Why go?

The Valhalla of the shopping world: On Fifth Avenue, titans like Gucci, Tiffany’s, and Saks stand alongside mere mortals (Gap, J.Crew). Art dealers bid high and buy big at Christie's, while laymen can get a glimpse of the goods at MoMA. Rockefeller Center has plenty more stores to peruse, and also provides some nice diversions (ice-skating, the Top of the Rock, the tree at Christmas)—but be prepared for long lines and huge crowds, especially when there are events at nearby Radio City or Saint Patrick's Cathedral.

Tips

The Top of the Rock Observatory is well worth the admission fee; not only do you get an unparalleled view of Central Park, you can see important architectural landmarks, including the Empire State and Chrysler buildings.

There is a Rockefeller Center Tour that departs every hour from the NBC Experience Store inside the GE building. Reservations are recommended (212) 664-7174.

Tickets for midnight mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral are usually booked months in advance. A line will form early on Christmas Eve for standing-room-only visitors.

How to get there:

B, D, F, V at 47th-50th Sts./Rockefeller Center

Boundaries

From 47th St. north to 57th St.

Fifth Ave. west to Seventh Ave.

Useful links

• Rockefeller Center Website
• NYC Tourist.com
• Top of the Rock
• A View on Cities
• About.com: Fifth Ave. Shopping Tour
• Midtown Lunch
• Wikipedia Entry: Midtown