Midtown Manhattan Is Experiencing a Renaissance—Here’s What to Explore

New York continues to evolve, with a surge of new hotels, restaurants, shops, museums, and attractions—and Midtown Manhattan is at the forefront, revitalizing the heart of the city. From the eagerly awaited Museum of Broadway to the launch of the first Virgin Hotels location in the city, Midtown (defined here as NoMad to Columbus Circle) is back in the spotlight. Here’s your guide to what to see, do, eat, and where to stay.

New hotels to discover

Midtown continues to be a top choice for visitors, thanks to its central location and easy access to train and subway stations. While the area already boasts thousands of hotel rooms, it has recently welcomed even more. The latest addition is the Hotel AKA NoMad, set to open on May 23, featuring a design by acclaimed Italian architect Piero Lissoni of Lissoni New York. Highlights include a stunning signature grand staircase, artwork from the Dutch duo XandL and others, plus a stylish bar offering cocktails crafted by master mixologist Cristian Molina, formerly of Rouge Tomate.

For a livelier atmosphere, consider the much-anticipated Virgin Hotels New York City, which opened its new glass skyscraper on April 4. This hotel features 460 rooms and several dining options, including the vibrant indoor-outdoor Everdene and the sophisticated Pool Club, complete with an outdoor pool and breathtaking views of iconic Manhattan landmarks like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty.

A few blocks to the north lies the Le Meridien New York, Fifth Avenue, designed by Gene Kaufman Architect. This 21-story hotel, which opened at the end of 2022, offers 165 rooms and 17 apartment-style residences for extended stays, showcasing timeless interiors in a black, white, and natural wood palette created by Paul Vega and Vennie Lau of VLDG. It also features an all-day café and bar, an Italian restaurant, and a 24-hour fitness center.

Coming later this year is the 400-room Motto by Hilton Times Square, set to open in July with a design inspired by the 1920s New York aesthetic, alongside the first location of the new Romer Neighborhood Hotels brand in Hell’s Kitchen. We’re particularly excited about the upcoming The Fifth Avenue Hotel, which will inhabit a historic Gilded Age Beaux Arts landmark designed by McKim, Mead & White. The famed architects are also behind the Brooklyn Museum and the James A. Farley Postal Service building, now known as Moynihan Train Hall. This property will include a brand-new 24-story tower by Perkins Eastman, PBDW Architects, and Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, set to open by year’s end.

New bars and dining spots

At times, Midtown may seem to lack in diverse dining and drinking options: Times Square is dominated by chains, and power lunch venues can be quite expensive. However, several new restaurants are ready to be explored. The area around Rockefeller Center is particularly exciting, drawing chefs like Ignacio Mattos, who opened the Italian all-day eatery Lodi; Greg Baxtrom, who is debuting Five Acres, his first venture outside Brooklyn; and Michelin-starred duo Junghyun “JP” and Ellia Park, with their fine-dining Korean restaurant NARO. Additionally, a second location of the downtown favorite Smith + Mills will launch later this year, alongside The Tipsy Baker, a unique concept that operates as a bakery by day and a wine bar by night, brought to you by Cafe d’Avignon.

Beyond Rockefeller Center, Midtown Manhattan has welcomed exciting new openings, including Mischa, the first restaurant outside of the Empellon group by Alex Stupak. This establishment serves his take on New American cuisine, featuring dishes like adobo-seasoned fried chicken with sofrito gravy and hot dogs served on house-made potato rolls alongside dry-aged brisket chili. Meanwhile, The Press Club Grill has emerged as the signature dining spot within the historic Martinique New York hotel, paying homage to the city’s Mad Men era.

For a more intimate experience, reserve one of the eight seats at Trust Bae, a tasting-menu restaurant led by Chef Frances Tariga (Top Chef, Chopped). Discover Singaporean street food at the new Urban Hawker food hall, backed by renowned street food legend KF Seetoh and the late Anthony Bourdain. Lastly, Three Hot Pot BBQ provides an interactive dining experience that blends hot pot and barbecue, allowing you to cook your own meal amidst a space-themed design.

If you're in need of a drink, visit the craft cocktail hotspot Albert’s Bar near Grand Central, or explore Bar Bastion, an eco-friendly cocktail bar located above its sister restaurant, the fine dining establishment Le Jardinier, which opened last fall. For al fresco wine and tapas, Bar Harta near Bryant Park is the place to be.

Midtown has welcomed new branches of beloved favorites, including a second location of the popular Upper West Side French-American bistro and cocktail bar, The Consulate. Additionally, two notable imports have made their way to the area: SOL Mexican Cucina, known for its Baja/SoCal flavors, and the Vegas original Pink Taco, which has opened a sprawling two-level, 10,519-square-foot venue in Times Square.

Set to launch in summer 2023 are upscale Korean eatery Nōksu, created by industry veterans Bobby Kwak and Joseph Ko; a 10-seat omakase experience named Hoseki, located discreetly on the jewelry floor of Saks Fifth Avenue; and Gulaabo, featuring Punjabi cuisine from the team behind Baar Baar in the East Village.

New museums and attractions

One of the most thrilling new museums to debut in the city is The Museum of Broadway, situated in the heart of the Times Square theater district. Since its opening last November, it has offered Broadway enthusiasts a unique, immersive experience dedicated to the world of musicals, plays, and their creators. Showcasing the talents of numerous designers, artists, and theater historians, it features highlights from over 500 productions spanning from the 1700s to today.

On May 19, the Japanese-inspired retailer MINISO will unveil a sprawling flagship store in Times Square, boasting more than 2,000 products ranging from home goods to plush toys to cosmetics. Another flagship store making its debut is the completely revamped Tiffany & Co. location on 57th Street and Fifth Avenue, now referred to as The Landmark.

Shoppers can marvel at new custom artworks and exclusive jewels at Tiffany & Co. during its first major renovation since opening in 1940. Additional Midtown developments set for this summer include two 600-foot-long bridges linking the High Line at 30th Street to Moynihan Train Hall through the Manhattan West public plaza, along with a large art installation by renowned artist Bruce Munro in a six-acre vacant area near the United Nations. Titled Field of Light, it will showcase a breathtaking display of 17,000 illuminated glass spheres, opening in September and running for one year.