Location: New York City
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What to do and see in New York City, New York (NY): The Best Architectural Buildings
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.
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1. Grand Masonic Lodge of New York
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. Fred F. French Building
4. Chrysler Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,046 reviews
This Art Deco masterpiece is actually no longer the property of the auto manufacturer.
Reviewed By michaelsM3853UC - London, United Kingdom
Dramatic architecture completed in 1930.Fantastic decorative details in stainless steel art deco style referencing stylized chromed motor car components:such as winged radiator caps and wheels.Fantastic crowning spire.The grand lobby can be visited and features multicoloured marble and granite,a beautifully painted ceiling with scenes of 1920’s transportation,wonderfully decorative elevator doors and art deco metalwork.
5. General Electric Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
Art Deco style abounds inside and out at the GE building.
Reviewed By Rumples - Tucson, United States
Comcast acquired this skyscraper in 2015, but most people still refer to it as the General Electric Building or simply 30 Rock. The 66-floor structure forms the centerpiece of Rockefeller Center and is the home for NBC Studios. Whatever one calls this 1933 Art Deco gem, it always is on my itinerary when I visit New York City. As an architecture buff, I never tire of the details, inside and outside, and I enjoy browsing in shops on the Concourse level. Prominent exterior features include a simple limestone facade with a stunning crown, and attractive carved renderings at the East entrance of Wisdom, Sound and Light. The crown displays a lighting bolts motif and is illuminated at night. Because of the building's 850-foot height, however, I can only study this crown with binoculars. The lobby features massive murals. "American Progress" by Josep Maria Sert shows allegorical scenes of men constructing modern America. But I find the lobby to be fairly dark and not conducive to looking at art. More airy are the Top of the Rock Observation Deck and the 65th floor's Rainbow Room. I do not recommend trying to get a photo of this skyscraper up close unless capturing details. It fills 22 acres, occupying an entire block between Sixth Avenue and Rockefeller Plaza. A nice photo op exists of its East side, however, at the start of the Channel Gardens at Fifth Avenue.
6. Flatiron Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,403 reviews
This Daniel Burnham design got its moniker because, as you might guess, it resembles an iron.
Reviewed By iluckiep - New York City, United States
I decide to write a review because when people don't know the truth behind something, they just write, wrong reviews, people should know! Before write anything, It is like say something without thinking. First of all this building is amazing! Specially because It was built in 1902, so If you carefully look at it, It is a piece of art! the shape of it was made under the need of the land shape, It is where 2 street begins, for this you need to know, now you know the shape is the main attraction of this building and artist during a century, photographed and painted it, here is where popularity ranked higher Building has arquitectural influences from France and Italy, specially renaissance art, no one can say It doesn't worth unless you ignore the importance of this art current The Flatiron building is the right sample of what expects don't like but who believed in its own projects never mind do and become a success New York is known mainly by its tall building, culturally speaking, If you are in the same page of visit place by its story, there you are! This is the most beautiful building I have ever seen, worth the stop by, to admire the shape and getting closer to admire the detail too!!!
7. Empire State Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91,562 reviews
The Empire State Building is the World's Most Famous Building. It rises 1,454 feet from ground to antenna & features the only 360 degree open-air vantage point of Midtown Manhattan. The 86th & 102nd Floor Observatories are open daily from 12PM-9PM. On a clear day you can see up to 6 states. The brand-new 2nd floor museum (included in all ticket options) offers guests 10,000 sq ft of interactive exhibits that invite visitors on a journey beginning from the building’s construction to its current place in pop culture. The 102nd Fl Obs features floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass elevator with sound & light experience. It is the jewel of NYC. All signage, audio & exhibits in the building are available in 9 languages. We offer free Wi-Fi. The 34th St Lobby entrance features a grand staircase with a 2-story architectural model of the bldg & a high-tech LED exhibit that celebrates lighting ceremonies performed by famous, celebrity guests. Express guests receive red carpet VIP treatment.
Reviewed By PictureThisNYC - New York City, United States
Amazing experience to visit the Empire State Building for sunrise with a very small group of people for a safe & unsurpassed experience, Well worth the money, amazing views & tons of space on the observation deck that is usually very crowded. Friendly, helpful & welcoming staff made for a wonderful experience and so may great photos! Highly recommended.
8. Woolworth Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,054 reviews
Learn how the biggest retail tycoon of the early twentieth century and a star architect changed the NYC skyline forever. Designed by the renowned architect Cass Gilbert in 1913 to be Frank W. Woolworth’s NYC headquarters, the Woolworth Building was the tallest in the world for 17 years. Long closed to the public, architectural tours of its magnificent vintage lobby are now available.
Reviewed By Coffeeprincess - Spennymoor, United Kingdom
Great to see inside one of the most iconic NYC buildings in architectural history. The tour starts outside the building from the adjacent park, where the gothic facade in terracotta is explained in detail. We then viewed the grand cathedral-like lobby, the back staircase where the bank was situated, and finally the basement which contains the old bank vault. Our guide, Lisa, really brought the building and the Frank Woolworth story alive, much better than reading a conventional guide book could do. The building is still a business centre with many offices, so staff are continually coming and going which adds to authenticity of the tour. Tourists are therefore not allowed to enter the building unless they are part of the tour. The 60 minutes flew by, which gives an indication of how the guide kept our attention and interest. Overall, it was thoroughly enjoyable. I would recommend the 60 minute tour to everyone with a passion for NYC architecture.
9. Rockefeller Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25,302 reviews
Rockefeller Center is a national historic landmark in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Home to Top of the Rock Observation Deck, NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall and much more. Shop, dine and explore at one of New York's most inspiring locations.
Reviewed By joys919 - Morgantown, United States
Rockefeller center has great architecture, great shops, restaurants, ice skating, movie scenes from Home Alone, murals on the ceilings and an underground passageways to help you get back and forth and stay warm!
10. Grace Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Ornate and even a bit eerie, the neo-gothic Grace Church is nonetheless lovely.
Reviewed By Itinerant_Foodies - Greensboro, United States
We came here three times during our stay in NYC, all three times for organ concerts (which are referred to as meditations). Patrick Allen, the organist is very good and uses the organ to its best effect while he plays through either the Bach pieces or other works. All concerts are compelling and worth a listen whether you’re meditating or just listening. Be sure to take the tour of the church as well—it’s history is fascinating.
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