New York Neighborhoods - Midtown & Times Square
One of the reasons New York feels easy to read and navigate is its grid. Streets run straight, numbers rise predictably, and getting lost - geographically - is hard.
42nd Street is a great example of this logic - a single axis cuts through some of the most iconic and chaotic spaces. Before its glossy renovation in the 1990s the street was infamous, a place where grit and glamour collided openly.
The opening lyrics of the ‘42nd Street’ musical capture that tension perfectly:
“Little nifties from the Fifties, innocent and sweet,
Sexy ladies from the Eighties who are indiscreet,
They’re side by side, they’re glorified,
Where the underworld can meet the elite
Naughty, gawdy, bawdy, sporty, Forty-second Street!”
Today the street reads quite different, but you can still feel some of that history as you walk across town.
At the eastern end of 42nd Street, on First Avenue, facing the East River, stands the United Nations Headquarters. I’ve never had the chance to visit the General Assembly Hall myself, but the building itself hold a quiet strength - the center of global diplomacy, power, and presence.
Walk west on 42nd street and on the corner with Lexington Avenue you’ll be led right to the Chrysler Building, one of New York’s most iconic silhouettes. The Art Deco argent crown holds both history and a futuristic feel, as it has been often used in pop culture scenes such as for Will Smith’s leap through time in Men in Black 3.
Between Park and Lexington Ave you’ll find yourself in front of Grand Central Terminal, one of largest train stations in the world with a magnificent atrium (the Main Concourse) on whose ceiling are depicted the constellations. Take the escalators to the Dining Concourse to find about 50 different restaurants, but I recommend you walk through the Grand Central Market which is one of the best food emporiums I’ve seen!
Moving on you’ll find yourself back on 5th Ave, here on the corner with 42nd street you can see the New York Public Library. A beautiful building which I recommend visiting! The Main Reading Room is majestic.
A few more blocks will take you to the most characteristic location in the whole city: Times Square. Sit on the red steps of the TKTS booth at sunset to see how the atmosphere of square changes from day to night. If you’re lucky you can also find tickets for Broadway shows with discounts!
In Times Square there are so many places to see: of course you must check our the theatres of the district, but you also have the Madame Tussaud wax museum, the M&M store, the Hard Rock Café and the Disney Store.
Don’t spend all of your money shopping around here though, Macy’s is a few blocks away! Located on Herald Square, for nearly 90 years Macy’s was the largest department store in the world. If you need a coffee while shopping there stop at the Herald Square Cafe that offers Starbucks Reserve coffee, where baristas brew individual cups for customers (but it costs more than normal Starbucks).
Last but definitely not least you must visit the Empire State Building. The most iconic New York City landmark from which you can enjoy the most stunning view over Manhattan. I’ve seen many views over cities but the one from the Empire was something else; best if you keep this visit planned for a sunny day! The view from the 86th floor is more than enough, I don’t recommend spending the extra $20 to get to the 102nd floor. Not only is the view stunning, also the building’s architecture is magnificent with its Art Deco style, but if you don’t believe me then trust the American Society of Civil Engineers that named it one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
“It’s like New York is a miniature replica of New York, which is nice, because you can see what it’s really like, instead of how it feels when you’re in the middle of it.”
Another thing to see is the Morgan Library and Museum on Madison Ave and 36th street, which holds Mr. Pierpont Morgan’s collection of rare manuscripts, books and art collection, in what used to be his office and library.
Where to Shop:
M&Ms store: 1600 Broadway, 7th Ave and 48th street
Hershey’s Chocolate World: 1593 Broadway, Broadway and 48th street
American Eagle Outfitters: 1551-1555 Broadway (Times Square)
Disney Store: Times Square, 1540 Broadway
Forever 21: Times Square, 1540 Broadway
Sephora: Times Square, 1500 Broadway
H&M: 1328 Broadway in Herald Square (there is also one closer to Times Square, but here you can also find H&M Home).
Macy’s: W 35th St/ Herald Square
Victoria’s Secret: 1328 Broadway, near 34th street
Eat & Drink:
Shake Shack: 691 8th Ave, corner with 44th street
Dining Concourse (Grand Central Terminal)
Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant: 42nd street and Lexington Ave
Hard Rock Café: 1501 Broadway (Times Square)
Counter Burger: 7 Times Square between 41st and Broadway
Junior’s Cheesecake: Grand Central Terminal 89 E 42nd St or 1515 Broadway, near 45th street
