New York’s got a new edge
Samantha Lewis discovers the sights of the city are as exhilarating as ever – especially from a 1,300ft skyscraper
ICAN’T help but feel a buzz of excitement as I step out on to one of the newest attractions in New York City – The Edge, the highest outdoor sky deck in the western hemisphere. Wrapped around the top of the Hudson Yards skyscraper, you can take in sweeping views of New Jersey to the east and Midtown Manhattan to the west, and easily spot the Empire State and the Chrysler Building. Stand on the glass floor and you’ll be looking down to the city streets a stomach-lurching 100 storeys below.
While The Edge had the misfortune to open two days before lockdown, now it’s making up for lost time and drawing between 7,000 and 8,000 visitors a day. Feeling brave? You can go even higher by booking a climb to the top of the 1,300ft building and leaning out over the edge.
I’m fresh off Virgin Atlantic’s first flight to New York after the 600-day Covid travel ban was lifted. It’s great to be back in my favourite city, but on the drive into Manhattan there are signs that the Big Apple has been bruised by the pandemic, with plenty of boarded-up shops and For Rent signs visible.
But then I pull up to a giant development on Manhattan’s West Side, and evidently it hasn’t hurt urban renewal plans. This area is within walking distance of major attractions such as Madison Square Garden and The High Line – the city’s elevated garden walkway– and made up of restaurants, bars, cafes, flagship shops and more.
It’s also where I check in to the newly opened Pendry Manhattan West. The hotel’s vibe is coastal calm, inspired by the brand’s Southern California roots. Guests can choose from 164 rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows – the top levels have views of the Statue of Liberty. Its restaurant is set to be a showstopper but it’s not quite ready, so I explore what’s new on the foodie scene. Dining sheds have sprung up on the city’s sidewalks – initially introduced to adhere to social distancing but likely to become a permanent feature.
If you prefer to dine indoors, get ready to mask up and show your vaccination pass. New York feels like it’s still on high alert and these rules are being strictly enforced.
But if you want to feel like a proper New Yorker, make a beeline for Joe’s Pizza in nearby Greenwich Village – every slice is worth every calorie.
Despite having visited New York many times before, it’s still hard to resist the bright lights of Times Square – the city’s epicentre for Broadway shows. It’s buzzing with life again and the atmosphere is typically electric. Then I head for a stroll in Central Park, and I remember to pick up a map – it’s vast and easy to get lost. The famous ice rink is open, which marks the start of holiday season.
There’s truly magic in the air at this time of year that makes everything feel extra-special. Oh New York, how we’ve missed you.