The 10 Must-See Places in Midtown

Midtown, the heart of Manhattan, is home to New York's most iconic landmarks. Follow our guide to discover the 10 essential spots, from Top of the Rock to Times Square, all in one perfect day.

To explore Midtown, simply follow the route I’ve outlined below. The pace is up to you, but this tour can easily be done in a day—starting with a morning visit to Top of the Rock and ending with an evening at Times Square.

1/ Top of the Rock and Rockefeller Center

Start your Midtown walk at the Top of the Rock, the observation deck of Rockefeller Center. In the morning, you’ll get perfect light on the Empire State Building and all of southern Manhattan.
Top of the Rock has three terraces with views you won’t forget. Head straight to the highest terrace: you’ll see New York with no glass or barriers in the way. For more details, visit the Top of the Rock page.
After taking in the views, spend time exploring Rockefeller Center itself—a vast business complex designed as a city within a city. The lobby of the building housing Top of the Rock is worth a visit on its own for its monumental Art Deco murals.
You’ll also find many shops, including major brands like Nintendo and Lego for children.
If you have extra time, consider visiting the NBC studios in New York. Then head left onto Fifth Avenue, where you’ll come across the monumental Atlas statue.

2/ St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Just across from the Atlas statue and Rockefeller Center stands St. Patrick’s Cathedral, an impressive structure completed in 1878. When it was built, the cathedral stood in open fields far north of Manhattan’s center. Today, it’s completely surrounded by glass towers.
Inside, you’ll appreciate the Neo-Gothic architecture, featuring Caen stone throughout. Don’t miss the stunning rose window, the choir, and the organ with its 9,000 pipes. For more information, visit the St. Patrick’s Cathedral page.
If you’re interested in art, the Museum of Modern Art is just steps away from the cathedral. Check it out if your schedule allows. Learn more about MoMA on the Museum of Modern Art page.

new york cathedrale saint patrick — The Atlas sculpture facing St. Patrick’s Cathedral. (Photo J.-C. Benoist)

3/ Bryant Park

Now head south down Fifth Avenue, New York’s premier shopping destination. If you enjoy shopping, this is your neighborhood.
Continue to 42nd Street to reach Bryant Park, much smaller than Central Park but full of charm. This park feels like a pocket of nature nestled among glass towers, including the imposing Bank of America building. You’ll also spot the top of the Empire State Building.
Grab a chair and relax for a while. For more information and photos, visit the Bryant Park page.

Bryant Park New York — The New York Public Library and the top of the Empire State Building. (Photo Gigi Ibrahim)

4/ New York Public Library

Between Bryant Park and Fifth Avenue, you’ll spot the New York Public Library, the city’s main library. Movie fans will recognize scenes from “The Day After Tomorrow.” Even if you haven’t seen the film, the library deserves a visit for its impressive reading room.
As of 2025, you can no longer enter the reading room freely. You must sign up for a guided tour of the library. The tour is free and lasts 15 minutes. To participate, register 30 minutes before at the desk in the McGraw Rotunda. Note that each tour is limited to the first 25 people who sign up.
On a practical note, the New York Public Library is also a good place to find a free restroom.

5/ The Summit

Opened recently, the Summit observation deck occupies the top floors of the new One Vanderbilt tower. This observatory features striking contemporary design and innovative scenography.
The views are spectacular: you’ll look down on the Chrysler Building and Midtown, with the Empire State Building right in front of you. It’s one of the best vantage points in New York.

observatoire SUMMIT One Vanderbilt — The Summit One Vanderbilt observatory features futuristic architecture. (Photo Summit)

6/ Grand Central Terminal

Leave the New York Public Library and Fifth Avenue, and head east on 42nd Street toward the East River. In the distance, you’ll see the silhouette of the Chrysler Building with its gleaming stainless steel spire.
Before reaching the Chrysler Building, you’ll pass Grand Central Terminal. Even if you’re not catching a train, you must visit this station.
Grand Central Terminal is a true work of art. The Beaux-Arts style is magnificent, and you’ll especially appreciate the ceiling painted with constellations. It was designed by French architect Paul César Helleu.
If you’re getting hungry, head down to the Food Concourse: you’ll find numerous food stalls offering good food at reasonable prices. For dessert, I recommend Junior’s cheesecake. For more information, visit the Grand Central Terminal page.

Grand Central Terminal New York — The main hall of Grand Central. (Photo Sopasnor)

7/ Chrysler Building

Chrysler Building New York — At the base of the Chrysler Building. (Photo Tom Reading)

Just steps from Grand Central, you’ll reach the Chrysler Building. For me, it’s simply the most beautiful building in New York. Its distinctive Art Deco style and architectural refinement are remarkable.
Unfortunately, the building isn’t open for tours, but you can enter the lobby. Take a look at the elevators and read the historical plaques.
Then photograph the spire and gargoyles from every angle. The Chrysler Building is one of New York’s most photogenic landmarks.
For more information and photos, visit the Chrysler Building page.

8/ The United Nations

siège de l'ONU à New York — The United Nations headquarters in New York. (Photo Abir Anwar)

Continuing east on 42nd Street toward the East River, you’ll reach the United Nations headquarters, situated right on the riverbank. You’ll immediately recognize the distinctive building you’ve seen on television, with flags of all nations at its entrance.
If you have time, take the guided tour: you can see the famous Security Council chamber and the General Assembly hall. Book tickets well in advance—they sell out quickly. Purchase tickets on the official UN website.
For more details, read our guide on how to visit the UN headquarters.

9/ Empire State Building

From the UN, head south to the Empire State Building, Midtown’s tallest building. If you’ve followed my route and had lunch at Grand Central, you’ll arrive at the Empire State Building in early afternoon—the perfect time to enjoy views of northern Manhattan with the sun at your back. You’ll see the Chrysler Building gleaming and Central Park stretching out in the distance.
For more information, visit the Empire State Building page.

Empire State building New York — At the base of the Empire State Building. (Photo Davis Staedtler)

10/ Times Square

After the Empire State Building, head to the corner of 34th Street and Broadway, then walk north up Broadway, New York’s longest avenue, toward Times Square. As you walk, you’ll see the lights of Times Square growing closer. That’s the best part of approaching Times Square this way. Plus, from 42nd Street onward, you’ll have a pedestrian area.
Times Square lights up throughout the day and is absolutely unique in the world. You won’t know where to look first. If you’d like, you can display your photo on Times Square. You must book in advance, and it costs a few dollars.
Times Square is also the heart of New York’s theater district. You can extend your evening with a Broadway musical. Check out the current musicals in New York.