Itinerarly
Itinerarly › City guides › New York › Midtown Classics
Midtown Classics: free self-guided audio tour of New York
Midtown Classics is a free self-guided audio walking tour of New York, United States: 5 stops in about 1 h 40. The Itinerarly app walks you from one stop to the next and plays a short narrated story when you arrive, in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.
| Stops | 5 |
|---|---|
| Duration | about 1 h 40, including time at each stop |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Distance | about 5.6 km in straight lines between the stops (a little more on foot) |
| Start | Grand Central Terminal |
| Finish | MoMA |
| Price | Free (some sights charge their own entry ticket) |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese |
Grand Central, Fifth and MoMA
The stops, in order
- Grand Central TerminalYou are entering Grand Central Terminal, which is far more than just a train station—it's one of the world's finest examples of Beaux-Arts architecture. With 44 platforms, it holds the record for the largest number of platforms in any station worldwide. Look up to admire the stunning celestial ceiling featuring gold-leaf constellations, which was curiously painted backwards.
- Bryant ParkWelcome to Bryant Park, a lush 4-hectare green oasis nestled among the skyscrapers of Midtown. This history-steeped site served as a potter's field in the 18th century before hosting the first American World's Fair in 1853. Today, it’s a favorite retreat for local professionals, famous for its iconic movable green chairs and open-air reading rooms.
- Fifth AvenueYou are walking down Fifth Avenue, a global symbol of luxury and one of the most prestigious thoroughfares on the planet. Stretching from the Empire State Building to Central Park, this avenue is lined with legendary institutions like Tiffany’s, Cartier, and Saks. Retail rents here are among the highest in the world, often exceeding 3,000 dollars per square foot.
- St. Patrick's CathedralThis is St. Patrick's Cathedral, a neo-Gothic masterpiece standing proudly amidst the towering skyscrapers of Fifth Avenue. Completed in 1878, it remains the largest Gothic-style Catholic cathedral in North America.
- MoMAWelcome to MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art—the world's leading epicenter for contemporary creativity. Founded in 1929, this museum houses an unparalleled collection that has fundamentally defined our understanding of modern art. As you wander through its sleek galleries, you will encounter absolute masterpieces such as Van Gogh’s 'The Starry Night,' Picasso’s 'Les Demoiselles d'Avignon,' and Andy Warhol’s iconic Campbell's Soup Cans.
How to take this tour
- Install the free Itinerarly app on iPhone or Android and create a free account.
- Open Guided tours, choose New York, then Midtown Classics.
- Start whenever you like: the app guides you to Grand Central Terminal and the story plays when you arrive at each stop.
Other audio tours of New York
Planning a whole day? See one day in New York.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Midtown Classics tour in New York free?
- Yes. It is one of 3 free self-guided audio tours of New York in the Itinerarly app. Some sights charge their own entry ticket.
- How long does the Midtown Classics tour take?
- About 1 h 40 for 5 stops, including time at each stop.
- Where does the Midtown Classics tour start and finish?
- It starts at Grand Central Terminal and finishes at MoMA.
- Which languages is the narration in?
- English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese, with natural-sounding synthetic voices.