Destination New York City
If you only have a short time in NYC, it pays to have a plan. You can do a lot without spending a great deal of money, and you’ll still come home on a high.
Three things to do
1. Time your museum visits: It will cost $US30 ($44) to gaze at the incredible art on display at the Guggenheim Museum, but every Saturday from 5pm to 8pm you can choose the entry amount you want to pay. Book ahead for tickets. The Jewish Museum offers free admission on Saturdays, and admission to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is free on Mondays between 5.30pm and 7pm (you can book a ticket from 7am on the day). Many other museums offer free admission at certain times/days but if you’d rather choose when you go, a New York CityPASS will save you 40% on tickets to five attractions, including the Guggenheim, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Intrepid Museum and Empire State Building – and you skip the queues.
2. Walk the streets: NYC is infinitely walkable but don’t try to tackle it all in one day – mapping out a rough route with your hotel’s concierge is well worth doing. Early risers walking over the Brooklyn Bridge will be rewarded with sun-soaked views over the Lower Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, and an absolute must is the 2.3km High Line, an elevated public park running along a former freight train line on Manhattan’s West Side. Download the free Bloomberg Connects app for on-the-spot insights into the art, design and gardens you’ll pass by on your walk. Strolling through Central Park is not as easy as it sounds – it covers 340 hectares – so be selective. Beatles fans won’t want to miss Strawberry Fields, the living memorial to John Lennon, located near 72nd Street subway station and the Dakota Apartments, where Lennon lived (and died).
3. Eat and drink: Look for food trucks (see roaminghunger.com) and delis for an affordable breakfast or lunch. Bagels, pizza slices, tacos, dumplings and hot dogs are easy to find, or stash a healthy salad or sandwich in your day pack from your local Trader Joe’s to eat on the go. On weekends, indulge in a bottomless brunch – many restaurants offer free-flowing cocktails for 90 minutes with your meal.