| La Guardia Airport Car Hire | | | | Greenwich Village Walking Tour if you have a few |
| New York Sightseeing: What to see in New York | | | | hours. Greenwich Village is also home to many |
| 1. Get a view of the city from a tall building. In the | | | | jazz clubs, a great way to spend a late night. Also |
| old days, we took visitors to the top of the | | | | explore Little Italy and Chinatown (you can see |
| World Trade Center - you were on top of the | | | | them both in an hour) for a little more local flavor |
| world... Today you have 2 options, either the | | | | (Chinatown walking tour here). Pizza at Lombardi's |
| Empire State Building or Top of the Rock in | | | | is considered a not-to-be-missed New York |
| Rockefeller Center. I think I prefer the view from | | | | experience. |
| Top of the Rock because you can also see | | | | 10. New York Museums. Hey, you gotta get a |
| Central Park from there. The Empire State | | | | little culture into you when in New York. Go to the |
| Building is more famous and has more history to | | | | Metropolitan Museum (the "Met"), the Museum of |
| it, and it's taller -- you decide which you prefer, | | | | Modern Art, Museum of Natural History. You can |
| but be sure to go up one of them. | | | | spend hours and hours at all these places -- great |
| 2. See the Statue of Liberty. The Statue of | | | | if you have the time, otherwise make |
| Liberty is smaller than most people expect, but as | | | | abbreviated visits to get a feel for these famous |
| such an important symbol of America, you have | | | | sites. Also consider the Intrepid (a docked aircraft |
| to see it when in New York. It is out in New York | | | | carrier) Sea, Air, and Space Museum - |
| Harbor beyond the lower end of Manhattan. You | | | | IntrepidMuseum.org. |
| can see it from Battery Park downtown, but we | | | | 11. Morningside Heights. Head way up the west |
| recommend riding the Staten Island Ferry out | | | | side and visit Columbia University, St. John the |
| past it. The Ferry is free and takes a little over | | | | Divine Cathedral, and Grant's Tomb overlooking |
| an hour roundtrip (you have to get off in Staten | | | | the Hudson River. This is a little off the normal |
| Island, but you just walk around the line and get | | | | beaten path tourists follow, but it is a neat area |
| back on to return). It sails right past the statue | | | | to spend an hour walking around. |
| giving you a great view and photo op. The other | | | | OK, #12. Shopping. Let's face it, many people |
| option is to take the Libery Island Ferry from | | | | come to New York to shop. Apart from 5th |
| Battery Park (also stops at Ellis Island) -- you can | | | | Avenue that we mention above (FAO Schwarz |
| no longer climb up the stairs inside the statue, but | | | | and Apple Store), some other popular spots |
| you can see it up close and walk around it. If you | | | | include: |
| have several days in New York and plenty of | | | | * Bloomingdales - famous department store at |
| time, then opt for the Ellis Island and Liberty | | | | Lexington @ 59th |
| Island trip -- otherwise, take a quick cruise on the | | | | * Macy's (and Herald Square) - the other big one, |
| Staten Island Ferry. | | | | 34th and Broadway |
| 3. Walk Around Central Park. Well, not actually | | | | * Canal Street area in Chinatown (lots of cheap |
| around it, walk through it. We like starting at the | | | | handbags, sunglasses, and such) |
| southern end of the park, right at 59th and 5th | | | | * Dylan's - world's greatest candy store for kids, |
| Avenue. You'll see all the horse carriages lined up | | | | right near Bloomingdales (3rd and 60th) |
| there -- if you've got the money, consider one of | | | | * Serendipity 3 |
| those (about $35-$40 plus tip for 30 minutes, for | | | | * Toys R Us - in Times Square, Broadway and |
| the whole carriage, not per person), otherwise | | | | 44th |
| start walking. Check out the Wollman ice rink in | | | | * Barneys - for designer fashions, Madison |
| the winter months, visit Tavern on the Green | | | | Avenue and 61st -- continue walking north for |
| (especially at night with all the lights), see the | | | | another 10-15 blocks, plenty of high-class shopping |
| Central Park Zoo if you have kids, have a drink at | | | | * Tiffany & Co - 5th Ave @ 57th |
| The Boathouse, climb up Belvedere Castle for the | | | | * American Girl Place - 5th Ave at 49th |
| view -- just walk around and enjoy the sights and | | | | * NBA Store - 5th and 52nd |
| sounds. | | | | * Niketown - 57th between 5th and Madison |
| 4. Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge. Yep, the top | | | | * Saks Fifth Avenue - 5th @ 50th |
| level of the bridge is open to pedestrians. Take | | | | * Sony Style - Madison @ 55th |
| the subway down to City Hall, then follow the | | | | * Strand Book Store - massive used books store, |
| signs to the bridge. You get beautiful views of | | | | Broadway @ 12th |
| downtown, all while walking on a world landmark. | | | | * Virgin Megastore - Broadway @ 45th |
| If you have enough time, go all the way across | | | | * Fulton Street and South Street Seaport |
| and tour the Brooklyn Heights area and take in | | | | * Bleecker St. in Greenwich Village - many |
| the views from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. | | | | interesting little shops |
| 5. Walk Around Downtown. This is a relatively | | | | * Shops at Columbus Circle - 4-story tall indoor |
| compact area. Visit Trinity Church, St. Paul's | | | | mall, looking out over the corner of Central Park |
| Chapel, City Hall, see Ground Zero where the | | | | (Broadway and 59th) |
| World Trade Center once stood, walk down Wall | | | | * B&H Photo - all about electronics, 9th @ |
| St. and see Federal Hall where George Washington | | | | 33rd |
| was sworn in as first President, see the Stock | | | | * J&R Music - more electronics, downtown |
| Exchange, walk down to Battery Park, and check | | | | across from City Hall, 23 Park Row |
| out South Street Seaport. Consider taking a Circle | | | | * Union Square - park where Broadway crosses |
| Line boat tour around NY Harbor, or in summer | | | | 14th to 17th, Greenmarket farmers market is |
| months, a high-speed boat ride on the Beast, | | | | here, plus the Holiday Market is here each year |
| tickets for both at South Street Seaport. Explore | | | | from Thanksgiving to X-mas (plus restaurants and |
| our Downtown New York Walking Tour. | | | | boutiques on surrounding streets) |
| 6. See Times Square at night. You have to enjoy | | | | Fun restaurants: |
| the lights of Times Square at night -- just get out | | | | * Mars 2112 |
| and walk up and down Broadway. You've seen it | | | | * Jeckyll and Hyde - in Greenwich Village Jeckyll |
| a million times in movies and on New Year's Eve | | | | and Hyde Pub and in Midtown Jeckyll and Hyde |
| of course, now you're a part of it! Pop into some | | | | Club. |
| of the famous spots like Madame Tussaud's Wax | | | | * Carmine's Midtown - tons of Italian food, family |
| Museum and the giant Toys R Us store. | | | | style. |
| 7. Experience 5th Avenue. Walk along 5th Ave. I | | | | * For girls, American Girl Place. |
| like to start at 42nd Street at the New York | | | | * Osteria Del Circo (55th and 6th) - Italian |
| Library (if you have a little more time, start out | | | | restaurant with circus theme and decor, fairly |
| at Grand Central Station first another block or | | | | expensive. |
| two down 42nd St -- the Chrysler Building is right | | | | * Mesa Grill (16th and 5th) - Bobby Flay serves up |
| next door, and the interior of Grand Central has | | | | Southwestern cuisine, loud and fun. |
| awed people for decades..) -- make your way up | | | | * Ruby Foo's Times Square (50th and Broadway) |
| past Rockefeller Center, window shop at all the | | | | - dim sum and sushi, brings Asia to NYC. |
| fancy stores, check out St. Patrick's Cathedral, | | | | * Serendipity 3 (60th betw. 2nd and 3rd) - kids |
| see the famous Plaza Hotel, see the Apple Store | | | | love the desert, but meals are good, too. |
| glass cube, go into the famous FAO Schwarz toy | | | | * Benihana (56th betw. 5th and 6th) - watch |
| store, walk past the mansions and fancy uptown | | | | Japanese chefs carve up your meal. |
| apartments as you head north along Central Park. | | | | * Bubba Gump Shrimp (Broadway betw. 44th and |
| We recommend returning at night as well to see | | | | 43rd) - seafood and fun. |
| how Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's are lit up, | | | | Additional suggestions... |
| then hop up to the Pen-Top rooftop bar for a | | | | Take a tour of the United Nations Building |
| $20 cocktail to enjoy while you savor the views | | | | (Mon-Fri, 9:45 - 4:45, $12.50 for adults). |
| over midtown. | | | | Take the tram out to Roosevelt Island (59th |
| 8. See a Broadway Show. You can't go to New | | | | Street and 2nd, upper east side; RIOC.com) -- not |
| York and not see a play or musical on Broadway, | | | | much to do there, but nice aerial views coming |
| right? If you only have one night in the city, I say | | | | and going. |
| skip the show and enjoy those hours walking | | | | Take an NBC tour at Rockefeller Center or get |
| around the city. But if you have time, you'll never | | | | tickets to see a live taping of a TV show |
| forget the experience of a live show in a New | | | | (Letterman, Conan, SNL, Regis, etc.) -- some tips |
| York theater. The popular shows are not cheap - | | | | here ( |
| there is information on Broadway tickets here. | | | | New York is also about eating and drinking - try |
| You can see what discount tickets are available | | | | out some of the best New York bars. |
| on the day of a show at the TKTS booth in | | | | Winter Holiday Tips: If you're there during winter, |
| Times Square (opens at 3PM) or down at South | | | | check out the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller |
| Street Seaport (opens at 11AM). | | | | Center. You can also go ice-skating right there |
| 9. Explore Neighborhoods like Greenwich Village. | | | | beneath the tree. Also check out the skating rink |
| New York is more than just the area around | | | | in Central Park. |
| Times Square and Midtown. Check out some | | | | OK, that's a pretty good list that covers most of |
| other neighborhoods while in New York. One of | | | | the best tourist spots that you should visit. Enjoy |
| our favorites is Greenwich Village. Try this | | | | your stay! |