Hawkers outside the building may try to tell you there is a very long line inside and that they can get you tickets to cut the line for some exorbitant price; before believing them, go inside and check the actual wait time which is clearly written on the electronic boards.
Since it was built it has been probably the most hated building in New York, mostly because it rises up over Grand Central Station, completely blocking the view up Park Avenue, but it is a good example of modern architecture.
This building's unique, funky upper reaches and spire, with its dull gray light at night, are a strong presence in the Midtown skyline, visible for miles. As of 2023, it is the fourth tallest building in New York City.
The UN HQ sits on an 18-acre site between 42nd and 48th Streets, and between First Avenue and the East River. It is noted for its gardens and outdoor sculpture. There is a charge for the tours of the General Assembly and Secretariat but you can visit the Visitor's Lobby for free (although you do have to pass through a security checkpoint). There are two levels to the lobby area which includes a gallery, a gift shop, and a bookshop. If you're just visiting the lobby, don't join any queues - just find your way around. There is little in the way of signs to tell you where you can go - this is the UN, well-meaning but not well organized. Outside the building is a display of national flags which represent the 193 sovereign states that are members of the UN. Highlights include the 116-kg Japanese Peace Bell, where the bell is traditionally rung twice a year in honor of world peace.
Walk in and see the main concourse, a cavernous room often filled with people and elegantly detailed, with arched windows, a lovely clock, and an astronomical ceiling.
A big, grand neo-Gothic Catholic church, presided over by the Archbishop of New York; a years-long renovation was completed in time for a Sep 2015 visit by Pope Francis.
A famous luxury hotel.
Once J. Pierpont Morgan's private library, this building houses his art collection, a Gutenberg Bible, and a first printing of The Star Spangled Banner. The bookshelves lining the walls include books by Dante, Dickens, Einstein, Twain, and several First and Second Folios.
One of four up-market Mexican restaurants in Manhattan by the same name and under the same ownership (the others are in Gramercy, Chelsea, SoHo) Sticky, saucy ribs and guacamole.
This legendary place serves up doughy, chewy bagels the size of hubcaps that some New Yorkers consider 'the best bagels in NYC - which means everywhere'. Bagel-eaters will also find a wide variety of mixed cream cheeses, tofu spreads, and smoked fish. Bagels are cheap, but prices depend on whether you eat in or take out! Expect to pay $3 for two bagels and a small tub of your favorite cream-cheese spread. Lines can be long at lunchtime.
An institution, opened in 1913 along with the station itself.
Trendy Asian cuisine; reservations required. Beautiful decor.
Very nice Vietnamese restaurant with full bar. Nice food and decent prices. Try seafood combo.
Located on the 4th floor of the UN General Assembly, this high-class dining hall lets you eat alongside delegates, ambassadors, and celebrities at the heart of international politics. The menu changes every day, providing a unique international buffet every day as you sit with a gorgeous view of the East River. Reservations should be made at least 24 hours in advance. Do note that with security concerns, you'll be escorted to and from the dining room. Dress attire is business casual.
Asian fusion. Try the fruit teas and the fried cauliflower.
A service member friendly hotel. The hotel is closed to non-military personnel unless accompanied by a service member, veteran, or military retiree.
Walking distance from Grand Central Terminal and near the United Nations.
A Pakistani-owned hotel named after the 20th President Theodore Roosevelt and opened in 1924. The hotel has 1,015 rooms including 52 suites. This hotel has been seen in several major motion pictures.
Nice boutique hotel with good bar, Silverleaf Tavern, which serves a good G&T. Lovely rooms including LCD TV's etc. Some rooms have a view of the Empire State Building.
Irish boutique hotel with a popular on-site Irish restaurant.
Attached to Grand Central Station.
This country French hotel offers guests free high speed Wi-fi and complimentary refreshments in the Club room 24 hours a day including breakfast in the mornings and wine and cheese receptions on weeknights.
A fresh blend of highly personalized concierge service with high-end contemporary art and design.
A luxury, four-diamond, Japanese-style hotel.
Free high speed Wi-fi and complimentary refreshments in the Reading Room 24 hours a day including breakfast in the mornings and wine and cheese receptions in the evenings except for Sunday nights.
Luxury accommodations, good views, spacious rooms, spa & fitness center, fine dining at the Gilt Restaurant & Bar, meeting and event rooms.
Another famous luxury hotel that is among the more notable in New York, with a long history in a lavish Art Deco building that has housed many a celebrity. Perhaps one of the most famous guests was President Franklin Roosevelt, and a secret platform that is believed to have been used by Roosevelt to travel directly from the train to his hotel room so he could hide his paralysis from the public survives under the hotel. The secret platform is not open to public.
formerly Hilton New York Grand Central
The former Hilton, an iconic landmark, neo-gothic hotel, only a few blocks from Times Square and Grand Central Station.
Located beneath a giant glass cube, this flagship Apple Store is open 24/7 and is crowded with shoppers all day long. Come here on the day the company releases a new gadget and you'll see lines that wrap around the block.
This three level toy store in the heart of Manhattan New York City will make you feel like a kid again. You can take a selfie with the toy soldiers and watch live demonstrations of toys given by store employees. Also a good place to stop if you need a public restroom. Many toys sold here are either rare and hard to find or exclusive to FAO Schwarz
The famous jewellers, scene of Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's
By MTA bus
Regular MTA buses run along every avenue except for short avenues like Vanderbilt, and there are also many crosstown routes.
By Metro-North commuter rail
Metro-North commuter trains originate and terminate at Grand Central Terminal on E. 42 St at Park Av. See the By train section on the main New York City page for more info.
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