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Midtown Manhattan Guided Walking Tour

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Group Size

Max 12

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Tour Duration

2.5 Hours

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100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

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Free Cancellation up to 24 hrs

Highlights of the tour

Highlights generally include: 

• The Flatiron Building— admire the iconic triangular Flatiron Building, a steel-framed marvel completed in 1902, whose dramatic shape defines the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway. 

• MetLife Tower— discover the MetLife Tower, once the tallest building in the world (1909-1913), celebrated for its classical architecture and status as a Midtown landmark. 

• Morgan Library & Museum— visit the exquisite Morgan Library (exterior only), originally built in 1906 to house J.P. Morgan's private collection, now a treasure trove of art, literature, and history. 

• New York Public Library (Schwarzman Building)— explore the New York Public Library's flagship building, a masterpiece of Beaux-Arts architecture and home to countless literary treasures. 

• Grand Central Terminal— conclude at Grand Central Terminal, an architectural icon and bustling transportation hub, where history and grandeur converge in the heart of Manhattan.


Details

Between soaring skyscrapers, manicured parks, and bustling train stations, Manhattan's Midtown district is one of the most dynamic and captivating parts of New York. 

Join one of our expert guides on this 2.5-hour guided walking tour. Your guide will lead you through the streets and landmarks that define the postcard-perfect New York every visitor hopes to discover.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, Manhattan's skyline transformed, growing taller with each architectural innovation. Begin with the historic Marble Collegiate Church before visiting iconic institutions like the New York Public Library and the Morgan Library. Stroll through Madison Square Park, hear the story behind the Flatiron Building's unusual design, and learn how the city's early skyscrapers pushed the limits of engineering. Take in the towering presence of the MetLife Tower, New York Life Building, and of course, the legendary Empire State Building, a symbol of 20th-century ambition.

End your journey at Grand Central Terminal, where the hustle of daily commuters' contrasts with the station's grand Beaux-Arts architecture. As you gaze upwards, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the landmark laws that have preserved these historic treasures, ensuring that New York's architectural legacy continues to inspire future generations.


Itinerary

  • Stops generally include but are not limited to:
  • Flatiron Building— admire the iconic 22-story Flatiron Building, one of New York's first steel-framed skyscrapers. Completed in 1902, its striking triangular shape remains a defining landmark. (10 minutes)
  • Madison Square Park— stroll through this historic green space, first opened in 1847. Once a military parade ground, it is now a peaceful urban retreat filled with public art, towering trees, and a lively atmosphere. (10 minutes)
  • MetLife Tower— see the MetLife Tower, a striking clock tower that was the world's tallest building from 1909 to 1913. Inspired by the Campanile of St. Mark's in Venice, its distinctive design still dominates the skyline. (10 minutes)
  • General Worth Square — visit the General William Jenkins Worth Memorial, an obelisk that marks the burial site of the decorated War of 1812 hero. (10 minutes)
  • Marble Collegiate Church— discover one of the oldest Protestant congregations in North America, founded in 1628. (10 minutes)
  • Tin Pan Alley— walk along the legendary stretch of West 28th Street that was once the heart of the American music industry. Here, composers and lyricists shaped the sounds of early popular music. (10 minutes)
  • Empire State Building— admire the exterior and the Art Deco lobby of the Empire State Building, an architectural marvel that stood as the world's tallest skyscraper from 1931 to 1970. (10 minutes)
  • The Morgan Library & Museum (Exterior Only)— view the grand exterior of this 1906 landmark, originally the private library of financier J.P. Morgan. It houses rare manuscripts, Renaissance art, and literary treasures. (10 minutes)
  • Bryant Park— relax in Bryant Park, a vibrant city square that was transformed into one of Manhattan's most cherished retreats. Enjoy its landscaped gardens, seasonal events, and artistic sculptures. (10 minutes)
  • Library Way— stroll down Library Way, where 96 bronze plaques with literary quotes line the sidewalk, leading to one of New York's greatest cultural institutions. (10 minutes)
  • New York Public Library— marvel at the New York Public Library's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, a Beaux-Arts masterpiece guarded by its famous marble lions, Patience and Fortitude. (10 minutes)
  • Fifth Avenue— experience the energy of Fifth Avenue, one of the world's most famous streets, known for its historic landmarks, luxury boutiques, and cultural institutions. (10 minutes)
  • Chrysler Building— gaze up at the Chrysler Building, an Art Deco masterpiece known for its shimmering spire and intricate metalwork. Once the world's tallest building, it remains one of the most celebrated skyscrapers in America. (10 minutes)
  • Grand Central Terminal — conclude your tour at Grand Central Terminal, a bustling transit hub and architectural wonder. Marvel at its celestial ceiling, historic details, and grand Beaux-Arts design. (10 minutes)

Inclusion

• GUIDED WALKING TOUR

• PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDE

• DURATION 2.5 HOURS

• TOUR WILL RUN, RAIN OR SHINE

 

Not Included

 

• TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE FOOD AND DRINKS

• TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE HOTEL PICKUP OR DROP-OFF (we recommend UBER or Taxi)

• TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE GRATUITIES (optional)

• TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE LUGGAGE OR COAT STORAGE


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What Our Customers Say

Amazing tour with  Knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide !
Tracy E 1 contributions

Amazing tour with Knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide !

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour experience . We hope to be able to get into the city again for another tour with Mark. We will look at the city differently on subsequent visits thanks to Mark and the knowledge he passed on to us. It was indeed a pleasure. His enthusiasm and love for this amazing city is contagious! Mark exceeded our expectations! We learned so much and genuinely enjoyed his company. He is a rock star and will have our vote for Mayor should he decide to throw his hat in the ring!

02 November 2022

Fun, Intimate, and Insightful
erick2052016 33 contributions

Fun, Intimate, and Insightful

When we first booked our trip for this tour, we looked forward to an informative and insightful walking tour to learn about midtown Manhattan, perhaps sharing the experience with a handful of other visitors.We were, of course, delighted to discover that we were the only people on the tour that day. As a result, we got to enjoy two hours of quality and insightful 1:1 time with our guide, Jonathan, as he regaled us with knowledge about the architecture and history of midtown. Jonathan clearly had and has a passion for this region of Manhattan and that was particularly exemplified...

10 November 2022

Midtown's architecture
Aivlys K 1 contributions

Midtown's architecture

Mark gave us a brilliant inside in New York's architecture and history. It was such a pleasure. We can recommend this tour 100%.

11 March 2024

Very informative architecture tour
Travelhabits 13 contributions

Very informative architecture tour

Great tour focusing on the architecture of iconic buildings in mid-town manhattan. Very informative. Katherine, our tour guide, was excellent!

01 April 2024

Unforgettable Met Experience Thanks to Mark!
TLY123 7 contributions

Unforgettable Met Experience Thanks to Mark!

Mark Venaglia’s tour of the Met was nothing short of extraordinary. His expertise, passion, and ability to make art accessible and meaningful transformed my visit into an enriching and thought-provoking experience. I highly, highly, recommend booking a tour with Mark for anyone seeking a deeper connection with art and its impact on society.

10 June 2024

Great tour guide!
Stacia M 7 contributions

Great tour guide!

Jeff was a fantastic tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable and passionate which made the tour so much more interesting. We really enjoyed the tour.

12 October 2024

Great experience
EHM1977 70 contributions

Great experience

We really enjoyed the tour. Jeff was amazing! Very knowledgable and kind. We could get a perfect sense of the area with very detailed info

16 November 2024

Mark V is the man
Keith D 2 contributions

Mark V is the man

Amazing insight. Mark V really showed us things most people do not even know exist. His perspective and views on the city history were enlightening. We were a small group and he was flexible to shift as questions were asked. Highly recommended.

29 April 2025

Excellent Midtown Tour--Ask for Mark V!
Jennifer D 30 contributions

Excellent Midtown Tour--Ask for Mark V!

Great Midtown Manhattan tour with Mark V! Passionate and knowledgeable, he made the history about key landmarks engaging. A well-paced tour and fantastic experience.

29 April 2025

Tour de Force w/Charlie
Alisa B 12 contributions

Tour de Force w/Charlie

Charlie our marvelous tour guide highlighted all the most interesting sections of the Met from the beginning of time in Egypt to modern times with great storytelling and animation to capture the moments of history as it relates to art.

28 August 2025

Excellent tour with Jeff!
Julie S 3 contributions

Excellent tour with Jeff!

Jeff was terrific! We learned so much and any time we had a question, he knew the answer. I'd highly recommend Jeff and this tour!

25 June 2021

Great walk
Drew 6 contributions

Great walk

It was a great walking day around Midtown with a lot to see and a lot to learn. I would highly recommend for anyone wanting to know the history of New York and great photo opportunities.

01 August 2021

Great Tour & Guide
allisonned 2 contributions

Great Tour & Guide

Mark was a great tour guide, very animated and knowledgeable. We learned a lot and got to see a lot in a short period of time! Lots of fun for everyone in our group.

21 October 2021

Tour with Mark.
Suzanne H 1 contributions

Tour with Mark.

We took a tour with Mark. He was excellent…. very informative, enthusiastic and easy going. Would highly recommend him!

13 May 2022

Fantastic
Doug H 2 contributions

Fantastic

Our guide was the best part. He was absolutely amazing. So enthusiastic!!! So knowledgeable. We learned a lot and he drew attention to a lot of nuances that we’d otherwise have missed.

17 September 2022

History/Architecture  Tour
Danny T 5 contributions

History/Architecture Tour

Midtown Manhattan History & Architecture Walking Private Tour was very informative and entertaining at the same time. I enjoyed Katherine Hill’s local knowledge both historical and current. She was easy to listen to. Karen set an easy pace to walk. She watched out for our safety when crossing streets. She catered to what we wanted to see and talked about unique and interesting facts related to the tour. I highly recommend Karen. -Danny

05 October 2022

Great service by Mark even though we signed up for the wrong tour. He made it work for us.
Sally D 1 contributions

Great service by Mark even though we signed up for the wrong tour. He made it work for us.

Actually we made a mistake and thought we were getting a guided tour of the MOMA rather than Mid-town tour but our guide Mark adjusted our price and met us in front of the Moma with great advice as to what to look for. Mark was great

21 June 2023

Fantastic Tour!
Nicholas K 1 contributions

Fantastic Tour!

Charlie was an amazing tour guide 10/10 would recommend to a friend! So insightful, as someone who loves art history I learned so much!

19 August 2023

Very knowledgeable about architecture, art and history of buildings.
Patricia R 3 contributions

Very knowledgeable about architecture, art and history of buildings.

Hit most of the highlights on the itinerary. Did not see gilded mansions or if did we walked by quickly. Tour guide, Mark was very personable and knowledgeable.

15 March 2025

Great tour!
Cess 1 contributions

Great tour!

Kevin was an amazing tour guide! As a native New Yorker and artist, he had a deep knowledge of the area and shared fascinating historical facts, engaging stories, and insightful details about architecture and design. He was an excellent communicator: clear, professional, and a wonderful storyteller. My husband and I happened to be the only guests that day, so it turned into a private tour just for us. We’re so glad we got to spend the afternoon with him.Thank you, Kevin!

07 August 2025

FAQ's

Your guide will have your tickets. As long as you bring proof of ID, the guide's name and number, and arrive at the meeting point on time, the guide will assist you with entry.

Yes, you are welcome to stay in the museum until it closes.

No, as the museum is large, locating the guide inside is challenging. The guide will meet you at the designated meeting point and accompany the group inside. However, you are welcome to stay in the museum after the tour ends!

Please let us know immediately by email to babylontoursinfo@gmail.com or by texting or calling +1 917 999 0380 . Our refund policy does not cover transportation issues within 24 hours of the tour's start. In such cases, please contact your travel insurance provider. We can provide a document confirming you were unable to attend.

Please let us know immediately by email to babylontoursinfo@gmail.com or by texting or calling +1 917 999 0380. Our refund policy does not cover medical issues that arise within 24 hours of the tour's start. In such cases, please contact your travel insurance provider. We can provide a document confirming you were unable to attend.

Please inform your guide as soon as possible. As this is a semi-private tour, it must start on time. If your tour is ticketed, the guide will reply to your message with the tickets so you can enter the museum or monument on your own and try to join the guide inside if possible. Please note that once the tour begins, the guide will not be able to regularly check their phone.

No, Viator is a booking platform and Online Travel Agent. They sell our tours, but we are Babylon Tours, a Tour Operator currently offering tours in 12 major cities worldwide!

Yes! You can reschedule free of charge if you notify us at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. For rescheduling within 24 hours, a fee applies to cover guide payments, unused tickets, and company costs (no profit is made on this fee). If you booked through a booking platform like Viator or GetYourGuide, you must reschedule directly with them.

Yes! All tickets for the permanent collection are included and organized by Babylon Tours.

Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.

Your guide will reach out to you the morning of the tour by text and email. Please ensure you have provided your correct telephone number (including country code) and email beforehand. Please be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don't see the email in your inbox.

Your guide will be wearing a Babylon badge on a Babylon lanyard. They will also reach out to you on the morning of the tour to confirm the meeting point.

Yes, our tours run rain or shine. Please check the forecast and dress appropriately. Tours will only be canceled in the event of a dangerous weather alert from local authorities.