New York City Tips

This time next week we’ll be here! I am so excited. These are all the tips I have collected so far. So many fabulous things to do!!!! Thought you might be interested too. Photos are courtesy of Andrew Mace.

Kate on Clinton said… Two things come to mind quickly: for a beautiful hour with interesting views of Manhattan, Hudson river and New Jersey, the High Line, also see the newly renovated American Wing at Metropolitan Museum of Art. One more, especially for May. If you’re feeling adventurous, the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens has an amazing Cherry Blossom festival. This is VERY popular – people get dressed up in all sorts of costumes, there are performers, etc. Timing is key – for the blossoms and entrance lines. I’ll share some insider tips if you’re interested. Of course the blossoms will be there before and after the festival too.

Karen said… ……You will be staying in a very Happening place! Ruby Foo’s – awesome! and right near your place.. and Il Cortile (awesome Italian restaurant in little Italy), which is right near Canal street vendors… the deals!..but you’ll need a cab to get there from Times Square..just a few minutes ride. Madam Tussaud’s ( museum walking distance from your hotel…really fun! And you’re where all the shows are! You’ll be able to buy tickets to almost anything! Let me know if you run into the Naked Cowboy, be sure to take pictures, he’s a NYC icon. Go to the top of the Rock! The view is awesome…and Take a carriage ride around Central Park and be sure to visit the Central Park Zoo. There are usually lots of artists displaying their work right at the carriage ride entrance to the park.

Sara said… Central Park for sure! It was awesome to see all the people in such a beautiful space in the middle of a huge city!!!

style-for-style said… I love the Guggenheim, and China Town

mfinn said… ..Definitely buy a pass for the “hop on, hop off” tour.. it’s really the best way to see the whole city, especially for a first-timer. http://www.newyorksightseeing.com/ The tour covers all of Manhattan and has options for Queens, Brooklyn, etc… and take it in the night as well.. it’s a totally different experience!

I saw the Broadway show “Mary Poppins” this past October, and it was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. I definitely recommend taking one of these in!

LemonyRenee’ said… …We were last in Manhattan a little over a year ago for the Thanksgiving Day Parade. One of the highlights of our stay was dinner at Lidia Bastianovich’s (sp?) restaurant, Becco. Wonderful. And a walkable distance from Times Square. Whatever you do, enjoy!

Moose said… …Mom did the NYC Marathon last year and her & dad left me with the house sitter, so, I say don’t go!!! Mom says have a blast and go get a yummy cupcake in Greenwich Village (get a dozen, since their will be 3 of you) and take that box up to the Top of The Rock and eat eat eat!! The view is out of this world and you may get in trouble for eating up there, but a good memory!!!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said… May is an excellent time to visit …not too hot and muggy as yet and not as crowded as summer. The “hop On and Off” bus rides are good ..they give you an overview and you can get an idea of places you’d like to visit.

If you want to go to the top of the Empire State Building it might be wise to buy tickets ahead of time as the wait it very long to go up and down and it takes up a whole day. The “Top of the Rock” is a better bet as you can see a lot up there–in fact the second photo in your blog post was taken there!

SI ferry ride is fun and free –just take it round trip back and forth and you’ll get to see the NYC harbor and you pass by the Statue of Liberty. Of course you can pay to go on the ferry that passes close to the Statue of Liberty and docks on the island it is on and also Ellis Island, but I strongly advise pre ordering those tickets in advance for pick up at the box office and getting there very early as the boat lines are long. Lower Manhattan area has Ground Zero, Wall Street, lots of little pubs to eat in, narrow little streets. It is a quick ride to Greenwich Village by subway. Your hotel is in a good location to see Times Square, Rockefeller Center, 5th Ave stores, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Central Park and also MoMa (Museum of Modern Art)

Nancy said… There is a wonderful ongoing art installation on the roof of the Metropolitan Museum, on Fifth Ave. The artist is building with bamboo and viewers can tour around and through. I haven’t seen it yet, but I can’t wait. Also, you might like to visit the Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park (northern tip of Manhattan); The Highline park, which winds its way on former elevated train tracks goes through Chelsea (western Manhattan, downtown). Also South Street (tall ships galore, east side of lower Manhattan). Museum of Natural History and Central Park, of course. Have a grand time!

susanna said… New York, New York!!! Here are my NYC suggestions:

1) Check out John Derian’s shop…www.johnderian.com. It’s my favourite shop in the city.

2) Each at Cafe Habana at 17 Prince Street (Nolita). Great Cuban food at great prices.

3)If you’ve never been to New York, it’s worth taking a double decker bus tour on the first day. You’ll get a good idea of which neighborhoods to explore later. Plus, you can hop on and off the buses throughout the day.

4) Catch the Staten Island ferry from the southern tip of Manhattan to Staten Island. You’ll get a great FREE view of the Statue of Liberty from the decks.

5) Check out b&h photovideo. It’s a mecca for photographers.

Oh yes… There’s a rooftop beer/wine/sangria bar at the Met. Go around dusk and you’ll see New York light up around you. It’s so pretty!