Froggr Guide to Midtown West

Midtown skyscrapers set the tone aside Chelsea homes

Midtown as a whole is the most heavily used commercial district in the United States today and holds the title for one of the most diversely used pieces of real estate in the world. Midtown West has much to do with the areas immense success. The area is bounded by 6th to 12th Avenues and 34th to 59th Streets. This  25 block area alone holds Hell's Kitchen, the Theater District and much of Times Square and the Garment District. 

Transportation

The Glitz of 42nd St- Times Square Station

Getting to any of these neighborhoods of Midtown West is equally as easy for tourist and native New Yorkers alike. Along 8th Avenue, the A/C/E stops along 34th St. Penn Station, 42nd St. Port Authority and 50th Street. Along 7th Avenue from Times Square to Central Park, service on the 1/2/3, B/D and N/Q/R lines are available local or express. 

While many people do it daily, taking a bus through the Midtown area is very difficult because of high traffic at all times. Consider alternate (and fun) above ground forms of transportation such as a rickshaw carts. For tourist, the double decker City Sightseeing Tour buses are a great way to see the city while getting to where you need to go as a "hop on, hop off" style tour. 

Local Attractions

A little bit of everything at Times Square

Midtown West is perhaps the epicenter of what the outside world sees as New York entertainment. The Times Square area caters much to tourist and youth but has a bit of something for even the most experienced New Yorker. For the younger crowd, parents don't have to go far as Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Madame Tussaud's, M&M World and Toys R' Us are all close by. 

With attractions such as sword swallowers, a Marilyn Monroe wax figure and 60 foot tall Ferris wheel you can bypass the trek to Coney Island. Old or young, everyone can enjoy the movie theaters, Dave & Buster's Arcade and the many special events that take place in the area such as the New years Eve ball. 

A scene from La Cage aux Folles

Outside of the main tourist center of Manhattan, New Yorkers can enjoy a number of live shows, musicals, and sporting events. The Theater District and Theater Row is where many Broadway and off-Broadway shows take place. With theater classics such as Lion King and Mamma Mia to newcomers of Memphis and American Idiot, the district is welcoming of all tastes. 

Get your celebrity fix as well by seeing The Merchant of Venice with Al Pacino, La Cage aux Folles with Kelsey Grammer or A Little Night Music with Bernadette Peters. If you prefer the art of dance, the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater is nearby for great performances choreographed by Ailey and Judith Jamison. 

For sporting events and popular musical acts, Madison Square Garden is located at 4 Penn Plaza near 34th Street Penn Station. Come see the New York Knicks ball it out or revel in the concert atmosphere with upcoming acts such as Usher, Ozzy Osbourne or Andrea Bocelli. If you can't handle the large crowds, hop in a taxi to the nearby Daily Show with John Stewart, The Colbert Report with Steven Colbert or The Late Show with David Letterman.

Lanes and lounge at Lucky Strikes

Finally, away from the hustle and bustle of it all past 11th Avenue there is one great Midtown West attractions that cannot be left unmentioned. Finding many classic forms of entertainment in Manhattan is difficult due to the metropolitan atmosphere. It was more than likely that you would find an arcade or bowling alley in one of the outer boroughs up until now. Lucky Strikes Bowling is a perfect blend between big city appeal and classic entertainment that our parent's our accustomed. With late night happy hours, lounge areas, upscale finger food and all the alcohol you can want, this is bowling done right. 


Dining

Russian Tea Room Main Dining Room

While the area has large restaurants such as Dallas BBQ's and Red Lobster in Times Square, Midtown West has many unique food finds that the most seasoned new Yorker should give a try. For fine dining and business lunches, the Russian Tea Room and Capital Grille are some of Midtown's best. At the Russian Tea Room, opulence is the only way to describe the carved gold leaf decor, red drapery and juggling bear shaped aquarium. The extensive wine and vodka list is followed up by well prepared traditional Russian dishes such as beef stroganoff and chicken kiev.

What a porterhouse really looks like at Capital Grille

Stop in before 4pm for the royal high tea tasting menu served with caviar on blinis,  exotic loose teas, sandwiches and champagne. Just 6 blocks uptown, Capital Grille resides inside the Time Life building. The restaurant is well known for their dry aged steaks and wine collection over 7,000 bottles. With dish offerings of kona crusted dry-aged sirloin with shallot butter and double cut lamb rib chop, the 3 course pre-theater menu at $39 per person is a reason enough to see a show. 

If you are not fortunate enough to have the time for a sit down meal, Daisy May's BBQ USA Cart will save you time without skimping on flavor. Daisy May's cart comes straight from the kitchen of Daisy May's BBQ USA restaurant on 11th Avenue. The cart, located on 50th Street between 6th and 7th, is known for its Southern style cuisine. Ranging from Kansas City style ribs to Tennessee bourbon peaches, Daisy May's takes the eclectic approach to Southern fare. While you cannot order a whole roast pig at the cart, you can order everything else served at the restaurant. Try the Carolina pulled pork sandwich with a mustard base or the sweet tea served in a mason jar for a true Southern touch.

Food orgy of sweet cherry pie at Little Pie & Oklahoma Beef Rib at Daisy May's

For those readers with a sweet tooth, Midtown West has more than just Crumb's Bakery. There is no real gimmick with Little Pie just good old fashioned diner style pie. Some of their classics are remade with a new twist such as the sour cream apple walnut pie. The traditional apple pie is done up with cinnamon crust, a crunchy coffee cake-like top coat and a blend of sour meets sweet. By far one the company's top sellers with their lemon meringue and Mississippi mud pie are close contenders. All of the pies are rich, creamy and can be served warm with a la mode. The red vinyl stools and small shop has great throwback appeal that you can enjoy with a few friends or all by yourself. Either way, the 5" wide pies are perfectly portioned to share or alone.

Shopping

Assortment of great finds at Hell's Kitchen Flea Market

The area can be great or horrible for shopping depending on who you talk to. Many tourist and natives alike find the plethora of stores such as Macy's, Coach, H&M, Forever21 and the Manhattan Mall all within walking distance to be convenient. Aside from larger stores, the area has many smaller ones with deals seldom seen in other Manhattan locations. Even if department stores such as Rainbow and Clippers are not your fancy, who can pass up deals on essential items like tanks in every color, on the go sweats and even last minute party wear.

Versace Store along 5th Avenue

Higher end fashion can be found one block over in Midtown East, fashion flourishes along 5th Avenue with stores such as Saks 5th Avenue, Emilio Pucci and Prada. To the vintage fashion connoisseurs, major chain stores and major bucks does not always equal true fashion. Luckily, Fashion Avenue rests smack dab in the middle of Midtown West for a reason. For those who want to get their fashion off the beaten path, venture over to Hell's Kitchen Flea Market. Many of the vendors in this large market operate at both The Annex, a Chelsea market, and at Hell's Kitchen. From ethnic Tibetan apparel and decor at Mountain Nepali to mid-century steamer trunks at George's Collectibles anything and everything with vintage appeal can be found here. 

Residential

Brownstone lined streets of Hell's Kitchen

Living in the area has its major advantages. Located in the heart of Manhattan, everything is easily accessible whether it be shopping, dining, entertainment or work. With the good comes the bad however. The major complaint about living in the area is perhaps the noise traffic and sheer crowding in the area. With over 45 million visitors in 2009, many passed right through the Midtown West area at Times Square. While some people love the hustle and bustle that is New York, Midtown residents still have a choice to living quietly. In the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, many brownstones still remain that add to the neighborhood appeal. With small shops and eateries the area feels much like that of East Village or Chelsea compare to the skyscraper clad area we all know as Midtown. 

Residences at The Rushmore

On the outskirts of Midtown West, also known as the Far West Side, new developments are on the rise. As one of the last undeveloped areas of the city, the city and major developers are doing it big. A mix of affordable housing and luxury rentals will complete the area. Large tracts of the area will be dedicated to retail space, new schools and open green space. Riverside Center South by Extell is already in the works with The Rushmore and Aldyn completed. Further east on 36th between 7th and 8th, Glenwood has built another successful addition to their roster, Emerald Green. By green, they mean EnergyStar appliances, rooftop garden terraces and bamboo flooring.  Representing the New York way of variety and a little bit of something for everyone, Midtown West has some for everyone.