New York City Apartments, 49th Street

Columbus Circle is just 9 street blocks up and is one of the entrances to Central Park. The area was named for Christopher Columbus, is a major landmark and point of attraction in the New York City. Completed in 1905 and renovated a century later, it is located at the intersection of Broadway, Central Park West, Central Park South (59th Street), and Eighth Avenue and is the point from which distances from New York City are measured. The traffic circle was designed by William P. Eno, a businessman who pioneered many early innovations in road safety and traffic control. The monument at the center, created by Italian sculptor Gaetano Russo, is the point at which distances to and from New York City are officially measured. Time Warner Center, the world headquarters of the Time Warner corporation, is located on the west side of Columbus Circle on the site of the old New York Coliseum. The complex also hosts the Shops at Columbus Circle, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the New York City studio headquarters of CNN and the Mandarin Oriental, New York hotel. On the north side of Columbus Circle is the Trump International Hotel and Tower, with its famous steel globe. Immediately prior, the edifice had been an office tower, the Gulf + Western Building, housing the New York City headquarters of Paramount Pictures. In the complex with the shops (right by Time Warner Building) one can also find a large book store' Barnes&Nobles. This store is special because all the celebrities come here to sign their books. So if you want to spot someone or listen to them when they read parts of their book and get an autograph, this is the place to be. The store is located on the second floor, so you can go and see the celebrities and the dates of book signings on their glass wall.

The area is also great for relaxing with a cup of coffee outdoors - New York's famous Bryant Park is just 6 blocks away. Bryant Park is one of the favourite areas of New Yorkers, it feels like oasis in the middle of skyscrapers. There is always something going on in Bryant Park: Jazz and Film festivals as well as New York Fashion shows are just a few of the events that take place there. It's a beautiful square park and even has its own reading room. Weather permitting, anyone can just come and take a book from one of the stands in the park and enjoy reading. There are tables and chairs there too, so you can also have a coffee or lunch. In summer many people just sit or lie on the grass in the park talking and spending time with friends.

You have practically everything on your block, you do not need to go more than a few minutes on foot to eat any cuisine, withdraw money, buy electronics, get cell phone pay-as-you-go SIM-cards, or even watch a show or a movie. You've got the famous and popular Starbucks coffee house on the corner of 43rd Street and 8th Avenue where any coffee lover will find something to suit his/her taste. If you want to grab breakfast you can visit Europan cafe on 8th Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets. Also a nice place for breakfast or lunch would be The Bread Factory on the corner of 43rd Street and 9th Avenues, it has everything from pizzas and sandwiches to fantastic desserts.

If you would like to buy groceries and cook for yourself, you can get basic groceries in the Deli on the corner of 45th Street and 9th Avenue. If you would like to visit a grocery store you can go to the Whole Foods organic store which is located at 300 Park Avenue at the same address as Grand Central Station.

If you're thinking where to eat around the apartment you can choose between numerous options on the Restaurant Row (46th Street) or you can go to the world famous Hard Rock cafe on the corner of 43rd Street and 7th Avenue (just 2 blocks away from the apartment) or choose from tons of smaller restaurants around the block with a more homelike atmosphere. There are several Italian restaurants: Don Giovanni on 44th and 9th or 44SW Italian restaurant which has been family owned for almost 40 years, one of the oldest in New York. If you are in the mood for jazz, you will definitely enjoy the Birdland jazz cafe and restaurant (on 44th Street between 8th and 9th) where you can enjoy great food and live jazz. If you?re more a bar type of person who also enjoys watching a game on a big screen, you might want to check out the Bullmoose Saloon on the same block (closer to 9th Avenue). There is also Daltons Sports Bar situated on the 9th Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets and Smith?s Bar on the corner of 44th and 8th. If you're in the mood for a movie and something sweet, visit 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, drop by AMC movie theatre and get an ice cream at a Cold Stone, the staff will help you choose everything for your ice cream and then mix it right in front of you!!!

On 9th Avenue (between 43rd and 44th) there is an office of T-Mobile where you can purchase a pay-as-you-go subscription if you wish to use a local mobile connection while in the US. There are also two Duane Reade pharmacies nearby - on the corner of 42nd and 8th as well on 9th Avenue close to 44th Street, the pharmacies are open 24-hours. And pharmacies in the US sell everything from food to umbrellas, so if you're not sure where to find what you need, go to the pharmacy, and you'll find it!