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How to get to Midtown Manhattan
If you are coming from New Jersey, the easiest way in is the PATH train. It drops you directly at 33rd Street, which is essentially the southern gateway to Midtown. From there, the plan is simple: get off at 33rd and walk upward, working your way north through the grid as the day goes on. Manhattan is laid out in a clean grid of streets and avenues, so navigation is straightforward — just keep an eye on the street numbers and you always know where you are.
For the subway, buy a MetroCard and load it with a reasonable amount — I would suggest not overloading it straightaway. Top it up with a smaller amount first, and then add more as you need it. Subway stations are dotted all over Midtown, so you can hop on and off easily throughout the day.
What to see starting from 33rd Street
Empire State Building and Macy's
Right at 33rd Street you will find two famous landmarks. The first is the Empire State Building. You can buy tickets to go up to the observation deck, but honestly, I would not prioritise it. It is one of New York's older viewing spots, and it is no longer the tallest building in the city. There are better places to get a view of the skyline, which I will come to shortly. The second landmark on 33rd is the famous Macy's department store. It is a massive, multi-floor store and worth a browse — but go in with patience. If you plan to really shop here, budget at least two to three hours.
Broadway at 37th Street
As you walk north and hit 37th Street, you are on Broadway. This is where you can catch a Broadway show. If that is on your list, this is the strip to look at for tickets and theatre listings.
Bryant Park and the New York Public Library
After Central Park, Bryant Park is probably the second most popular park in Manhattan — and what I love about it is that it sits right in the middle of all these towering buildings. This green space in the heart of Midtown is a genuinely lovely place to stop and rest your feet during a full day of walking.
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Book a Mock InterviewIn winter, the park hosts a Winter Village — a collection of stalls selling food, drinks, and gifts where you can also do a little shopping. The other big winter attraction here is the ice skating rink, which is large and very popular. You can bring your own skates or rent a pair on site.
Right behind Bryant Park is the New York Public Library. Do not walk past it. If you have any interest in architecture or history, step inside. There is a free tour offered roughly every two hours where a guide takes you through the building — worth doing if your schedule allows.
Where to eat — lunch near Bryant Park
After Bryant Park we were hungry and spotted a Chipotle very close by, near the park and the library. Lunch for us came to eleven dollars and seventy cents total — a solid, filling meal without spending much at all.
Fifth Avenue — the elegant stretch
After lunch, make your way to Fifth Avenue. This is arguably the most expensive and most elegant street in Manhattan. You will find high-end stores here — Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany's, and other luxury retailers. Even if you are not shopping, it is a beautiful street to walk along and get a real sense of the upscale side of Manhattan. Just know going in that everything on Fifth Avenue leans expensive.
Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock
From Fifth Avenue, head to Rockefeller Center. This large commercial complex is a historic landmark in its own right. It is especially famous during the Christmas season when a giant Christmas tree goes up — that usually comes down around the 10th of January, so time your visit accordingly if the tree is what you are after. Even without the tree, the centrepiece of Rockefeller Plaza is the golden statue of Prometheus, which is considered one of the most recognisable statues in New York after the Statue of Liberty. The plaza also has an ice skating rink, similar to Bryant Park.
Top of the Rock — the best view of the New York skyline
The main reason I recommend coming to Rockefeller Center is the observation deck: Top of the Rock. In New York, there are three main places to see the full skyline — the Empire State Building, the One World Observatory, and Top of the Rock. All three are good, but Top of the Rock is my personal favourite, and here is why: the observation deck is open-air. You are not standing behind glass inside an enclosed room — you are actually outside on the deck. And because the Rockefeller Building is not the tallest in the city, you end up at roughly the same elevation as the other iconic buildings around you, which means you get an incredible, unobstructed view of the Empire State Building and the rest of the skyline in a way the other spots cannot give you.
There are three observation decks inside, and the ticket costs 42 dollars at the door. If you check online in advance, you can often find deals that bring it down to around 39 dollars. There are also online deal sites worth checking before you go.
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