Holidays to New York

Everything they say about NYC...is true!

The stuff of dreams? New York holidays have featured on everyone's bucket list forever because, quite simply, holidays to New York make you the absolute envy of your peers. Besides, there's just so much to see and do - for the party animal, the culture vulture, the music aficionado, the foodie, the gallery savant and the tourist hotspot list ticker.

Where would you go if you were on a cheap holiday to New York? Here are a few of our favourite things to do.

First up; tick off the 'must sees'; catch a ferry from Downtown (the terminal is at Battery Park) to Staten Island. This is not only a brilliant way to see Manhattan from a distance, but you'll go past the Statue of Liberty. Cameras out, click, good, job done. While you're on Staten Island take a look around until the next ferry back. There's a rather quaint doll museum close by if you're interested and the little cafes and restaurants are cheaper than back in Manhattan.

Back on the island, just walk for the rest of the afternoon. Strolling Manhattan is like a tour past the sights and sounds of all your favourite movies. Cruise Fifth Avenue, window shop at Saks, go past all the theatres on Broadway and eventually you'll find yourself in Times Square. Don't dawdle unless it's New Year's Eve!

If you enjoy art and galleries in general, then the Metropolitan Museum of Art is your place to make a beeline too. Especially if you're having a cheap holiday to New York on Holiday Supermarket. (Flights to New York are very cheap at the moment.) The cost to get in to the Met is a donation and yet there are days of pleasure in this treasure trove of a place. The Egyptian exhibits stand out as does the building itself. Absolutely magical!

Hints and tips for your New York holiday

Eating

Eating out in New York - cheap, expensive and everything in between

New York has some of the world's best restaurants (De Niro's Nobu springs to mind), but there are plenty of other options. From cheap burger joints to the ubiquitous pastrami on rye, deli joints, it's all there.

The budget options - too easy! It's all waiting on the street. Have a New York bagel with whatever filling you fancy and a cup of coffee for under $5. Pizza is good value, and good quality here, and you can often buy it by the slice. The perfect lunch snack on the tourist run! Chinatown offers good budget options too.

Mid-price options - this is where New York gets really good. In the East Village, for example, is little India, and in a couple of city blocks you'll find about 25 Indian, Bangladesh or Pakistani restaurants. Find them on East 6th St between First and Second. For something more European head to Little Poland on First and Second between Seventh and 14th. In Midtown you'll find Koreatown.

Things not to miss

There's so much to see in New York that it might pay to choose a theme - culture, sights, or whatever you fancy. Walking is a wonderful way to soak up the atmosphere that is Manhattan, and if it's gets wet, there's a subway station very close by!

The Frick Museum - an excellent spot to pass a couple of hours and for sheer architectural splendour, the Guggenheim is hard to beat. Internally, this is a very special building. These two museums show how beneficial wealthy benefactors can be - the collections are nothing short of spectacular.

Harlem - walking around this borough is rather quirky, especially if you like your music. The original Apollo Theatre is here and you can do a backstage tour. Eat different styles of food in the sidewalk cafes and soak up the buzz of new found gentrification that's in the air

New York Public Library - right next to Bryant Park, is an exercise in seeing how an important cultural institution should be built and maintained. No, you aren't borring a book, but it's a great building with a lovely internal sense of grandeur. Buy a coffee mug here - it's the best form of tourist tat! (And what better way to advertise the fact that you can do holidays in New York.)

The Top of the Rock Observation Deck - on the 70th floor of the Rockefeller Centre is less crowded than the Empire State Building (and less expensive). It gives a great view and the ocean liner bow feel is pretty cool. Plenty of kodak moments so take the camera and get shots of Central Park and the Empire State. if you've visiting in winter, get your skates on downstairs and enjoy some time on the rink. It's a very New York thang to do and is just one of the things that make New York holidays stand out.

Wandering Central Park - is wonderful thing to do on a sunny day. If you're up for the cost, jumping in a horse and buggy will make you feel quite special. But there's plenty to see on foot. Strawberry Fields and the Zoo are the standouts.

Grand Central Station - is one of the finest railway terminals in the world. This huge terminal is an amazing place to just walk in to and explore for 30 minutes or so.

St Pat's - one of the best cathedrals in America, indeed the world, is St Patrick's on Madison Avenue. A gothic wonder, this place is inspiring to explore. And if you're lucky enough to be here on Christmas Eve, carols and Midnight Mass the night before Christmas is a very special event in the St Pat's calendar. Go online and book tickets if you can.

The Village - while you're in New York you have to see what all the fuss about Greenwich Village is all about. Certainly a hipster haven (although the mantle is passing to TriBeca and Soho), the Village is still bohemian enough to make you feel like you're in the 'real' New York. There's great shopping, excellent Italian restaurants, narrow streets and people spilling out on to the pavement from delis and cafes. There's nothing much else to it - just leafy streets, little parks and a great atmosphere. You'll also spot the Friends apartment building and Carrie Bradshaw's steps.

The must see - last but not least is the 9/11 memorial. The whole area is worth a visit and stop in at St Paul's Church while you're there. The Memorial Pool is a stark reminder of the events of 9/11 and it's easy to understand the emotions New Yorkers still feel about the day.

Weather in New York

What to wear, when to go

New York has an almost European climate. The winters can get cold with plenty of snow (although it never stops for long), and the summers can get warm and humid. Summer sees temperatures of high twenties from June through August and winter is wet and cold. temps average about 0-5C.

Spring and autumn are changeable with temps of around 5-15C depending on wind.

NEW YORK WEATHER

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