People come to NYC to see the massive skyscrapers, grand interior spaces, and chaotic street scenes. Here is a 2 mile loop that hits some of the most iconic sights in the city. I start and end at the Time Square/42 St. Metro station.

Times Square is one of those places that amazes as it overwhelms. I never know where to look when I go. Do I focus on the massive neon signs and video billboards, the gaudy shop entrances, the unusual street performers, the masses of people, or the architectural details that make this space the Crossroads of the World.  I usually find my way up the stadium seats to see take it all in without the constant rush of people.  

While Broadway doesn’t have the visual interest of Times Square, it’s fun to walk down and see what’s playing. With over 40 theatres in the area, there is every kind of show you could want to see.  I know many people come to NYC just for the shows, and I always say I’m going to check one out, but I usually get too immersed in my ramblings around the city to attend one.  

Rockefeller Center was the brainchild of John D. Rockefeller in the 1920s. He envisioned transforming the Manhattan skyline with this Art Deco designed skyscraper.  When The Great Depression hit, Rockefeller didn’t waver from his plan; thus, not only did he achieve his vision, but he employed thousands of eager workers in the process.  A photo of workers taking a break on a steel beam has been cemented in the cultural history of the building – so much so that you can recreate that picture as part of the tour of the building. 

Rockefeller Center is actually a collection of 14 buildings that offers an indoor shopping mall; Radio City Music Hall, which is the largest indoor theater in the world; a sunken plaza, which turns into a skating rink in the winter and a courtyard in the warmer months; the gilded bronze Prometheus statue and fountain; tours of the NBC studio, and an observation deck at the Top of the Rock. 

Across from Rockefeller Center is St. Patrick’s Cathedral. I always love when the old meets the new in a city. The Neo-gothic twin spires of the grand cathedral built in 1879 stand out among the smooth glass and concrete facades of nearby buildings.

I always wish that my first glimpse of the city is Grand Central Station, and for those who arrive by train, it can be.  The station has been open since 1913, and in the 1940s was the busiest station in the country. Since I’m not here to take a train, for me Grand Central is about the architecture and atmosphere. I love the historic details of the old teller windows on either side of the space, the four faced opal clock above the central information desk, the sphered chandeliers, and the regal double sided staircase that provides an elevated view of the main hall.

Designed in the Beaux-Arts style, the 125 foot central atrium creates a vast space that dwarfs the everyday person. Somehow in a place that is designed for people to travel, I always want to slow down.  The celestial ceiling painted in turquoise and gold calms me, while the ornate details of the chandeliers and wall buttresses ask for attention.  The whole place whispers to me, and if you go through one of the arched entrances to the right, you can actually whisper to someone else across the space. 

The facade of Grand Central also commands attention. With a scalloped lit entrance, statues of Greek gods, and the largest Tiffany glass clock in the world, Grand Central is both grand inside and out.

Another grand building in the city is the New York Public Library. Two peaceful lions – called Patience and Fortitude – sit outside the main entrance welcoming people into the Astor Hall section of the library.  As soon as I walk in, I look up – up to the ornate details around the arched ceiling, up the two grand staircases, up to the Prometheus painting on the ceiling. Around the walls of the rotunda are a set of murals depicting the story of the written word.  

The Rose Main Reading Room exudes inspiration for those who are researching. The room is almost as long as a football field; the arched windows on either side bring in ambient light, and the white marble columns bring the eyes up to its 50 foot tall ceiling. The ceiling has been framed with gilded details around a painted sky. The reading tables, each with their own lamp, create intimate spaces for researchers to delve into their subjects.  

Next to the Public Library is Bryant Park. I find myself spending many afternoons here – because I want to sit and relax, check out a concert or farmer’s market, eat a picnic meal, or just people-watch. 

Bryant Park is a 9.6 acre green space in the heart of Manhattan. I love that contrast between the vibrant greens of the park and the crisp silvers of the surrounding skyscrapers. Shaded walkways and seating areas encircle the center green.  Among the trees are a small carousel, reading room, art carts, and game stations free for anyone to use.