By Cleo Vivas-Rojas
Drawn to 6½ Avenue by Instagram
I have seeing a lot of posts on Instagram about 6½ Avenue—yes, that’s its real name—and since the weather was tolerable, I invited a friend to explore it with me.
She had also seen plenty of posts about it, so we decided to see what all the buzz was about.
We took a crowded train, walked less than half a block, and voilà—there we were in front of 55th Street and 6½ Avenue.
We’ve both lived in New York for many years, yet somehow had never been to this “new” place. Curiosity got the better of us.
Walking the Length of 6½ Avenue
6½ Avenue, a pedestrian walkway created in 2012 to connect a series of mid-block passageways between 51st and 57th Streets, officially starts at 57th Street. We began at the top and planned to walk the entire stretch down to 51st. Our first stop was an empty corridor lined with theater posters leading toward 56th Street, but the passage between 56th and 57th was closed, forcing us to loop back through the “poster” corridor and continue south. Along the way, we came across a nice steakhouse on 54th Street, a small wall waterfall tucked at the end of the passage on 53rd, and a closed café with a couple of statues on 52nd. By the time we reached 51st Street, we realized that was it—just a series of quiet passageways. Not terrible, but certainly not the exciting discovery Instagram had promised. Too much ado for so little.
Rediscovering Midtown Favorites
Since we were already in Midtown and I wanted to explore a couple of other places, we kept walking east. My friend mentioned she hadn’t been to Rockefeller Center in a long time, so we headed there.
I never tire of the art, the flags, and the Paul Manship statue of Prometheus (1934) and the Atlas statue by Lee Lawrie and Rene Paul Chambellan (1937). I also love exploring the nearby shops—especially the LEGO store and FAO Schwarz.
I have fond memories of when FAO Schwarz was on the corner of 59th and 5th Avenue with five floors of toys. For me, it was paradise. I would spend hours in the Barbie section, admiring every doll on display, which of course I want them all!!!
Filled with nostalgia, we tried to enter the new FAO Schwarz, but it was so packed we couldn’t go far.
People-Watching and a Quiet Moment
We took a break by sitting on 5th Avenue, watching the endless sea of tourists, influencers talking to their cameras, and people taking photos in every direction.
Since St. Patrick’s Cathedral was right there, we decided to step inside for a little quiet time. While the side aisles were busy, the pews were calm—a perfect place to rest and reset.
Lunch Away from the Tourist Zone
Once our energy returned, so did our hunger. We walked toward 3rd Avenue, where prices are usually more reasonable than in the heart of Midtown.
It was too hot for a full meal, so we settled for a regular sandwich at Subway. Even so, a half-foot combo with chips and soda was over $11—yes, New York, New York.
Greenacre Park: An Instagram Win
Before heading home, we decided to check out another place I’d found on Instagram—Greenacre Park—half expecting another letdown.
Not this time. The park was a tiny oasis in the middle of city chaos, complete with a waterfall, shady seating, and a sense of peace.
Signs clearly stated that photography is forbidden, and although I was disappointed, I respected the rule. In fact, I believe this policy helps preserve the tranquility and prevents it from becoming overrun by crowds. Please remember is a private park for public use and the rules can change at anytime. Be respectful.
Final Thoughts
Our afternoon in Midtown had its share of disappointments—6½ Avenue didn’t live up to the hype, FAO Schwarz was far too crowded to explore, and even a simple lunch turned out to be surprisingly pricey. Yet, despite these letdowns, the day was filled with moments that reminded us why New York is endlessly captivating. We reminisced about the NYC of years past, admired the timeless beauty of Rockefeller Center, found a pocket of peace inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and stumbled upon the serene oasis of Greenacre Park. That’s the magic of this city: even when your main destination falls short, there’s always something unexpected waiting just a few blocks away to make the day worthwhile.
Follow my NYC adventures on Instagram and Facebook
Leave a comment — What is your favorite place in Rockefeller Center?
Travel. Visit. Explore. — Everyday magic is just around the corner — let’s go find it.
MidtownManhattan #NYCAdventures #HiddenNYC #ExploringNYC #InstagramVsReality #RockefellerCenter #StPatricksCathedral #FAOSchwarz #GreenacrePark #NYCTravelBlog
All images © Cleo Vivas