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Midtown Manhattan Art and Architecture Walking Tour

5
New York, US
5
New York, US
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Join us on the Midtown Manhattan Art and Architecture Walking Tour for a captivating journey through the city's historical development told through its iconic buildings. This comprehensive tour delves into the social, cultural, technological, and zoning law histories that shaped Midtown's art and architecture. From the ornate Beaux Arts buildings to the sleek skyscrapers, you'll discover the fascinating evolution of architectural styles and zoning regulations. Highlights include stops at Times Square, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Park Avenue, where you'll witness the evolution of New York City's iconic skyline. Marvel at renowned artworks by artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and admire the stunning architecture of famous buildings like the Time and Life Building. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich art and architectural history of Midtown Manhattan.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • 2 hours - 3 hours
  • Suitable for 1-9 Participants
  • Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Explore the historical development of Midtown Manhattan
  • Learn about the fascinating strands of social, cultural, and technological history
  • Admire the wide range of art and architecture in the city
  • Experience the vibrant energy of Times Square
  • Discover the iconic landmarks and famous buildings of Rockefeller Center
  • Professional guide
  • Gratuities

More about this experience

Introduction

Discover the captivating story of Midtown Manhattan's art and architecture on this immersive walking tour. Delve into the city's rich historical development as you explore its iconic buildings, each one revealing fascinating strands of social, cultural, and technological histories. Led by a knowledgeable guide, this tour provides a unique perspective on New York City's urban landscape, highlighting the impact of real estate, zoning laws, and the hidden network of pedestrian passageways that interconnect Midtown Manhattan.

What to Expect?

Embark on a fully narrated journey through the heart of Midtown Manhattan, starting at the Food Emporium cafe. As you stroll along Fifth Avenue, you'll be immersed in the upper class retail shopping district, where a plethora of privately-owned-public-spaces (POPS) awaits. Discover the best indoor escape options for inclement weather, locate the hidden gems of the city's bathroom facilities, and even learn how to navigate from Times Square to St. Patrick's Cathedral entirely underground. The tour also takes you along 6 1/2 Avenue, a unique corridor lined with POPS that stretches for several blocks east of Sixth Avenue.

Who is this for?

This walking tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, architecture aficionados, and anyone with a curiosity for the intricacies of urban development. Whether you're a local New Yorker or a visitor to the city, this experience offers a deeper understanding of the hidden stories behind Midtown Manhattan's iconic landmarks.

Why Book This?

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of New York City's historical development through its remarkable art and architecture. This walking tour offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the lesser-known aspects of Midtown Manhattan, unveiling the fascinating history of zoning laws and their impact on the city's built environment. As you traverse the bustling streets, your knowledgeable guide will provide captivating insights and anecdotes, bringing the city's past to life. Discover the enchanting network of pedestrian passageways, both public and privately-owned, that seamlessly connect this vibrant district. By booking this tour, you'll gain a newfound appreciation for the intricate layers of history that have shaped this world-renowned metropolis.

Good to Know

This tour includes a professional guide who will be your expert companion throughout the journey. Please note that gratuities are not included. The tour concludes east of Tiffany's on 57th Street, offering stunning views of Billionaire's Row. Prepare to be amazed by the architectural wonders that surround you and the compelling stories they hold.

Reviews

Travelers who have experienced this Midtown Manhattan walking tour rave about the wealth of knowledge and insights they gained. They commend the guide's ability to make history come alive, transforming the buildings into living storytellers. Visitors express their delight in discovering the hidden passageways and the countless indoor escape options for unfavorable weather. The tour receives high praise for its comprehensive coverage of the city's art and architecture, leaving participants with a newfound appreciation for the urban development of Midtown Manhattan.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Eighth Avenue

We begin at the boundary of Hells Kitchen and Times Square with an overview of the city's historic move uptown. We cover the basics of historical (academic) architecture up to the Modern period, and from overblown Beaux Arts to ornament-free skyscrapers. We learn the fundamentals of zoning in this POPS (Privately Owned Public Space). Works by Sidney Simon and Matt Mullican.

350 W 50th St

The subway station below Worldwide Plaza is an example of evolving zoning law history; incised granite by Matt Mullican is part of the program.

citizenM New York Times Square Hotel

On the way to Citizen M and Julian Opie's larger-than-life wall art we scan the skyline for Hearst Tower and the New York Times Building.

Times Square

(Pass by)

We stop at the Allianz Building and Warner Music Group to take in the view of Times Square from the north. Zoning laws achieved a look inspired by Tokyo!

The Brill Building

We use the Brill Building to launch into a short discussion the role Times Square and much of today's Midtown played (and still do) as holding almost a monopoly on the history of American culture: Music, theater, radio, television, books, magazines, newspapers, advertising, even automobiles.

BNP Paribas

We pass the Winter Garden, the Taft Hotel, and the building that inspired the song MONY MONY. We transition into private corporate space in the lobby of 787 7th Avenue and we go from commercial culture to corporate commercial. Expensive art and monumental feats of architecture are the mainstays of the remainder of the tour. Roy Lichtenstein opens us to the world of corporate art appropriately with Mural with Blue Brushstroke, a work he painted in place before the building opened. Out back in the POPS are works by Sol Le Witt and Barry Flannagan.

6 1/2 Avenue

We look as far uptown as we can along this 6-block long quirk in zoning, so-called "6 1/2 Avenue," a mid-block arcade that doesn't quite connect Times Square with Central Park.

UBS Art Gallery

They have a world renown collection and their lobby is divided between temporary and permanent exhibits that include Frank Stella and Sarah Morris.

1271 Avenue of the Americas

The lobby of the Time and Life building is a Modern classic with its stainless steel panels and terrazzo floor. Large wall art by Fritz Glarner, a student of Mondrian.

Exxon Building

(Pass by)

Monumental is the common theme to works by Hiroshu Senju and Kan Yasuda. Outside on the plaza is La Gran Manzana.

Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas)

We stop in 1221 (the McGraw Hill building) the see a work by visual artist Mark Bradford. Out onto Sixth Avenue stand below "Skyscraper Alley," some of the worst products wrought by man and zoning law. Across the street begins the art and architecture, and story Rockefeller Center, one of the greatest civic-minded entrepreneurial (seriously) projects in modern history. The Art Deco of Rockefeller Center would come to define the style. Most interesting to point out are the subtle shifts from the "Modernistic" (Art Deco) to the Modern as the project progressed after the passing of Raymond Hood.

Radio City Music Hall

We learn the origin story of the name for every venue today named Roxy.

Rockefeller Center

(Pass by)

The politics of the day, and the Rockefeller family dynamic, are the most interesting backstories to the art history of likely the most important corporate lobby in Modern history. The story of radio and David Sarnoff is also integral to the story.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

Art and architecture reach their apex outside where the Christmas tree goes every year. There is a mix-bag of interesting history: holdouts, Diego Rivera and the Rockefellers, the story of the ice-skating rink and perhaps the greatest reversal-of-fortune in Rockefeller Center history.

Rockefeller Center

The lobby of the International Building is a work of art itself. Light and Movement by Michio Lhaza are the wall "center pieces." Atlas by Lee Lawrie stands outside facing St. Pat's

St. Patrick's Cathedral

The history of Fifth Avenue is told through its buildings.

Lotte New York Palace

(Pass by)

As we make our way to Park Avenue we pass striking juxtapositions of the Modern and the Beaux Arts. the Villard Houses are now the Palace Hotel.

Park Avenue

Architecture. We learn the evolution of Park Avenue from open train tracks, to high end residential, to today's corporate buildings. Buildings discussed are: The Health and Racquet Club (1918), St. Bart's (1919), The New York Central Building (1929), The Waldorf Astoria (1931), The GE Building (1931), Lever House (1952), The Seagram Building (1958), and the Met Life Building (1963).

Christie's Sculpture Garden

535 Madison Avenue is hat trick for architecture, zoning laws, and works by three French artists, about 20 years apart: Leger, DuBuffet, and Francois-Xavier LaLannes.

Papillon Bistro & Bar

A fascinating example of a "successful" holdout in New York's high pressure real estate market. A great option for lunch or dinner after the tour.

550 Madison Ave

(Pass by)

A Philip Johnson Building with a recently re-designed, and likely the most spectacular outdoor POPS in the city. If there's time we can go inside to see Solid Sky by Alicia Kwade.

590 Madison Avenue

(Pass by)

The IBM Building's POPS is regularly the most highly-rated in the city. Applefest pieces.

244 5th Ave

Finally, we exit onto 57th Street where we end the tour beneath Billionaire's Row, skinny residential towers that are the latest redesign of the Manhattan skyline; astronomical heights and prices.

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for participants with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant participants
  • Participants should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

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2024-12-26 23:58

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