Attractions in Midtown (New York City)

The Empire State Building

The majestic Empire State Building was completed in 1931 as the world's tallest building. While not the tallest anymore, it remains as impressive as ever. At night the building is lit up, with special colors displayed on holidays. Tickets can be purchased online through the Empire State Building's website or in the building's lobby. The observatory here is open 365 days a year.

Rockefeller Center

Always filled with people, Rockefeller Center stretches for blocks. There is plenty to do here—in winter an outdoor café is transformed into an ice-skating rink. There is a shopping plaza with stores, restaurants and bars. The GE Building at 30 Rockefeller Plaza houses NBC, which offers guided tours of its premises, as well as the Top Of The Rock observation deck. Visitors can also take a tour of Radio City Music Hall on 50th Street at Sixth Avenue. In December, be sure to check out the enormous lighted Christmas tree.

NBC Studio Tour

Did you ever wonder what goes on behind the cameras? Well, this is your chance to find out how studios create your favorite TV shows. The NBC Studio Tour allows visitors unprecedented access to the sets of Saturday Night Live, Dateline, Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The NBC Nightly News. You'll see costumes, props, control rooms, cue cards and maybe even Al Roker. Your guide on this tour will be an official NBC Page, a position once held by performers as notable as Ted Koppel, Regis Philbin and Michael Eisner—and made famous by its pivotal role on Tina Fey's hit sitcom 30 Rock (named, of course, for the very building in which this tour takes place). Tickets go fast and sell on a first-come-first-served basis, so arrive early or book in advance via NBC's online store.

New York Waterways Sightseeing Cruises

The Waterways Cruise Line offers trips up the Hudson River, as well as in the East Harbor (bordered by Manhattan on one side and Brooklyn and Queens on the other). There are a variety of different cruises available, all of which allow you to enjoy the sights of New York City from the comfort of a luxury ferry. Choose a harbor cruise, baseball cruise, twilight cruise, disco cruise, Broadway entertainment cruise, history or architecture cruise. Prices vary. Call for information.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

This massive cathedral, situated across from Rockefeller Center on Fifth Avenue, is the largest Catholic cathedral in the United States. With its two soaring 330-foot spires, St. Patrick's Cathedral is also one of the city's most spectacular architectural sights. Construction on the neo-gothic structure had started in 1850 and completed in 1878. Inside, it boasts a seating capacity of 2,500, numerous altars and stained glass windows, and a giant organ with over 7,300 pipes. Services are held throughout the day, and many New Yorkers stop in for a moment of serenity in their otherwise hectic lives.

New York Public Library

Sitting in all its splendor on Fifth Avenue, the New York Public Library stands guarded by its two famous lions, Patience and Fortitude. For researchers, the library is a treasure. Its many halls contain millions of volumes, tens of thousands of current periodicals and a large staff to help. Conceived in 1897, the library did not open its doors until 1911. It is architecturally one of New York's classics, both inside and out. There are also free art exhibits shown inside.

Carnegie Hall

On the opening night of this famous music house, Tchaikovsky conducted and New York's elite waited in line to enter. Carnegie Hall quickly became an international Mecca of classical music, attracting the brightest stars from Bernstein to Toscanini. Today, over a hundred years later, top orchestras and modern music share this venue. The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa and Frank Sinatra have all headlined here. Many musicians claim it has the best acoustics in the world. Tours are available during the day. Call for information. And you don't have to 'practice, practice, practice' to get here either!

Bryant Park

New Yorkers love this small, sculptured park behind the library. With its French benches, colorful flower gardens, green lawn and numerous cultural events, Bryant Park is peaceful place to take a moment to watch the world go by. Named in 1874 after poet William Cullen Bryant, the site of this historic park has played an import role in New York City. George Washington's troops fought the redcoats here during the Revolutionary War and Union Soldiers trained here during the American Civil War. In 1853, the famous Crystal Palace was built here for the World's fair, but later burned. Once the reservoir was built (it stood where the Library is today), the land was used as public space. After being officially designated a public park in 1874, the site's fortunes rose and fell with the times. During the 1970s and 1980s, drug addiction, homelessness and crime made the Park unsafe for visitors. However, a brilliant restoration in the 1990s made the Park into the beautiful midtown oasis it is today. For an event schedule and tour information, check the website. Open daily 7a.m. onwards.

Saint Thomas Church

This church was founded in 1823, and the impressive cathedral was built in the French Gothic style right in the heart of what is now Midtown—the contrast between the architecture of this beautiful building and the skyscrapers surrounding it, is breathtaking. The church offers regular Episcopal services, but the highlight of any visit is the renowned St. Thomas Choir.

New York Penn Station

This major transportation hub sits under Madison Square Garden. Penn Station accommodates Amtrak, the Long Island Railroad and New Jersey Transit railroad lines, not to mention a major subway station. Not surprisingly, it can get overwhelmingly crowded, especially at rush hour. The original 1910 Pennsylvania Station was a splendid beaux-arts building complete with a glass roof, marble floors and a resplendent lobby. Tragically, it was demolished to make way for the new Madison Square Garden.

United Nations HQ

This complex was designated the permanent headquarters for the United Nations in 1952. Many buildings, including the General Assembly Hall, can be viewed on guided tours. When the flags in front of the complex are flying, the Assembly is in session. It is possible to sit in on a council session. Call the information desk for a free ticket. Seats are limited, so make sure you book well in advance. Tours are held every half-hour. Prices and opening times are subject to change.

St. Bartholomew's Church

Built in 1918, this large and beautiful Episcopal church is distinguished by its Byzantine architecture. The building was designed by Bertram Goodhue and contains a portal (moved from an earlier building) by Stanford White. Because it sits on some of the city's most valuable real estate, St. Bartholomew's struggled against developers for years, and finally became a test case for New York City's landmark preservation law. Today, it is home to a thriving congregation and sponsors many community outreach programs. The popular Cafe St. Bart's is run by the church.