“Fancy coming to New York for the weekend?” Not something you usually have to think twice about but I did, fearing whether Trump might have already ruined one of my all-time favourite cities in the world. Thankfully, I came to my senses.
So at 6.30 am one Friday morning in February off I went to Edinburgh airport for my flight to Newark. I was sipping a glass of fizz by 7.30 am having allowed far too much time to get through security, and pondering what to do with almost 9 hours BY MYSELF in one of the world’s best cities before Graham arrived from Chicago. Never has ‘the world is your oyster’ rang so true!
By 12 noon I had caught the Transit from Newark Airport to Penn Station, and was pounding the streets of Manhattan. The great thing about New York is that even if you have never been before it feels so familiar. A sideways glance from Penn and there’s the Empire State Building. Oh, and there’s the bright lights of Times Square.
Rather than give you a blow-by-blow account of what I did and when, here are some of my all time favourite things to do (new and old) in N.Y.C.
Typical Tourist Sights:
It is a cliche but if you have never been before its worth ticking off all the obvious sights – the Empire State building, the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal (with its magnificent painted ceiling), Central Park, Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Centre, Staten Island Ferry (its free for christ sake!), Brooklyn Bridge for fantastic views of Manhattan, Wall Street, Radio City Music Hall, One World Trade Centre, Times Square, and the Flatiron Building.
*For the big visitor attractions like the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock, I’d recommend booking tickets online and beating the queues. But I would consider whether its worth doing all four of the sights which have observation decks (i.e. Top of the Rock, Chrysler Building, Empire State Building and One World Trade Centre). Personally I like the Top of the Rock as it affords the opportunity to gaze at the Chrysler Building glistening in the sun, and the Empire State Building for its Art Deco style. Oh, and for Top of the Rock it is worth considering heading there in time for sunset – get your money’s worth!
Less Obvious but must do ‘sights’:
I’d definitely recommend paying the High Line a visit. Yes, it is an elevated park on a disused train line but it is also teaming with art work and there are events all year long. It also straddles some great ‘hoods – Chelsea, the Meatpacking District, and Greenwich Village
Whilst in the vicinity, the Chelsea Market is worth a look if you are a foodie. As is The Standard Hotel, particularly their rooftop bar – great for watching the sun set over Manhattan, accompanied by some good tunes. Their Spotify playlists are worth a listen.
The New York Public Library on 5th Avenue (particularly the Rose Main Reading Room) is a worthy place to give your feet a rest, write some postcards (if you are still a purist like me) or to scope out where to head for lunch/rooftop drinks (using their free wifi).
You can’t go to the Big Apple and not take advantage of one of the best free rides available – the Staten Island Ferry. It transports around 70,000 passengers a day. And whilst it is a commuter ferry, it offers great views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
If you can, try to get tickets for a NY Knicks basketball game at Madison Square Gardens. Grab yourself a pitcher of beer, a hotdog and settle in for the game. Fantastic!
I’d also recommend a day exploring in and around Dumbo, Brooklyn and Williamsburg. Less hustle and bustle than Manhattan, but lots of cute and independent cafes, bars, restaurants (see below) and shops, including the Brooklyn Flea and Brooklyn Industries. The main thoroughfare is Bedford Avenue and most things are splintered off that, including lots of nice street art. The Brooklyn Brewery is about 10 minutes walk from Bedford Avenue station and offers tours for the price of a beer (i.e. $5). And whilst in Brooklyn, you really do need to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge which offers great views of the Manhattan skyline.
Do your research and see whether any of the museums or galleries are opened for free. For example, MoMA opens for free on the first Friday of every month from 5-8pm. Its worth getting there early and getting in the queue because it gets very, very busy!
Finally, I’d thoroughly recommend checking out some of the Herb Lester guides to NYC, which are full of locals tips on where to check out, as well as being beautifully illustrated.
Where to eat:
Oh where to start…from pizza slices to food carts to hipster hangouts, you are literally spoilt for choice. Here are some of my personal favourites:
- Robertas Pizza in Buchwick, Brooklyn. Don’t be put off by the trashy neighbourhood and graffiti laden entry, the pizzas here are great and also very imaginative (who knew parsnips or brussel sprouts would make good toppings).
- The Hidden Burger Joint in the Parker Meridien Hotel, near Central Park for one of the most mouth watering burgers you’ll ever taste. The Shakes are pretty good. Enter the hotel reception area and head behind the red velvet curtain.
- Joe’s Pizza on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn for either a slice ($2) or a pie (approx. $20).
- John’s Pizzeria on Bleecker Street for great brick oven pizza’s with thin crusts (around $17-20 for a pie).
- Sam’s Falafel Cart in the Financial District – expect queues but its worth the wait.
- Mac’n’Cheese aficionados need to check out S’Mac for all kinds of macaroni cheese magic. It might be a no frills kinda place but it is well worth making a trip to the Lower East Side.
- Fan’s of Sex in the City will want to check out the Magnolia Bakery.
- For breakfast, don’t be afraid to hit one of the local deli’s for a freshly made egg roll or bagel with cream cheese for a few dollars.
- Likewise, drop into one of the many diners scattered across the city for blueberry buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup, washed down with fresh OJ and coffee (with free refills).
- Mighty Balls for gourmet meatball sliders. We originally stumbled upon their food truck in Bryant Park but I believe they now have a shopfront in Queens.
- It is in every guide book as the famous backdrop for the orgasm scene in ‘When Harry Met Sally’ but Katz’s Delicatessen is worth stopping by for a pastrami on rye.
- Los Tacos No. 1 in Chelsea Market for finger licking good tacos.
There are plenty more to note, as well as drinking holes – safe to say, you will be spoilt for choice.
Travel for travel's sake 