NYC - the city that never sleeps!
Ask anyone where they most want to go in the world and New York is up there. It's a vibrant, daunting, busy, full on city that takes you by the hand and doesn't let go. Depending on where you stay, you can get around easily on foot or on the subway (it's perfectly safe).
So you want to take a break in New York? The highlights could fill two pages, but here goes. Shop 5th Avenue stop in at Saks, head down to Barneys and across to Bloomingdales. Pick up gifts for the kids , nieces and nephews at FAO Schwartz. It truly is one of the great city breaks!
Catch a ferry to Staten Island, go to the Statue of Liberty. Explore Battery Park and head up to Wall Street to see what it really looks like (...kind of... nothing), head to Bryant park and take in the amazing NYC library. Visit the Guggenheim for a look at how big city art galleries should look. Cruise Christopher St and take in a pizza on Bleecker.
While you're on your museum kick, check out the Met on the edge of Central Park and then jump in a horse and buggy back downtown through the park.
So much to see and do!
Still got time up your sleeve? Catch a game or a gig at Madison Square Garden. Ice skate at Rockefeller Plaza. Go to a Broadway show. Venture uptown to Harlem. Go to Queens for pizza, stop on the side of the road for a hotdog. (You may regret that!) And finally, go clubbing.
Eating out in New York- cheap, expensive and everything in between
New York can be a bit of a lottery. The food is sometimes appallingly average, even in rather expensive places. The more chic neighbourhoods are good and if you find a local trattoria you like stick with it. The ubiquitous pastrami on rye from a deli will keep you going all day.
The budget options - try Eisenberg's deli for a pastrami on rye - it's top quality at a good price. The budget experience is not complete without a visit to an American Diner. Check out Tick Tock on 8th Avenue, between 34th and 35th Streets. The coffee doesn't end and the food is hearty and wholesome.
Mid-price options - New Yorkers love their pizza and some of the best is found at Bleecker St Pizza in the Village. They do a typical Tuscan thin and crispy base with your choice of cholesterol on top. Greenwich Village, Tribeca and Soho are where you'll find good quality, mid-priced restaurants. New York means steak restaurants right? So, a good one is Sparks at 210 East 46th Street, great and affordable plus an excellent wine list. Go the prime sirloin and the Roquefort dressing.
Splurge - it's easy to push the boat out in New York. If you're in the midtown area, the Grammercy Tavern at 42 East 20th Street is our pick. Smart, stylish, and just voted 'Most Popular' in the Zagat Guide. It's a modern dining experience without the attitude and the food is terrific.
What to wear, when to go
New York is cold in winter and hot and humid in summer. Spring is a beautiful time of year to visit and autumn is good but can get wet. That said, New York is great any time of year. Go ice skating in winter, tour Central Park in spring. Winter can get below freezing and it snows often. The humidity of a full on July may get to you. But just dress accordingly and enjoy!
New York doesn't try, New York is
Whatever you want, New York has it, with the possible exception of medieval history. But hey, who needs it. New York has music - chances are someone you want to catch is playing that night. New York has theatre - the world's best actors in the world's best shows. Art? Name a master and you'll find a museum displaying some of their finest works.
The Empire State Building - an oldy but a goody. The Empire State has been hosting tourists on the observation deck since it opened and the view has just got better with time. Pretend you're in a movie and just soak up the view.
Central Park - go for a walk and see where you end up. If it's at the zoo, go on in. The exhibits are fun and there's something special about this place.
Rockefeller Centre - there's plenty here with ice skating out front in winter and the Top of the Rock observation deck on top. The view rivals the Empire State with less crowds so take your pick.
Metropolitan Museum of Art - one of the world's great museums and art galleries, the Met is justifiably famous. This beautiful, massive, extraordinary building houses an almost encyclopaedic collection from all art styles and periods. The Impressionists stand out, but there's sculpture, installation art, Egyptian displays and more. Allow at least a day, and don't worry, the cafe is quite good.
Tenement Museum - this is a very different choice but it's not something you'll see in any other city. The Tenement Museum shows life in a typical NYC tenement at the turn of the century as immigrants flooded New York and made it the city it is today. The apartments people lived in are preserved as they were and the sights are poignant and moving.
The must see - is the view from the Staten Island ferry. You can look back on Manhattan as you venture out towards the Statue of Liberty. Spend some time on the island and then head back to Manhattan. It's a great way to just chill out a little in the buzz that is New York.