Midtown Center - New York, NY Area Guide

The history of Midtown Center in Manhattan really tells the story of the growth of the skyscraper. When people think of New York City, they probably have Midtown in their mind's eye, complete with the Chrysler Building- the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1930, until the Empire State Building, also in Midtown Center, eclipsed it a few months later. Midtown Center lagged in the 1950s and 1960s, but became vibrant again beginning in the 1980s and remains home to major corporations, flagship department stores and Broadway theaters. Head to the world-famous Museum of Modern Art to see Van Gogh's "Starry Night" in person, as well as groundbreaking works of art from Picasso, Dali, Monet and Warhol. The Macy's Thanksgiving's Day Parade lines the streets with fans every November, with more spilling out of windows to watch the giant balloons pass by.

Midtown Center in Manhattan teems with restaurant choices, featuring various types of cuisine at all price points, and a great find is waiting for you down any street and around every corner. For a popular quick meal, stop for a hot bowl of ramen noodles at Totto Ramen, which some locals consider the top ramen restaurant in New York. The line can be long to get in, but you'll likely agree it's worth the wait when you try the char siu pork or the chicken paitan ramen. Be sure to bring cash, however, because Totto Ramen doesn't take credit cards. When you have a reason to celebrate, book a high-end table in Midtown Center, which features some of the top restaurants in the world. Among them you can find the Michelin-starred Ai Fiori on Fifth Avenue, where you can order a scrumptious signature item, such as spaghetti with blue crab. You can also choose from seafood delicacies, such as octopus, or opt for the seven-course tasting menu to make sure you don't miss a thing. If you're looking for a place to get a drink in Midtown Center, your biggest dilemma may be having too many options to choose from. Head to The Roof on West 57th for a trendy atmosphere, breathtaking views of Central Park and great cocktails made with top-tier liquors. Or try out Sofia Wine Bar on East 50th, where you can enjoy a glass of Priorat or Chianti with small dishes such as olive bruschetta and bresaola carpaccio. Visitors from all over the world head to the nearby Theater District to see Broadway shows, a cultural treasure you won't want to neglect. Book your tickets in advance for the newest hits, or head to the TKTS ticket booth in Times Square to pick up half-priced tickets for same-day performances of the hottest musicals and plays showing in New York.

No one needs a car in Midtown Center, with everything in easy walking distance. Sidewalks are crowded at every time of the day with locals and people who work in the neighborhood rushing to their jobs, errands and appointments. Cabs are available on just about every city street, and private car services are only a phone call away, but Uber cuts in on both services' territory by being easily available via a few taps on your smartphone.

Almost every subway line in Manhattan runs underneath Midtown Center, and you can catch the 4, 5, 6, 7, B, D, E, F, M, N, Q, R and S lines at stops along Park, Sixth and Fifth Avenues. MTA buses run continuously up every major avenue, with crosstown buses getting you from east to west on 42nd, 50th and 57th Streets.

Most locals in Midtown Center avoid having a car because parking tends to be very expensive, running anywhere from $22 to $38 per day if you're lucky. If you must drive, you're likely to find crowded streets. The Queensborough Bridge and Queens Midtown Tunnel branch off of Midtown to get you to Queens or JFK Airport, and the Lincoln Tunnel leaves from the east side of the island to get you to New Jersey.

But who really needs a car in midtown Manhattan? Enjoy walking the bustling streets with a little window shopping thrown in, or hail a cab to get where you need to go. While few people other than bicycle messengers ride bikes through the city, Central Park serves as a bicyclist's paradise, and bike rentals are easily available.

Tons of green space and great views of the Flatiron Building are just a few of the reasons to visit Madison Square Park. It also has attractions such as the General Worth Monument, The Star of Hope and the Eternal Light Memorial Flagpole. Kids can blow off steam at the Police Office Moira Ann Smith Playground, and you can bring your pup with you to Jemmy's Dog Run located on the park's western side near 24th Street; CBS New York named this among the city's best dog runs. You can also catch free concerts on Wednesday evenings during the summer and free art and sculpture installations that rotate several times a year. Gramercy Park, located along the eastern border of the Flatiron District, is a lush, well-maintained private park open only to nearby residents, club members, and guests of the Gramercy Park Hotel. If you're looking to get involved in the community, a trip to Union Square Park can get you started. Often the site of political protests and gatherings, Union Square also houses art, playgrounds for children and space for walking your dog. The park gets very busy and crowded, particularly when the farmers' market opens.

The cost of living in Midtown Center runs about 21 percent higher than that of the rest of New York City. Plan on spending $3,829 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. If you work near your apartment, your transportation costs may be very low indeed, given the neighborhood's walkability. However, if you need to gas up your car, expect to pay gas prices about 12 percent higher than in the rest of the United States. Keep some change in your pocket, because a glass of beer runs anywhere from $7 to $10 at your neighborhood tavern.

You can find great shopping choices on the ground floor of every street in Midtown Center, which beckons as a mecca for the avid shopper. For high-end shopping experiences that people come round the world for, head a little east to visit the palatial department stores of NYC such as Bergdorf Goodman, Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdale's and Saks Fifth Avenue.

You don't need to shop at a department store to find treasures in this neighborhood, however. Check out the Yumiko Boutique on 46th Street for dance wear with a Japanese flair, or head to Cockpit USA when you're in the market for an amazing leather jacket. Cockpit USA, in the middle of Midtown's garment district on 39th Street, makes reproductions of military leather jackets for men and women out of the highest-quality materials.

Specialty food markets abound in Midtown Center. Stop by the Amish Market West for the olive bar, an amazing cheese selection, a fresh sushi bar, a soup bar, a chocolate bar and a bakery. Westerly Natural Market caters to vegans, vegetarians and those who prefer gluten-free, organic, non-GMO or raw food. Stop by the juice bar for carrot, beet or ginger choices. In addition, the 57th Street Greenmarket opens for business all day long on Wednesdays and Saturdays from May to December.