Fifth Avenue is much more than lifestyles of the rich and famous. It is an architectural treasure trove opposite Central Park, where you will find some the most fashionable apartment buildings, museums, and edifices rich with ornamental designs. This route can easily be reversed, is handicapped accessible, and can even be done by bus. Along the way, we'll mention a few places you can break for lunch. New York's wealthy lived below 59th Street before the turn of the 20th century, and although some notable residences were built along Fifth Avenue in the latter half of the 19th century, the majority were constructed after 1890. Some 25 years later, enormous private residences could be found all the way up to 96th Street. Of course, with the New York Central Railroad now traversing Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue with its stellar views of Central Park had additional cachet. The side streets boomed with construction as well. Large residences required servants, and conversely, large families with servants required large residences. Size-wise, many of New York's biggest apartments can still be found along Fifth and Park Avenues. With tastes and style changing frequently throughout that period of American history, you'll find some great examples of Italian Renaissance revival and Beaux-Arts (among other styles) along the way. A little advice before we head north: staying on the Central Park (i.e. west) side of Fifth Avenue will make it easier to examine the buildings from top to bottom, and you will also encounter significantly less traffic and other obstacles (bicycles, absent-minded pedestrians, etc.) while proceeding north. We begin at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, also known as Central Park South along the park's southern periphery. From this vantage point, take in the scenery in all directions, noting both the FAO Schwarz toy store (the kids will insist on visiting) and the famous Plaza Hotel, which in 2008 received an extraordinarily glamorous makeover. Also have a look at the General Sherman monument here in Grand Army Plaza, which is an interesting use of urban space. Hotels in the area are not limited to the Plaza; you'll see the luxurious Sherry-Netherland just across Fifth Avenue. And heading up to 61st Street, note the elegant Pierre, both of which are among the city's finest. Private clubs, of course, play an important role in a big city's life, and surely the Metropolitan Club at the corner of 60th Street and the Knickerbocker Club at 62nd Street are among the most elite institutions, thus meriting the opulent and elegant design. At this point, you can choose to take a stroll down 62nd Street to Park Avenue, and then proceed back to Fifth Avenue via 63rd or 64th Streets; all three blocks have exquisite townhouses, at least a dozen of which are home to the rich and famous (but we aren't naming names). At this point, you might choose to visit the Central Park Zoo if you have the kids with you; although small, it is worth a detour, even if only as a quick rest stop (gift shop, bathrooms, café). Open year round, animals have had a presence at this site since the 1860s. Proceeding north from 64th Street, a number of buildings on Fifth Avenue stand out: Number 828, the Edward and Herminie Berwind House; number 840, Temple Emanu-El, an impressive structure worth a visit when open. East 66th Street has some interesting buildings as well; perhaps stroll to Madison Avenue and then proceed back to Fifth Avenue via 67th Street. Heading up to East 70th Street, do pause to admire the Henry Frick house, now the Frick Collection. One of America's most famous industrialists, Frick amassed an extraordinary collection of art, which we consider of New York's hidden treasures. Going further north, East 72nd Street, like many of the larger crosstown blocks (e.g. 59th Street, 96th Street) has some particularly noteworthy buildings, as a quick detour to Madison Avenue and then back via 73rd Street will reveal. In particular, 7 and 9 East 72 Street are among the truly finest Beaux-Arts townhouses in New York City. And 11 East 73rd Street, the Joseph and Kate Pulitzer House, is one of the most intriguing examples of the architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, responsible for so many of New York's classic buildings constructed around the turn of the 20th century. East 75th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues has some fascinating residences, and you might choose to stop on Madison Avenue at the Whitney Museum to see the permanent collection and special exhibits, or perhaps visit just for lunch.