Things to do and see in Midtown Manhattan

Midtown Manhattan in New York, along with Uptown and Downtown, is one of the three parts of the island of Manhattan. In New York, Manhattan is considered the city’s main district, with dozens of skyscrapers. Every day more than 3 million people work at this economic centre. However, these workers often live elsewhere and commute to Midtown. The area has a high concentration of world-famous buildings and squares, so there are plenty of things to do and see in Midtown Manhattan.

Things to do and see in Midtown Manhattan

Midtown Manhattan is an area where a lot of the famous landmarks and attractions in New York are located. For example, most of the observation decks in New York are here, as well as Times Square and Grand Central Terminal. In addition, many hotels in New York can be found in Midtown Manhattan.

Midtown walking routes

Would you like to explore Midtown Manhattan in an easy and fun way? Then follow the walking routes in my Eric’s New York App. I’ve created these routes myself, combining well-known attractions with undiscovered spots. The routes work offline, so you can walk them without an internet connection. And thanks to GPS, you can see exactly where you are at any time.

Times Square

Times Square is sometimes referred to as the centre of the world. Nowhere else on earth do these many different cultures come together on one square every day. Times Square is the intersection of 2 streets, 7th Avenue and Broadway. Since 2009, Broadway between 42nd and 47th Street has been closed to give tourists more room. There are many tables and chairs on the square that are free to use.

Especially when it’s dark, Times Square is dominated by the lights of numerous billboards. The facades of TSX Broadway and other Times Square buildings are covered with huge screens that display the biggest advertisements. It’s a sight that just can’t be missed when visiting New York.

One Times Square

In the heart of Times Square is the One Times Square viewing deck. This is also where the famous ball drop takes place on New Year’s Eve. From the platform, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the square, streets and the surrounding buildings. In addition to the viewing deck, One Times Square offers other experiences, such as i Candy NYC. Here you will feel like a little kid visiting Willy Wonka’s factory.

Empire State Building

The Empire State Building, with its 103 stories and 443 metres (1,454 feet), was once the tallest building in New York; now that honour belongs to the One World Trade Center. The building was finished in 1931 and has been a New York icon ever since. The Empire State Building has a different colour almost every day. Every colour combination has its own significance. You can visit the Empire State Building every day.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

Summit is an observation deck located in the One Vanderbilt skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is set at an altitude of 1000 feet and offers great views of surrounding landmarks. However, it is not only a viewpoint but also a special audiovisual experience. From here, you can see the Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square, and many more. You can visit the observation deck during the day and at night, and both provide unique experiences.

Top of the Rock and Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is best known for the ice rink with the golden statue. The ‘centre’ consists of 14 buildings, built between 1929 and 1940, in the heart of Manhattan in New York. Since 2008, you can also find Top of the Rock, a lookout over Manhattan, Queens, New Jersey, and Brooklyn.

Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is the main railway station of New York City, alongside Penn Station. Grand Central Terminal is also popularly called Grand Central Station. In addition to the trains, there are also five subway lines that come together, lines 4567S. Grand Central Terminal is a must-see if you are in New York.

Chrysler Building in Midtown Manhattan

One of the finest buildings in Manhattan is the Chrysler Building. The Chrysler Building is a whopping 319 meters high and was the second-tallest building in New York for decades. Because the Chrysler Building is not accessible to the public, the building can best be seen from the Empire State Building or SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.

Hudson Yards

On the west side of Midtown Manhattan, you can find Hudson Yards. This neighbourhood mainly consists of huge skyscrapers, but it also has several attractions that are worth a visit. For example, the Edge observation deck is located in one of its buildings. This is the highest outdoor viewpoint in New York. If you are a daredevil, you can do the City Climb here as well.

Where to eat in Midtown Manhattan?

Of course, many of my favourite New York pizza places and burger joints are located in Midtown. For larger groups, I recommend Carmine’s, and for dinner with a view, Peak with Priceless in Hudson Yards is an excellent choice.

Hotels in Midtown Manhattan

Midtown Manhattan is a perfect place to stay. Many major attractions are in this area, so booking a hotel in Midtown Manhattan means you can visit a lot on foot. It’s also the area with probably the most hotels in New York, so there’s a lot to choose from.

Good options include Fairfield Inn Times Square (which has its own rooftop bar) and Yotel. A comfortable but slightly more expensive hotel is the Marriott Marquis on Times Square.

How to get to Midtown Manhattan?

If you book a hotel in or close to Midtown, you can cover most of the area on foot. If you’re staying further away or are just tired from exploring New York all day, you can take the subway. There are many subway stations spread across Midtown Manhattan, so the line you need to take depends on your destination. However, many trains stop at the Times Sq-42 St station, which is right in the heart of the neighbourhood.