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Neighbourhood guide · Rockefeller Center to Central Park

Midtown & Fifth Avenue: Our Favourites

Midtown in one page: Fifth Avenue’s grand hotels and flagships, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s, MoMA, Grand Central, Billionaires’ Row and Carnegie Hall.

The back story

  1. The back story

    New York’s observation decks compared: the back story

    Manhattan·In depth

    Empire State, Top of the Rock, Edge, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and One World Observatory: which view is for you?

    Explore View on map

  2. Our walk

    Fifth Avenue, from the Plaza to the Library

    Fifth Avenue·Walk

    The grand shopping avenue from Central Park to Bryant Park.

    Explore View on map

  3. The back story

    Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue: the back story

    Fifth Avenue·In depth

    How Manhattan’s two great shopping avenues differ, and where the flagships are.

    Explore View on map

  4. The back story

    Billionaires’ Row explained: the back story

    West 57th Street·In depth

    The supertall towers along West 57th Street and Central Park South, and why they were built there.

    Explore View on map

  5. The back story

    Midtown and Fifth Avenue: the back story

    Midtown·In depth

    Skyscrapers, flagships and grand hotels between Central Park and the Empire State Building.

    Explore View on map

What to see and do

  1. The Art Deco icon

    Empire State Building

    Midtown·Observation deck

    The 1931 Art Deco skyscraper on Fifth Avenue at 34th Street, with open-air decks on the 86th floor and the 102nd floor.

    20 W. 34th St, New York, NY 10118Explore View on map

  2. Central Park and the Empire State

    Top of the Rock

    Rockefeller Center·Observation deck

    Three levels of indoor and outdoor decks at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

    30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112Explore View on map

  3. Art in the sky

    SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

    Grand Central·Observation deck

    An immersive observatory with mirrored rooms at the top of One Vanderbilt, entered from Grand Central.

    45 E. 42nd St, entrance on the Main Concourse of Grand Central Terminal, New York, NY 10017Explore View on map

  4. The Main Concourse

    Grand Central Terminal

    Midtown East·Landmark station

    The Beaux-Arts railway terminal on 42nd Street, with its celestial ceiling and whispering gallery.

    15 Vanderbilt Ave, Hall 2A, New York, NY 10017Explore View on map

  5. The rink and the tree

    Rockefeller Center

    Midtown·Landmark complex

    The Art Deco complex between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, with the rink, Prometheus and Top of the Rock.

    48th–51st Sts btw. Fifth and Sixth Aves., New York, NY 10111Explore View on map

  6. Opposite Rockefeller Center

    St. Patrick’s Cathedral

    Fifth Avenue·Cathedral

    The Gothic Revival cathedral on Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets.

    Fifth Ave btw. 50th-51st Sts, New York, NY 10126Explore View on map

  7. Skating under the tree

    The Rink at Rockefeller Center

    Rockefeller Center·Ice rink

    The seasonal ice rink below Prometheus at Rockefeller Plaza.

    One Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020Explore View on map

  8. Modern art on West 53rd Street

    The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

    Midtown·Modern art museum

    MoMA’s galleries of modern and contemporary art on West 53rd Street, with a sculpture garden.

    11 W. 53rd St, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  9. J.P. Morgan’s library

    The Morgan Library & Museum

    Murray Hill·Museum and library

    The museum and research library on Madison Avenue built around J. Pierpont Morgan’s library.

    225 Madison Ave, between 36th and 37th Streets, New York, NY 10016Explore View on map

  10. The great concert hall

    Carnegie Hall

    West 57th Street·Concert hall

    The landmark concert hall at 57th Street and Seventh Avenue.

    57th Street and Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  11. Opposite the Plaza

    The Paris Theater

    West 58th Street·Single-screen cinema

    A single-screen cinema on West 58th Street, near the Plaza.

    Explore View on map

  12. 843 acres

    Central Park

    Manhattan·City park

    Manhattan’s great park between Fifth Avenue and Central Park West, from 59th to 110th Street.

    Central Park, New York, NYExplore View on map

  13. Behind the Library

    Bryant Park

    Midtown·City park

    The lawn and gardens behind the New York Public Library, with Winter Village in season.

    Bryant Park, New York, NY 10018Explore View on map

  14. Above Nordstrom on 57th Street

    Central Park Tower

    Billionaires’ Row·Residential tower

    Extell’s supertall residential tower at 225 West 57th Street, with Nordstrom’s flagship at its base.

    225 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  15. Steinway Tower

    111 West 57th Street

    Billionaires’ Row·Residential tower

    JDS Development’s slender tower rising from the landmark Steinway Hall on West 57th Street.

    111 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  16. The first of the row

    One57

    Billionaires’ Row·Residential tower

    Extell’s residential tower at 157 West 57th Street, near Carnegie Hall.

    157 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  17. Vornado on the park

    220 Central Park South

    Central Park South·Residential tower

    Vornado’s limestone-clad residential tower on Central Park South.

    220 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  18. A slender supertall on Park Avenue

    432 Park Avenue

    Park Avenue·Residential tower

    The slender residential tower at Park Avenue and East 57th Street.

    432 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

  19. In the Crown Building

    Aman New York Residences

    Fifth Avenue·Hotel residences

    Aman’s 22 branded residences in the Crown Building at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.

    730 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  20. Knicks, Rangers and concerts

    Madison Square Garden

    Midtown West·Arena

    The arena above Penn Station, home of the Knicks and the Rangers, with tours.

    4 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10121Explore View on map

Where to eat

  1. Seafood as the star

    Le Bernardin

    Midtown·French seafood

    A French seafood restaurant on West 51st Street, a New York institution since 1986.

    155 W. 51st St, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  2. At the Museum of Modern Art

    The Modern

    MoMA, Midtown·Contemporary American

    Contemporary American cooking at MoMA, with the walk-in Bar Room alongside the dining room.

    9 W. 53rd St, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  3. Alsace in Midtown

    Gabriel Kreuther

    Bryant Park·Alsatian-French

    Alsatian-inspired French cooking from chef Gabriel Kreuther, across from Bryant Park.

    41 W. 42nd St, New York, NY 10036Explore View on map

  4. Scandinavian since 1987

    Aquavit

    Midtown East·Nordic

    Nordic cooking on East 55th Street, in New York since 1987.

    65 E. 55th St, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

  5. Daniel Boulud by Grand Central

    Le Pavillon

    One Vanderbilt·French

    Daniel Boulud’s restaurant at One Vanderbilt, a dining room filled with trees beside Grand Central.

    1 Vanderbilt Ave, New York, NY 10017Explore View on map

  6. Facing Central Park

    Marea

    Central Park South·Italian seafood

    Italian seafood and pasta on Central Park South.

    240 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  7. Since about 1885

    Keens Steakhouse

    Herald Square·Steakhouse

    A circa-1885 steakhouse on West 36th Street, full of Lincoln memorabilia and old clay pipes.

    72 W. 36th St, New York, NY 10018Explore View on map

  8. The classic Midtown steakhouse

    Smith & Wollensky

    Midtown East·Steakhouse

    A big, traditional steakhouse at Third Avenue and East 49th Street.

    797 Third Ave, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

  9. East 46th Street classic

    Sparks Steak House

    Midtown East·Steakhouse

    A traditional steakhouse on East 46th Street.

    210 East 46th Street, New York, NY 10017Explore View on map

  10. Under the vaults of Grand Central

    The Grand Central Oyster Bar

    Grand Central·Seafood

    A huge seafood restaurant under the tiled vaults of Grand Central’s lower concourse.

    89 E 42nd St, Grand Central Terminal, Lower Concourse, New York, NY 10017Explore View on map

  11. Next to Carnegie Hall

    The Russian Tea Room

    West 57th Street·Russian

    A celebrated Russian restaurant on West 57th Street, beside Carnegie Hall.

    150 W. 57th St, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  12. Harry’s Bar on Fifth Avenue

    Harry Cipriani

    Fifth Avenue·Venetian

    A near-replica of Harry’s Bar in Venice, on Fifth Avenue opposite Central Park.

    781 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

  13. Brunch by the park

    Sarabeth’s Central Park South

    Central Park South·Brunch

    A brunch favourite on Central Park South.

    40 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  14. On Grand Central’s balcony

    Cipriani Dolci

    Grand Central·Café and bar

    An all-day Venetian café and bar on the west balcony of Grand Central.

    89 E. 42nd St, Grand Central Terminal, W. Balcony, New York, NY 10017Explore View on map

Bars and nightlife

  1. Where the Bloody Mary came to America

    King Cole Bar

    The St. Regis, Midtown·Hotel bar

    The St. Regis’s bar under the Maxfield Parrish mural of Old King Cole.

    The St Regis New York, 2 E. 55th St, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

  2. Back at the Waldorf

    Peacock Alley

    Waldorf Astoria, Park Avenue·Hotel bar and restaurant

    The Waldorf Astoria’s famous meeting place, returned to the restored hotel for dining and cocktails.

    301 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

  3. A tycoon’s office in Grand Central

    The Campbell

    Grand Central·Cocktail bar

    A cocktail bar in the restored 1920s office of John W. Campbell, inside Grand Central Terminal.

    Grand Central Terminal, 15 Vanderbilt Ave, New York, NY 10017Explore View on map

  4. 65 floors up

    Bar SixtyFive at the Rainbow Room

    Rockefeller Center·Sky bar

    A cocktail bar on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

    30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Fl, New York, NY 10112Explore View on map

  5. Home of the Rockettes

    Radio City Music Hall

    Rockefeller Center·Concert hall

    The Art Deco music hall on Sixth Avenue, home of the Christmas Spectacular.

    1260 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10020Explore View on map

Shopping

  1. Facing the Plaza

    Bergdorf Goodman

    Fifth Avenue·Department store

    The luxury department store on Fifth Avenue at 58th Street.

    754 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

  2. Opposite Rockefeller Center

    Saks Fifth Avenue

    Fifth Avenue·Department store

    The flagship department store at 611 Fifth Avenue, opposite Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s.

    611 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

  3. Lexington Avenue flagship

    Bloomingdale’s 59th Street

    Upper East Side·Department store

    Bloomingdale’s flagship at 59th Street and Lexington Avenue.

    1000 Third Ave, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

  4. The Thanksgiving parade’s store

    Macy’s Herald Square

    Herald Square·Department store

    Macy’s flagship on 34th Street at Herald Square, where the Thanksgiving Day Parade ends.

    151 W. 34th St, New York, NY 10001Explore View on map

  5. At Central Park Tower

    Nordstrom NYC Flagship

    West 57th Street·Department store

    Nordstrom’s flagship at the base of Central Park Tower on West 57th Street.

    225 W. 57th St, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  6. Tiffany’s Fifth Avenue flagship

    Tiffany & Co. The Landmark

    Fifth Avenue·Jeweller

    Tiffany & Co.’s flagship at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.

    727 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

  7. In a Fifth Avenue mansion

    Cartier Fifth Avenue Mansion

    Fifth Avenue·Jeweller

    Cartier’s New York flagship in a Fifth Avenue mansion at 52nd Street.

    653 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

  8. Fifth Avenue salon

    Harry Winston

    Fifth Avenue·Jeweller

    Harry Winston’s Fifth Avenue salon at 56th Street.

    718 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  9. At 57th Street

    Louis Vuitton Fifth Avenue

    Fifth Avenue·Fashion house

    Louis Vuitton’s store at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.

    1 E. 57th St, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

  10. Under the glass cube

    Apple Fifth Avenue

    Fifth Avenue·Technology store

    Apple’s store under the glass cube on Fifth Avenue at 59th Street.

    767 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10153Explore View on map

  11. Toys at Rockefeller Plaza

    FAO Schwarz

    Rockefeller Center·Toy store

    The famous toy store at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

    30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112Explore View on map

Where to stay

  1. Fifth Avenue landmark

    The Plaza

    Fifth Avenue & Central Park South·Grand hotel

    The landmarked hotel at Fifth Avenue and Central Park South, with the Palm Court, the Champagne Bar and a 111SKIN spa.

    768 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  2. Home of the King Cole Bar

    The St. Regis New York

    Fifth Avenue·Grand hotel

    A Beaux-Arts hotel at Fifth Avenue and East 55th Street, home of the King Cole Bar and its Maxfield Parrish mural.

    Two East 55th Street at Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

  3. Rooftop views over Fifth Avenue

    The Peninsula New York

    Fifth Avenue·Grand hotel

    A Fifth Avenue grand hotel at West 55th Street, with a rooftop lounge looking over Central Park and Fifth Avenue.

    700 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  4. In the historic Crown Building

    Aman New York

    Fifth Avenue·Urban sanctuary

    Aman’s Manhattan hotel in the Crown Building at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, with a three-floor spa and the Jazz Club.

    730 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  5. Reopened in 2024

    Four Seasons Hotel New York

    East 57th Street·Grand hotel

    The Four Seasons tower on East 57th Street between Madison and Park, reopened in November 2024.

    57 East 57th Street, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

  6. Facing Central Park

    The Pierre, A Taj Hotel

    Fifth Avenue & 61st Street·Grand hotel

    A Taj hotel on Fifth Avenue at East 61st Street, opposite Central Park, known for its Rotunda and white-gloved lift attendants.

    2 E. 61st St, New York, NY 10065Explore View on map

  7. Central Park South

    The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park

    Central Park South·Grand hotel

    A Ritz-Carlton on Central Park South, looking across the park.

    Explore View on map

  8. The Art Deco landmark reborn

    Waldorf Astoria New York

    Park Avenue·Grand hotel

    The 1931 Art Deco landmark on Park Avenue, restored and reopened with Lex Yard, Peacock Alley and a Guerlain spa.

    301 Park Ave, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

  9. Behind the Villard Mansion

    Lotte New York Palace

    Madison Avenue·Grand hotel

    A Madison Avenue hotel incorporating the landmark Villard Mansion, opposite St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

    455 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

  10. Crystal and the Grand Salon

    Baccarat Hotel New York

    West 53rd Street·Grand hotel

    The crystal house’s hotel on West 53rd Street, opposite MoMA, with the Grand Salon, Spa de La Mer and a pool.

    28 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  11. Near the Empire State Building

    The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue

    Fifth Avenue & 36th Street·Grand hotel

    A Langham hotel on Fifth Avenue at 36th Street, a few blocks from the Empire State Building.

    400 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018Explore View on map

  12. Firmdale near Fifth Avenue

    The Whitby Hotel

    Midtown·Design hotel

    Kit Kemp’s Firmdale hotel on West 56th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Central Park’s south-east corner.

    18 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  13. A Gilded Age landmark

    The Fifth Avenue Hotel

    NoMad·Design hotel

    A Gilded Age landmark on Fifth Avenue at 28th Street in NoMad, reimagined as a luxury hotel.

    1 W. 28th St, New York, NY 10001Explore View on map

  14. In the Clock Tower

    The New York EDITION

    Madison Square·Luxury hotel

    An EDITION hotel in the Metropolitan Life clock tower on Madison Square.

    5 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010Explore View on map

  15. Opposite the Library

    Andaz 5th Avenue

    Fifth Avenue & 41st Street·Design hotel

    A Hyatt Andaz with 184 loft-like rooms on Fifth Avenue, opposite the New York Public Library.

    485 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10017Explore View on map

Spas and health

  1. A 65-foot pool

    Aman Spa New York

    Fifth Avenue·Spa

    Aman New York’s 25,000-square-foot spa with a 65-foot indoor pool and Spa Houses.

    730 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10019Explore View on map

  2. At the Waldorf

    Guerlain Wellness Spa at the Waldorf Astoria

    Park Avenue·Spa

    The Guerlain spa in the restored Waldorf Astoria on Park Avenue.

    301 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022Explore View on map

Share your Midtown & Fifth Avenue tips

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