Charming is never the adjective that springs to mind when people think of New York City. Yet, once I stopped rushing to simply get from point A to point B, and took to walking leisurely through the streets, I discovered something beyond the soaring skyscrapers: that the city has another side, one that’s picturesque, a bit quieter, and, yes, seriously charming. This is the New York I have always been drawn to, and the inspiration for my book.
Murray Hill, an often overlooked Midtown jewel, was once considered one of the city’s poshest addresses. In the 19th century, residents included the Vanderbilts, Astors, and Rockefellers. The outstanding Morgan Library & Museum on 37th Street and Madison Avenue is perhaps the neighborhood’s most famous landmark, but if you walk just a few blocks east, you’ll discover Gilded Age townhouses designed by architects McKim, Mead & White, delightful row houses, and Sniffen Court, a hidden, pretty-as-a-picture mews on 36th Street. Only a few blocks north and west, are two of my favorite spots in Manhattan: Bryant Park and the New York Public Library.
Following a thorough renovation, Bryant Park reopened in 1994 to critical acclaim. I find myself visiting the park often. With its sweeping green lawn, bistro tables and chairs, and decidedly Parisian vibe — like a mini Luxembourg Gardens in the middle of Manhattan — it’s the perfect place to relax after a stroll through Murray Hill or elsewhere in the city.
— Susan Kaufman is the author of “Walk With Me: New York” and “Walk With Me: Hamptons”
