Midtown East
Admiring the magnificent Gilded Age architectural beauties is one of the best things to do in New York. This one-day agenda will take you to Grand Central Terminal, the New York Public Library, Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Fashionistas will appreciate visits to sites in the garment district.
- The Museum of Modern Art Another legacy of the wealthy Rockefeller family the MOMA was founded by Abby Rockefeller, wife of John D. Rockefeller Jr. The museum’s 708,000 square feet (65,800 square meters) house works by Andy Warhol, Henri Matisse, Picasso, Paul Gauguin and Andrew Wyeth among so many others. Tickets will also get you into the MOMA PS1 adjunct facility in Long Island, Queens.
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral Consecrated in 1910 and designed by James Renwick, Jr, this elaborate ne0-gothic cathedral is clad in marble, has several dozen stained glass windows, and bronze doors that are flanked by soaring towers with spires. Usually open, visitors are welcomed to enter and admire the space.
- Rockefeller Center This complex of 19 commercial buildings covers 22 acres (89,000 square meters) in Midtown Manhattan and includes 14 original Art Deco buildings, this space is featured prominently every holiday season for its 100-foot (33-meter) Christmas tree, ice skating rink, it’s proximity to Fifth Avenue Christmas windows and of course the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Long a hub for the media business, it still is home to Simon and Schuster publishing house and NBC media, which often broadcasts live from the plaza.
- TKTS booth Scoot over to Times Square and see about evening show tickets. The booth opens at 11 am every day except Monday, Tuesday, and Friday when it opens at 3 pm. Same day Broadway show tickets can be obtained for 50% discount. Pro-tip: Save your receipt, and if you return in a week, you can skip the line!
- Virgil’s Real BBQ Texas size portions in a Texas size eatery. You can find here southern home-style cooking in the Big Apple with friendly service and a family atmosphere.
- Grand Central Terminal Built by Gilded Age railroad baron Cornelius Vanderbilt, this 1913 Beaux Arts beauty was narrowly saved from the wrecking ball in 1960s. It underwent an extensive restoration in 1990s and now again reigns as a majestic welcome to the city. Its 67 tracks make the largest station in the world, serving as many as 750,000 riders a day! Enjoy the marble embellishments, sweeping ceiling mural and the Oyster Bar whisper corner. The lower level also has a very nice food court.
- New York Public Library – Just down the block is another Beaux Arts gem from the early 20th century, the main branch of the New York Public Library. Famously the place where Carrie Bradshaw–spoiler alert!–did not get married in the first Sex and the City movie. Opened in 1911, with $5.2 million of seed money from industrialist Andrew Carnegie, it was built on the site of the retired Croton Reservoir and designed by the firm of Carrère and Hastings.
- Bryant Park IA public space dating back to the 18th century, this park was christen Bryant Park in 1884, to honor the New York Evening Post editor, abolitionist and Central Park advocate William Cullen Bryant. A $24M expansion of the Libraries stack into tunnels under the park needed rehabilitation and a wonderful redesign.
- Max Spivack Mural Spivak, was well known for his public mosaic murals and commissions in the 1950s and ’60s. He was born in Poland and studied at NYC’s Cooper Union and in Paris. This 40-foot by 18-foot mural, which adorns the office building 5 Bryant Park, was lost to the ages until it was accidentally rediscovered during a building renovation. The architects needed no convincing to incorporate it into their plans. It includes colorful abstract forms indented to represent garment workers’ tools and was commissioned by the Works Progress Administration.
- Big Button Continue on the fashion theme and snap a selfie in front of the Big Yellow Button. The iconic button and needle sculpture at Fashion Avenue (Seventh) and 39th Street has gotten a makeover, swapping out NYC black for Taxi-cab yellow. An exuberant tribute to the garment industry, the button stand 28 feet tall. The original big button was designed by James Biber and first appeared in 1996.
- Mood Fabric Whether you’re a seamstress, an aspiring designer or just a big Project Runway fan, like me, take a moment to swing by Mood Fabric where every week, talented designers would “Make it work!” Unlike them you can take your time. If you are a fan of sewing, the streets around here are filled with shops selling fabric, buttons, rhinestones and other fertile ground for you imagination. Enjoy!
- St. Cloud Rooftop This rooftop bar overlooking Times Square, has stylish indoor and outdoor seating options. Drink in the views while drinking in their progressive cocktails or craft bottled beers. Knosh away on a seleciton of upscale, seasonally focused small plates menu.
Architectural Digest’s Nick Potts walks us through a fascinating look at the architecture surrounding Grand Central Terminal.
More One-Day Agendas
Midtown East
Admiring the architectural beauties of the Gilded Age is one of the best things to do in NYC. This itinerary takes you to Grand Central, the New York Public Library, Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Hudson Yards to Meatpacking District
Walking the Highline Park is one of the best things to do in NYC. Follow this one day itinerary of 13 top sights to explore the beauty, shopping, and food and drink of Hudson Yards, Chelsea, Meatpacking District.
