Explore Manhattan’s Midtown, from neighborhood favorites to unique curated events. Start with the best-known things to do, then check out "What's happening" for upcoming limited events in Midtown.
These special events are sourced from the web and social media, then carefully curated based on cool and unique events you might enjoy doing in Midtown.
We update this page on a daily basis, so be sure to bookmark us and return for fresh events.
Explore Midtown
476 5th Ave
Meet the library’s characters and collections
Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends have a place among the manuscripts, artworks and recordings at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. You can explore that range in Polonsky Treasures, the library’s ongoing exhibition in Gottesman Hall, which draws on material spanning 4,000 years. Its highlights include the original toys alongside a Gutenberg Bible, Henri Matisse’s Jazz and Augusta Savage’s maquette of The Harp. Those examples convey the collection’s breadth, from objects associated with childhood stories to experiments in printing and sculpture.
49 W 45th St
Browse books, records and games at BOOKOFF
If your interests run from novels to video games, BOOKOFF New York Store lets you browse both in the same stop. The West 45th Street shop, northwest of the library, buys and sells used books and physical media. CDs, vinyl and cassette tapes share the department list with DVDs, Blu-rays, game consoles and collectibles.
45 Rockefeller Plaza
Look closely at Rockefeller Center, then look out
Lee Lawrie and René Paul Chambellan’s Atlas carries the heavens at Rockefeller Center. Look up and you’ll see that the bronze figure supports an armillary sphere, an open framework of rings rather than a solid globe of Earth. It’s one specific work to seek out among the art integrated into the complex’s buildings, plazas and public spaces. I’d give the ground-level sculpture and Art Deco architecture their own attention; they’re substantial reasons to come even without heading upstairs.
11 W 53rd St
Follow paintings, objects or photography through MoMA
Van Gogh’s The Starry Night and Matisse’s Dance (I) are familiar collection highlights at The Museum of Modern Art, north of Rockefeller Center. You can build a visit around painting, but the collection also reaches into photography, prints, video, sculpture, design and performance. Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans belongs to that range, as do objects that take the museum well beyond pictures on walls.
116 E 59th St
Find old maps and out-of-print books at Argosy
Three generations of the same family have kept Argosy Book Store going since 1925. Northeast of MoMA on East 59th Street, it gives you a different kind of book browsing from BOOKOFF: out-of-print fiction, biography, art, architecture, poetry and philosophy, alongside antiquarian specialties. The main floor and basement hold those broad reading subjects. An art book or a volume of poetry is as much a reason to visit as an interest in collecting rare editions.
217 E 51st St
Take your book to Greenacre Park
Your book can come with you to Greenacre Park, where a waterfall anchors a compact garden on East 51st Street. This is a separate southeastern detour from Argosy, with places to sit among the planting, read, talk or eat something you’ve brought. The falling water is the main feature; the outing here can be as simple as sitting beside it with a few pages.
What's happening in Midtown
Find upcoming street fairs, performances and other unique events in Midtown.
10 things worth doing in the next 7 days · Friday, October 16th – Thursday, October 22nd
45th Street from 3rd to Lexington AveTurtle Bay · Manhattan
10am-6pm
A price sits under the hours when an event is not free. Tap an event for its details, the time and place, and the organizer's link.
Free
Muddy Paws BLK Party
Join Muddy Paws’ rescue community for a street fair with same-day dog and cat adoptions.
Sat Oct 17 · 54th Street, 9th Avenue to 10th Avenue · Manhattan · Free admission
🚇 50 St (1 C E) · 7 min walk
🍴 Eat nearby · 4 places, closest 5 min walk
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Free
Lexington Avenue Fall Festival
A fall festival along Lexington Avenue.
Sun Oct 18 · Lexington Avenue, 51st to 57th St · Manhattan · Free admission
🚇 Lexington Av/53 St (E F) · 3 min walk
🍴 Eat nearby · 4 places, closest 2 min walk
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Free
Religious Procession of Our Lord of Miracles
A religious procession on Fifth Avenue honors Our Lord of Miracles.
Sun Oct 18 · 5 Avenue, East 50 Street to East 51 Street · Manhattan · Free
🚇 5 Av/53 St (E F) · 3 min walk
🍴 Eat nearby · 4 places, closest 2 min walk
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Free
9th Annual Disability Pride Parade
Disabled people and allies march from Madison Square Park to Union Square in a parade honoring the historic Section 504 Sit-in.
Sun Oct 18 · East 24 Street, Park Avenue South to Madison Avenue · Manhattan · Free
🚇 23 St-Baruch College (6) · 2 min walk
🍴 Eat nearby · 3 places, closest 6 min walk
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Broadway Mondays
You can hear live music at Madame George’s Monday program, Broadway Night Off.
Mon Oct 19 · Madame George, Midtown · Manhattan · Price not listed
🚇 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr (B D F M) · 3 min walk
🍴 Eat nearby · 4 places, closest 2 min walk
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Free
Self-Reflective Writing Session
Explore self-reflection through writing at the 58th Street Library.
Mon Oct 19 · 58th Street Library · Manhattan · Free
🚇 59 St (4 5 6) · 2 min walk
🍴 Eat nearby · 4 places, closest 4 min walk
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Free
Explore a Major NYC Park
Bryant Park’s own staff explain how the park was transformed and what it takes to care for it today.
Mon Oct 19 · Bryant Park Shop by the Fountain · Manhattan · Free
🚇 42 St-Bryant Pk (B D F M) · 2 min walk
🍴 Eat nearby · 4 places, closest 4 min walk
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Free
28 Years Later (2025): Post-Apocalyptic Coming-of-Age Film with Ralph Fiennes
You can watch 28 Years Later, a post-apocalyptic coming-of-age film featuring Ralph Fiennes.
Tue Oct 20 · 58th Street Library · Manhattan · Free
🚇 59 St (4 5 6) · 2 min walk
🍴 Eat nearby · 4 places, closest 4 min walk
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Free
Poor Things Book Discussion
Discuss Poor Things at the 58th Street Library.
Tue Oct 20 · 58th Street Library · Manhattan · Free
🚇 59 St (4 5 6) · 2 min walk
🍴 Eat nearby · 4 places, closest 4 min walk
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Free
Midtown East Food Fair Series
You can visit a food fair on East 45th Street.
Thu Oct 22 · 45th Street, 3rd to Lexington Ave · Manhattan · Free admission
🚇 Grand Central-42 St (4 5 6 7 S) · 4 min walk
🍴 Eat nearby · 4 places, closest 2 min walk
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Open any day. No date needed
Open any day
Rockefeller Center
historical landmark · Midtown
A large complex housing television studios.
4.7★ from 201,545 Google reviews
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Open any day
Empire State Building
historical place museum · Midtown
You go up to the 86th Floor open-air observation deck for 360° views — Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and Times Square are all named as things you can pick out from up there, with sightlines spanning up to six states on a clear day.
4.7★ from 127,657 Google reviews
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Open any day
Top of The Rock
observation deck · Midtown
An observation deck at the top of Rockefeller Center.
4.7★ from 87,144 Google reviews
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Open any day
The Museum of Modern Art
modern art museum · Midtown
You walk the collection galleries, which run from the 1880s to today — van Gogh's The Starry Night, Matisse's Dance (I), Man Ray's Chess Set and Meret Oppenheim's Object are among the works highlighted.
4.6★ from 60,287 Google reviews
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Open any day
St. Patrick's Cathedral
cathedral · Midtown
A Neo-Gothic church completed in 1879, sitting across from Rockefeller Center.
4.8★ from 42,529 Google reviews
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Open any day
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
observatory · Midtown
You go up the tallest building in Midtown for three floors of immersive art installations and views over the city.
4.7★ from 35,903 Google reviews
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Open any day
Radio City Music Hall
concert hall · Midtown
You come here for a show — the calendar is grouped into concerts, Rockettes shows, comedy, theatrical performances and a family events category, with Les Misérables: The Arena Concert Spectacular running matinee and evening performances through early August.
4.8★ from 27,515 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Escape the Room NYC
escape room center · Midtown
Your group picks one of eight themed rooms and has 60 minutes to solve its way out.
4.9★ from 11,042 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any dayFree
Barnes & Noble
book store · Midtown
A branch of the national bookstore chain, carrying titles across adult and children's categories.
4.5★ from 10,494 Google reviews
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Open any day
The Escape Game NYC (Midtown Manhattan)
escape room center · Midtown
You get a 60-minute escape game where the room opens into further rooms as you solve it — just when you think it's over, another one opens.
5★ from 9,554 Google reviews
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Open any day
AMC 34th Street 14
movie theater · Midtown
A multi-screen cinema showing current releases, with upholstered recliner-style seating.
4.2★ from 8,681 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any dayFree
New York Public Library - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
public library · Midtown
The main branch of the city's public library system, in a beaux arts building beside Bryant Park.
4.7★ from 8,020 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Chrysler Building
historical landmark · Midtown
An art deco tower completed in 1930, recognisable by its stepped metal crown.
4.6★ from 6,753 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
AMC Kips Bay 15
movie theater · Midtown
4.4★ from 6,177 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
One Vanderbilt
business center · Midtown
A tall office tower with a terrace where visitors can look out at the city in every direction.
4.7★ from 5,808 Google reviews
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Open any day
The FRIENDS™ Experience: The One in New York City
cafe · Midtown
Two floors of set recreations from the show: Monica's living room, Joey and Chandler's apartment, the Las Vegas wedding chapel and a replica of Central Perk.
4.5★ from 5,434 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any dayFree
BOOKOFF New York Store
used book store · Midtown
A used-media shop on West 45th Street where you browse and buy books, CDs, vinyl, cassette tapes, DVDs, Blu-rays, video games, game consoles and collectibles.
4.5★ from 4,473 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Comedy Village
comedy club · Midtown · $20–60
A stand-up comedy club on West 44th Street running shows seven nights a week, typically an early show around 7pm and a later one around 9pm.
4.9★ from 3,973 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Broadway Comedy Club
comedy club · Midtown
A comedy club with two large showrooms, so more than one set can run at a time.
3.7★ from 3,201 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
ZZ Day Spa
day spa · Midtown
A day spa covering several kinds of treatment under one roof: massages, facials, hair removal and nail services.
4.9★ from 3,181 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any dayFree
Rough Trade Above
record store · Midtown
An independent record shop selling vinyl, CDs and books on music, culture and art, including signed editions and exclusive pressings you cannot get elsewhere.
4.5★ from 2,627 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Gramercy Theatre
live music venue · Midtown
A concert venue converted from an old cinema.
4.5★ from 2,325 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
FotoLab Studio
portrait studio · Midtown
A photography studio you shoot in yourself: you get a private space with professional lighting and gear, and trigger the camera with a remote.
5★ from 2,096 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Anytime Bar & Billiards
pool hall · Midtown
A pool hall and sports bar where you book a billiards table and play.
4.7★ from 2,004 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Museum of Arts and Design
art museum · Midtown
A museum of contemporary craft, art and design across several floors.
4.2★ from 1,915 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any dayFree
Greenacre Park
park · Midtown
A small park mid-block in midtown, built around a waterfall, with dense planting and places to sit.
4.8★ from 1,699 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Lips
dinner theater · Midtown · $50–100
Dinner and drinks paired with a drag performance, with brunch also served on Sundays.
4.5★ from 1,636 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any dayFree
The Drama Book Shop
book store · Midtown
A bookshop specialising in theater and film, where the shelves run to published plays and screenplays.
4.8★ from 1,488 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Hoops Cabaret
cabaret club · Midtown
4.9★ from 1,449 Google reviews
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Open any day
Paint 'N Pour
painting studio · Midtown
A guided painting session with an open bar running alongside it — paints, brushes, canvas and an instructor are all provided, and you take the finished canvas home.
5★ from 1,437 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
The Cutting Room
live music venue · Midtown
A concert space hosting a range of acts, with a theater room and a separate bar up front.
4.4★ from 1,437 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Exit Escape Room NYC
escape room center · Midtown
Four private escape rooms in Midtown, each giving your group 60 minutes to find clues, solve a chain of puzzles and get out.
4.8★ from 1,324 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Jazz At Lincoln Center
concert hall · Midtown
The family strand here is WeBop, an early childhood music programme running across the 2026-27 season, with fall classes and three WeBop Family Jazz Parties intended for the whole family.
4.8★ from 1,315 Google reviews
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Open any day
Dizzy's Club
jazz club · Midtown · $30–80
A small jazz room inside Lincoln Center.
4.6★ from 1,313 Google reviews
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Open any day
Karaoke Duet 35
karaoke bar · Midtown
Private karaoke rooms you reserve by the hour, on the second floor of a West 35th Street building.
4.2★ from 1,239 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
The Compleat Strategist
game store · Midtown
A game shop stocking board games, role-playing games and miniatures.
4.6★ from 1,229 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Othership Flatiron
spa · Midtown
A communal bathhouse-style wellness space built around hot saunas and cold plunge pools.
4.9★ from 1,203 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Radio Star Karaoke
karaoke bar · Midtown · $20–60
Nine private karaoke rooms sized from a five-person duet suite up to a room that holds 45, each booked to your group so you are not singing in front of strangers.
4.6★ from 1,201 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any dayFree
Rizzoli Bookstore
book store · Midtown
A bookshop set inside a townhouse, with a stock built around illustrated volumes, literature and magazines from Europe.
4.6★ from 1,136 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any dayFree
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)
public library · Midtown
4.4★ from 1,078 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Escapology Escape Rooms Rockefeller Center
escape room center · Midtown
You pick one themed room and your group is locked in together for an hour, hunting hidden clues, cracking codes and solving puzzles to get out before the clock runs down.
5★ from 1,029 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
ABC Bartending School
bartending school · Midtown
5★ from 1,027 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Manhattan Center
live music venue · Midtown
A large event and conference space that also hosts concerts and live shows.
4.5★ from 1,010 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Rick's Cabaret New York
adult entertainment club · Midtown
4.6★ from 958 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Bike Rent NYC - 117 West 58th Street, New York
bicycle rental service · Midtown
Rentals for bicycles and scooters, including electric scooters.
4.2★ from 817 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any dayFree
Argosy Book Store
book store · Midtown
A bookstore spread over six floors, trading since 1925.
4.7★ from 755 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
New York Bike Rentals & Central Park eBike rentals & Scooter Rental
bicycle rental service · Midtown
5★ from 744 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
The Channel Gardens
botanical garden · Midtown
Landscaped garden beds arranged around a water feature, at the base of a landmark skyscraper.
4.7★ from 739 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any dayFree
Chelsea Flea
flea market · Midtown
This is an open-air weekend market in Manhattan where you walk the stalls looking through antiques, collectibles, retro clothing and handmade goods.
4.2★ from 706 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
IMPROV
training center · Midtown
4.3★ from 635 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Steve Cohen Chamber Magic
magician · Midtown
An evening of close-up, interactive magic hosted by magician Steve Cohen, staged in the Lotte New York Palace hotel.
5★ from 629 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
The New York Sewing Center
sewing shop · Midtown
You take sewing and design classes in a studio on West 38th Street in the Garment District, working at a machine on a project you take home.
4.9★ from 616 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Kraft Universe Arts and Crafts for Teams
art studio · Midtown
A guided craft studio in Midtown where you make one thing in a session and take it home the same day.
5★ from 609 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
BiteUnite Cooking Classes NYC
cooking class · Midtown
5★ from 563 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
NYC Park Tours™
sightseeing tour agency · Midtown
Guided tours of Central Park by pedicab, bike, on foot or by horse and carriage, with a guide pointing out landmarks and telling the stories behind them.
5★ from 510 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
New York Mixology
event venue · Midtown
4.9★ from 507 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Cozymeal Cooking Classes NYC
cooking class · Midtown
This is a booking platform rather than a single venue: it lists chef-led cooking classes held at locations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.
4.9★ from 472 Google reviews
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Open any day
SassClass
hip hop dance class · Midtown
SassClass runs dance classes, workshops and multi-week programmes for women, including an Absolute Beginner Program, an Introduction to Flirty Floorwork two-week programme, and one-off workshops such as a Beyoncé Dance Party and a Reggaeton Stilettos workshop.
4.9★ from 469 Google reviews
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Open any day
Five Iron Golf
indoor golf course · Midtown
You book a simulator for up to six people and choose how to use it — practise, play a round at a course like Pebble Beach, or work through the games on it.
4.9★ from 461 Google reviews
More info ▾
Open any day
Shot of Art
art studio · Midtown
You paint, but not with brushes at a table.
4.6★ from 427 Google reviews
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Neighborhood FAQs
Where can I eat near Grand Central when everyone wants something different?
Vanderbilt Market has more than 15 food options near Grand Central, so your group can choose separate counters.
Which Midtown shops are fun to explore with children?
You can try Nintendo games with staff or explore LEGO’s building and minifigure stations.
Nintendo NEW YORK, Rockefeller Center has interactive gaming areas where staff can give hands-on demonstrations; its Mario-inspired My Mario collection is designed for young children and parents.
You can hear jazz at Birdland or choose a Broadway or Off-Broadway show through TKTS.
Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater offers performances in two rooms for ages 10 and up, with a $20 food or beverage minimum per person, per set, in addition to tickets.
TKTS by TDF, Times Square sells theatre tickets up to 50% off for same-day performances and next-day matinees, with an $8 per-ticket service fee.
