From Wikitravel

Midtown Manhattan is the core retail and commercial neighborhood of New York City, containing the highest concentration of business and money this side of, well, the planet. The Empire State Building, once again the tallest building in Manhattan, 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, FAO Schwarz and Bendel. 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.

[edit] Understand

[edit] Orientation

Midtown, also called Midtown East to distinguish it from the Theater District to the west, is the area between around 34th St and 59th St (beyond which is Central Park), and from the East River through First, Second, Third, Lexington, Park, Madison, Fifth and Sixth Avs. Broadway forms the absolute western boundary of the district as it merges with the Theater District.

[edit] Get in

[edit] Subway

There are subway lines on Park Av. South/Lexington Av. (4 and 5 express, 6 local) and 6th Av. (B, D, F, V). The neighborhood is also served by the Times Square - Grand Central Shuttle; the 7 train, which stops at Times Square, 5th Av., and Grand Central before going to or after coming from Queens; the R and N Broadway Line trains, which when Queens bound turn east after stopping at 57 St. and 7 Av.; and the E train, which when Queens bound turns east after stopping at 50 St. and 8th Av. For more detailed information, download a subway map at the MTA website or pick one up for free at any token booth.

[edit] Metro North Commuter Train

Metro North trains originate and terminate at Grand Central Terminal on E. 42 St. between Vanderbilt and Lexington Avs. Note that the train terminal (but not the subway stop serving it) closes from approximately 1 A.M. to 5 A.M. daily.

[edit] MTA bus

Regular MTA buses run along every avenue except for short avenues like Vanderbilt, and there are also crosstown buses on 34th, 42nd, 49th/50th, and 57th Sts. In addition, express buses stop along these avenues, including the X25 to Lower Manhattan. Express buses charge a $5.00 fare, with free transfers available to other routes, and the subway, and local buses charge $2.00 and enable free transfers to other local routes, and the subway, with some exceptions.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Landmarks

• Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue (Fifth Avenue at 34th Street), ☎ +1-212-736-3100, [1]. Hours: Daily: 8:00 - 24:00 with summer hours normally being extended.. Once again the tallest building in New York, since the destruction of the World Trade Center Twin Towers on 11 September 2001. Between its completion in 1930 and the building of the Twin Towers, the New York icon also held the record as the tallest building in the world. Admission: Adults: $16.00, Youth (12 - 17): $14.00, Children (6 - 11): $10.00, Seniors (62+) or Military with ID: $14.00, Military in uniform or toddlers (Under 5): Free; 102nd floor Observatory tickets are only sold at the Observatory ticket office, located on the 2nd floor of the building, which cost an additional $14.00 to regular tickets.  edit
• Grand Central Terminal, 42nd Street and Park Avenue (Subway: 4, 5, 6, 7, and S lines), [2]. Station hours: 05:30 - 01:30.  edit
• Chrysler Building, 405 Lexington Ave at 42nd Street.  edit
• Daily News Building, 220 East 42nd Street (Between 2nd and 3rd Avenues). 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 a visit to the foyer is well worth a visit if passing, if only to see the newspaper's giant globe sculpture and wall weather stations.  edit
• Citicorp Center With its distinctive slanted roof and long, slender base columns, this building is another great skyscraper with a grand atrium
• MetLife Building Since it was built on 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 between 44th & 45th streets

• United Nations Headquarters, First Avenue at 46th Street (No parking available; take public transport to Grand Central Station then walk, or take the M15 bus up 1st Avenue or down 2nd Avenue), [3]. 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 Visitors' Lobby for free. There are two levels to the lobby area which includes exhibits, gift shop, bookshop etc. If just visiting the lobby, don't join any queues once you're in the lobby - 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 organised. Guided tours only; Adults: $11.50, Seniors: $8.50, Students: $7.50, Children (6 - 14 years): $6.50.  edit
• Waldorf-Astoria, 301 Park Avenue (Between 49th and 50th Streets), ☎ +1-212-355-3100, [4].  edit
• St. Patrick's Cathedral, 460 Madison Avenue, (Fifth Avenue) (Between 50th and 51st Streets), ☎ +1-212-753-2261 (spctrojas@aol.com, fax: +1-212-755-4128), [5]. A big, grand Episcopal church is in this area as well.  edit
• Rockefeller Plaza, Address, [6]. The Christmas Tree, the Skating Rink, the shops and hubbub - you can't miss it. The Christmas Tree and the Skating Rink are not year round. You may take skating lessons. There are several dining establishments overlooking this area. The art deco buildings of Rockefeller Center are quite cool. Saks Fifth Avenue is across the street, and there are many other stores throughout the complex.  edit
• Radio City Music Hall, 1260 6th Avenue (Between 50th and 51st Streets), ☎ +1-212-307-7171, [7]. Monday–Sunday: 11:30 – 18:00. See the Rockettes, another show or just tour the famous Art Deco masterpiece.  edit
• SONY Wonder Technology Lab, 550 Madison Avenue, ☎ +1-212-833-5414, [8]. Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00, Sunday: 12:00 - 17:00, Closed Monday and major holidays. Last admission entrance is 30 minutes before closing. An interactive hands-on experience of cutting edge technology, sponsored by Sony. Reservations are highly recommended.  edit
• Carnegie Hall, 154 West 57th Street (57th Street and Seventh Avenue), [9].  edit

[edit] Museums and galleries

• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), 11 West 53 Street (Between Fifth and Sixth avenues), ☎ +1-212-708-9400 (info@moma.org), [10]. Saturday - Monday: 10:30 - 17:30, Closed Tuesday, Wednesday - Thursday: 10:30 - 17:30, Friday: 10:30 - 20:00, Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.. One of the greatest and most popular collections of modern art, on a par with the Tate Modern in London or Paris's Centre Georges Pompidou. Exceedingly popular so be warned: queues for tickets start early and stretch long. To avoid these, turn up at the door at least a half hour before opening. Travellers may wish to utilize a new, unofficial service of podcasts for MoMA tours - simply download to your iPod and off you go! [11] The newly-renovated and re-opened building is as much a draw as the outstanding collection. Possessing arguably the best collection of modern masterpieces world-wide, MoMA houses such important art works as Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night, Les Demoiselles d'Avignon by Pablo Picasso, a Monet Water Lilies triptych, Dance by Henri Matisse, The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí, The Bather by Paul Cézanne, Self-Portrait With Cropped Hair by Frida Kahlo, Broadway Boogie Woogie by Piet Mondrian, and works by leading American artists such as Jackson Pollock, Jasper Johns, Edward Hopper, Andy Warhol, and Chuck Close. MoMA also holds renowned art photography and design collections. Tip: get there early and take the elevator to the top floor where many of the major attractions are, then work your way down the floors. Hungry / thirsty punters can be refreshed at one of several great cafés or the in-house restaurant The Modern. Admission: Adults: $20, Seniors: $16, Students with ID: $12, Children under 16 and members: free. Free for all every Friday 16:00 – 20:00 (tickets not available in advance)..  edit
• Museum of Television & Radio, 25 West 52 Street, ☎ +1-212-621-6600, [12]. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:00 - 18:00, Thursday: 12:00 - 20:00, Closed Monday. Founded in 1976 to preserve and collect television programs as a service to the public. The museum has expanded and consists of two museum branches in Los Angeles and New York City. The two museums hold over 100,000 television programs that are available to the public. Its programs provide a historical, artistic and cultural perspective to television and radio. You may use their library here for the price of admission. They have lots of old shows and a database so you can see if they have what you want. Admission: Members: free, Adults: $10, Students and senior citizens: $8.00, Children under fourteen: $5.00.  edit
• American Folk Art Museum, 45 West 53rd Street, ☎ +1-212-265-1040 (info@folkartmuseum.org, fax: +1-212-265-2350), [13]. Tuesday - Sunday: 10:30 - 17:30, Friday: 10:30 - 19:30, Closed Monday. Admission: Adults: $9.00, Students & Seniors: $7.00, Children under 12, members, or admission after 17:30 on Friday: Free.  edit

[edit] Parks and gardens

• Bryant Park, Main Library 42nd and 6th Avenue, ☎ +1-212-768-4242 (bpc@urbanmgt.com, fax: +1-212-719-3499), [14]. Free wireless Internet; children's carousel; several food and drink kiosks and seasonal shows such as Fashion Week  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Empire State Building Observation Deck (see above).
• 'Top of the Rock' Rockefeller Center Observation Deck, West 50th Street (between Fifth and Sixth Avenue), ☎ +1-212-698-2000 (info@topoftherocknyc.com), [15]. Daily: 08:30 - 24:00, Last elevator at 23:00. The newly-renovated Rockefeller Center Observation Deck, at a cost of $75 million, having been closed for 20 years, the 70th story vantage point (850 ft above street level) promises spectacular views once again from the narrow observation deck, reminiscent of a cruise ship in the sky. Long attributed the reputation for the best views in Manhattan, the Top of the Rock affords uninterrupted views over Central Park to the north and across Midtown to the south and the Empire State Building. Visitors will pass through a multi-media exhibition space on the mezzanine concourse devoted to New York's architectural heritage. A unique feature will be a vertiginous (but completely safe!) steel girder walk screening images of an apparent 800 ft drop below. A Summit Shuttle will then whisk visitors to the Grand Viewing Room on the 67th floor (available for functions), where stairs and lifts will lead to the Grand Viewing Terrace on the 69th floor. Just above, the ocean liner style summit of the 70th floor provides the peak viewing platform. Admission: Adults: $17.50, Seniors: $16.00, Children (6 - 12 years): $11.25.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Fifth Ave shops, aka "The Miracle Mile of Windows". It's shoppers' paradise on 5th Ave from 42nd to 60th Streets: Niketown, NBA Store, Bergdorff, Saks Fifth Avenue, Versace, Gucci, Armani Exchange - all the brands you know and crave.

• Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 5th Avenue, ☎ +1-(212)-753-4000, [16].  edit
• Tiffany & Co., Fifth Avenue at 57th Street, ☎ +1-(212)-755-8000, [17]. M-F 10am-7pm, Sa 10am-6pm, Su 12noon-5pm, closed Memorial Day.. The famous jewellers, scene of Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's  edit
• Bloomingdale's, 1000 Third Avenue (59th Street and Lexington Avenue), ☎ +1-(212)-705-2000, [18].  edit
• FAO Schwartz, 767 Fifth Avenue (58th Street and Fifth Avenue), ☎ +1-(212)-644-9400 Ext. 4242, [19].  edit
• Macy's, 151 West 34th Street.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Woo Chon, 8 W. 36 St. (Just west of 5th Av.), +1-(212)-695-0676, is a fine Korean restaurant with an extensive menu.
• Asia de Cuba, 237 Madison Avenue (Between 37th & 38th Streets), ☎ +1-(212)-726-7755, [20]. An excellent fusion of Asian and Latin in Ian Schrager's Morgan Hotel. Reserve in advance and go dressed - no jeans/sneakers. Everything is fabulous from cocktails to dinner items to dessert. The custom is to get many dishes that are shared at the table, but you don't have to stick to that format.  edit
• Joe's Shanghai, 24 West 56th Street (Between Fifth and Sixth Avenue), ☎ +1-(212)-333-3868 (fax: +1-(212)-397-1107), [21]. Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10:00 - 23:00, Sunday: 13:00 - 22:30. Try their famous "soup dumplings" -- listed on the menu as "steamed buns", and their other delicious Shanghai specialties. Pricier than the Chinatown location. $10-$20.  edit
• Cho Dang Gol, 55 West 35 Street (Between 5th and 6th Avenues), ☎ +1-(212)-695-8222 (contact@chodanggolny.com, fax: +1-(212)-695-3797), [22]. A slightly upscale Korean restaurant that specializes in dishes made with artisanal tofu, several varieties of which are made on premises. Lunch is cheaper (~$20) and more informal. Expect to pay about $30 for dinner..  edit
• Han Bat, 55 West 35 Street (Between 5th and 6th Avenues), ☎ +1-(212)-629-5588. Han Bat has the feel of a Korean diner with excellent inexpensive food. Try their Hyaemul Dolsot Bibimbap (rice cooked in a stone pot with mixed seafood, herbs, Korean hot sauce, etc.). Expect to pay around $20 for a hearty meal including 6 banchan (side dishes provided to diners for no additional charge).  edit
• Havana NY, 27 West 38th Street (Between 6th & 5th Avenues), ☎ +1-(212)-944-0990, [23]. Well-priced Cuban casual restaurant & bar for lunch and dinner. They serve a variety of daily specials, including Plantain Soup and Suckling Roast Pork.  edit
• Keens Steakhouse, 72 West 36th Street, ☎ +1-(212)-947-3636 (banquet@keens.com, fax: +1-(212)-714-1103), [24]. Hours: Monday - Friday: 11:45 - 22:30, Saturday: 17 - 22:30, Sunday: 17:00 - 21:00. New York Chophouse with excellent steaks and great bar for pre & post dinner drinks or just drinks. Fine dining in comfortable surroundings. The restaurant was founded in 1885 it has a interesting ceiling covered in 90,000 clay pipes which the customers used to smoke after dinner. Pipes where left at establishments as they were too brittle to transport!  edit
• Madangsui, 35 West 35th St. (between 5th and 6th Avs.), (212) 564-9333, serves great Korean barbecue accompanied by a generous (8 dishes) and delectable banchan (complimentary side dishes), plus a bowl of dwenjang jigae (soupy stew made with fermented bean paste). Open within the past year or so, the restaurant has already proven itself as one of the best in Koreatown.
• 44 Restaurant, 44 West 44th Street. Chic American cuisine in a hip and trendy location.
• Giovanni Ristorante 47 W. 55th St. Delicious Italian food (the risotto is recommended) and great wines. Fine and relaxing atmosphere.
• Tao E. 58th between Park and Madison Aves. Trendy Asian cuisine; reservations required. Beautiful decor, people.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Under the Volcano, 12 East 36th Street (Between 5th Avenue and Madison), ☎ ++1-212-213-0093. Darkly lit atmospheric bar, this place usually caters to the after-work crowd. Relatively small, it can get crowded but after the throngs leave, you will enjoy the fun and friendly staff who'll let you invent your own drinks. Malcolm Lowry themed through and through.  edit
• The Ginger Man, 11 East 36th Street, ☎ +1-212-532-3740 (fax: +1-212-532-3490), [25]. Sister bar to the Volcano (above). Larger bar with a broad selection of drinks that also serves bar food and snacks. Also an after-work crowd, this bar is also popular with your average Joes. Good place for groups.  edit
• mad46, 45 East 45th Street, [26]. 5pm - 12am. Amazing happy hour spot in Midtown atop The Roosevelt Hotel with a FANTASTIC view! Not only serving delicious after work cocktails, but also offers a lite fair menu.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Vanderbilt YMCA, 224 E. 47th Street, [27]. Walking distance from Grand Central Terminal and near the United Nations. Twin private room: $35. Subway: 4, 5, 6, 7 trains to 42 Street-Grand Central, B, D, F, V trains to 47–50 Streets-Rockefeller Center.

• Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club (Soldiers' and Sailors' Club), 283 Lexington (at the corner of 37th Street), ☎ +1 (212) 683-4353, [28]. checkin: 4PM; checkout: 10:30AM. A service member friendly hotel not too far off from Times Square, the Theater District, or Central Park. Rates are based on rank. The hotel is closed to non-military personnel unless accompanied by a service member, veteran, or military retiree. $25+.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

• Comfort Inn Manhattan New York City Hotel, 42 West 35th Street (between 5th and 6th Avs.), (212) 947-0200, [29]. Its main selling point is its location. US$250+ per night
• Super 8 Times Square, 59 West 46th Street, (212) 719-2300, [30]. Cheap, clean, plain. This isn't the regular Super 8: It's an older hotel that was recently renovated. The location is excellent, just a short walk from Times Square. The price is low by Manhattan standards. US$200 (dbl).
• 70 Park Avenue Hotel, 70 Park Avenue, (212) 973-2400, [31]. Hotel has an excellent bar and very helpful concierge service.
• Hotel 373 Fifth Avenue, 373 Fifth Avenue (corner 35th St.) (212)695-7200, [32].
• The Roosevelt Hotel, 45 East 45th Street (at Madison Avenue) (212)661-4475, [33].

[edit] Splurge

• 70 Park Avenue Hotel, 70 Park Avenue (Corner of Park Avenue & 38th Street), ☎ +1-212-973-2400 (fax: +1-212-973-2401), [34]. 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.  edit

• Bedford Hotel 118 E. 40th Street, [35]. A small European style hotel located between the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building on 40th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues.

• Bryant Park Hotel, W. 40th Street (''between 5th & 6th Aves, on Bryant Park), [36]. Online registration available. $245+ Distinctive black brick and gold trim building. Amenities include deep soaking tubs, cashmere blankets, Pipino toiletries, Tibetan rugs in rooms  edit

• Crowne Plaza at the United Nations, [37] 304 East 42nd Street, Tel: +1 212 986 8800, Fax: +1 212 986 1758. Located a block from the United Nations.

• Dylan Hotel 52 East 41st Street, [38], between Madison and Park Avs. A short walk from Grand Central Station, Times Square, Fifth Avenue Shopping and restaurants. Interior design by Jeffrey Beers of Jeffrey Beers International.

• Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel, 768 Lexington Avenue, ☎ 212-355-0100, [39]. Irish boutique hotel with a popular on-site Irish restaurant.  edit

• Flatotel 135 West 52nd Street, [40]. A contemporary, intimate and cosmopolitan, boutique hotel with 288 apartment size deluxe rooms and suites, custom designed furniture and state-of-the-art amenities.

• Four Seasons Hotel, 57 East 57th Street (Between Madison and Park Avenues), ☎ +1-212-758-5700, [41]. Opulent  edit

• Grand Hyatt New York, Park Avenue at Grand Central Terminal, ☎ +1-212-883-1234 (fax: +1-212-697-3772), [42]. Attached to Grand Central Station.  edit

• Hotel Elysee, 60 East 54th Street, ☎ +1-212-753-1066 (hotelres@elyseehotel.com, fax: +1-212-980-9278), [43]. The country French style Hotel Elysee 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.  edit

• Hotel Metro 45 West 35th Street, [44], Located in the shadow of the Empire State Building. Newly renovated guestrooms, complimentary continental breakfast or afternoon snack in the Metro Grill restaurant.

• The Kimberly Hotel, 145 E 50th Street, [45]. The hotel claims to be "an intimate and unique experience in timeless elegance."

• The Kitano 66 Park Avenue, [46]. A luxury four-diamond Japanese style hotel.

• Library Hotel, 299 Madison Avenue at 41street, ☎ +1-212-983-4500 (reservations@libraryhotel.com, fax: +1-212-499-9099), [47]. 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.  edit

• The London NYC, 151 West 54th street (New York, NY 10019), ☎ 866-690-2029, [48]. Mere steps from Fifth Avenue shops and Broadway theaters.  edit

• New York Helmsley 212 East 42nd Street, [49], A world-class hotel. Service and amenities with attention to details. Harry's New York Bar just off the hotel lobby. Mindy's Restaurant offers fine dining.

• The New York Palace Hotel, 455 Madison Avenue (at 50th St.), (212) 888-7000, [50]. Luxury accommodations, good views, spacious rooms, spa & fitness center, fine dining at the Gilt Restaurant & Bar, meeting and event rooms.

• Omni Berkshire Place, 21 East 52nd Street (at Madison Avenue). *The Peninsula Hotel New York, (Fifth Avenue and 55th Street), [51]. Has rooftop bar.  edit  edit

• Roger Smith Hotel 501 Lexington Avenue, [52], corner of 47th St. A boutique hotel close to Grand Central Station, The United Nations, and the Chrysler building.

• San Carlos 150 East 50th St., [53]. Elegant, charming, and stylishly sophisticated hotel in a tranquil and contemporary setting located on the fashionable east side offering plush furnishings and personable service.

• The Sherry Netherland, 781 Fifth Avenue, [54]. Full concierge assistance, elevator attendants, beautifully furnished rooms.  edit

[edit] Contact

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Cope

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