Seventh Avenue (B, D, E)

Very touristy, very midtown, with access to hotels, shows, and the chaos of Times Square.

Here are the gems:

I spy the subway station’s green bulbs … do you?

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Watch it live for free! All you need to do is sign up for tickets and commit to spending 5 hours of your time the day-of (they make you wait in a line outside, then a line inside, sign over your firstborn child if you deign to take any footage inside the taping theater, then more waiting while sitting inside) for a 1hr taping.

Bring a book, podcast, some pastries from Angelina, or garrulous friends to wait out the line, choose a nice-weather day, and the wait will be worth it.

Bonus: Usually Stephen does a Q&A with the audience, so come prepared with a fun question!

A Times Square Rooftop Drink

Go to M Social and take the elevator up to their Beast & Butterflies Lounge. Whether you’re a guest or a rando doesn’t matter; anyone can access the rooftop views. Are these the best views I’ve ever seen of Times Square? No. But it is the only view I’ve found accessible that can be completely free - no one’s going to hustle you if you don’t buy a drink, as it’s also a check-in/check-out lounge area for guests, so there’s a lot of general milling about.

The view from Beast & Butterflies Lounge. I spent 0 money gaining access to take this photo.

6 and 1/2 Avenue

So, between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue there is … drumroll please … 6 and 1/2 avenue. It’s basically a passageway that cuts through the skyscrapers and has some semi-fancy restaurants, like Le Grande Boucherie. It’s also generally quieter than the surrounding midtown chaos.

6 and ½ Avenue.

Around here you’ll also find Aldo Sohm Wine Bar, which I think is Midtown’s vibiest option for wine.

Inside Aldo Sohm Wine Bar. They only allow indoor pictures for personal use, so if I ever make money off my readership (currently: Bhargav, Greg, Will’s mom Katie, and my dad) I’ll have to delete this pic. Well, you lucky four, enjoy this picture while you can!

A Year-Round Christmas Shop

Do you want to buy kitschy Christmas ornaments year-round? The Christmas Cottage gift shop has you covered, along with whatever other tourist trinkets you’d want.

The Christmas Cottage!