The inside scoop on the Top Ten Things To Do in New York
May 12th 2008 03:54
I've been to NY more times than you could poke a soft pretzel at. I usually stay with friends or family in NJ or Philly and train it into NYcity for the day rather than stay in town. Here's my pick for the top ten things to do in the Big Apple with limited time (and limited cash) and some tourist traps you should be aware of or stay away from. Subscribe if you're interested in an upcoming post outlining the skinny on how to nab cheap airfares to the USA.
Penn Station (8th Ave 31st Street / 8th Ave 33rd Street )
Verdict: Hit it if it's on your way
There is something for me about stepping off a train at Penn station that lets me know that I've arrived in New York. You can barely catch a breath before being swept up in the masses of people getting ready to start their day. The architechture is just beautiful. I also believe there is something about riding the subway in NY that just gets you that one step closer to shedding your tourist persona and seeing the 'real' locals.
Gray's Papaya
Verdict: Must do
539 Eighth Avenue at 37th Street
402 Sixth Avenue at 8th Street
2090 Broadway at 72nd Street
This is a personal favourite and I plan my day around Gray's Papaya when I get to New York to make sure I am near one at lunch or snack time. Teeny weeny hot dogs that are slices of New York heaven coupled with fruit drinks that will send you back to your childhood. Cheap as chips, too. MMMmmmm.
The Empire State Building (Fifth Avenue & 34th Street)
Verdict: Worth going
It's actually very romantic once you get to the observation deck but the endless queueing is not, and neither are the prices ($20 from memory?). The lines, oy vey, the lines!!! It's like Disneyland where you think you're getting to the front of the queue and when you get there you realise there is another room you have to queue through, etc, etc. Opened in 1931, it's worth going at least once for the observatory on the 86th floor to get your bearings and at least observe the things you will not be able to get to during your limited stay (and to dreamily imagine Cary Grant waiting for Deborah Kerr at the top), but make sure you are there early.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum (234 West 42nd Street)
Verdict: Overrated, doesn't make the list
Yes, I agree, it's an art form... but really, who cares? Don't waste your time. With so many other cooler things to do, take ten minutes to photoshop a picture of you and Britney together and tell people you went. By the way, I think this is supposed to be Lindsay Lohan. http://www.nycwax.com/
Central Park (From 59th Street to 110 Street)
Verdict: A must
Gorgeous in any season, take the time to soak in NYC, people-watching New Yorkers in their natural habitat. And it's free!!! If you're short for time, make sure you stroll past it on your way to Museum Mile so you can check it off your list. It's the emerald jewel in NY's crown and a must whenever I go to NYC.
Statue of Liberty Tour
Verdict: Overrated, doesn't make the list
Don't get me wrong, I love the iconic Statue of Liberty. Seeing it is certainly a must-do while you're in NYC. But I never got the point of climbing inside it. Aside from feeling slightly creepy as you wind your way up lady liberty's skirt, you can't see her any more! Instead....
Statten Island Commuter Ferry (From Battery Park)
Verdict: Must do
...take the FREE Statten Island commuter Ferry that runs regularly from Battery Park to Staten Island which will give you the coolest views of the Statue of Liberty from afar, plus Lower Manhattan, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge & the Harbour. The ferry trip takes about half an hour and if you stay on for the round trip and you'll get both sets of veiws.
Hit up a Baseball Game
Verdict: A must if you have a free night
So you may not understand baseball, but you'll still love the experience. You can usually rock up just before the game starts and get a cheap seat (from around $10). With a hot dog and a beer you can scream whenever anyone else screams, join in on the songs and the cheers, buy a supporting cap and listen to the funny-as-hell hecklers. Wander around the stadium at least once to suss out all of the food types. If you tell the people you're sitting next to that it's your first baseball game you might even make some new friends and learn a thing or two about the game. For me, it's a must when I'm in NY alone and it's baseball season, for a cheap night out.
Museum Mile
Verdict: A must if you're even remotely into art
Careful - NY Museums tend to be closed on certain days of the week (usually either Mondays or Thursdays), check in advance!
Metropolitan Museum of Art - "The Met" (Fifth Avenue & 82nd Street) http://www.metmuseum.org/
Guggenheim Museum (Fifth Avenue & 89th Street) Really Long Link
El Museo del Barrio (Fifth Avenue & 104th Street)
Museum of the City of New York (Fifth Avenue & 103rd Street)
Jewish Museum (Fifth Avenue & 92nd Street
Cooper-Hewitt National Museum of Design (Fifth Avenue & 91st Street)
National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts (Fifth Avenue & 89th Street)
Goethe House German Cultural Center (Fifth Avene & 82nd Street)
I'd definitely do the Met & the Guggenheim if you have the time. At least a half day at each. My personal fave is the Guggenheim because the museum itself is a work of art. Make sure you get a shot upward when you're in the lobby, it's just beautiful.
Times Square & Broadway (Broadway between 42nd and 48th Street)
This ones a two-fer. I don't really need to explain Times Square to you, right? You'll recognise it from the movies. Check out the Naked Cowboy while you're there and contribute to his millions with a buck or two in his boots. Hit up a cheap seat at a theatre for a Broadway show if you have the time and money. For $30 you can get a seat in the rafters, or you can pay $120 for a 'half price' seat. The toy store FAO Schwartz is near here (think Tom Hanks in Big) as is the flagship Apple store, worth a gander in itself. The big chains tend to have flagship stores at Times Square - Virgin, Hershey's, Gap, etc - so you can spend a good afternoon or more in Times Square.
New York Public Library
Verdict: Hit it if it's on your way
Books and architechture. If those words don't make you salivate, don't bother hitting up the NY Public Library. And it's free!
Fifth Avenue
Verdict: Worth it
It doesn't cost anything to windowshop in the most expensive places in New York. I'd take a stroll through Prada, Gucci, Saks, Tiffanys, etc. I actually bought a gorgeous movie-staresque champagne backless designer gown at Saks one year for $40, marked down from close to $1000... so buying is not entirely out of the question if you look on the sale racks! And check out the Sacks New York City snow globe if you're after a tourist trinket that isn't too cheezy, from memory around $40 and it plays New York, New York. I have it sitting on my shelf at home, reminding me that New York is waiting for me.
P.S. You might want to try hooking up with a free volunteer greeter when you hit New York City for some insider tips: Really Long Link
Penn Station (8th Ave 31st Street / 8th Ave 33rd Street )
Verdict: Hit it if it's on your way
Gray's Papaya
Verdict: Must do
539 Eighth Avenue at 37th Street
402 Sixth Avenue at 8th Street
2090 Broadway at 72nd Street
This is a personal favourite and I plan my day around Gray's Papaya when I get to New York to make sure I am near one at lunch or snack time. Teeny weeny hot dogs that are slices of New York heaven coupled with fruit drinks that will send you back to your childhood. Cheap as chips, too. MMMmmmm.
The Empire State Building (Fifth Avenue & 34th Street)
Verdict: Worth going
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum (234 West 42nd Street)
Verdict: Overrated, doesn't make the list
Central Park (From 59th Street to 110 Street)
Verdict: A must
Gorgeous in any season, take the time to soak in NYC, people-watching New Yorkers in their natural habitat. And it's free!!! If you're short for time, make sure you stroll past it on your way to Museum Mile so you can check it off your list. It's the emerald jewel in NY's crown and a must whenever I go to NYC.
Statue of Liberty Tour
Verdict: Overrated, doesn't make the list
Don't get me wrong, I love the iconic Statue of Liberty. Seeing it is certainly a must-do while you're in NYC. But I never got the point of climbing inside it. Aside from feeling slightly creepy as you wind your way up lady liberty's skirt, you can't see her any more! Instead....
Statten Island Commuter Ferry (From Battery Park)
Verdict: Must do
...take the FREE Statten Island commuter Ferry that runs regularly from Battery Park to Staten Island which will give you the coolest views of the Statue of Liberty from afar, plus Lower Manhattan, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge & the Harbour. The ferry trip takes about half an hour and if you stay on for the round trip and you'll get both sets of veiws.
Hit up a Baseball Game
Verdict: A must if you have a free night
So you may not understand baseball, but you'll still love the experience. You can usually rock up just before the game starts and get a cheap seat (from around $10). With a hot dog and a beer you can scream whenever anyone else screams, join in on the songs and the cheers, buy a supporting cap and listen to the funny-as-hell hecklers. Wander around the stadium at least once to suss out all of the food types. If you tell the people you're sitting next to that it's your first baseball game you might even make some new friends and learn a thing or two about the game. For me, it's a must when I'm in NY alone and it's baseball season, for a cheap night out.
Museum Mile
Verdict: A must if you're even remotely into art
Careful - NY Museums tend to be closed on certain days of the week (usually either Mondays or Thursdays), check in advance!
Metropolitan Museum of Art - "The Met" (Fifth Avenue & 82nd Street) http://www.metmuseum.org/
Guggenheim Museum (Fifth Avenue & 89th Street) Really Long Link
El Museo del Barrio (Fifth Avenue & 104th Street)
Museum of the City of New York (Fifth Avenue & 103rd Street)
Jewish Museum (Fifth Avenue & 92nd Street
Cooper-Hewitt National Museum of Design (Fifth Avenue & 91st Street)
National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts (Fifth Avenue & 89th Street)
Goethe House German Cultural Center (Fifth Avene & 82nd Street)
I'd definitely do the Met & the Guggenheim if you have the time. At least a half day at each. My personal fave is the Guggenheim because the museum itself is a work of art. Make sure you get a shot upward when you're in the lobby, it's just beautiful.
Times Square & Broadway (Broadway between 42nd and 48th Street)
This ones a two-fer. I don't really need to explain Times Square to you, right? You'll recognise it from the movies. Check out the Naked Cowboy while you're there and contribute to his millions with a buck or two in his boots. Hit up a cheap seat at a theatre for a Broadway show if you have the time and money. For $30 you can get a seat in the rafters, or you can pay $120 for a 'half price' seat. The toy store FAO Schwartz is near here (think Tom Hanks in Big) as is the flagship Apple store, worth a gander in itself. The big chains tend to have flagship stores at Times Square - Virgin, Hershey's, Gap, etc - so you can spend a good afternoon or more in Times Square.
New York Public Library
Verdict: Hit it if it's on your way
Books and architechture. If those words don't make you salivate, don't bother hitting up the NY Public Library. And it's free!
Fifth Avenue
Verdict: Worth it
It doesn't cost anything to windowshop in the most expensive places in New York. I'd take a stroll through Prada, Gucci, Saks, Tiffanys, etc. I actually bought a gorgeous movie-staresque champagne backless designer gown at Saks one year for $40, marked down from close to $1000... so buying is not entirely out of the question if you look on the sale racks! And check out the Sacks New York City snow globe if you're after a tourist trinket that isn't too cheezy, from memory around $40 and it plays New York, New York. I have it sitting on my shelf at home, reminding me that New York is waiting for me.
P.S. You might want to try hooking up with a free volunteer greeter when you hit New York City for some insider tips: Really Long Link
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