There’s no denying that New York City’s skyline is the most recognized skyline in the world. That skyline would not be the same without the towering icons of Midtown East, including Grand Central Station, the Chrysler Building, the United Nations Headquarters, and more. This article continues our ‘Live Like A Local’ series, in which we discuss how to experience New York like a New Yorker. For more from this series, consider checking out our neighborhood tips about nearby Chelsea and vibrant Hell’s Kitchen.
Welcome to Midtown East
Located east of 5th Avenue and west of the East River between 42nd and 59th Streets, Midtown East is historically one of the most commercial districts in New York. Every day the population fluctuates from 200,000 people during the day to just over 40,000 people at night. It’s also highly convenient due to its proximity to Grand Central and its reputation for being the flagship of business. Together with Midtown West, Midtown East is the largest commercial, entertainment, and media center in the world. Famous residents include fashion icon Ivanka Trump, New York Yankees star Derek Jeter, and international supermodel Angie Everhart.
Midtown East is easily accessible via public transit, including multiple bus lines, the Metro-North Railroad, the 4, 5, 6, 7, S, E, and M trains, and by car via the FDR drive. Don’t worry about timing your visit; there’s something going on all year ‘round!
Go shopping in Midtown East
From Audrey Hepburn’s taste for Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Eva Gabor’s Green Acres song about Manhattan shopping, Midtown East is internationally famous for its fabulous shopping (Can’t get enough? Check out more of the best New York City shopping here.). Start saving up now, because by the time you’re staring down the business end of Saks Fifth Avenue, you’ll be grateful for that bit of extra green. Here are a few places to get started:
- Easily the best shopping street in New York, Fifth Avenue is also the most expensive. Even if you’re only here to window shop, check out the who’s who of the fashion world and get blown away by each store’s efforts to outdo the others’ window displays.
- The inspiration for Mad Men, Madison Avenue, is a popular shopping spot for both men and wome and is home to some of the largest advertising powerhouses in the world today.
- One of the largest crosstown streets in Manhattan, 42nd Street, is famous not only for its excellent shopping but also for its intersections with Broadway and Times Square.
- Don’t miss the Grand Central Market on Lexington Avenue. Try a variety of tasty treats and marvel at the constellation dome in Grand Central’s Main Hall.
- Apple built its brand on the idea of living in the future, and its futuristic flagship on 58th Street and 5th Avenue is no exception. Enter through a glass cube above ground and descend into a world where design meets technology. Then, step out and immerse yourself in childlike wonder at FAO Schwarz next door (Bring the kids – it’s a place they’re guaranteed to love!). Two blocks down you’ll find Abercrombie & Fitch, the perfect place to find hip American streetwear. For sportswear, consider Niketown, the five-level sneakers megastore on 57th Street between Madison and Fifth.
- Who said American malls are dead? Walk into Saks Fifth Avenue (unsurprisingly located on 5th Avenue) across from Rockefeller Center and you’ll see this mall alive and well. Designer goods drape every corner and it’s the perfect place to go in New York City on a rainy day.
- For something a little more outdoorsy, consider the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza Greenmarket at 47th Street and 2nd Ave. Just around the corner from the United Nations Plaza is the best place in Midtown East to find seasonal veggies and fruits as well as sustainably raised meat.
Coffee, restaurants, and nightlife in Midtown East
Are you ready to party? Midtown East’s thriving after-hours scene is legendary among locals. Dine at some of the best restaurants in town, grab coffee with a friend, or check out some of the most famous bars in New York.
- Looking for somewhere to grab a bite? These inexpensive eateries have all kinds of goodies for under $8, a great retreat after a day full of shopping. Try the Garlic New York Pizza Bar, Pizza by Certé, or Previti Pizza for a famous New York slice (find more great NYC pizza places here), or nip into a delicious sandwich at the Num Pang Sandwich Shop or Melt Shop. The Sunrise Mart has great Japanese chocolates, and try Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine for something with a little Latin American flair. Ess-A-Bagel is another famous NYC eatery, and is featured on our list of the top 10 bagel places in New York City.
- Need some coffee with that bagel? In addition to the top 10 coffee shops in New York, we also recommend local Midtown East favorites. Joe, Aroma Espresso Bar, Ground Central, and Capital One 360 are all great places for an afternoon pick-me-up, while Perk kafe, Lucid Café, Cup&Cup, and Macaron Café have excellent atmospheres for working or chatting with friends. New up-and-comer Gregory’s has special perks for regular customers (called ‘Gregulars’), and Juan Valdez Café is famous for its rich Columbian roasts.
- For a picky eater, consider TAO, a Japanese restaurant famous for its large menu. Club A Steakhouse is a rare find, and the red walls add a sense of intimacy and warmth. Sushi Yasuda, Hide-Chan Ramen, Sakagura, and Korean barbecue Don’s Bogam are great choices for eastern flavors, and you can’t match the buffet at IchiUmi. If you like Mexican food, you’ll love Dos Caminos, or grab a slice of Italian pizza from Vezzo Thin Crust Pizza. For seafood, the Cask Bar + Kitchen is famous for its atmosphere and American menu, while the Grand Central Oyster Bar specializes in fresh seafood on ice.
- Night owls, rejoice: Midtown East is also famous for its thriving nightlife and colorful selection of bars. Try The Ginger Man, Turtle Bay Tavern, and RARE Bar & Grill for an authentic NYC pub experience, or sample the cocktails at Public House, The Campbell Apartment, or the 1920s-style Banc Café. For a younger crowd, consider Joshua Tree and its 80s theme, or get your sports fix at Snafu and Tonic East. Wine:30 has a ritzy French wine and cheese menu, Galway Pub is a great choice for your favorite Irish brew, and La Biblioteca is perfect for a Latin-themed night on the town. And for RuPaul fans, don’t miss Lips, New York’s premier drag show bar.
- Are you ready to hit the clubs? No one in the fashionable crowd can miss the popular bar/nightclubs Branch or Upstairs at the Kimberly (see more great NYC rooftop bars here). Lexicon and LQ are great choices for salsa dancing. For a more exotic evening, consider the Middle Eastern-themed Babylon, upscale Italian club LAVO, or Japanese hot spot Tokya.
Stay or live in Midtown East
Is Midtown East where you’re meant to be? Whether you’re in town for a day or a year, our agents have something for you. Consider renting an entire Midtown East apartment for your New York City vacation, or find a long-term apartment if you want to stay longer. Looking to live with a roommate? New York Habitat also rents rooms in shared apartments. Whatever your housing needs, New York Habitat is here to help.
Things to do and see in Midtown East
Things are always happening in Midtown East and there are always new places to go and people to see. From famous museums and landmarks to lovely parks and greenways, this bustling neighborhood’s attractions are bound to make you fall in love.
- You’ve probably heard of the Upper East Side’s Museum Mile, but what you might not know is that Midtown East’s museum scene is famous in its own right. Next time you’re bitten by the culture bug, drop by the Morgan Library and Museum and marvel at the art, literature, and music collection of the most influential financier in United States history. Step back in time at the Onassis Cultural Center and explore all phases of Hellenic civilization, from antiquity to the modern era. Or, go east with a visit to the Japan Society and participate in a variety of cultural programs. Then, jump back to the present with the New York Transit Museum Gallery and the Museum of Tolerance, or soar to new heights at the Sony Wonder Technology Lab.
- Can you guess what the top 5 most photographed places in New York are? Here’s a hint: Two of them are in Midtown East. Grand Central Terminal and the Apple Store make the list, while famous buildings like the Chrysler Building and the United Nations headquarters aren’t far behind. Bring the kids to the Whispering Gallery and let them experiment with the unbelievable acoustics. Lastly, don’t forget to spend some time checking out New York’s architectural marvels; the Ford Foundation, the Olympic Tower, and the MetLife Building are at the top of the list. But be careful where you stand to take your photos; New Yorkers have a very specific sidewalk traffic pattern.
- For something a little more relaxing, visit any of Midtown East’s famous parks. Greenacre Park is a compact urban park featuring a 25-foot waterfall and outdoor café. Tudor City Greens is a private garden open to the public at all times. Paley Park, one of New York’s notable ‘pocket parks,’ was designed by Zion & Breen and has been cited as one of the finest urban spaces in the country. Go to Peter Detmold Park, a lovely wooded park with a waterfront parkway, for a riverside view. From Battery Park to 125th street, the East River Greenway is one of New York City’s cyclists’ favorite parks to visit, though it’s just four feet wide at its narrowest point. If you want to watch the sunset over Manhattan, the East River Greenway is absolutely the best place in town.
This is just a small sampling of all the things to do and see in Midtown East, and hopefully reading about it has whetted your appetite for more. Are there any spots you think we missed? What was your favorite Midtown East spot to visit? Let us know in the comments below!
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