Lower Midtown, New York

The Chrysler Building is one of New York's most recognizable landmarks. Though never occupied by the Chrysler car company, the Art Deco building remains firmly associated with the auto giant. Its spire resembles a car radiator grill with a series of triangular windows. The gargoyles ornamenting the exterior are modeled after hood ornaments. Built in 1929, the Chrysler Building was briefly the world's tallest building and remains the epitome of Art Deco architecture.

The United Nations headquarters overlooks the East River and occupies 18 acres. Considered neutral--and not American--territory, the UN contains the Peace Bell, a gift from Japan, that hangs on a cypress pagoda, the Rose Garden, a Russian bronze statue and Reclining Figure, a 1982 bronze statue by Henry Moore. Delegates from the UN's 51 nations confer in the horseshoe-shaped Security Council and the larger General Assembly.

Although called Grand Central Station by many people, the correct name for this building as actually Grand Central Terminal. The building opened in 1913 as a Beaux Arts terminal for the subway and train stations. Outside, the 42nd Street colonnaded faces and the statuary on top are highlights. Inside, the Grand Staircase (of marble steps) and the Grand Central Oyster Bar are lovely touches. The unique ceiling shows a celestial scene and has been restored to its full glory. In addition to its main purpose, Grand Central Terminal has an extensive selection of retail shops and restaurants to service the many thousands of people passing through on a daily basis.

Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex is a 28-acre waterfront sports village located between 18th and 23rd Streets along Manhattan's Hudson River. Opened in 1995, Chelsea Piers has transformed four historic, long-neglected piers into a major center for public recreation and waterfront access. Situated on Piers 59, 60, 61 and 62 and in the headhouse that connects them, the Complex features the following sports and entertainment venues: The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers, The Sports Center Health Club at Chelsea Piers, The Spa at Chelsea Piers, Chelsea Piers BlueStreak, Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers, The Field House at Chelsea Piers, 300 New York Bowling at Chelsea Piers, PIER SIXTY at Chelsea Piers, THE LIGHTHOUSE at Chelsea Piers, Chelsea Piers Maritime Center, and The Studios at Chelsea Piers.

The USS Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum is an aircraft carrier that has been converted into a museum and is located on Pier 86. The museum opened in 1982 and the Intrepid was named a National Historic Landmark in 1986. The USS Intrepid is joined by the USS Edson, a destroyer, and the USS Growler, a submarine. The museum is home to a wide variety of military aircraft and all three vessels are open for touring. The Intrepid itself is on the National Register.In 2012 with the discontinuation of the Space Shuttle program by NASA, it was decided that the retired space shuttle Enterprise would be permanently located here and open for tours.

The Pierpont Morgan Library began as the private collection of banker J. Pierpont Morgan. His son opened the library to the public in 1924. Today, the Morgan Library & Museum houses rare manuscripts, books and prints with priceless volumes, including works by authors Mark Twain and Lewis Carroll. It also holds rare music manuscripts and children's books. The East Room is lined with books from floor to ceiling while murals adorn the walls, depicting historical figures along with their muses and zodiac signs.

The Chanin Building was initially the headquarters of New York's leading real estate developer and the first skyscraper (at 56 stories high) in the Grand Central area. Today, it remains a fine example of Art Deco design with its wide bronze band, terra-cotta base, and touches of bird- and fish-patterns on the exterior.

The Fred F. French Building is an ornate blend of Art Deco, ancient Egyptian and Greek styles. Built in 1927, it is an opulent building designed by H. Douglas Ives with Sloan & Robertson (who designed the Chanin Building). Exotic touches include a winged Assyrian beast riding on a bronze frieze over the entrance.

The Home Savings of America building of 1923 is considered the finest work by bank architects of the 1920s. York and Sawyer designed the building in the style of a Romanesque basilica. The interior includes high-beamed ceilings, arched entrances, marble mosaic floors and marble columns.

The MetLife Building (not to be confused with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company building in Gramercy) opened in 1963 as the Pan Am Building. The north and south sides of the building are wide and bowed. It drew criticism because its mass blocked the Park Avenue view. There is a helicopter landing pad on the roof.

Tudor City is an architecturally interesting area. It includes 12 buildings, containing 3,000 apartments, a post office, a hotel, shops and restaurants, plus two small private parks, all designed in the Tudor Gothic style. The area has been used in many Hollywood films over the years.

The Church of the Incarnation is an Episcopal house of worship dating back to 1864. It is noted for its Tiffany stained-glass window, and an oak communion rail by Daniel C. French.

The Helmsley Building offers a great view of New York, looking south down Park Avenue. On the ground, cars drive through the building. The building opened in 1929 and belongs to property magnate, Harry Helmsley.

The Japan Society was founded in 1907 to foster understanding and cultural exchange between Japan and the U.S. Today, the society offers a language center, a library, a museum, traditional Oriental gardens and an auditorium.

The Lincoln Tunnel is the world's only three-tube underwater vehicular tunnel facility. It provides a vital link between midtown Manhattan and central New Jersey, and forms part of New Jersey Route 495.

The News Building is home to the Daily News, a scandal paper founded in 1919 that continues to prosper today. The building includes the world's largest interior globe. At night, the Deco detail over the front entrance is lit by neon from within.

Sniffen Court is a genteel courtyard of ten brick Romanesque revival carriage houses built by John Sniffen in the 1850s. One house was used as a studio by sculptor Malvina Hoffman.