What to Do in Midtown, Manhattan: A Beginner’s Guide

The heart and soul of New York City emanates from Midtown Manhattan and it’s iconic buildings.
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The heart and soul of New York City emanates from Midtown Manhattan and it’s iconic buildings.

New York Travel Guide- A Beginners Guide to Midtown, Manhattan neighborhoods

I’ve received so many requests to write a New York travel guide, but I haven’t gotten to it. Not because I haven’t wanted to, but because being so close to New York, there is so much to do and see that I have no idea how I could fit it all into a travel guide. So I finally decided to sit down and start writing something. I started by focusing on iconic must-sees for first-timers in Manhattan, a sort of “beginners guide.” If you take a look at my New York section, I get into more of the nitty gritty places to go and visit. Manhattan is enormous so I thought I would divide and conquer it based on each of our unique neighborhoods. There is no better place to start then the neighborhood with the most iconic buildings—Midtown Manhattan (with a little bit of the Theater/Garment District sprinkled here and there)! 

Before I begin, take a look above at one of my favorite Manhattan neighborhood maps. I think it’s such a great guide for beginners who want to understand how Manhattan is broken out. Now when I say Midtown Manhattan, I mean the entire middle section of Manhattan. This means we are going to clump a bunch of neighborhoods so that you’re walk stretches from 57th street to 23rd street and Broadway to Madison Avenue. We’ll be stopping by nine different locations.

FIRST STOP: TOP OF THE ROCK

Top of the Rock & Rainbow Room: Best Views of NYC

Recommendation: Skip the Empire State Building and head straight for Top of the Rock. If you want to get to the top of Rockefeller Center for unimpeded views North and South of Midtown, this is the best spot in all of Manhattan. Make sure to purchase tickets in advance and get there at 8AM if you want to avoid a 2 hour line and crowds. If instead you want to enjoy drinks, head to the top floor at Rainbow Room. But remember to make a reservation here as well, it’s hard to come by a table without one!

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SECOND STOP: RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

Radio City Music Hall is one of the country’s most legendary concert and performance venues. But it’s famous for being more than just that. In fact, even a lot of local New Yorkers don’t know it’s true history. It opened in December 1932 and was at one time an opera house, movie theater, and sports arena.  Today it is home to the largest stage and indoor TV screen in the world. The venue is most famously known for The Rockettes and the Christmas Spectacular, but a lot of comedians have performed here as well. Pat and I have only gone once and it was to see one of our favorite comedians John Mulaney. If you have a chance to catch a performance here I highly recommend you do. But if not, step inside and take a look at the architecture of this iconic NY building. 

THIRD STOP: ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL

This is New York’s most famous Cathedral. Situated right across from Rockefeller Center, it is the largest Cathedral in all of North America and can hold up to 3,000 people. The history behind the Cathedral mirrors New York’s ongoing spirit. It was funded by poor immigrants and citizens who sought to disseminate the idea of religious freedom and tolerance for all. If decide not to step inside and marvel in the Neo-Gothic style Roman architecture, then at least stop by on your way down 5th Avenue and admire the exterior of the Cathedral. For those who have time, the best aerial view of the Cathedral is actually located across from Rockefeller Center at the 3 West Club. Pat’s sister had her post-wedding party up here and the views of the Cathedral were amazing!

FOURTH STOP: GRAND CENTRAL

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As strange as this may sound, Grand Central Terminal is considered another “American Icon.” This station served as my home base for a year when I lived in Connecticut and commuted to work. Whether you are there to look at the celestial sky painted on the ceiling, which many don’t notice was accidentally painted backwards,  in search of secret Track 61, or there to speak to friends in the whispering gallery, Grand Central is a must-visit hub spot in New York. 

FIFTH STOP: NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY + BRYANT PARK

Just like St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the New York Public Library completed in 1913, is another symbol of New York’s ideology of freedom for all, access to all and tolerance for all. Fun fact, it’s home to the original book of Winnie the Pooh! The entrance is guided by marble lions Patience and Fortitude. Inside you can marvel at their rich collection in the fine arts and the humanities and grab a book and enjoy a read in their rose main reading room, that is the size of a football field!

Adjacent to the New York Public Library is Bryant Park. I used to spend a lot of time here when I worked in Midtown Manhattan and I can tell you that there is always something going on here. Whether it’s a brand pop-up, the famous winter ice skating ring or Christmas markets, an orchestra or musical performance, a movie screening, a game of chess or a summer event series, there is always something going on here. If that wasn’t enough, Bryant Park Grill is covered in ivy adding to the park’s somewhat Parisian charm. 

SIXTH STOP: TIMES SQUARE

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I don’t think this needs much introduction. Times Square is known world-wide for being high energy, always crowded, and stereotypically New York. What I mean by this is tons of lights, ads, famous companies, Broadway shows, museums, and restaurants all competing for your attention. It’s beautiful, but super crowded. The best time to go is at night, even better if you are there around 2AM as the crowds start to die down. It’s also where the famous New Years Eve ball drops. Thousands crowd around Times Square in anticipation of the famous ball drop.  

SEVENTH STOP: 57TH ST AND 5TH AVE

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When you think of Midtown Manhattan you think of luxury, glitz, and glamour. That’s what you’ll find on Fifth Avenue and on 57th Street. Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Tiffany & Co (of course for that iconic breakfast at Tiffany’s shot), Cartier and more. Remember to stop by 59th Street and 5th Avenue to marvel at the famous Plaza Hotel as featured in the movie Home Alone. My favorite time to walk around this area is at sunset when you can watch as all the stores begin to light up. 

EIGHTH STOP: FLATIRON BUILDING

Head down South and snap a pic in front of one of the most photographed buildings in the world—The Flatiron building. It’s called Flatiron for the exact reason you would think, it looks like a clothing iron. Even though it is actually a right angle triangle, not an isosceles triangle. Today it’s owned by a Publishing company, but it used to have an observation deck on the top and a popular basement restaurant with Jazz bands.  

I’ve just briefly scratched the surface of what there is to do in Midtown Manhattan, but this is definitely a good start for a first-timer in Manhattan. There is no wrong time of year to visit (although my personal favorite is Fall!). The summers are hot and humid and the winters are cold and windy, but no matter what time of year you visit you’ll love every single bit of this city and Midtown Manhattan. 

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