7 THINGS TO DO IN... NEW YORK
Take a bite out of the Big Apple, exploring the city’s amazing neighbourhoods, restaurants and stores
1 VISIT EXCITING NEIGHBOURHOODS
Greenwich Village, Soho, Tribeca, Brooklyn – you’ll probably recognise the names of New York’s most famous neighbourhoods. Each one has its own character, and just wandering around feels like free sightseeing. Many of the best museums are on the Upper East Side, for example, but the finest art galleries are arguably in the Meatpacking District and some fantastic nightlife can be found in the East Village. Discover your personal favourites just by exploring the city centre on foot, or by hopping on the inexpensive city subway network.
2 SHOP ’TIL YOU DROP
Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s - they’re the big-name department stores of New York that you’ll have seen in the films. But there’s much more shopping to enjoy here too, from the big homeware and fashion brands of Union Square to the catwalk designer names on chic Madison Avenue. And who could forget the city’s famous Fifth Avenue, where you can window-shop in the flagship store of jeweller Tiffany & Co?
3 DISCOVER HIP RESTAURANTS
If you love a trendy restaurant, you’ve come to the right city. In Fidi - the financial district - Crown Shy (crownshy. nyc) dishes up Gruyère fritters alongside amazing tequila cocktails. Misi (misinewyork.com), in cool Williamsburg, specialises in delicate ribbons of handmade pasta. Just want a good classic New York pizza? Try atmospheric John’s of Bleeker St (johnsofbleecker. com) for a whole ‘pie’ or pop into a branch of popular spot Joe’s (joespizzanyc.com) for a speedy slice.
4 GET A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW
You can’t say you’ve really seen New York until you’ve scaled one of its skyscrapers. Among them all, the spired Empire State Building, opened in 1931, is perhaps the most iconic. Zip up in an elevator to the observation decks and you’ll get sweeping panoramic views across Manhattan, including sprawling Central Park and the Statue of Liberty. If you’re planning on doing lots of sightseeing, buying a Citypass (citypass. com/newyork, £115) which includes this and other key sights – such as the American Museum of Natural History – can save you about 40% on entry fees. Looking for a really thrilling view? Instead try The Edge (edgenyc.com), the highest sky deck in the western hemisphere, located in Hudson Yards.
5 RELAX IN GREEN SPACE
Of course, you’ll have heard of Central Park. You can easily spend an entire day in
New York’s most famous green space, watching boaters glide across the lake or picnicking on the meadows. But New York has other spaces to escape the urban rush too. The High Line, a converted railway line that is now a trendy elevated park, connects the Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards and is dotted with interesting art installations. Morningside Park, a large green space in Harlem, even comes with its own waterfall and barbecuing areas.
6 HAVE A NIGHT ON BROADWAY
Broadway, New York’s glitzy theatre district, is home to the biggest show names on Earth, from The Phantom of
the Opera to Hamilton.
Book well ahead online at broadwaycollection.com for the best choice of seats for many of the big shows including The Music Man with Hugh Jackman – or try your luck with last-minute tickets on the day. After the show, wander through nearby Times Square, famously lined in giant, 24-hour digital billboards. It’s bright, it’s crowded, it’s hectic, but it’s a proper New York moment!
7 SNAG A DEAL
A trip to New York doesn’t have to cost a fortune if you choose your travel dates carefully and shop around for a package that includes flights and hotel. Thomas Cook (thomascook. com) has holidays to New York from around £958pp, including return flights. Seven room-only nights at the New York Hilton Midtown costs from £1,031pp including Heathrow flights. The hotel comes with a brilliant location opposite The Museum of Modern Art, plus sleek contemporary rooms and an on-site restaurant.