On this walking route, you’ll explore Midtown Manhattan on foot. You’ll pass by the places everyone knows, such as Bryant Park, the Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center, but I’ll also take you to a surprisingly quiet corner of the city: Tudor City. I’ve mapped out and photographed this route myself, and I revisit it regularly to keep everything up to date. Using my Eric’s New York App, you can start the walk whenever suits you, entirely at your own pace.
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Eric's Index
Highlights of the Midtown & Tudor City Route
Midtown is the part of New York you’re probably most familiar with from photos, and that’s precisely why it’s so much fun to explore it on foot. Suddenly you find yourself right in the middle of it, rather than just looking at it.
Among other things, you’ll walk past Bryant Park, a lovely park nestled amongst the skyscrapers, and past the Chrysler Building. Many people consider this to be one of the most beautiful skyscrapers in New York. You’ll also walk through Rockefeller Center, where you can visit Top of the Rock.
You’ll also stroll along Park Avenue with its stately buildings and past the shops and shop windows of Fifth Avenue, one of the most famous shopping streets in the world.
And then there’s Tudor City; a small neighbourhood with its distinctive buildings. Despite being right in the heart of Manhattan, it’s surprisingly quiet. Few visitors know where to find it, and that’s precisely what makes it so special to take a stroll around there.
At each stop, I’ll tell you what there is to see and why that particular spot is well worth a visit. That way, you’ll not only see the famous Midtown, but also the side that most visitors miss.
How’s this walking route?
This self-guided walking tour through Midtown Manhattan is about 3 miles long (5 km) and takes about 2 hours. Most of it is on flat ground through the streets of Midtown, with the occasional flight of stairs along the way.
There are plenty of opportunities to take a break during the walk. There are lots of cafés where you can grab a drink along the route. The great thing about this walking route is that you can set your own pace. It’s also perfectly suitable for walking with children.
The Bustling and the Quiet Midtown
Midtown is the beating heart of Manhattan. This is where the most famous skyscrapers stand, where the main shopping streets are, and where it’s practically always bustling. For many visitors, this is the New York they’ve seen in the films, and this route allows you to see a large part of it in a single walk.
What many people don’t realise is that tranquillity is never far away here. Tudor City is the best example of this: a small, green residential neighbourhood above the hustle and bustle of 42nd Street, where it suddenly becomes quiet. It is precisely this contrast between the grand and the understated that makes this Midtown walk so varied.
Practical Information
- Starting point: Bryant Park
- Distance: 5 kilometres (about 3 miles)
- Duration: approximately 2 hours
- Price: from £2 as part of a package
- Best time: I prefer to walk this route early in the morning, when Midtown is still quiet. Would you like to combine the walk with a little shopping on Fifth Avenue? If so, set off a bit later, as the shops don’t open until late morning.
Pairs well with:
With the package, you can explore every part of New York at your own pace. For example, this Midtown route links up nicely with the Central Park route: the end point of this walk is very close to the starting point of that one.
How does the walking route work in the app?
For this walk, all you need is my Eric’s New York App. The route works offline, so even without a signal, you’ll know exactly where you’re going. It’ll be all set up in a few minutes:
- Download the free Eric’s New York App from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Tap the ‘Routes’ icon at the bottom, or the menu button in the top right-hand corner of the home screen.
- Select the Midtown & Tudor City walking route.
- Tap ‘Buy route’ and complete the payment.
- You’ll now see the full route in the app, with all the points you’ll pass. At each point, you’ll find my stories, tips and photos.
- On the map, click on the green figure to view the route and your own location. That way, you won’t get lost along the way.
If you buy the route before you set off, you can take your time at home to have a look at what you’ll be seeing along the way. Once in New York, you can simply follow the map. Of course, you can stop wherever you like along the way and then pick up where you left off.
If you’re on your mobile, you can open this link directly to the walking routes in the app
Tip: Budget-friendly walking routes through New York
Are you planning to follow more than one walking route during your city break? If so, opt for the package in the app. It allows you to buy several routes in one go, which works out cheaper than buying them individually. This way, you can explore the most beautiful parts of New York on foot in just a few days.
View all walking routes and packages in the app
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