Location: Midtown East
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What to do and see in Midtown East, New York (NY): The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
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. The Ark of Return
2. Grand Central Terminal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44,259 reviews
Grand Central Terminal is the most extraordinary public space in New York City. Opened to the public in 1913, this historic train terminal is a world-famous landmark in Midtown. Its rich history is a story of immense wealth and great engineering. Grand Central is one of the busiest train stations in the world, with approximately 750,000 visitors every day. It is the home of Metro-North Railroad, a subway station, iconic restaurants, shops, and the world's most alluring Apple Store. Some of the highlights to see along your tour of Grand Central include the opal-faced clock, valued at $20 million, above the Information Booth, the Largest Tiffany Glass Clock in the World below the 48-foot, 1500-ton Transportation statue overlooking 42nd Street at Park Avenue, and the mystifying acoustics of the Whispering Gallery in front of the Oyster Bar and Restaurant. Audio and guided tours are available for those with a passion for history. More information regarding tours and ways to plan your visit can be found on the Grand Central Terminal website.
Reviewed By TheCuriousCowgirl - Dallas, United States
Because thousands of commuters pass through Grand Central Terminal every day, there's a market, filled with delicious pre-prepared foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and even a small outpost of the EAT Gifts. As a tourist, this is a GREAT place to pick up delicious goodies for an impromptu picnic in Central Park, or snacks for midnight cravings in your hotel. If you have a little more time, consider having a meal at the Grand Central Oyster Bar. First opened in 1913, this restaurant is a true NYC gem, offering up over twenty varieties of fresh oysters, a large menu of fresh, grilled and fried seafood choices, and an ambience and history that makes The Oyster Bar a very fun dining experience! Just outside the entrance to the Oyster Bar, is a space with a high vaulted ceiling. The four corners offer a bit of magic. If you and a friend will stand on opposite corners, you can speak directly into the wall, and the geometry of the space will carry your message up the wall, across the ceiling, and to your friend on the other side, earning the area the informal title of "the whispering walls." It's a ton of fun, and kids will get a HUGE kick out of sending and receiving messages! If cocktails are more your speed, The Campbell Apartment is a super swanky spot. The space was first rented out in 1923 by William Kissam Vanderbilt II, whose family built the terminal. It was once the ornate private office of early 20th century railroad exec and financier John Williams Campbell, andlater a studio for CBS Radio and a jail used by Metro-North Railroad. Today, it's a step back in time, and a little hard to find, making cocktail hour both glamorous and a little mysterious. If pure history is what you are after, take some time to admire the the zodiac mural on the ceiling of the Grand Concourse, one of New York City’s most beloved pieces of public art, created by French pastelist and etcher Paul César Helleu in 1912. The signs of the zodiac from October to March are outlined in gold leaf and modeled with nearly 2500 tiny, stippled gold leaf stars.Be sure and walk outside to 42nd street, and admire the gorgeous facade, particularly the imposing sculptures of Mercury, Hercules, and Minerva at the top. I never tire of the view, both during the day and at night, and few sites make me feel more truly in the heart of Manhattan than time spent in Grand Central Terminal.
3. Grand Central Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 761 reviews
**Please note: All vendors have separate cash registers.** One market, unlimited options. Shop Grand Central Market for the finest and freshest ingredients for everyday meals and special occasions. Grand Central Market Vendors: Bien Cuit, Ceriello Fine Foods, Dishes at Home, E.A.T. Gifts, Eli Zabar's Bread & Pastry, Eli Zabar's Farm to Table, Li-Lac Chocolates, Murray's Cheese, Oren's Daily Roast, Pescatore Seafood, Spices and Tease, and Sushi by Pescatore. The Grand Central Market is closed on New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Reviewed By Maryinthegarden - Ocean City, United States
This vendor was one of the top highlights of our trip to NYC. High quality and great variety of meats and cheeses. Service by Matthew was unparalleled. His knowledge and enthusiasm for all of the products was infectious and he made the whole experience fun. It was expensive but worth every penny!
4. Central Synagogue
5. Helmsley Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By Rumples - Tucson, United States
Each time I'm on Park Avenue near Grand Central Station, I like to simply stand for a while and admire this marvelous Beaux-Arts-style building. Though it first opened in 1929 to house the Central Railroad Company. the building remains in beautiful condition, thanks to a 2010 renovation. Exterior features include a clock framed by sculptures above the entrance and a pyramidal roof with cupola. But the most distinctive details are two tunnels reserved for vehicular traffic below it, one for uptown and the other for downtown traffic. There are also two street level arcades for pedestrian traffic, one of which I have walked through. That is the closest I could get to the building, because it is not open to the public. The 535-foot-tall, 34-story structure has had a series of owners throughout the years. It holds the name Helmsley because it was once owned by Helmsley-Spear, which stipulated that the name could not be changed again when that company sold the property. RXR Realty currently owns the building. During my recent New York stay, I enjoyed looking at the building at night from my hotel's 27th-floor rooftop terrace. It was beautifully lit in blue.
6. Katharine Hepburn Garden
7. Amster Yard
8. The Braves of 9/11
9. United Nations Headquarters
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,051 reviews
We regret to inform you that in an abundance of caution and as a preventative measure amidst the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, United Nations Headquarters is closed to the public and guided tours have been suspended effective immediately until 31 March. For more information and updates please visit: Facebook, Twitter, & visit.un.org We apologize for any inconvenience caused. Visitors can learn about the UN's peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts by touring the complex, even when it is in session. NEW! Now offering VIRTUAL TOURS! Please visit our website for more information and bookings: visit.un.org
Reviewed By 196diannel - South Australia, Australia
Unfortunately it was raining heavily on the day I joined a tour of the UN headquarters last October. This meant I didn't really see the outside area of the building. So I feel like I missed some interesting areas, views and artworks. However, it's a great experience to peer inside the heart of the UN and I highly recommend it. Our Egyptian tour guide was excellent, unhurried, clearly very knowledgeable about the building and the activities and functions of the organisation and able to answer all the group's questions. The artwork littered throughout the buildings is engaging and thought-provoking and walking into the General Assembly Hall, the Security Council Chamber, and the Economic and Social Council Chamber was memorable. Titbits of information that particularly interested me included worldwide military expenditure since midnight on the day I visited; $3,666,966,642 (in less than 24 hours - staggering) and a mural of the annual military expenditure from 2013 comparing that to Official Development Expenditure, the UN regular budget and the International Disarmament and Non-proliferation Organisations expenditure in the same year - also staggering. It certainly demonstrated priorities. An extra hour before the start of the tour is required for security issues and activities. Don't forget your official ID.
10. Citicorp Center
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