The Best Places to Visit in MIDTOWN NYC (Part 1)!

This post will focus on Midtown NYC. Indeed, if you are a first-time tourist to NYC, you will likely spend most of your time in Midtown. However, check out my NYC series of posts for more tourist tips and advice on where to eat, stay, and what to do in Uptown and Downtown! There is always something new to do in New York!

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

1. Fifth Avenue (see Part 2 of Midtown post!)
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 Midtown)
14. Other
15. Watch my Youtube

1. FIFTH AVENUE

There’s so much to see along Fifth Avenue! For example, its spectacular Christmas windows, impressive designer stores, Plaza Hotel, Rockefeller Center & Observation Deck, Radio City Music Hall, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Bryant Park, New York Public Library, Empire State Building, and the Flatiron Building. I thus wrote a second Midtown NYC post specifically on Fifth Avenue! Make sure to check it out too!

2. TIMES SQUARE

The name ‘Times Square’ originated from The New York Times paper. Its building can be found only a few blocks from the main square. Although most New Yorkers complain about the tackiness and busyness of Times Square, it’s still a must-see for first-time tourists! As someone who had never been to a large city before, I found it breathtaking the first time I visited. Indeed, it was exactly like how I imagined it would be! For example, the large flashing Broadway billboards, the tall skyscrapers, the noise, energy, crowds, and the red steps of Duffy Square. Times Square is the heart of Midtown NYC!

Broadway Tickets

You can buy discounted tickets for Broadway Shows (on the date of the show) at the Tkts Booth. It is at Duffy Square. There are more Tkts booths at other locations in the city. Also, they are likely to have less of a queue than the Times Square location. See the TDF website for locations and opening hours. I’ve been to several Broadway shows, all of which were amazing! Plus, you never know what famous actor may be performing when you visit! Keep an eye on the schedule before you go!

Revolving Rooftop restaurant

The popular Revolving Rooftop restaurant, The View, is located in Times Square. I’ve planned to go here a few times but have not yet made it there! Therefore, let me know your thoughts if you have been here!

Stores

The official Times Square website provides a list of stores (and events) located in Times Square. However, some popular stores include M&M’s World, Disney, and Hershey’s Chocolate World. Also, the Port Authority bus terminal is located just off Times Square. For those who wish to go designer shopping, the Port Authority is where you can buy a ticket and catch a bus to Woodbury Common Outlet. However, you may find a better ticket deal to Woodbury with a city Pass Card/Groupon than buying directly at the Port Authority!

Other Times Square Attractions

Ripleys Believe It or Not (unfortunately closed during COVID 19) and Madame Tussauds are popular tourist spots also in Times Square. I visited Madame Tussauds, and though I didn’t think I would enjoy it, I was pleasantly surprised! Be sure to check out ordering tickets online instead of directly at the door. There can be some great deals found online (including the chance to skip the queue) for many of these tourist attractions. Check out my Overview of New York post for details on some of the deals when visiting the city.

3. MUSEUM OF MODERN ART (MoMA)

MoMA is located just off Fifth (along 53rd Street). It offers free entry on a Friday (4 – 8 pm). However, I have visited during these hours and the Museum can get very busy during this time!

Undoubtedly, MoMA is one of my favorite Art Museums to visit in the city! Impressively, Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night’ is one of the many famous artworks here! I prefer MoMA rather than, for example, the MET. However, I am more of a lover of modern and contemporary art than the work of the old masters. Therefore, this is why I love MoMA so much!

4. UNION SQUARE/GRAMERCY

Only a c. 10-minute walk from Madison Square Park is where you will find Union Square Park. Hence, the park borders Downtown and Midtown NYC. This bustling park is a popular spot for markets. Indeed, it holds the Greenmarket farmer market, which started in 1976, and the Holiday Market. I visited the park during the festive season and was impressed by the local artist’s goods. Not as packed as Bryant Holiday Market (though smaller), it made for a nice change as I usually visit Bryant Park.

5. MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM

The Morgan Library & Museum is at Murray Hill, Midtown NYC (a block from Fifth).

I had wanted to visit this library for quite a while and finally made it on my 2019 trip. Indeed, I was not disappointed! Though a small library, it is breathtaking. It looks like something you would see in a whimsical film like Harry Potter! The colors, artwork, and interior design of the library are beautiful. What excited me more when I got there was the original musical manuscript from Schubert, Beethoven, Mozart, and Verdi. I was not expecting to see these! As a pianist, the music manuscript very much impressed me! Also, for book lovers, there was an autographed manuscript of A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens) on display!

Mr. Morgan’s study room, opposite the library, is another beautiful space to see. Furthermore, the museum has gallery rooms and includes rotating exhibits. The museum also has over 10,000 digital drawings online! Also, Jane Austen’s letters and manuscripts and work by Ruben, Paul Cezanne, Vincent van Gogh, Renoir, and Rembrandt have all been shown here.

6. GRAND CENTRAL

Located two avenues from Bryant Park / NYPL (42nd Street and Park Avenue) is Grand Central Station. Presently, it is the largest such station facility in the world by its number of platforms. Also, architecturally, the station is beautiful! The interior luster of the Main Concourse is elaborately decorated with an astronomical ceiling. However, some of the constellations are inaccurate! Grand Central is somewhat of a romantic location. I believe this is likely because its iconical four-faced clock, located by the information booth, is frequently used as a meeting place in films and t.v.

Furthermore, the station contains a large food court, newsstands, food market, bakeries, shopping, and a seasonal holiday market. However, I found the market small the year I visited it. Also, located near the Oyster Bar & Restaurant, you will find the whispering wall. Whispering here is known to sound like a shout due to the acoustics of the low ceramic arches!

A four-meter clock (the world’s largest example of Tiffany glass) stands on top of the station. Additionally, the sculptures Minerva, Hercules, and Mercury surround the clock. Also, a statue of an eagle prominently perches on the top of the station.

History of the Terminal

In the 1960s, there was a plan to demolish a significant part of Grand Central because, at that time, it was falling apart. However, preservationists–aided by none other than Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis took the fight to the Supreme Court. Subsequently, this eventually led to the station being saved in 1978! A dark rectangular patch of dirt remains on the ceiling following its restoration in 1998. This patch starkly contrasts with the cleanliness of the restoration work surrounding it. Consequently, the grimy patch acts as a reminder of the gloomy/dark past of the station. The patch is quite symbolic of how something can be saved from near ruins.

7. CHRYSLER BUILDING

Just an avenue from Grand Central Station (42nd Street and Lexington), you will see another iconic Midtown NYC landmark; the beautiful Chrysler Building. The Chrysler is one of my favorite buildings! Its Art Deco–style architecture and how the spire beautifully lights up is breathtaking. Presently, the public is not permitted to visit the top of the building (though rumor is that it will be possible in the future!). Generally, the building is office space. However, you can enter the lobby during work hours. Here you can view the art deco on display in the lobby area. Check out Trip Savvy’s post for more details. The Chrysler briefly stood as the tallest structure in the world until the Empire State eclipsed it.

8. LOTTE PALACE AT CHRISTMAS

For Gossip Girl fans, Lotte Palace is the place to go! Furthermore, the hotel has a picturesque tree for those visiting over the Holiday season. It is located just off Fifth (behind Saint Patrick’s Cathedral).

9. THE GARMENT DISTRICT

The Garment District is close to Times Square. Accordingly, this area is the home to many major fashion labels that operate showrooms/do their fashion design and production here. Furthermore, the Fashion Walk of Fame, which honors significant designers, is located here too. Also, Madison Square Garden is a few minutes walk from here. Check out the tour website for info on their venue tour.

Tours

Several walking tours are available around the Fashion District. Tours I have read great reviews on are Style Room and Shop Gotham. Check out another free walking tour, as well as a list of other Garment District tours, on the Garment District website!

Shopping

Herald Square is in The Garment District (34th Street). Here you will find Macy’s, Manhattan Mall, and many other high street stores (Victoria’s Secret, Target, Sephora, etc.). I find Macy’s and Manhattan Mall are great places to visit on a rainy day – especially as Macy’s is a block in size! Therefore, you can spend a lot of time exploring here away from the rain! Also, for those interested in gadgets and photography, visit B&H Photo Video Audio. This is a popular electrics and camera store found close by Macy’s.

10. HUDSON YARDS

Hudson Yards is quickly becoming a popular area following its redevelopment in recent years. The Vessel opened in 2019, and it’s quickly become a staple of NYC tourist locations. I dropped by it on my last trip. However, I did not climb to the top due to the poor visibility on the day. I decided to wait until my Summer 2020 trip – which did not happen due to COVID-19! Indeed, the Vessel’s unusual honeycomb shape makes for an interesting piece of art and design. The climb up to the top of the structure is almost 2,500 individual steps and 80 landings!

The Edge is another new attraction (opened in 2019) in Hudson Yards. It now owns the name of the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere!! Indeed, it is not for the faint-hearted! It is suspended mid-air at 100 floors in height. Furthermore, it provides 360-degree views over the city. I can’t wait to visit it though I’m not sure my nerves will be able for the glass floor!

Also, the large center provides for some great shopping at the shops and restaurants at Hudson Yards. While here, why not treat yourself to the famous Dylan’s Candy Bar!

11. THE HIGH LINE

If the weather is nice, I recommend grabbing a coffee and going for a walk along The High Line. The High Line is an old railway track redeveloped and opened in 2009 as a walkway/park. The entrance is at West 34th Street (though there are several other entry points along the way). The track is elevated above street level. You will also find works of contemporary art/design along this walk. It passes through Chelsea and finishes Downtown at The Meatpacking District/Greenwich Village. Furthermore, these areas are lovely to stop off for a wander around.

12. CHELSEA

Chelsea is south of The Garment District – some would consider this area Downtown. However, anything above 14th street is usually still Midtown NYC. As mentioned, while walking the High Line you could stop off in Chelsea along your way. Also, Chelsea is well known for its art galleries. You will also start to notice some prettier architecture and more of a neighborhood feel as you move further away from the main Midtown NYC area. You will see more townhouses and low-rise buildings here than in the Times Square area. Also, The Flower District is in Chelsea. Though not necessarily a place to specifically visit as a tourist, it is nice to walk down this street if you are in the area.

Fashion Museum

The Fashion Institute (FIT) is for true lovers of fashion! The museum will appeal to those genuinely interested in the history and process of fashion. For example, fashion design, textiles, aesthetics, fabrics, and, the evolvement of garments throughout the years. Subsequently, I don’t recommend visiting here if you are only interested in viewing modern-day high-end fashion. Anything from periodical fashion, such as 18th-century costume wear (Victorian trends, petticoats, and crinolines), to current day trends, may be on display. Of course, recent fashion designers, such as Balenciaga, Chanel, Dior, Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent, and Manolo Blahnik have had work featured here too. I advise you to first look through previous exhibitions on the FIT website to determine if the museum is somewhere you wish to visit.

I did not particularly enjoy the exhibition on the day that I visited. However, I just wandered in without researching what was showing that day. Also, I regret that I did not take the guided tour as I likely would have appreciated the exhibition more by doing this.

Chelsea Market

Another fantastic place to visit while walking the high line is Chelsea Market. It has a large food concourse which food lovers are sure to like. Also, there are quirky stalls to browse through with a variety of artwork, books, handmade crafts, jewelry, etc.

McKittrick Hotel/Sleep No More

McKittrick Hotel is well known for its award-winning Sleep No More. Overall, this play consistently receives rave reviews for its interactive theatre. I attended about six years ago. However, it is still showing in the hotel. Sleep No More is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth. I didn’t intensely follow the storyline. However, I felt that the play’s main strength was its immersive theatre. Notably, the audience covers their face in a mask and are free to follow whichever actor they choose. There is a chance that you may be separated from your friends when entering the show too.

Sets are over different floors of the building. The actors perform without words while the play culminates in a scene with all actors and audience members present. The show was like no other play I had ever been to before. I would strongly recommend it for a one-of-a-kind experience! Indeed, it’s very interactive whereby you are free to walk around the set. Subsequently, we were led to the bar area after the play finished. Here, we enjoyed cocktails and a brilliant live band! I also attended a Fashion Week party at the McKittrick Hotel. It was pretty eclectic and exciting too!

Chelsea Piers

Chelsea Piers is not specifically a tourist location; it’s a Sports Entertainment Complex. However, check it out if you are after an authentic American experience such as bowling, ice-skating, visiting a golf driving range (overlooking the Hudson River), etc.

Art

For those of you who are art lovers, Chelsea boasts of over 200 galleries! I haven’t yet taken the Small-Group Art Gallery Walking Tour. However, this sounds like a great thing to do in Chelsea if you like art! Even though I’ve visited several art galleries in NYC, my visit to a smaller one here is still one of my highlights so far. This art gallery was the David Zwirner gallery. Here, I queued for over an hour to see an installation by one of my favorite artists – Yayoi Kusama. However, it was well worth it! Though a smaller gallery, David Zwirner achieves exhibitions from artists of a very high caliber! That is another upside of NYC being such a large hub for creatives; you are sure to find a very high standard of talent all over the city – even in smaller event spaces.

Another famous art museum is the Rubin Museum. I haven’t yet visited here, so I would love to hear your thoughts if you have been!

13. ROOFTOP BARS

There are some great rooftop bars with fantastic views in Midtown! If you want amazing views of The Empire State, look no further than the fantastic rooftop bar The Skylark NYC! I visited it one Summers night, and the views took my breath away! Also, there was a good atmosphere here for late-night drinks too. Another nice rooftop, which has a fantastic view of The Empire State, is Moxy. Finally, probably the most touristy rooftop bar is 230 Rooftop on Fifth Avenue!

14. OTHER

• UN Headquarters 44th Street & 1st Avenue.
• Carnegie Hall Take a tour of this renowned Concert Hall.
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Pier 86, West 46th Street & 12th Avenue (Hells Kitchen).
• Small-Group Walking Tour of New York City Architecture 42nd Street.
• Spyscape (Spy Museum) 54th Street & Eight Avenue.
• Hudson River Park Enjoy a waterfront walk (preferably at sunset!) overlooking the Hudson River. This park walk runs from Midtown NYC (57th street) to Downtown (Tribeca).
• Mcgee’s pub For How I Met Your Mother fans, this pub was the inspiration for McLaren’s pub.
• For information on tours that take you all over Manhattan, check out my ‘Overview’ post. The hop-on-hop-off tour is a good option to see different parts of the city.

15. WATCH MY YOUTUBE

Have you visited NYC? Any other suggestions of places to visit in Midtown NYC? If so, please leave comments below! I’d love some recommendations for my next trip!

Thanks for reading,

Anita

xx