United Nations, Grand Central, St. Patrick’s

Midtown East is a huge tourist, commercial and residential area. Around 5th Ave, the neighborhood is home to many tourist attractions, such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock and Radio City Music Hall. Bryant Park, the New York Public Library and Grand Central Station are close together. Moving towards 3rd Ave and further east, the area is more residential, and generally, the restaurants are better and more affordable, with the UN being the only attraction in that part of the neighborhood.

Midtown East NYC Things to Do

The Plaza Hotel, Apple Store – 59th and 5th Ave

Shopping down 5th Avenue, (Tiffany, Cartier, Henri Bendel) – start at 59th and work your way down to Rockefeller Center, shop the whole way.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA, 11 W 53rd, 5th/6th Aves)

Rockefeller Center – includes Top of the Rock, NBC Studios, American Girl Place, Nintendo, Ice Skating. 47th-50th along 5th Ave

Radio City Music Hall (1260 6th Ave, 50th/51st)

Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rockettes 2023-2024

Radio City Christmas with Rockettes

November 17, 2023 - January 1, 2024 (Tickets On Sale April 2023)
Daily @ 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm (some variations)

With up to 5 shows per day on weekends, the Rockettes are a tradition during the NYC Holiday Season for more than 75 years. Don’t miss the signature eye-high kicks, precision choreography and exciting, show-stopping numbers – including one with Santa.

Rockettes Tour Packages

St. Patrick’s Cathedral (5th Ave, 50th St) – across the street from Rockefeller Center

Dylan’s Candy Bar (60th and 3rd Ave) – world’s largest candy store, owned by Dylan Lauren (Ralph’s daughter), Right across from Bloomingdale’s

Paley Center for Media (formerly Museum of Television & Radio, 52nd, 5th/6th Aves). Closed Mon/Tues. $10 adult, $5 children suggested.

Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MOCCA, 128 E 63rd St) – a not-for-profit arts organization and former museum in New York City devoted to comic books, comic strips and other forms of cartoon art.

Bryant Park NYC

Bryant Park, in the heart of Midtown, just next to the New York Public Library and a few blocks from Grand Central Station, is home to thousands of free events and programs every year, including free movies, free Broadway, free ice skating, the annual Skate-tacular (Christmas Tree Lighting), Holiday Markets and Winter Village. A small selection of the tours and classes they offer include arts & crafts, yoga, juggling, fencing, poetry, kung fu, beekeeping and just about everything else you can think of. Enjoy our Bryant Park Guide.

Bryant Park NYC

New York Public Library (42nd and 5th Ave)

Grand Central Terminal NYC

Grand Central (42nd/Lex) has so much to offer and is definitely worth a stop. The building is gorgeous, especially the ceiling, they offer free tours (though if you can snag a Secrets of GC tour, they are amazing!!!!!!), the Whispering Gallery is really cool and there’s a huge market where you can get all kinds of food, as well as the large food court.

Grand Central Terminal NYC

Summit One Vanderbilt

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, NYC's newest observation deck, is a 65,000 square foot, four-level entertainment space next to Grand Central. The experience is "a new, innovative destination that combines unparalleled vistas, curated multi-sensory experiences and cutting-edge technology to offer an unprecedented guest experience spanning art, nature, and design," offering an all glass elevator, indoor and outdoor observation decks with glass floors, viewing from the 91st-93rd floors, Danny Meyers hospitality and much more. Summit opensed October 2021 and Summit Tickets are on sale now. More Info: summitov.com

Summit One Vanderbilt

The Escape Game Manhattan

The Escape Game Manhattan is a 60-minute adventure in Midtown Manhattan. Start by choosing an adventure where you’ll be dropped into an immersive world where you are the hero of the story. Work together with your team to solve puzzles, find clues, and complete your mission! Our escape games are as accessible as they are immersive. Everyone can contribute to the action. Whether you’re 8 or 90, a new player or an enthusiast, everyone gets a chance to save the day! Read More: The Escape Game Manhattan

The Escape Game Manhattan

United Nations (1st Avenue, between 45th and 46th Street) – Guided and Audio Tours Mon-Fri, 9:45am – 4:45pm, approximately one hour (tours closed in 2021).

United Nations UN Building NYC

Nearby Tours & Activities

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Midtown East NYC Sightseeing Passes

To explore Midtown East using a NYC Tourist pass, you’ll want to look for Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center Tours, Radio City Music Hall Tours, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), The Paley Center for Media, Grand Central Terminal Tours and a St. Patrick’s Tour.

NY Sightseeing Pass, New York Pass, NY Explorer Pass, CityPASS Compared

New York City Passes Compared

See All: NYC Attractions Pass Comparison Chart

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Midtown East Recommended Restaurants

Tao Uptown (58th, Park and Mad) – Asian hot spot with a 16 ft Buddha, gorgeous decor and lots of fun. You may have seen it on a Sex and the City episode.

Del Frisco’s Steakhouse – 1221 6th Ave (49th St)

Serendipity – (225 E 60th, 2nd/3rd Aves)  Best known for Frozen Hot Chocolate, one of Oprah’s favorites

The Modern (and others restaurants in MoMA)

Sofia Wine Bar & Cafe – (242 E 50th / 2nd Ave) – Tapas, amazing meatballs, quaint and tiny brownstone. Quintessential NYC.

Rosa Mexicano (58th & 1st)- Mexican, fresh guacamole prepared tableside and great Margaritas. A few in the City now, but this is the original.

PJ Clarke’s (55th and 3rd)- good, old-fashioned burgers, very casual, packed happy hour, old NYC institution

Serafina Osteria (58th b/w Park and Mad) – northern italian, beautiful garden at their Alwayslocation (61st b/w Mad and Park). There are 10 Serafina’s in NYC, each different, and you can’t go wrong at any of them.

Daniel – upscale French. Many lifelong NYers vote it the best meal they have ever had. Ideal for special occasions.

McFadden’s Saloon – Irish Pub, a NYC classic

Kurant – (1091 2nd Ave @ 58th) wine bar & casual restaurant. Lunch, brunch, dinner & daily happy hour in the understated elegance of exposed brick and reclaimed wood.

Top of Midtown East NYC Guide

Midtown East Shopping

Midtown East is the area you’ve seen and heard of everywhere and contains part of our famed 5th Ave. Here you’ll find department stores like Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Tiffany & Co, and it is also where you’ll find the majority of holiday lights, which you can explore on a Holiday Lights Tour.

In this area, you’ll also find Rockefeller Center, Dylan’s Candy Bar, the Apple Store Flagship, Nintendo, Lego and much more. 57th Street is home to Prada, Dior, Breitling, Louis Vuitton and more.

Bergdorf Goodman (754 5th Ave, 57th/58th)

Saks Fifth Avenue (611 5th Ave, 49th/50th)

Bloomingdales (1000 3rd Ave, 60th/61st)

More New York City Shopping

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Midtown East Hotels

Best Hotels Near Rockefeller Center

Some of our top value picks near Rockefeller Center include:

Hotels Near Rockefeller Center

See the Insider Guide for dozens more Hotels Near Rockefeller Center. Rockefeller Center runs from 47th - 50th Streets, between 5th and 6th Aves. Download our free neighborhood maps at Midtown East Hotels and Midtown West Hotels

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Luxury Hotels in Midtown NYC

Any luxury hotel in Midtown NYC provides you with our top of the line accommodations while placing you in the heart of all the action. From decadent dining to killer skyline views to the world's best spas, these luxury hotels put you in the premier location in the heart of the best city in the world.

St. Regis Hotel NYC Milano Suite

See More: Exclusive Luxury Hotels in Midtown NYC

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Spacious Suite Hotels in Midtown NYC

Many NYC visitors love staying in Midtown, putting them within a mile of Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, Grand Central, Empire State Building, Broadway, Times Square and tons of restaurants and shopping. One could easily spend 2-3 days in Midtown alone and only see a fraction of all there is to offer. Some of our top spacious and family-friendly Midtown Suite Hotels include:

Spacious Suite Hotels in Midtown NYC

See More: Spacious Suite Hotels in Midtown NYC

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Boutique Hotels – Midtown East

NH Collection New York Madison Avenue

Reopened in May 2021, after a complete renovation, the NH Collection Hotel is housed in a 100 year old building and offers cutting-edge interior design, with nods to Madison Avenue’s golden age of advertising (think Mad Men). They have 288 rooms, including suites with terraces and family rooms, gym, MAD Bar & Lounge and a brand new in 2023 Serafina Restaurant.

NH Collection Hotel

The Renwick Hotel

What we love about The Renwick Hotel is they are the first Manhattan hotel to offer a weather guarantee. In partnership with Sensible Weather, they will pay Renwick guests who add a Weather Guarantee to their reservation up to 100% of their nightly rate if it rains. The Renwick is a 173-room hotel, featuring 33 custom suites, housed in a building from the roaring 20’s, which was once a long-stay hotel housing artists and prominent literary figures including John Steinbeck and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The Renwick Hotel

Library Hotel NYC

The Library Hotel has some of THE most interesting rooms in all of NYC and an awesome rooftop! The hotel is organized like a library with 10 floors arranged according to the Dewey Decimal System. Each floor has a theme (literature, languages, math & science) and each room has a theme and tons of books – try the Love Room, Astronomy Room or Fairy Tales Room.

Romantic Packages: The Guilty Pleasure Package, Erotica Package and several other choices.

Romantic New York City Hotel | Library Hotel NYC

The Gotham Hotel

The Gotham Hotel offers airy, light-filled guest rooms appointed with streamlined European furnishings, tailored minibars, and lavish linens. Every room is large, has an outdoor terrace with loft-like ceilings, and features funky vintage books, king-size beds, and gorgeous tiled bathrooms with dual showerheads.

The Gotham Hotel NYC

More Hotels: The Dylan

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Cheap Budget Hotels – Midtown East

Pod 39 Hotel NYC

Targeting the “Hip and Thrifty” market, the Pod 39 Hotel offers extremely compact, cleverly designed guestrooms with iPod docking stations and small LCD TVs. Rooms have shared or private baths and in-room displays indicate availability of the shared baths. The shared bathrooms feature rainfall showerheads, water jets built into the sides and streaming music. Private bathrooms also have rainfall showerheads (no jets), along with sleek stainless-steel sinks. The Pod also offers suites with standard TVs, private bathrooms and living areas with sofa beds.

Pod 39 Hotel NYC

Hotel 31 NYC

Reflecting the eclectic, cosmopolitan personality of New York City itself, each of the 60 rooms in the eight-story Hotel 31 New York City have their own unique decorative design. Stylish, comfortable, and very affordably priced, Hotel 31 offers accommodations for the discerning traveler on a budget.

Hotel 31 Cheap Budget Hotels NYC

Vanderbilt YMCA NYC

Note: At this time, guest rooms are not available at this location. Please see West Side YMCA for availability.

Vanderbilt YMCA – Offering hotels (or hostels, depends on your definition) for budget travelers from every continent, seven YMCAs in New York City provide great value for visitors who want to experience NYC’s multifaceted neighborhoods as well as its fabled sites and entertainment venues. Three YMCAs in Manhattan, two each in Brooklyn and Queens offer clean, comfortable and tranquil hostel accommodations for under $100 per night—in some cases, much less.

Vanderbilt YMCA

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NYC Hotels in Midtown

The best NYC Hotels in Midtown chosen by a NYC local! Finding good and affordable hotels in Midtown West NYC is a treat and you'll be right near the Empire State Building, Penn Station, Madison Square Garden, Herald Square, Times Square, Chelsea, Hell's Kitchen and Hudson Yards. Midtown East is one of the best hotel value spots in Manhattan and puts you in walking distance to St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, the NYPL, the UN, Grand Central Station, great NYC Shopping and much more. 

Best NYC Hotels in Midtown

See All: NYC Hotels in Midtown

Romantic New York City Hotel Deals – Midtown East

Hotel Elysée

Once the playground for the rich and famous, Hotel Elysée has been home to movie stars, artists, writers and intellectuals. Hotel Elysée has been repeatedly honored as the “Most Romantic New York City Hotel” by Business Insider, and one online hotel reviewer titled their photo "The Most Romantic Hotel Room in the World."

Guests enjoy complimentary continental breakfast, cookies and coffee, an evening reception with champagne, wine and cheeses, wireless internet and more, while being central to all of Manhattan.

Romantic New York City Hotel | Hotel Elysée

Romantic Packages: Suite Love Romantic New York City – Prepay your extended winter getaway in one of our three luxurious Premier Suites with features such as a baby grand piano once owned by Vladimir Horowitz, decorative fireplace, spacious bedroom with a King bed, dining area, kitchenette and based on availability, a magnificent terrace over-looking 54th Street.

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Hotels Near Grand Central Station

Top of Midtown East NYC Guide

Subways to Midtown East

  • 4, 5, 6 to 42nd or 59th Street
  • B, D, F, V to Rockefeller Center
  • General Address: 875 Third Ave, NY, NY 10022

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Midtown East Printable Map

Midtown Manhattan NYC Printable Map
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NYC Neighborhood Guides

Harlem

Our Harlem neighborhood guide will show you the wonderful cultural, food, music and historic value of this landmark area, which has long, strong and proud NYC roots. The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s began the golden age of African-American culture, literature, music, artists, theater and art, which continues to strengthen today. If you want to eat authentic soul food, hear mind-blowing jazz and gospel and clothing shop with Alicia Keys and Jay-Z, then Harlem is on your bucket list!

Harlem Neighborhood Guide

Upper West Side

The Upper West Side is a residential neighborhood filled with young professionals and families. It is a great place to stay if you are looking to avoid the heavy crowds of Midtown, explore Central Park, The Museum of Natural History, the Beacon Theatre, Lincoln Center, the West Side Highway and still be about 20 minutes from most of Manhattan.

Upper West Side NYC

Central Park

Central Park offers 843 gorgeous acres to explore and 100s of things to do, which is why we consider it an unofficial neighborhood. Central Park draws 38 million visits a year and is home to the Central Park Film Festival, SummerStage, Shakespeare in the Park, Ice Skating, Central Park Zoo, Bow Bridge, biking, playgrounds, the Carousel and much more.

  • Explore: Central Park Guide
  • To Do: Central Park Zoo, Carousel, TV and Movie Sites, Ice Skating, Loeb Boathouse

Central Park Guide

Times Square & Broadway

Times Square New York and the Theater District are some of New York City's most popular tourist attractions. Of course, Broadway, also known as the Great White Way, is most definitely for locals as well. Spend a bit of time here and make sure to see the lights at night, the Hershey's and M&M Stores, as well as catch a great Broadway Show.

Times Square & Broadway NYC Guide

Midtown West, Koreatown, Hell's Kitchen

Midtown West is a huge tourist area with great neighborhoods like NYC's famous Diamond District, Hell's Kitchen and Koreatown. Hell's Kitchen, is the most western section and an "up-and-coming" residential area of New York City with new shops and restaurants opening often. Koreatown, just a block from the Empire State Building, is known for their restaurants and karaoke bars and clubs.

Midtown West NYC Guide

Garment District / Fashion Center

The Garment District, also called the Fashion District or Fashion Center, is home to many of the world's most famous fashion designers and showrooms. The area is an amazing resource for fabrics, beads and trims, however, unless you are trade, don't expect to walk in off the street to designer showrooms. The best way to possibly get access to private showrooms is through a private tour or a NYC Sample Sale.

Garment District Fashion Center NYC Free Map Guide

Chelsea & Hudson Yards

Chelsea NY is known for art galleries, nightlife and gay-friendly culture. It is a lively, vibrant neighborhood with some of New York City's top restaurants, clubs, art and things to do outdoors and along the Hudson River. While Chelsea boundaries are West 14th-34th Streets, from 7th Ave to the Hudson River, the new Hudson Yards occupies it's most North and West streets, West 30th to 34th Streets between 10th and 12th Avenues.

  • Explore: Chelsea & Hudson Yards Guide
  • To Do: The Highline, Art Galleries, Chelsea Market, Chelsea Piers, Little Island, Edge, The Vessel, The Shops at Hudson Yards

Chelsea & Hudson Yards Free Map Guide

Meatpacking District

The Meatpacking District, also known as the Gansevoort Market, is only a few blocks, so you cannot get lost, but it is packed with upscale restaurants, night clubs and designer shopping. Like many NY neighborhoods, the MP District retains it's historical architecture, as it is lined with cobblestone streets and old warehouses, but, today, these same buildings house very modern shopping and dining. The heart of the Meatpacking District is Little West 12th Street.

Meatpacking District NYC Guide Free Map Guide

Greenwich Village & NoHo

Our Greenwich Village NYC Guide provides insight into one of NYC's most cherished neighborhoods. The Village is full of history, celebrity, politics, landmarks and so much more. The NYU campus, Washington Square Park, gorgeous brownstones and cobble stone streets, amazing restaurants, tons of trees and much more make this area a local favorite.

Greenwich Village NYC Guide

West Village

The West Village is filled with tree-lined streets, beautiful old brownstones and hundreds of shops, restaurants and cafés. It is truly a quintessential NYC neighborhood, inhabited by locals and celebrities who can afford to live anywhere they choose. If you're a Friends or Sex and the City fan, then you are already quite familiar with the West Village...now it's time to come experience it!

West Village NYC Guide

SoHo

SoHo (SOuth of HOuston - pronounced How-ston) is another NYC neighborhood filled with the best shopping and restaurants. Traditionally known as a haven for artists and their lofts, it has become more upscale over the years and a much sought-after place for New Yorkers to live.

  • Explore: SoHo Guide
  • To Do: New York Fire Museum, Shopping, Art Galleries, Brunch & Restaurants, Broken Kilometer & Earth Room

SoHo NYC Guide

Tribeca & The Battery

Tribeca Tribeca (TRI-angle BE-low CA-nal) NYC, is home of the namesake Film Festival, Robert De Niro’s pet project, created to promote commerce downtown after 9/11. He also owns several hotels and restaurants in the area and is spotted quite frequently. Tribeca was also the home of JFK Jr and Caroline Bessette Kennedy before their tragic death in 1999 and is filled with old warehouses, now converted into lofts, beautiful views of the Hudson River and Statue of Liberty along the West Side Highway, excellent restaurants, families, parks and NYC history.

  • Explore: Tribeca & The Battery
  • To Do: Hudson River Park and River Promenade, Statue of Liberty Views, Upscale & Casual Dining

Tribeca Neighborhood Guide

Financial District and Wall Street

The Financial District (FiDi), at the southern tip of NYC, is one of NYC's most bustling business and tourist areas, from Monday to Friday and is near dead on the weekends. Sights include the 9-11 Memorial & Museum, Wall Street, One World Observatory, The American Stock Exchange, the Charging Bull, the Fearless Girl and views of the Statue of Liberty.

Financial District and Wall Street Guide

Upper East Side NYC

The Upper East Side is an upscale, residential neighborhood and home to Museum Mile, some uber-upscale shopping and Gracie Mansion. The homes on Fifth Avenue, along Central Park, are some of the most exclusive in all of Manhattan. You've likely seen the Upper East Side on Gossip Girl, Sex and the City, The Real Housewives of New York, I Love Lucy, Breakfast at Tiffany's and dozens of other times on your screens.

Upper East Side NYC Free Map Guide

Midtown East

Midtown East is a huge tourist, commercial and residential area. Around 5th Ave, the neighborhood is home to many tourist attractions, such as St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock and Radio City Music Hall. Bryant Park, the New York Public Library and Grand Central Station are close together just south. Moving towards 3rd Ave and further east, the area is more residential, and generally, the restaurants are better and more affordable, with the UN being the only attraction in that part of the neighborhood.

Midtown East NYC Free Map Guide

Union Square, Flatiron, NoMad, Gramercy

Union Square (my hood!), the Flatiron District and NoMad all have a mix of residence and business tenants. Additionally, colleges such as NYU, The New School and FIT dominate the area, making it very fun and lively. It is one of the best dining and nightlife areas in Manhattan, with something for every palate and budget and offers fabulous hotels of all kinds.

Union Square, Flatiron, NoMad, Gramercy Free Map Guide

East Village

While originally part of the Lower East Side, an immigrant neighborhood, the East Village, has separated itself and become home to some of the City’s best restaurants, shops and nightlife. It is full of character, diversity, fine dining, shops and live music, and includes a subsection named “Alphabet City.” East Village culture ranges from tattoo parlors and “dive bars” to some of New York City’s nicest hip and trendy hotels.

  • Explore: East Village
  • To Do: Blue Man Group & Stomp, St. Mark's Place, Nightlife, Speakeasies, Curry Lane

East Village NYC Free Map Guide

Lower East Side NYC

Traditionally, the Lower East Side was a working class immigrant neighborhood (think “Gangs of New York”). Today it is a wonderfully ethnic and diverse neighborhood and serves as a shopping, dining and nightlife destination for many NYC locals. Even with all its modern upgrades, the LES retains a large amount of its history, especially it’s Jewish, Polish, Irish and Italian cultures. The LES also has one of the best selections of hotels in NYC - tons of boutique hotels with amenities, rooftops, skyline views and seconds from 1000s of cool restaurants and hot spots.

Lower East Side NY Guide

Chinatown NYC

Chinatown NYC is a small, but very densely packed area of shops and restaurants. It is really fun to walk around, enjoy the culture, pick up some souvenirs, and most definitely, eat some delicious and affordable Dim Sum, dumplings, pork buns and other amazing Chinese cuisines.

  • Explore: Chinatown NYC Guide Guide
  • To Do: Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), Mahayana Buddhist Temple, Dim Sum & Dumplings

Chinatown NYC Free Map Guide

Little Italy NYC

Little Italy NYC Guide is a just a few blocks, with tons of outdoor restaurants and owners promising free wine and sangria to lure you in. Puglia is a favorite restaurant for families with their live singing and kids standing on their chairs waving napkins. Visit the new Italian American Museum, which tells the story "from Columbus to Cuomo," the original Old St. Patrick's Church and NYC Police Headquarters.

Little Italy NYC Free Map Guide

NYC Boroughs

Explore the diverse neighborhoods of NYC Boroughs with our comprehensive guide to Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. New York City is a melting pot of cultures and neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and charm. Whether you're a local or a visitor, exploring the five boroughs of NYC is a must-do experience.

NYC Boroughs Guide

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