Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
8
Bryant Park
PARK
European coffee kiosks, alfresco chess games, summer film screenings and winter ice-
skating: it's hard to believe that this leafy oasis was dubbed 'Needle Park' in the '80s.
Nestled behind the show-stopping New York Public Library building, it's a handy spot for
a little time-out from the Midtown madness. Opening hours are seasonal - check the web-
site for details.
(
www.bryantpark.org
;
42nd St btwn Fifth & Sixth Aves;
7am-midnight Mon-Fri, to 11pm Sat
& Sun Jun-Sep, shorter hrs rest of yr;
B/D/F/M to 42nd St-Bryant Park, 7 to Fifth Ave)
9
United Nations
Welcome to the headquarters of the UN, a worldwide organization overseeing internation-
al law, international security and human rights. While the recently spruced-up, Le Cor-
busier-designed Secretariat building is off-limits, one-hour guided tours do cover the Se-
curity Council Chamber, the Trusteeship Council Chamber, the Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC) Chamber, as well as exhibitions about the UN's work and artworks
given by member states. Weekday tours must be booked online (book at least two days
ahead).
(
NOTABLE BUILDING
212-963-4475;
http://visit.un.org/wcm/content
; visitors' gate First Ave at 47th St, Midtown East; guided
tour adult/child $20/11, children under 5yr not admitted, grounds access Sat & Sun free;
tours 9:15am-4:15pm
Mon-Fri, visitor center also open 10am-5pm Sat & Sun;
S, 4/5/6, 7 to Grand Central-42nd St)
Local Life
Diamond District
Like Diagon Alley in Harry Potter, the
Diamond District
(E3;
www.diamonddistrict.org
;
47th St btwn Fifth &
Sixth Aves; B/D/F/M to 47th-50th Sts-Rockefeller Center) is a world unto itself. A frenetic whirl of Hasidic
Jewish traders, pesky hawkers and love-struck couples looking for the perfect rock, its 2600-plus businesses
peddle all manner of diamonds, gold, pearls, gemstones and watches. In fact, the strip handles approximately
90% of the cut diamonds sold in the country. Marilyn, eat your heart out!
