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With its cool glass storefront, clean lines and glowing interior, the Official NYC Information Center in Midtown could easily be mistaken for a modern art gallery housing the latest multimedia installation. In truth, it is New York City’s groundbreaking new destination for visitors and residents to find all they need to know about what to see and where to go in the City’s five boroughs. By offering a range of compelling, user-friendly interactive tools for locating information, the center eases the process for creating itineraries and navigating through the City.

Once inside, you'll find the Interactive Map Tables, where you can grab a "You Are Here" Interactive Disc and go to town. By moving the disc across the touch-screen tables, you can explore a large interactive map of the five boroughs. When categories of interest like "Museums & Galleries" or "Dining" are selected, flags pop up all over the map with relevant matches. Flags can then be touched to open up a box with a description, info and photos for each place. You can also browse special sections, like "Free Attractions" or Just Ask The Locals,™ which gives recommendations from famous New Yorkers. Save your favorite sites to the disc, and then take it over to the Disc Reader for the Video Wall, where you can use a custom itinerary flyover to virtually soar above an incredibly detailed three-dimensional Google Earth map of the City highlighting the spots you’ve picked out. Plus, you can send your itinerary to your cell phone or email address, or print it out by placing the disc on the Disc Reader for the Printer Station. You can also just hang around the Video Wall to see eye-popping NYC photos and video advice from local experts and celebrities.

Friendly, knowledgeable, multilingual Information Specialists are here to lend their NYC expertise, offering insider info about what to see and do. They can also help you with directions and even booking tickets or reservations once you’ve settled on a game plan. Free Official NYC Visitor Guides, brochures, maps and discount coupons are available along the Brochure Wall. The Touch-Screen Wall features FAQ screens with helpful resources and advice, like how to get around and how to tip for different services, in 10 languages. And before you embark on your itinerary, don’t forget to pick up a MetroCard at the vending machine if you’ll be traveling by subway or bus.

Visitors and New Yorkers alike will also want to check out New York City’s official website, nycgo.com, and create a profile using my nyc. Upload your picture, share what you love most about the City and create lists of your favorite places, events and activities.

Operating as a hub, the Official NYC Information Center dispatches its visitors everywhere they want to go and equips them with everything they need to get there. It’s the perfect place to start a day in NYC, whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’ve lived here all your life.