8 Ave, Midtown

West 56th is a great mix of old and new, fancy and not so fancy. It's not the most exciting street for singles, but it is cool for stuff to see in the early evening.
All of the CBS soap operas are taped on 56th and 11th. If you're into soap stars, this is the place to catch one. Two flagship stores are on West 56th: Abercrombie and Fitch and Patsys. Abercrombie isn't all that cool unless you're young -- but before it was famous for ripped jeans, it was famous for selling hunting equipment like rifles. The brand has survived for almost 150 years so that's pretty cool. Patsy's is my favorite pizza in New York. I know I'll be met with a lot of contention for that comment but it is. And, this is the hub -- although the Harlem outpost has an anniversary every year with depression prices which is pretty cool. It was Frank Sinatra's favorite restaurant too, so if you have a problem with my opinion you can take it up with him.
There are two very famous places on the same block between 7th and 6th. Carnegie Hall and the Russian Tea Room are right next door to each other on the north side of the street. Carnegie Hall is a very famous concert house built at the end of the 19th century. All of the greats including the Beatles have performed here. And, this place is so old and beautiful I can see why they would want to. Next door is The Russian Tea Room. This was a important person powerhouse and the place, despite closing and reopening several times recently, is still pretty cool. It is old and opulent and definitely a must-do in New York. Across the street is the house to The American Ballet Theatre, Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey are all there which I think is pretty cool.
The block between 5th and 6th has just about every single kind of food you could want -- although none of the restaurants are especially renowned. If you want something quick and easy, this is the block. The very end of 56th marks the big Harry Winston store. So, if you're in the mood to check out some serious jewelry after some serious cavier at the Tea Room, this is the place. The diamonds at this store are incredible. I love that this street has Harry Wintons and Patsys within two blocks of each other. It's one of the things that makes New York so unique.

Located in the heart of Midtown, West 57th Street has it all for culture vultures. Proximity to some of the most thrilling and thriving arts scenes in Manhattan - from the glitz and glamour of the major Broadway shows to the highbrow classical and ballet performances at Lincoln Centre to the top-notch music at nearby Carnegie Hall - makes this busy neighborhood far more flavorful than the offices and business-lunch places that dot much of Midtown Manhattan. While the lacklustre high-rises, punctuated on occassion by scenic Art Deco buildings, don't exactly add character, West 57th Street is also an easy walk from Central Park, where evocative horse-carriages wait patiently outside the park walls to (depending on your perspective) either provide visitors with a charming Gilded Age experience or fleece them dry. The food in this area is also a cut above the businessmen's joints further south; head to the Trattoria dell'Arte on 7th Avenue for some of the city's best antipasti, Greek Molyvos for something more upscale than your typical taverna, or visit takeaways Morton Williams or Whole Foods for a cheaper option. Easily accessible either from the Q train or the 1-2-3 subway line. There is an M57 heading crosstown.