6 must-see places on 42nd Street in New York
Of all New York's streets, 42nd Street is home to the most landmarks and sights to explore. Here's what awaits you!
Want to see New York’s highlights in just a few hours? Spend a morning walking along 42nd Street, one of the city’s main thoroughfares. This street connects six major New York landmarks in the heart of Midtown, near Times Square:
1/ Times Square: the center of New York
- Start your 42nd Street walk at Times Square, New York’s most famous intersection. 42nd Street marks the southern edge of Times Square. You’ll get great views from the corner of 7th Avenue and Broadway.
- North of 42nd Street, part of Broadway is pedestrian-only. You can enjoy the distinctive red chairs scattered throughout—they’re made in France, by the way.
2/ Bryant Park: the park on 42nd Street
- Head east and at the corner of 42nd Street and 6th Avenue, you’ll find Bryant Park. It’s one of New York’s most charming parks. Take time to sit down, relax, and enjoy the view of the Empire State Building.
- The park’s eastern side borders the New York Public Library’s main branch. The reading rooms are beautifully designed, and the building’s interior was featured in the film The Day After Tomorrow.
3/ Grand Central Terminal
- Cross Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue, and you’ll reach Grand Central Terminal, New York’s main train station. Even if you’re not catching a train, you should go inside to see the monumental architecture of this building, constructed between 1903 and 1913.
- The main hall is a masterpiece, with its starry ceiling and information booth topped by a magnificent clock. In the corridors, don’t miss the whispering gallery. There’s a surprise waiting for you there!
4/ Summit One Vanderbilt: the observation deck on 42nd Street
- Just next to Grand Central Terminal stands the massive One Vanderbilt tower. Completed in 2021, it’s the tallest building on 42nd Street at 427 m (1,401 ft). The tower connects directly to the station through underground corridors.
- The top three floors house the now-famous Summit One Vanderbilt observation deck. It’s one of New York’s best observation decks, both for its views and its unique artistic installations that create a distinctive atmosphere. A top attraction on 42nd Street.
5/ The Chrysler Building: the most beautiful building on 42nd Street
- The Chrysler Building is no longer New York’s tallest. At 319 m (1,046 ft), it’s only 19 m (62 ft) taller than the Eiffel Tower. Yet this skyscraper, completed in 1930, remains one of New York’s most beautiful buildings—and in my view, the most beautiful.
- The Chrysler Building sits on 42nd Street at the corner of Lexington Avenue. Feel free to step inside; you can explore the interior, as I explain in this dedicated article on visiting the Chrysler Building.
6/ The United Nations Headquarters: at the eastern end of 42nd Street
- At the eastern end of 42nd Street, overlooking the East River, you’ll find the headquarters of the United Nations. This is where the Security Council meets. The New York headquarters also houses the General Assembly hall, both frequently seen in the news. It’s an imposing center of global power.
- The UN headquarters can be visited, but you need to book well in advance. Here’s how to visit the UN headquarters in New York.
