I decided to walk the 23 blocks from Penn Station to the Metropolitan Hotel on Lexington and 50th and took the opportunity to see the many sites along the way. This early in the morning (7am), there were already a lot of people out and about on their way to work, but it was nothing compared to later that afternoon! It was pretty humid, but luckily the temperature was still relatively cool, probably low 70s.
Time Square
Time Square, where Broadway and 7th Ave. intersect
At this time in the morning, there weren't a lot of people out on Time Square yet.
MTV Time Square studio. Walked by here later in the trip and they were shooting Total Request Live. Sheer madness below those windows! I could see who they were interviewing, but I couldn't recognize her. Resembled Lindsay Lohen, Ashley Simpson or the like.
At 7am, they were filming Good Morning America! The studio was packed with people, but I didn't bother trying to go in.
Shoot! Didn't make it to the Rush Concert at Radio City Music Hall!
The Rainbow Room, NBC Studios
Flags at Rockefeller Center Concourse
St. Patrick's Cathedral on 5th Ave.
St. Patrick's Cathedral was built in 1879
The bronze Atlas faces St. Patrick's Cathedral
Lee Lawrie's bronze sculpture "Atlas" in front of the International Building on 5th Avenue.
Sax Fifth Avenue on
5th Avenue...imagine that!
The flags were impressive. I didn't even know I was taking a picture of Sax, I was attracted to the flag display.
Some of you may or may not know this, but I love architecture. I was in heaven in NYC. I'm shocked that I didn't have a neck ache from looking up the whole time. ☺ You'll have to pardon all of my pictures and random miscellaneous facts about the buildings I saw and photographed, but they're significant to me.
The Empire State Building, 1931
It was the tallest building in the world from 1931-1972.
16,000 persons work in the building and 35,000 visitors come daily.
Yes! I went to the top of the Empire State Building, on the 86th floor.
Inside the main lobby of the Empire State Building.
Every landmark has to have its gift shop
View looking towards Downtown Manhattan
View looking towards Midtown
It definitely gives you an idea why its called a Vertical City...now imagine all of these buildings plus the ones downtown, the ones uptown, and all of the ones in between...think of all of the people that work and live in these buildings...actually, it's pretty inconceivable, one of those 'you have to see it to believe it' moments.
Chrysler Building, 1930
One of the last skyscrapers in the Art Deco style.
The gargoyles depict Chrysler car ornaments and the spire is modeled on a radiator grille.
The Flatiron Building, 1902
Beaux-Arts design
Macy's Building, 1902
Still holds the record for the world's largest store, it takes up the whole block.
View of Macy's from street level.
built 1898-1911
Grand Central Terminal, 1871
Facade has a beaux-arts design. This sculpture was designed by Jules-Alexis Coutain and depicts Mercury, supported by Minerva and Hercules representing commerce, strength and wisdom.
Main Concourse of Grand Central Terminal.
After the morning rush hour, Grand Central Terminal is relatively empty, but still thousands of people go through here hourly.
Lots of American Flags adorn this city.
Lord and Taylor along 5th Avenue.
No shopping for me, I'm afraid.