New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [59]
Helmsley Building.
“With its outline and decoration, it was able to indicate clearly its relationship to the height of a man,” wrote Nathan Silver in his 1967 book Lost in New York, “and so was like an enormous measuring-rod, and from miles off along Park Avenue the dimensions of half a city could be perceived.” This Warren & Wetmore–designed 1929 landmark was intended to match neighboring Grand Central Station in bearing, and it succeeded, with a gold-and-copper-roof topped with an enormous lantern (originally housing a 6,000-watt light) and distinctive dual archways for traffic on Park Avenue.
But its history turns quirky: When the millionaire real estate investor Harry Helmsley purchased the building in 1977, he changed its name from the New York Central Building to the New York General Building in order to save money by replacing only two letters in the facade. Only later did he rename it after himself. During a renovation the following year, however, he went so far as to gild the building, applying gold paint even to limestone and bronze (it was later removed by a succeeding owner).
However, in September 2010, after a $100 million renovation, the Helmsley Building became the first prewar office tower to receive LEED Gold certification for energy efficiency. Despite being blocked from view from the south by the MetLife Building (originally, the Pan Am Building), the Helmsley Building remains a defining—and now “green,” as opposed to gold—feature of one of the world’s most lavish avenues. | 230 Park Ave.,between 45th and 46th Sts., Midtown East | 10017 | Subway: 4, 5, 6, 7, S to 42nd St./Grand Central.
Madame Tussaud’s New York.
Sit in the Oval Office with President Obama, sing along with an American Idol, party in the V.I.P. room with the Jonas Brothers and Paris Hilton, or forecast tomorrow’s weather with Al Roker. Much of the fun here comes from the photo opportunities—you’re encouraged to pose with and touch the nearly 200 realistic replicas of the famous and infamous (disposable cameras are for sale).
But there’s more to do here than just pal around with the waxworks. Interactive options include a karaoke café, a celebrity walk down the red carpet, and a haunted town, the latter populated with both wax figures and real people. | 234 W. 42nd St., between 7th and 8th Aves., Midtown West | 10036 | 212/512–9600 | www.madame-tussauds.com | 35.50 | Sun.–Thurs. 10–8, weekends 10–10 | Subway: 1, 2, 3, 7, A, C, E, N, Q, R, S to 42nd St.
New York Public Library (NYPL) Humanities and Social Sciences Library.
The “Library with the Lions” in 2011 celebrated its centennial as a masterpiece of Beaux-Arts design and one of the great research institutions in the world, with more than 6 million books, 12 million manuscripts, and 3 million pictures.
But you don’t have to crack a book to make it worth visiting: an hour or so at this National Historic Landmark is a peaceful (and free!) alternative to Midtown’s bustle, along with some pretty incredible architecture, especially when combined with a stroll through adjacent Bryant Park. Buy a drink at a park kiosk, and then head to the library’s grand 5th Avenue entrance to people-watch from the block-long marble staircase and check out the opulent interior.
The library’s bronze front doors open into Astor Hall, which leads to several special exhibit galleries and, to the left, a stunning periodicals room with wall paintings of New York publishing houses. Walk up the sweeping double staircase to a second-floor balconied corridor overlooking the hall, with panels highlighting the library’s development.
Make sure to continue up to the magisterial Rose Main Reading Room—297 feet long (almost two full north–south city blocks), 78 feet wide, and just over 51 feet high; walk through to best appreciate the rows of oak tables and the extraordinary ceiling of this space.
Several additional third-floor galleries show rotating exhibits on print and photography (past exhibits have included old New York restaurant menus and a 1455 Gutenberg Bible). Free