Within walking distance from Midtown’s busy heart, the Murray Hill neighborhood is a quite different and very pleasant location. This area has a mix of elegant townhouses and modern apartment buildings, beloved by recent college graduates and young professionals. Visit Murray Hill and stroll its elegant streets to discover the charms and surprises of this walkable district.
Murray Hill begins at 42nd Street, where the large beaux arts façade of Grand Central Station towers on the northern side. Head inside the station to admire its ornate interiors, including magnificent painted ceiling and marble floors and ticket counters. Pause for a meal at one of the upscale restaurants and bars within the terminal.
Make your way down Park Avenue to the Scandinavia House, a charming center for Nordic design and culture. Explore the Scandinavian art gallery, recharge in the café and peruse textiles and objects at the center’s shop. Check the event schedule to attend a film screening, concert or lecture.
One of Murray Hill’s most prestigious cultural attractions is the Morgan Library and Museum. Stop in to see a wide-ranging collection of rare books, prints and artifacts. Among the holdings are historic copies of the Declaration of Independence, a handwritten Mozart score and numerous Renaissance paintings. Originally the personal library of the money manager Pierpont Morgan, the collection and building have both expanded over the years.
Walk past consulate buildings to charming St. Vartan Park, where locals love to relax and play. Enjoy the playgrounds, sport facilities and family-friendly comfort station here. Admire the elegant façade of the nearby St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, which gave the park its name in 1978.
Murray Hill is just east of Midtown Manhattan. Travel here by subway to 33rd Street, Herald Square or Grand Central and walk to the neighborhood. Finish your tour with a stop at one of the area’s many popular restaurants and bars.