What to See on Fifth Avenue (MIDTOWN NYC Part 2)!

I’ve been to New York 15 times and still long to return! Undoubtedly, there is always something new to discover in the city. Therefore, check out my NYC series to read more tourist tips and advice on where to eat, stay, what to do in Uptown, Midtown and, Downtown. However, this post will specifically focus on Fifth Avenue (Midtown). Because Midtown has so many tourist areas, I split the Midtown post into two. Thus, my prior Midtown post covered the 12 other places of interest in Midtown NYC (as listed below).

1. Fifth Avenue
2. Times Square
3. MoMA
4. Union Square / Gramercy
5. Morgan Library
6. Grand Central
7. Chrysler Building
8. Lotte Palace at Christmas
9. The Garment District
10. Hudson Yards
11. The High Line
12. Chelsea
13. Rooftop Bars (Various locations)

The following sections are included in this post (click to navigate directly to the section):

• Overview of Fifth Avenue
• Christmas Windows of Fifth
• Rockefeller Center
• Radio City Music Hall
• St Patrick’s Cathedral
• Bryant Park
• New York Public Library
• Empire State Building
• NOMAD/Flatiron
• Watch My YouTube

Overview of Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue stretches from Harlem (above Central Park, Uptown) to Washington Square Park (Greenwich Village, Downtown). However, the busiest section is that of Midtown. Therefore, I will focus on this area.

Undeniably, one of the most popular spots on Fifth Avenue is The Plaza Hotel (opposite Central Park!). Furthermore, as you walk south along Fifth Avenue (from the Plaza), you will see some very famous designer stores. For example, Bergdorf Goodman, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci, to name a few! Also, Saks, Henri Bendel, Harry Winston, Valentino, Tommy Hilfiger, Cartier, American Girl, and Versace are all located along these blocks too.

Additionally, a mere two blocks from Central Park is where you will find the soaring Trump Tower. Tiffany & Co sits beside Trump Tower (it recently started to serve breakfast, so you can now enjoy breakfast at Tiffany’s!). 

1. CHRISTMAS WINDOWS

Unquestionably, over the festive season, Fifth Avenue is a must-see! Moreover, the Saks Light Show is like nothing I have seen before. Indeed, it is guaranteed to get you into the festive spirit! Also, you can check out my Instagram page (NYC Christmas highlights) for video clips of this show!

2. ROCKEFELLER CENTER

The Building

The Rockefeller Center is a national historic landmark along Fifth Avenue. It stands at 8,000,000 square feet on 22 acres. Inside the building, you will find a shopping center, dining, office space, The Today Show, and NBC studios, to name a few! Shops include the Lego store, FAO Schwarz, Kate Spade, Godiva, and Mulberry. Also, the building consists of impressive artistry. Furthermore, you can take a building tour of Rockefeller to learn more about its design, history, and gardens. The Statue of Atlas and the stainless steel bas-relief ‘News’ are two popular artworks at Rockefeller.

The Observation Deck

The Top of the Rock observation deck, found on the 70th floor, is most definitely worth visiting! It holds a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of NYC. Also, it possesses a 20-foot wide viewing area (with a coin-operated telescope). Many argue that it is better than The Empire State Building observation deck. However, it now has competition from The Edge, Summit, and One World Observatory too!

Indeed, I would agree that it is better than the Empire State! Significantly, the Rockefeller view includes a skyline view of the iconic Empire State Building. You don’t get this view at the top of The Empire State Building! Also, Rockefeller has more levels and space to walk around than The Empire State. Rockefeller is also located closer to Central Park, thus providing some beautiful views of the park. I advise you to visit on a bright clear day (close to golden hour). Therefore, you can then watch the sunset, thus gaining both day and night views of the city.

Studio Tour

The Today Show and NBC studios (where Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon’s filmed) are both in Rockefeller. Subsequently, tours of the NBC Studios are available and start from the NBC Experience Store. Check out the NBC tour website for more details.

Christmas Tree & Ice Skating

During the holiday season, the lower plaza of Rockefeller is where you will find the ice skating rink and Rockefeller Christmas tree. The sculptor Paul Manship created Prometheus – it is the central piece that sits under the spectacular Christmas Tree. This area can get VERY crowded over the holiday season (especially at the weekend)! However, it is worth the trip to see this extravagant festive area. From here, there is also a great view of the Saks Light Show over the Holiday season. Undoubtedly, if there is anything that can get you into the festive spirit, this light show is it!!

3. RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

Radio City Hall is part of Rockefeller Center. However, access is from 51st Street and 6th Avenue. The Hall has hosted an impressive list of talent. Indeed, the Grammy and Tony awards have taken place here. Also, there is a stage door tour available of the Hall (check out the tour website for more details).

The venue is famously known for being the home of the Rockettes. The Rockettes perform their popular Christmas Spectacular show in the Music Hall every year. I went to see this show – while the dancing was spectacular, I was not overly impressed by the storyline. However, the show is a staple of the NYC holiday season. Therefore, I was glad to have gone to see it.

4. ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL

Another landmark of NYC is the statuesque Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. This beautiful cathedral is opposite Rockefeller Center. Subsequently, you can walk in for free, enjoying a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle located outside. Moreover, with seating of 2,400, it is the largest Gothic-style Catholic cathedral in the country. Tours of the Cathedral are available (check out the Cathedral website for more details).

5. BRYANT PARK

Bryant Park is found just off Fifth Avenue (42nd Street). This pretty park is just a 10-minute walk from Times Square. Indeed, it is one of the most popular parks in the city (after Central Park!). The park has nice seating areas, a fountain, greenery, a cute French classical style ‘le carrousel’, an art cart, an outdoor reading room, ping pong, pétanque, chess boards, backgammon, and several eateries (such as the Grill and coffee kiosk). Also, it hosts, for example, yoga, poetry, and an outdoor cinema and theater at certain times during the year. Check out the Bryant Park website for festivities that may be happening during your visit.

Throughout the Holiday season, you will find a Holiday Market, ice-skating rink, and an impressive Christmas tree in Bryant Park. It is one of my favorite spots to visit over the Holiday season (except for the crowds!)! It can get quite crowded at this time of year! However, it is hard not to get into the festive spirit while wandering around this market, hot chocolate or apple cider in hand!

6. NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

The beautiful NYPL is also along Fifth (inside the grounds of Bryant Park). Two iconic statuesque marble lions, ‘Patience’ and  ‘Fortitude’ stand at the library entrance. Also, tours of the library leave from the Astor Hall information desk each day (check out the NYPL tour page for more information on the building tour).

Unfortunately, this building tour remains on my NYC to-do list! We previously arrived at the library to participate but stumbled upon an exhibition tour instead. Our tour guide was lovely. Nevertheless, the exhibition (which was about NYC Food) was quite long and not to my taste (pun intended ?). However, this was due to personal choice and lack of planning. Therefore, I can’t fault the library for this! Nonetheless, the type of exhibitions held in the library can vary immensely – so you may find one you like! Also, check out the NYPL exhibition page for more information on its exhibitions.

7. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Further down Fifth (at 34th Street) is where you will find the Empire State Building. As mentioned, many argue that Top of the Rock offers better views. Indeed, I am one of the people who would agree with this! However, it is understandable that people may still wish to visit here first because it is such an iconic building. As of 2017, it was the fifth-tallest completed skyscraper in the United States. It stood as the world’s tallest building for nearly 40 years. Subsequently, the completion of the World Trade Center’s North Tower (late 1970) knocked it off as the world’s tallest. The Empire State illuminates different colors to mark occasions and events (for example, green on St Patrick’s day!).

Again, I would suggest visiting just before sunset so that you get to see amazing views both during daylight and also at night. However, be mindful of the weather and if it’s foggy out. Indeed, it was very windy when I visited – with sections even closed off due to wind!

You can purchase tickets from the Empire State website. However, you may want to keep an eye out for the city passes/deals before you go. Particularly if you intend to do a few attractions during your trip, these deals may work out cheaper. Additionally, you can purchase deals that allow you to skip the queue to the Observation Floor. Nevertheless, the line when I visited was VERY long but moved quickly.

8. NOMAD/FLATIRON

If you keep walking south along Fifth, you will make it to the Flatiron District. Therefore, it is c. 40-minute walk from where we started at Central Park/Plaza Hotel (only a 15-minute walk from the Empire State Building).

Here (opposite Madison Square Park), you will find the beautiful Flatiron building. Undoubtedly, this iconic triangle-shaped skyscraper is a designated New York Landmark. Though it’s not open to the public, it’s a notable building to see if you like architecture or want a photo outside of it.

There are some fab eateries in this area, such as Eataly, Marta, and Sarabeth’s. I ate at ilili and was very impressed by the food here! Also, a lovely boutique hotel where I had cocktails was the ACE hotel – its large lobby and bar would be a great place to grab a coffee while working on your laptop during the day too. Additionally, I caught an awesome jazz show at the award-winning Flatiron Room – this is definitely worth checking out if you are a jazz fan!

WATCH MY YOUTUBE

Have you any other suggestions of places to visit on Fifth Avenue? If so, please leave comments below!

Thanks for reading,

Anita

xx