Grand Central to Bryant Park
Look up at the celestial ceiling in Grand Central’s Main Concourse, then stroll west along 42nd Street to the New York Public Library’s lion-guarded steps and the green lawns of Bryant Park.
THE BLUELLAMA CITY GUIDE
Your New York,
block by block.
Eight million people, five boroughs, and more to do than any one trip can hold. Here’s where we send our own friends, starting right outside our Midtown door.
Start planning ↓
FIRST TIME IN NYC
48 hours in Midtown,
done right.
Midtown puts most first-timer icons within walking distance. Pace yourself, book the big-ticket items ahead, and leave room for wandering.
Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue
Window-shop Fifth Avenue, duck into St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and ride up to the Top of the Rock for a view that includes the Empire State Building and Central Park.
Dinner on Restaurant Row, then a show
West 46th Street is lined with pre-theater menus. Eat early, walk to your Broadway theater, and save Times Square for after the curtain falls, when it is at its brightest.
Central Park on foot or by bike
Enter at Columbus Circle and loop past the Mall, Bethesda Terrace, and Bow Bridge. Rent a bike if you want to cover the full six-mile loop.
Art or the High Line
Choose between MoMA’s modern masterpieces and the Met’s endless galleries, or walk the elevated High Line park from Hudson Yards down to Chelsea Market.
Downtown at golden hour
Take the subway to Lower Manhattan, visit the 9/11 Memorial pools, then walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for skyline views as the city lights up.
TOP ATTRACTIONS
The icons, and how far
they are from us.
Approximate times from the hotel. Subway times include the walk to the station.
Times Square
The neon heart of the city, home to the New Year’s Eve ball drop and the TKTS discount ticket booth.
3 min walkBroadway theaters
Around 40 theaters cluster between 41st and 54th Streets, from long-running musicals to new plays.
5 min walkRockefeller Center
Art Deco plaza with the winter ice rink, the famous holiday tree, shops, and the Top of the Rock deck.
10 min walkMuseum of Modern Art
Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, Monet’s Water Lilies, and a celebrated design collection.
12 min walkCentral Park
843 acres of meadows, lakes, and paths, plus the zoo, Strawberry Fields, and summer concerts.
15 min walkEmpire State Building
The city’s classic skyscraper, with open-air observation on the 86th floor.
15 min walkThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
Five thousand years of art on Museum Mile, including the Temple of Dendur and the rooftop garden.
20 min by subwayThe High Line & Hudson Yards
An elevated park on a former freight line, ending at The Edge observation deck and Hudson Yards shops.
18 min walk9/11 Memorial & Museum
Twin reflecting pools in the footprints of the towers and a moving museum below.
25 min by subwayStatue of Liberty & Ellis Island
Ferries leave from Battery Park. Book crown or pedestal access well ahead of time.
30 min by subway + ferryBrooklyn Bridge & DUMBO
Walk the 1883 bridge to cobblestone streets, waterfront parks, and the classic Manhattan Bridge photo.
25 min by subwayYankee Stadium
Catch a ballgame in the Bronx from April to October, with an express ride straight from Midtown.
25 min by subwayNEIGHBORHOODS
A city of
small towns.
New York reveals itself one neighborhood at a time. A few worth a dedicated afternoon:
Midtown West & Hell’s Kitchen
Our home base. Theater, an endless choice of international restaurants along Ninth Avenue, and easy access to the Hudson River Greenway.
Greenwich Village & the West Village
Leafy streets, brownstones, jazz clubs, and Washington Square Park’s famous arch and fountain.
SoHo & Nolita
Cast-iron buildings, flagship boutiques, galleries, and small cafés perfect for people-watching.
Chelsea & the Meatpacking District
Art galleries, Chelsea Market’s food halls, the Whitney Museum, and the High Line overhead.
Upper West Side
Lincoln Center performances, the American Museum of Natural History, and Riverside Park sunsets.
Lower East Side & Chinatown
Historic tenements, dumpling shops, classic delis, and some of the city’s best late-night bars.
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Just one stop from Manhattan on the L train: vintage shops, rooftop bars, and a weekend food market by the water.
Harlem
The Apollo Theater, Sunday gospel, soul food, and grand brownstone rows on Strivers’ Row.
TRAVELING WITH KIDS
Family-friendly finds
near Times Square.
New York is a giant playground. A few favorites that keep every age happy.
American Museum of Natural History
Dinosaur halls, the giant blue whale, and a planetarium show. Plan at least half a day.
Central Park Zoo & Carousel
Sea lions, penguins, and a vintage carousel, all within a short stroll of each other.
Intrepid Museum
A real aircraft carrier on the Hudson with a space shuttle, a submarine, and a flight simulator.
Family-friendly Broadway
Several long-running musicals are perfect for first-time theatergoers; matinees are easier for little ones.
Little Island & Hudson River Park
A floating park on stilts with an amphitheater, playgrounds, and splash pads nearby in summer.
A cheap-and-cheerful harbor cruise
The free Staten Island Ferry sails past the Statue of Liberty every 30 minutes, day and night.
Tip: kids under 44 inches tall ride the subway and city buses free with a paying adult. Ask the front desk for cribs, rollaway beds, and a list of nearby pharmacies.
SEASON BY SEASON
When to visit
New York.
There’s no wrong time to come. Each season has its own reasons to book.
Lights, skates & a famous ball drop
The Rockefeller Center tree, holiday window displays along Fifth Avenue, ice skating in Bryant Park and Central Park, and New Year’s Eve in Times Square. January and February bring Broadway Week and some of the year’s best hotel rates.
Blossoms and parades
Cherry trees bloom in Central Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches up Fifth Avenue, and the Tribeca Festival brings film premieres downtown.
Rooftops and free concerts
Shakespeare in the Park, outdoor movies in Bryant Park, summer Restaurant Week, and Fourth of July fireworks over the East River. Pack for heat and humidity.
Crisp air and big events
The US Open in Queens, foliage in Central Park, the New York City Marathon in early November, and the Thanksgiving Day Parade passing just a few blocks from the hotel.
GETTING AROUND
Move like
a local.
Walking is often fastest in Midtown. For longer trips, the subway runs 24 hours a day.
Subway & bus
Tap a contactless card or phone at the turnstile. Fares are capped weekly, so after 12 rides in seven days the rest are free.
Taxis & rideshare
Yellow cabs can be hailed when the roof light is on. Expect extra surcharges during rush hour and in the Midtown congestion zone.
Citi Bike
Docking stations are on nearly every Midtown block. Day passes work well for the Hudson River Greenway or Central Park.
NYC Ferry
Scenic, affordable rides between Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Rockaways, with views of the skyline included.
Street grid
Avenues run north–south and streets east–west. Twenty short blocks are about a mile; long crosstown blocks take a few minutes each.
Airports
JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark are all reachable by public transit or car. See our homepage for times from each.
LOCAL TIPS
Know before
you go.
How do I get discount Broadway tickets?
The TKTS booth in Times Square sells same-day seats at reduced prices, and many shows run digital lotteries and rush tickets. Our concierge can point you to the current options.
How much should I tip?
In New York, 18–22% is standard at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis, and a few dollars per night for housekeeping.
Is it safe to walk at night?
Midtown is busy well into the night. As in any big city, stick to well-lit streets, keep an eye on your belongings, and ask the front desk if you’re unsure about a route.
Do I need to book museums and observation decks ahead?
For popular attractions, yes. Timed-entry tickets save time, especially on weekends, holidays, and around sunset.
What should I pack?
Comfortable walking shoes above all. Layers help year-round, since subways run warm and the weather can change quickly.
YOUR BASE FOR ALL OF IT
Ready to see the city?
Sample room rates start at $229 per night, a few minutes’ walk from Times Square.
Walking times are approximate, and event dates, prices, and transit details change; check official sources before you travel.