Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bank of America Tower
The crystal-shaped
Bank of America Tower
(D4; Sixth Ave btwn 42nd & 43rd Sts; B/D/F/M to 42nd St-
Bryant Park) is lauded for its enviable green credentials. The stats are impressive: a clean-burning, on-site cogen-
eration plant provides around 65% of the tower's annual electricity requirements; CO2-detecting air filters chan-
nel filtered air where needed; and the destination-dispatch elevators are designed to avoid empty car trips.
Designed by Cook & Fox Architects, the 58-floor role model was awarded 'Best Tall Building in America' by the
Council on Tall Buildings & Urban Habitat awards in 2010.
5
New York Public Library
CULTURAL BUILDING
Loyally guarded by 'Patience' and 'Fortitude' (the famous marble lions overlooking Fifth
Ave), this beaux arts show-off is one of NYC's best free attractions. When dedicated in
1911, New York's flagship library ranked as the largest marble structure ever built in the
US. To this day, its Rose Main Reading Room will steal your breath with its lavish,
coffered ceiling.
(Stephen A Schwarzman Building;
917-275-6975;
www.nypl.org
; Fifth Ave at 42nd St; ad-
mission free;
10am-6pm Mon & Thu-Sat, to 8pm Tue & Wed, 1-5pm Sun, guided tours 11am & 2pm Mon-Sat, 2pm
Sun;
B/D/F/M to 42nd St-Bryant Park, 7 to 5th Ave)
6
Morgan Library & Museum
Part of the 45-room mansion once owned by steel magnate JP Morgan, this sumptuous
museum features a phenomenal array of manuscripts, tapestries, drawings, paintings, and
books (with no fewer than three Gutenberg Bibles). Its lavish rooms include the ex-
traordinary East Room library, with breathtaking ceiling murals by celebrated muralist
Henry Siddons Mowbray.
(
www.morganlibrary.org
; 29 E 36th St, at Madison Ave, Midtown East; adult/child
MUSEUM
$18/12;
10:30am-5pm Tue-Thu, to 9pm Fri, 10am-6pm Sat, 11am-6pm Sun;
6 to 33rd St)
Understand
