When visiting New York City, you simply can’t do everything. I have lived her over 12 years now, and there are still so many things I haven’t done! The most important thing is to organize your tour geographically to save time and efficiently work your way through as many bucket list items as possible. The new Destination Midtown app makes planning your way through Midtown so easy! We joined Destination Manhattan for a 34th Street Walking Tour this Spring, and had so much fun! 34th Street is best known for the movie Miracle on 34th Street, but it is one of Manhattan’s liveliest streets and a major tourist destination. You’ll find history, shopping, food, sports, and culture! And if you forgot to prepare for your NYC trip by walking several miles a day, this tour doesn’t cover too much distance yet still packs in the sights!
State Grill & Bar
Our first stop was State Grill & Bar, located on the first floor of the Empire State Building. It’s a convenient place to grab a meal before of after your Empire State Building tour. We had a lovely breakfast (seriously, don’t miss out on the potatoes!) while we met the team of Destination Midtown and the Empire State Building.
Empire State Building
The Empire State building is on most NYC to-do lists. Of our 3 main observatories, the Empire State Building is my favorite because you can go outside AND it’s full of history! It gives you a wonderful view of downtown Manhattan, Central Park, and the rivers! Everyone visiting NYC should try to make it to the Empire State Building at least once. If you find yourself on a return visit you might want to try going at night or for the special sunrise tour. The least busy time to visit the Empire State Building is in the early morning from 8-11AM or from 8PM -2AM. Sunset is the busiest time, so either avoid it or be prepared for the crowds.
Madison Square Garden
This 130 year old world famous event space, is the home to the New York Rangers, the New York Knicks, concerts, and other events. The building recently was renovated to include a beautiful new lobby and meeting point. In my time in NYC I’ve attended a Britney Spears concert, a Rangers game, and a Phish concert for New Year’s Eve. During our behind the scenes tour we visited the club, the storage space, and set foot on the Knicks court. They had just covered the ice rink in preparation for the upcoming Knicks game. This behind the scenes tour is perfect for a sports lover, but proved to be an interesting destination for the ladies as well. If you’re headed to MSG for a concert or sporting event, it might look a little different than the first picture below. But rest assured they have something for everyone to eat. The new options include Gluten Free, Kosher, and gourmet chefs like Jean Georges food!
Madison Square Garden and the Empire State Building on New Year’s Eve 2016.
Ringing in the new year at Madison Square Garden with the Phish concert.
All access tours available daily from 9:30AM to 3PM. You can also purchase tickets to various sporting and entertainment events.
B&H Photo
B&H Photo is the largest technology superstore in the United States with over 300,000 gadgets. It’s great for technology buffs who want to experience the latest technology and accessories hands on. During our visit we tested our a number of drones. I’m thinking I need to up my photography skills a bit, but I’m still undecided on which drone would be best for me! B&H also offers FREE classes to guests, so be sure to check out their schedule online.
The Highline
I’m embarrassed to say the Highline was open for years before I finally visited. Now I find myself there a few times a year, in all seasons. We’ve had some unusually warm winter days this year! The highline runs from 34th Street where you can overlook the train yards to 14th Street where it connects to the Whitney Museum. The highline was formerly an elevated railroad track that has been converted into a park, a favorite for locals and tourists alike. It can get quite crowded, so try to visit during the day!
Destination Midtown App
We decided to explore a few of the stops on the 34th Street Walking Tour from the app, but there are various walking tours available. You can try the First Timer, Architecture, 42nd Street, Night Out, Family Fun, Broadway, First in Fashion, Rainy Day, or 5th Avenue depending on what you want to see and how much time you have to explore NYC!
Other 34th Street Walking Tour Stops Include:
- Macy’s
- Herald Square
- Penn Station
- James A. Farley Post Office
To download the Destination Midtown app, head over to Destination Midtown!
I was the guest of Destination Midtown on the 34th Street Walking Tour through midtown Manhattan. As always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.
It’s always great to see a place through the eyes of a local, as you find things you would never have seen otherwise. I wouldn’t mind attending that drone operating class, that looks like great fun! I didn’t know about many of these places when I visited NYC a few years back, but I know for next time.
Oh great! I’m glad you liked nyc enough to comes back! It’s such a vibrant city!
I have been to NY several times and have never done any of the things listed here because I never know where to start. This really helps narrow down a specific area which is great because NY can be so overwhelming for us visitors. And this app is awesome!! Wish this app was around when I visited before, but now I know it’s there for me for my next visit 🙂
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You’ll have to come back. I can show you around!
Yes, definitely need to be geographically planned when hitting up NYC! Totally agree. We walked from Grand Central Terminal to Bryant Park, down to the Empire State Building, then Washington Square Park before circling around again to see more. With a map and a good sense of direction, it’s pretty easy to get around on foot there, isn’t it? Need to go back to see HighLine though. Glad to hear you finally saw it… after years haha.
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That’s a lot of walking! Well done! Definitely visit the HIghline on your next visit!
I have to put a sunrise tour of the Empire State building on my list! Love tech so B&H photo would be fun too. I didnt know they did classes, that’s a nice extra.
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You need a special ticket in advance but I bet it is so worth it. I am hoping to go for sunrise one day. 🙂
Truly, New York has long been on my bucket list, but I can’t seem to find time and money to go and visit this amazing City. I’ve beem enjoying the beautiful high rise buildings around the City whenever I watch movies that have been shoot in New York. Your blog post is really awesome and you have just let me experience New York by just reading your blog. Thank you for sharing!
I hope you make it one day. Such a wonderful city and you will find plenty of things to entertain you!
I was born in Queens then before moving to Amsterdam lived in NYC for 5 years, so a cumulative 12… but I’ve never been to the Empire State Building! Your photos from it look fantastic and this looks like a great walking trail I’d recommend to visitors too.
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Make sure when you do go to the empire state building (you really must at some point) you go for sunrise or sunset. It really is a great view!
Sounds like a fun day exploring! I still havent been to the Highline (don’t live in NYC) but it’s definitely on my list for the next visit!
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Definitely make the highline a priority for your next visit!
Wow, I can imagine there’d always be something new to check out in a city as big as NYC! I have only visited over a few long weekends and was most recently there in in early March. I did check out the Highline on another trip and really enjoyed it! 🙂
The highland was such a nice addition to the city. 🙂 So many great parks on the west side now.
New York is a treasure house of experiences. Probably it would take a lifetime to experience everything. The walking tour provides a taste of things to come. Empire State Building is iconic and the views are breathtaking. Madison Square Garden is the stuff of dreams, have watched som many events staged here on the telly. Hope to get there in person some day.
Yes, you really can never run out of things to do in NYC!
I must confess: I have yet to watch Miracle on 34th Street even though I am a huge Christmas movie and NYC fan. Shocker! Guess I gotta go buy my new drone at B&H Photo! World’s largest tech store?! Who knew! And the highline is my fave place of all times!
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Haha, it is a bit off season, but def due up Miracle on 34th Street next Fall!