Location: Midtown East
Top Things to do in Midtown East
The 10 Best Things to do in Midtown East, New York (NY)
Conquering New York in one visit is impossible. Instead, hit the must-sees – the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art – and then explore off the beaten path with visits to The Cloisters or one of the city’s libraries. Indulge in the bohemian shops of the West Village or the fine dining of the Upper West Side. The bustling marketplace inside of Grand Central Station gives you a literal taste of the best the city has to offer.
Restaurants in New York City
1. The Ark of Return
2. Grand Central Station Official Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
Saved from the wrecking ball, Grand Central Terminal today is a National Historic landmark. Grand Central Terminal Tours (GCT Tours) is the OFFICIAL licensed guide company for the terminal. With offices in the main terminal, we provide self guided audio tours all year long. Open all year except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
3. Greenacre Pocket Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By R4960NKjustinw - Hasbrouck Heights, United States
I just passed by this park while walking around the neighborhood and walked up to see what it is like. It is the most relaxing little park with a great little reasonable restaurant called Carol's Cafe inside with a nice menu. What I found relaxing about this little gem of a park is that there are lots of benches and seating under cool shade trees and a nice relaxing waterfall to sit next to while eating, reading a book or just talking to someone. It is the perfect park for those who want to put down their phones and have an actual conversation with people. Try to get a seat near the waterfall as it not only sounds nice but the cool water does spray on you on a hot day. All neighborhoods should have a little park like this.
4. Grand Central Bodywork
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 54 reviews
Experience the best Thai massage, Deep Tissue massage, Swedish massage, and Sport massage, conveniently located in midtown Manhattan. Let our massage spa relax your mind, body, and spirit, and pamper you with an oasis of peace and tranquility while our attentive therapists provide the perfect therapeutic treatment. Our comfortable private rooms offer a beautiful healing ambience coupled with soothing aromatherapy that will relax and restore positive energy. Our Traditional Thai massage is a deep, full-body treatment, starting at the feet and progressing to the neck and head. Using a sequence of gentle, flowing, stretching movements, joints and muscles are moved, loosened and stretched. Your back will become loose and flexible, as the pain is erased from your body. Our Deep tissue massage is a type of firm, manipulative practice that uses pressure and movement to release deep layers of tissue, including tendons. This technique balances intensive and sensitive strokes. Our Swedish massage applies long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart to relax the entire body. This improves your circulation, and flexibility while easing tension. Our Sport massage is geared toward athletes of every kind. We focus on areas of the body that are overused and stressed from repetitive and often aggressive movements. We also offer combination massages of any of the above services, as well as outcalls to most of NYC where we will come directly to you.
Reviewed By mollyf773 - New York City, United States
Wonderful experience! Felt safe in their clean and super-cute space and got an excellent deep-tissue massage that was exactly what I needed. I can't recommend Jenny highly enough!
5. Grand Central Terminal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44,259 reviews
Grand Central Terminal is the most extraordinary public space in New York City. Opened to the public in 1913, this historic train terminal is a world-famous landmark in Midtown. Its rich history is a story of immense wealth and great engineering. Grand Central is one of the busiest train stations in the world, with approximately 750,000 visitors every day. It is the home of Metro-North Railroad, a subway station, iconic restaurants, shops, and the world's most alluring Apple Store. Some of the highlights to see along your tour of Grand Central include the opal-faced clock, valued at $20 million, above the Information Booth, the Largest Tiffany Glass Clock in the World below the 48-foot, 1500-ton Transportation statue overlooking 42nd Street at Park Avenue, and the mystifying acoustics of the Whispering Gallery in front of the Oyster Bar and Restaurant. Audio and guided tours are available for those with a passion for history. More information regarding tours and ways to plan your visit can be found on the Grand Central Terminal website.
Reviewed By TheCuriousCowgirl - Dallas, United States
Because thousands of commuters pass through Grand Central Terminal every day, there's a market, filled with delicious pre-prepared foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and even a small outpost of the EAT Gifts. As a tourist, this is a GREAT place to pick up delicious goodies for an impromptu picnic in Central Park, or snacks for midnight cravings in your hotel. If you have a little more time, consider having a meal at the Grand Central Oyster Bar. First opened in 1913, this restaurant is a true NYC gem, offering up over twenty varieties of fresh oysters, a large menu of fresh, grilled and fried seafood choices, and an ambience and history that makes The Oyster Bar a very fun dining experience! Just outside the entrance to the Oyster Bar, is a space with a high vaulted ceiling. The four corners offer a bit of magic. If you and a friend will stand on opposite corners, you can speak directly into the wall, and the geometry of the space will carry your message up the wall, across the ceiling, and to your friend on the other side, earning the area the informal title of "the whispering walls." It's a ton of fun, and kids will get a HUGE kick out of sending and receiving messages! If cocktails are more your speed, The Campbell Apartment is a super swanky spot. The space was first rented out in 1923 by William Kissam Vanderbilt II, whose family built the terminal. It was once the ornate private office of early 20th century railroad exec and financier John Williams Campbell, andlater a studio for CBS Radio and a jail used by Metro-North Railroad. Today, it's a step back in time, and a little hard to find, making cocktail hour both glamorous and a little mysterious. If pure history is what you are after, take some time to admire the the zodiac mural on the ceiling of the Grand Concourse, one of New York City’s most beloved pieces of public art, created by French pastelist and etcher Paul César Helleu in 1912. The signs of the zodiac from October to March are outlined in gold leaf and modeled with nearly 2500 tiny, stippled gold leaf stars.Be sure and walk outside to 42nd street, and admire the gorgeous facade, particularly the imposing sculptures of Mercury, Hercules, and Minerva at the top. I never tire of the view, both during the day and at night, and few sites make me feel more truly in the heart of Manhattan than time spent in Grand Central Terminal.
6. Chrysler Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,046 reviews
This Art Deco masterpiece is actually no longer the property of the auto manufacturer.
Reviewed By michaelsM3853UC - London, United Kingdom
Dramatic architecture completed in 1930.Fantastic decorative details in stainless steel art deco style referencing stylized chromed motor car components:such as winged radiator caps and wheels.Fantastic crowning spire.The grand lobby can be visited and features multicoloured marble and granite,a beautifully painted ceiling with scenes of 1920’s transportation,wonderfully decorative elevator doors and art deco metalwork.
7. Japan Society
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
American institution promotes understanding and relations between the United States and Japan through exhibits of traditional and contemporary Japanese art, films, performing arts, topical lectures and cultural exchange programs.
Reviewed By R4960NKjustinw - Hasbrouck Heights, United States
I came in today to see the "Made in Japan" exhibition which I highly recommend even though it is closing soon. It was a great exhibition if you like the history of architecture and Urban Planning and the future of cities. It was interesting to see how the Japanese are following or copying what we are doing in refitting new buildings and reworking suburban areas as tech incubators. The city because of WiFi is changing the borders of the business world and how we do business. It is interesting how the City of Tokyo has changed since WWII.
8. St. Bartholomew's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By StephenCr0ss - Dublin, Ireland
Really old and dark inside. Seats are incredibly comfortable. Stained glass is amazing. Height of the roof makes the church so impressive.
9. Ford Foundation Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By Rolshchikov-Dmitry - Moscow, Russia
Incredible arboretum in lobby. The visit is free and shouldn’t take longer than half an hour. If you are in the area (for example visiting UN HQ) don’t miss this gem.
10. Tudor City Greens
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