West 48 St, Midtown

West 48th starts off in midtown right at Rockefeller Center. It's the big center that's famous for the massive Christmas Tree in December so it's a huge tourist draw. Rockefeller Center is a weird mix of shops, tourist traps, Radio City and places like 30 rock where shows like Saturday Night Live are taped. It's an interesting little area. This particular part of Rockefeller houses Christie's, the famous auction house, Random House (in the building that used to publish Ernest Hemingway, Eugene O'Neill and Faulkner), and a cute little Irish Pub. I like Rockefeller Center despite all of the crowds and gawkers. I dated someone who worked in the Center so I got to know it pretty well. It has quite an energy for a chunk of city that has little energy. It's hard to believe that this land used to be a medicinal herbs garden that was tended by the doctor who treated Alexander Hamilton after his duel. But, it was all greens until not that long ago. Now, it's a concrete jungle with just one massive tree.
Across 6th Avenue you run into the Fox News Headquarters (my dad's virtual heaven) and the McGraw Hill building. It's a very conservative strip of land to say the least. Next door to Fox is the Cort Theatre that has some lovely, liberal shows much, I'm sure, to Fox's chagrin. The Diary of Anne Frank premiered here. It's a really cute space. The rest of the block leading up to the Times Square area is delis. Seriously, there are like four delis on this block and since they all stay in business, I'm guessing, they're all necessary. It's a pretty packed part of town so I guess I understand.
I would not want to live by Rockefeller because of the mass amounts of people and noise. But, it's definitely fun for a people watching, window shopping kind of afternoon (on a weekday). But, you had better get your kicks before dinner . . because there's nothing to eat or drink around here.

After stuffing your self in Hell’s Kitchen, this street is great place to walk off your food belly or to find some dessert. You’ll find Hell’s Kitchen Park, which was must contested for in the other fully concrete neighborhood. This half-acre park is wonderful place to relax and to take a date. You’re also not a far walk to catch of view of the Hudson at night, which could be a nice close to a wonderful evening. All in all, this street isn’t as exciting as other areas of Hell’s Kitchen, but is a nice ending to a great day in this dynamic part of the city.