“Mid” is in Midtown but it’s the best town, okay?

I fucking love Midtown. I think it has most of the ✨ New York City ✨ type stuff tourists think about when they think about New York City. When I returned to Manhattan in May of 2024, I often found myself in MidTown!

If you don’t know, I’m doing a four-part blog series on visiting New York City for the first time. Previously, we explored the Upper East Side to live our best broke Gossip Girl fantasies.

We’ll continue moving our way down Manhattan until we ride the ferry toward Dumbo, Brooklyn!

Until then, let’s see what Midtown has to offer 🙂

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Seeing the Empire State Building, Walking Bryant Park, and Exploring the New York Public Library in Midtown

The Empire State Building is a globally recognized symbol of New York and offers stunning views of the city skyline from its observation decks, drawing visitors who seek a classic NYC experience.

Bryant Park is a lively green oasis amid Midtown’s hustle and bustle. The New York Public Library was built in 1911 and is known for its iconic lion statues and grand Beaux-Arts architecture, which incorporates elements from the Greeks and Romans.

Imma be honest and say I only took a picture at the Library in New York 😬 LOL. The building was nice (as you can see).

But, I was there at all these places. Just trust me, bro.

If you read my blog post about my day in the Upper East Side, when I was at the Met, then you’ll know that I’m a look-and-go type tourist.

Like, I didn’t go to the top of the Empire State Building. I just saw the building. From what I’ve been told, it’s expensive as well. I’ve been on the top floor of high-rise buildings before. And sure, I didn’t see THE skyline, but that’s a choice I was willing to make and don’t regret it.

My walk in Bryant Park was better than the walk I had in Central Park. Yeah, there’s less cool shit, but it feels less congested somehow, even with the lack of grass.

I’d love to return during Christmas to experience the Holiday Market in New York City at Bryant Park!

Grand Central Station vs. Moynihan Train Hall

Grand Central Station, known just as Grand Central, is a historical transportation hub that opened around the same time as the Public Library in 1913, so it features the same Beaux-Arts architecture. Officially called Grand Central Terminal because this is where trains originated and terminated, so it was an endpoint for multiple rail lines.

Grand Central, however, is not just a train station. There are shops and restaurants you can frequent. Like, I went to Shake Shack lol.

Also, if you go to the Oyster Bar & Restaurant, you’ll find yourself at the Whispering Gallery, an archway where two people can stand at opposite corners, face the wall, and whisper to each other. The curved design of the arches allows sound to travel along the surface.

I don’t believe this was on purpose, but it’s fun and stupid lol.

Moynihan Train Hall is an expansion of Penn Station where AmTrak mostly goes out of.  This revitalized space with its historic outside features a spacious, light-filled atrium with a glass skylight inside.

TRAVEL TIP:

If you are traveling out of New York City via AmTrak and have to go to Moynihan Train Hall for departure, search for Moynihan Food Hall because Google Maps can send you somewhere weird.

Rockefeller Center in Midtown

When I think Rockefeller Center, I think of ice skating and Home Alone 2. If you’re old enough to remember watching this or the original Home Alone in theatres, did you know you’d be watching these movies for the rest of your life? Haha.

Anyway — Rockefeller Center is a hub for… everything! NBC Studios and Radio City Music Hall are home here, so there’s a lot of art, entertainment, and shopping available for visitors. The Art Deco architecture makes the famous Prometheus statue stand out amongst the fountains and line up of international flags.

St. Pat’s Cathedral in New York

I made my way onto Fifth Avenue, which I learned is why Saks Fifth Avenue is called Saks Fifth Avenue lol

But, I didn’t go to shop! I went to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a Neo-Gothic landmark that stands out like he most magnificent sore thumb amongst the skyscrapers.

It is weird that you’re able to walk around during a service, but that’s just how they do it! I assume it’s also a great way to receive donations for upkeep. In fact, the Cathedral allows you to make offerings to different saints for different things like you go to St. Jude for difficulties or St. Anthony for finding lost things.

The atmosphere of the Cathedral is warm and serene if you can get past the fact that there’s security and a line of non-worshippers here to just take pictures… like myself LOL

Times Square is in Midtown?

Times Square is arguably the most iconic part of New York City. Although known for its neon and LED-lit advertisement displays, Times Square is also considered the heart of Broadway because it is home to many famous theatres.

In fact, I watched my first Broadway show, Aladdin the Musical, here! Aladdin is an incredibly fun and well-paced musical, but I was told (after the fact) that this is not a good first show to watch because it will spoil you because the production quality is so spectacular that other shows may struggle to measure up!

Anyway, Times Square is a must-see at night to get the full effect of the spectacular lights. Just be sure to keep your purse and wallet close to your person because I can imagine this being a prime pick-pocket spot with all the jam-packed bodies.

What I ate in Midtown

Hole in the Wall

Hole in the Wall is a charming Australian brunch spot with multiple locations across New York, but I went to the one overseeing the East River.

The restaurant is small, but I love that the building walls have high ceilings and giant windows! The natural light really expands the room.

The Smoked Salmon Lox Toast tasted fresh and smokey. I love lemon, capers, and dill, which are musts with salmon.

And we had an omelet on toast. Looking at the menu again, I think they may have switched some items out but of course, the lox is still there!

Lysee

Lysee is a Korean-French bakery, known for the viral corn mousse cake. You crack the chocolate corn shell to reveal a light corn mousse, which is slightly sweet and nutty (in a corn-y way). It was, however, the shortbread center that made this spectacular. I wish there was more of it.

Founded by Chef Eunji Lee, Lysee also has a signature brown rice ice cream with pecans and caramel, which honestly tasted better than the corn dessert! But, of course, there are candied pecans, so how could it lose? lol

The passionfruit mango juice was fabulous! But, I don’t think it’s because of this restaurant more so that passionfruit and mango are superior fruits and you’d have to be terrible at cooking to mess it up. 10/10

Magnolia Bakery

At Moynihan Train Hall, I made a quick pit stop at Magnolia Bakery.

Magnolia Bakery is famous for its cupcakes, but it’s known for popularizing the banana pudding! And yes, I said popularizing because people get mad when this beloved Southern American dessert is associated with the Big City.

Anyway, could your grandma make one better? Probably! Banana pudding is so easy to make, yet very effective in being delicious for the low effort.

But, for a pick-me-up, it’s good. It does lack banana funny enough. Like, if it had 1.5x more banana, it would be perfect.

Raku

Raku offers Japanese comfort food and is known for its udon. I see this place all the time on everyone’s Instagram stories.

It was just okay for me. When you’re in the cold City and want something hot, warm, and comforting, Raku is a good place to eat at. But, it’s just good and not bad.

With that said, I would go back! Raku is a solid place for when you’re craving udon and tempura. It just won’t change your life

 

Go to Nom Nam instead…

In full transparency, I didn’t go to Nom Nam on this trip, which is why I don’t have pictures. But, this place will change your life! At least it changed mine.

I’ve never had good pho or bahn mi until Nom Nam. When I would watch food shows and they described how “pho is all about the broth” or exclaim how “bahn mis are the best,” I just didn’t get it. I liked pho because I put a mountain of Sriracha in it. And I had bahn mi once and never craved it again.

I GET IT NOW! THIS PLACE MADE ME GET “IT!”

The broth was amazing, so flavorful, and super clean, like all the fat was skimmed out yet the flavor somehow stayed. Nom Nam also offers a housemade chili sauce to go with their pho.

I got the ham and pate bahn mi without cucumber because they’re disgusting. I don’t even know why it was so good. It just was and is perfect for dipping into your pho broth.

Romano Pizza Restaurant

The best pizza ever. I know you see the TikToks, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts going on about Joe’s or whatever, but Romano is where it’s at.

In fact, I change my mind. Don’t come here!

I personally love the Margarita pizza the most. Everything else I’ve tried is delicious — don’t me wrong. But, the Margarita is just so much better because of the fresh basil!

Concluding My Day Exploring Midtown in NYC

Midtown is definitely the most packed day as it has the most “New York” stuff to visit and check off the bucket list.

If you’re in Manhattan for only 4 days, you could arguably cover Midtown in two days and skip exploring Dumbo, Brooklyn. That’s up to you!

Really great entertainment and restaurants are in Midtown, but the best restaurants are in SoHo and the Financial District.

I hope you enjoyed this read and stay in touch!