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History of Midtown
The nation’s hub for commerce, entertainment, and media, Midtown sits appropriately centerstage in Manhattan. Accounts vary as to its southern border, but Midtown is generally considered to extend from 34th Street to 59th Street and from the Hudson River to the East River.
The grid for Midtown was finalized in 1811, and over a century later, during the roaring ‘20s and NYC’s Jazz Age, the area came into its own. While innovators like Emery Roth and William Wilgus built a city of skyscrapers and high-end shopping corridors, cultural icons like Duke Ellington, Charles Lindbergh, and Jack Dempsey stamped the city with soul. At the same time, the industries of entertainment—publishing, radio, and television—established Midtown as home.
Architecturally and culturally, New York City had embedded itself on the world stage, and Midtown was its nucleus. Today, the area is quintessential New York, containing the tallest skyscrapers in the city and its most iconic buildings, including the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal, and the Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project.
The Vibe of Midtown
The vibe of Midtown Manhattan is as varied as the neighborhoods it contains. Whether you frequent the rowdy bars of Hell’s Kitchen, the upscale shopping of Columbus Circle, the tourist-heavy dazzle of Times Square, or the myriad neighborhoods in-between, each area is different. Pick a day, pick a mood, and pick a neighborhood to match. Whatever you feel like experiencing, you’re sure to find in Midtown.
Things to Do in Midtown
Head up to the 67th, 69th, or 70th floors of 30 Rockefeller Plaza for bedazzling 360-degree views of the city. The three observation decks at Top of the Rock are open until midnight for magical nightcaps of the glittering city.
Attend a taping of SNL. Yes, it’s fierce competition to get a seat. Tickets are only given out once a year via a lottery, or you can stand in line all night long to try for a standby ticket (which is an experience in itself). But, if you don’t get in, don’t worry. There are plenty of other live tapings you can attend, including Late Show with Steven Colbert, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, or the Daily Show with Trevor Noah, to name just a few.
See a Broadway show. Truth is, there are many, many things to do, see, and experience in Manhattan, especially in Midtown. But seeing a Broadway show in the theater district is never a bad idea. They just don’t cease to delight and inspire. From classics like Phantom of the Opera and West Side Story to newer hits like Hamilton and Wicked, there is something for everyone, adults and children alike.
Where to Eat in Midtown (Food Markets)
City Kitchen: this huge food market on the west side features nine different eateries with something for everyone. Whether you want something sweet (doughnuts from Dough or shaved ice from Wooleys), savory, Mexican (chorizo breakfast taco anyone?), Meditterranean (shawarma from Ilili Box is delightful), sushi, burgers, take your pick at City Kitchen.
230 Fifth Rooftop Bar: come for the weekend brunch buffet, a local favorite. Or come for the heated igloos and boozy hot chocolate in the wintertime, a unique and fabulous experience. Or just come because it’s one of the largest rooftop bars in Manhattan, complete with stunning views and delicious food, including burgers and sushi.
Urbanspace 570 Lex: It’s hard not to like food halls. This one has 16 eateries ranging from southern cooking to comfort Thai. It hosts events like kid craft days and beer classes. And it’s got a great happy hour, with DJ Mark Wolf hosting every Thursday night from 6-9pm.
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