Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Perhaps because of the stateliness of its buildings and the park-space in the middle,
Madis-
on Square
possesses a grandiosity that Union Square has long since lost. Next to the Art
Deco Metropolitan Life Company's building and clock tower on the eastern side, the
Corinthian-columned marble facade of the Appellate Division of the
New York State Su-
preme Court
is resolutely righteous with its statues of Justice, Wisdom and Peace, though
the chamber where arguments are heard (Tues-Thurs 2pm) is well-nigh Rococo in its detail.
The grand structure behind that, the 1928
New York Life Building
, was the work of Cass
Gilbert, creator of the
Woolworth Building
.
There are plenty of places to sit and relax in and around the park, including a pedestrian-
ized triangle on its western side. In the southeast corner is the original outpost of Danny
Meyer's popular
Shake Shack
, and at the northwest corner of 23rd and Broadway, the
celebrity-chef-owned
Eataly
.
MUSEUM OF MATHEMATICS
11 E 26th St between Fifth and Madison aves. Subway N, R, #6 to 23rd St or 28th St.
212 542 0566,
www.momath.org
.
Daily 10am-5pm. $15, kids 12 and under $9.
MAP
Somewhere between a high-minded institution and an interactive romper room, the
Mu-
seum of Mathematics
debuted in late 2012 with the goal of making maths fun and access-
ible to kids - and adults. Featuring roughly thirty exhibits on two floors, the gallery puts a
focus on experience and engagement over understanding, with the idea that the latter will
naturally follow; highlights include the square-wheeled tricycle and the Human Tree exhibit.
69TH REGIMENT ARMORY
68 Lexington Ave between 25th and 26th sts. Subway #6 to 23rd or 28th sts.
www.sixtyninth.net
.
MAP
The lumbering but landmarked
69th Regiment Armory
building, with its mansard roof and
arched drill shed, was the site of the famous Armory Show of 1913, which brought modern
art to New York; it was also, briefly, a very early home to the Knicks' basketball team.
These days it retains its original function as the headquarters of the National Guard's “Fight-
ing Sixth-Ninth”, though its drill hall is still used for events and exhibitions.
THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
Fifth Ave and 34th St. Subway B, D, F, M, N, Q, R to 34th St. 212 736 3100,
www.esbnyc.com
. Daily
8am-2am, last trip 1.15am. $27, $21 for ages 6 to 12, additional $17 for ticket to 102nd-floor Observat-
ory.
MAP
The 1931
Empire State Building
, easily the city's most evocative symbol, was New York's
tallest skyscraper for years until being topped by the original World Trade Center; after 9/11
it was the tallest once more, before being overtaken again by the new One World Trade
Center in 2012. It stands at 102 floors and 1454ft - toe to TV mast - but its height is decept-
ive, rising in stately tiers with steady panache. Standing on Fifth Avenue below, it's easy to
walk by without seeing it. From elsewhere, it can seem ubiquitous, especially at night, when
it's lit in various colours.
