How to Explore Manhattan in the Heart of New York City

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

“In the city that never sleeps, everyone needs a place to pray.” That’s the theme statement on the St. Patrick’s Cathedral website. This cathedral is the perfect place to connect with history and center my mind on the joys of travel and exploration, regardless of the transportation challenges in the city.

The St. Patrick’s Cathedral has a tour app for educating the public about this historic building. Even with ongoing renovations, the Cathedral is a remarkable building with interesting architecture and historical significance.

A melting pot of architectural style, and structure, the surrounding buildings mirror the immigrant cultures of the region.

Outside, the construction of this landmark church represents German and French Gothic. Inside, the cathedral is reminiscent of similar religious buildings in England and France.

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Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center in Midtown

Top of the Rock is a tourist destination with historical memorabilia, cultural exhibits, and a rooftop view of Manhattan from Rockefeller Center. It’s a great way to begin exploring Manhattan from a high elevation. From all angles you can see the city structure and how New York City has evolved through the years.

The view identification card is well worth the nominal additional fee to help newcomers to the city acclimate to the famous sights within view. Simply put, it’s a card that identifies the major buildings and other sites in each view as you walk at your own pace on the roof.

After purchasing tickets, there is a route along several corridors toward the elevators. Along the path, there was a fun photoshoot experience and three short movies about the building and location. This tour is an excellent way to begin a day in New York City. 

New York City – Times Square Excitement

There is no better way to get into the rhythm of New York City’s “Big Apple” vibe than to be in the mix when you explore Manhattan at Times Square. It is a fun and energizing walk from 5th Avenue to 7th Avenue.

People-watching is a sport worthy of the Olympics when spending a day in New York City and the streets around Times Square.

For something off the beaten path, bar hop in Times Square and engage in a literary history during this literary pub crawl walking tour offered by Viator. Get deep inside the New York literary scene and head straight to historic locations.

Yes, there are bars, and at each bar, your guide will introduce you to such famous literary figures as J.D. Salinger and Dorothy Parker. 

Choose an architecture tour of New York City!

John’s Pizzeria – Late night munching in New York City

New York-style pizza was on the menu at the famous John’s Pizzeria on 44th street. Have you ever eaten pizza inside a church? This restaurant has retained the beauty of the Gospel Tabernacle Church design and features the roots and history of a structure from the late 1800s. The high upper ceiling features beautiful stained glass.

Don’t miss the upper balcony area for a different view of the lower-level dining area and a close-up look at some of the historic stained glass windows and artifacts. This restaurant is a great place for first-time visitors and corporate groups.

The atmosphere is warm and cozy, and the decor provides a stimulus for ice-breaker conversations.

Midtown Club Quarters-Sleeping in a city that never does

The Club Quarters Hotel Times Square has become one of our favorite Midtown Manhattan hotels. It is easy to access by subway and only steps away from Rockefeller Center.

For our most recent stay, we were in a room with a small kitchenette area. The sitting room had a desk with plenty of space for computer work. The internet service was reliable, which allowed us to research things to do in New York City and enjoy the convenience of our digital devices.

The bed was soft and comfortable, like sleeping on a cloud. Read what other travelers have to say in rave reviews about Club Quarters at Booking.com.

This location for Club Quarters offers an on-site restaurant and 24-hour concierge services, some of the Club Quarters do not. The hotel concept is designed for business travelers with no-frills in the building but top-notch customer service. Some locations have minimal (if any) front desk staff, no food services, and no banquet or meeting rooms. The guest rooms, however are clean and extremely comfortable. As a corporate traveler, I liked the convenient location to the central business district. As a leisure traveler, I return for the comfortable beds and white-glove level service.

The Club Quarters Hotel Times Square is located in a historic Midtown Manhattan building within a block of the Rockefeller Center subway station. There is free WiFi access and ample space for working while in the city. As I mentioned before, this specific facility offers more amenities than some other locations. Here, guests have access to a shared lounge area, a business center, a fitness center and a bistro restaurant. The Midpoint Bistro & Bar, offers American cuisine small plates and drinks on the balcony, overlooking the busy street. The website suggest some partnered local restaurants for a more hearty meal.

Club Quarters Midtown-Times Square is only a short walk from luxury shopping, world-renowned restaurants, and famous museums. This is what I love most about staying in this hotel. In addition, the Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Center and Times Square are all less than 10 minutes’ walk away.

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There you have it. A perfect day to explore Manhattan, in the heart of New York City. Our trip included visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the morning, moving mid-day to the Top of the Rock, exploring Times Square in the afternoon, and wrapping up at John’s Pizzeria before closing out our day in New York City at the Club Quarters Times Square hotel.

Other Club Quarters Locations include

Club Quarters Hotel Grand Central, New York

Club Quarters Hotel World Trade Center, New York

The Jewel Hotel, New York

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