StayAreas

Midtown

New York

Skyscrapers, Broadway theatres and Central Park's southern edge. The most convenient base in the city, and the busiest.

Best for First visit · Business

Transport
5/5
Sights
5/5
Value
2/5
Quiet
1/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$280/night · 5 min to Times Square

See hotels in Midtown

Midtown on the map

Why stay here

  • Walk to Broadway, Central Park and the big sights
  • Every subway line is close
  • The widest choice of hotels

Who should stay here

  • First-time visitors
  • Theatre-goers
  • Business travellers

Not ideal if…

  • Crowds and noise bother you
  • You want a neighbourhood with local character
  • You want interesting restaurants on your block

What it's like

Midtown is New York's postcard: Times Square, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central and the Broadway theatres. Almost every subway line passes through, so the rest of the city is easy to reach.

It has the most hotels, which keeps prices lower than downtown, but the streets around Times Square are crowded and noisy day and night. East Midtown and the blocks near Central Park are calmer.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Times Square & the Theater District

    The busiest, brightest part; ask for a high floor.

  • Bryant Park & Grand Central

    Calmer, with good transport and business hotels.

  • Near Central Park South

    The priciest, with park views.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Times Sq–42 St (1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, S), 42 St–Bryant Park and Grand Central.
To Times Square
About 5 minutes
From JFK
About 60 minutes: AirTrain to Jamaica, then the E train.

Nearby attractions

  • Broadway shows

    Try the TKTS booth in Times Square for same-day discounts.

  • Top of the Rock

    Views of the Empire State Building and Central Park.

  • MoMA

    Van Gogh, Warhol and Picasso on West 53rd Street.

Where to eat and drink

  • Grand Central Oyster Bar

    Under the vaulted ceilings of the station since 1913.

  • Joe's Pizza Broadway

    Classic New York slice near Times Square.

  • Los Tacos No. 1

    Fast, excellent tacos at Times Square.

Where to stay in Midtown

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Best value

Pod Times Square

Why we like it: Tiny, well-designed rooms and a rooftop bar.

Typical budget rate in Midtown: ~$170/night

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Best value

Arlo Midtown

Why we like it: Compact modern rooms and a big roof terrace.

Typical mid-range rate in Midtown: ~$280/night

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Luxury pick

The Peninsula New York

Why we like it: Grand hotel on Fifth Avenue with a rooftop bar.

Typical luxury rate in Midtown: ~$650/night

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Hotels in MidtownMid-range from ~$280/night

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