Location: Midtown
Top Things to do in Midtown
The 10 Best Things to do in Midtown, 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. Manhattan Skyline
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21,260 reviews
Reviewed By 91JC - London, United Kingdom
You can get an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn or if you jump on the free Staten Island ferry the view is brilliant, it will also go past the Statue of Liberty so you can get some great photos. The ferry runs 24 hours a day and leaves about every 30 mins. The night time or sunset view is fantastic too.
2. Empire State Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91,562 reviews
The Empire State Building is the World's Most Famous Building. It rises 1,454 feet from ground to antenna & features the only 360 degree open-air vantage point of Midtown Manhattan. The 86th & 102nd Floor Observatories are open daily from 12PM-9PM. On a clear day you can see up to 6 states. The brand-new 2nd floor museum (included in all ticket options) offers guests 10,000 sq ft of interactive exhibits that invite visitors on a journey beginning from the building’s construction to its current place in pop culture. The 102nd Fl Obs features floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass elevator with sound & light experience. It is the jewel of NYC. All signage, audio & exhibits in the building are available in 9 languages. We offer free Wi-Fi. The 34th St Lobby entrance features a grand staircase with a 2-story architectural model of the bldg & a high-tech LED exhibit that celebrates lighting ceremonies performed by famous, celebrity guests. Express guests receive red carpet VIP treatment.
Reviewed By PictureThisNYC - New York City, United States
Amazing experience to visit the Empire State Building for sunrise with a very small group of people for a safe & unsurpassed experience, Well worth the money, amazing views & tons of space on the observation deck that is usually very crowded. Friendly, helpful & welcoming staff made for a wonderful experience and so may great photos! Highly recommended.
3. Rockefeller Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25,302 reviews
Rockefeller Center is a national historic landmark in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Home to Top of the Rock Observation Deck, NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall and much more. Shop, dine and explore at one of New York's most inspiring locations.
Reviewed By joys919 - Morgantown, United States
Rockefeller center has great architecture, great shops, restaurants, ice skating, movie scenes from Home Alone, murals on the ceilings and an underground passageways to help you get back and forth and stay warm!
4. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17,916 reviews
Located in the heart of midtown Manhattan, The Museum of Modern Art is home to the world's greatest collection of modern and contemporary art. The collection includes Vincent van Gogh's "The Starry Night" and Andy Warhol's "Gold Marilyn Monroe," along with works by Jackson Pollock, Jasper Johns, Cindy Sherman, Elizabeth Murray, and many other great artists of our time. MoMA's collection also showcases photography, film, architecture, design, media, and performance art. Visitors can also enjoy shopping and fine and casual dining options. Mondays are reserved exclusively for members and their guests. Closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Reviewed By Lighthousemitch30 - Kew, Australia
The MOMA was an enjoyable experience. Although we visited during the peak Christmas period there was plenty for all of us to see Galleries included works from Dali Gauguin Van Gogh and some massive Monet canvasses Free audio a must Particularly enjoyed the modern architecture exhibitions from Frank Lloyd Wright and Bauhaus Sculpture garden is free and Open to the public
5. Fifth Avenue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,536 reviews
Famous street offering some of the most expensive and fashionable shops in the city.
Reviewed By IAmEve7 - Lexington, United States
Fifth Avenue is all that you've heard it to be...and more. We visit during the holidays which makes it even more festive because of the crowds of people, as well as the outstanding store windows, decorated to the HILT. This is where you stroll and dream, without necessarily spending a dime, as you walk by Cartier, Tiffany, Henri Bendel, Bulgari, Prada, Valentino, Lord & Taylor, Armani, Cole Haan, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, and many others. St. Patrick's Cathedral is also on 5th Avenue and a must-see.
6. Times Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55,987 reviews
Central area in NYC that has many shops, restaurants, office buildings and flashing billboards around it.
Reviewed By 920paigea
Amazing place to visit and so different from everything I am used to, great to see in the day as well as at night, with lots of street performers to make the experience even more enjoyable!
7. Radio City Music Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,230 reviews
Tours run daily starting at 9:30 AM
Reviewed By an0nym0us444 - San Antonio, United States
Attended the 2019 Holiday show, and was so impressed. The integration of tech graphics, the orchestra, live animals, the chorale singers, and of course the phenomenal Rockettes, into the sets was perfect. I hadn't been to Radio City in years, and it was as exceptional as I remembered.
8. Meatpacking District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 686 reviews
Located on the outskirts of the West Village, this area is becoming more upscale and gentrified.
Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia
In NYC, nothing stands still. Up until the 1970s, the main industry in the Meatpacking District was slaughtering animals . Now its a mega trendy neighbourhood, full of top-end boutiques and fancy bars. The Whitney American art museum is a notable addition to the area. A fun way to get to the Meatpacking District is to take the High Line linear park, an old elevated railway line. The Meatpacking District is in the far west of Manhattan. It runs from the Hudson River east to Hudson Street, and West 14th St south to Gansevoort Street.
9. New York Public Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,360 reviews
Two marble lions mark the entrance to this Beaux Arts masterpiece, a National Historic Landmark containing more than six million books.
Reviewed By FelicityRJ
When we first popped into the library it was quite hard to look around and get a real sense of what you were looking at. Luckily, we managed to get two spaces on the free hour-long tour at 2pm (there are several a day). The tour guide was excellent and explained each room before we went in and pointed out some of the more hidden architectural details. As a bonus, anyone on the tour gets 10% off in the gift shop (something you'll definitely use). The library also has a small film (c. 20 minutes) that runs every half an hour that tells you all about the library building and some of the treasures of the collection. It was quite frustrating that a lot of the hidden gems of the collection aren't available to view, but the tour guide told us that a new exhibition was opening in 2020 where they'd feature a rotating selection of the collection (much like the British Library). With the tour and the free exhibitions (Salinger and made at the NY Public Library) we easily spent 4 hours here, a definite recommend if you're into books, literature and civic history - they have the original Winnie the Pooh too!
10. Bryant Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23,471 reviews
Bryant Park has a French-style merry-go-round, open year-round, plus a well-maintained lawn, with chairs and tables. The outdoor Reading Room has picture books and summertime story times. In winter. Take a spin on the free ice-skating rink. The park also has clean bathrooms, a rarity in midtown.
Reviewed By Passport590427 - New York City, United States
It feels really magical at Christmas time, with its amazing ice-skating rink and the Christmas market, which offers a variety of good exotic food & superb views of the lit buildings around and the amazing frozen fountain
