City Guide: New York City

There are no words to describe New York; it’s a place better experienced than explained. It’s not like any other place in America that I’ve visited, instead it’s an ecosystem within itself.

To quote Alistair Cooke, ‘New York is the biggest collection of villages in the world.’ Everyone has a part to play, and a place to belong in New York whether it be in China Town, Harlem, Little Italy, Korean Town, Little India, even Little Guyana and Little Manila; it is the world in one city.

While in New York take in one of these districts or get involved in the Broadway buzz. See America’s history, or discover the glitz and glam of the Upper East Side; anything is possible in the city that never sleeps!

What to see and do

9-11 Memorial

The Highline

The Statue of Liberty

• Head to Times Square to take in the rush and energy that is quintessentially New York. There is even a museum for all things Times Square located next to the Sephora and there is a Ticket office which sells heavily discounted Broadway show tickets.
• Have some cash to splash? Head to Fifth Avenue to see what’s in fashion this season. The best shops, and flagship stores, are located between 39th and 60th, including department stores Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf & Goodman (Gossip Girl anyone?!), Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, Harry Winston, and more. There are also cheaper brands available such as Hollister and Banana Republic. For more shopping neighbouring Madison Avenue is also a haven for shoppers.
• It’s a constant after thought in the Western world and this is the place where it happened. Visit the 9-11 Memorial and pay tribute to those who lost their lives as well as seeing Freedom Tower being built. Read my experience here.
• Consider seeing New York from a different point of view and take a helicopter ride over New York City. Not only will you get to see the city from a birds eye view, but be able to cover a lot of ground quickly, and the piolets have plenty of tales. Read how my family did it here.
• Looking for something free in the city? Take a MTR down to the Staten Island Ferry for a free ride to Staten Island to see the Statue of Liberty or as an alternative to taking a river cruise. Departing from Battery Park, see Ellis Island, Liberty Island and Governors Island, as well as a beautiful view of Downtown Manhattan.
• Do visit Grand Central Station.  Stand in the centre of the terminal and gaze upwards to see ‘Gods view’ of the heavens, share a secret at the Wailing Wall, or take a free Municipal Art Society tour of the station.
• Go to a Broadway show! They’re more affordable than you think with TKTS booth in Times Square and Downtown Brooklyn providing last minute tickets to many of the shows, often including the sold out shows!
• Take a wander around Central Park. This large urban park has plenty of acitivies year round including birding, boating, carriage horses, rock climbing, ice skating, a zoo and carousel.

Restaurants and cafes

Much like its people, New York’s culinary scene is a a diverse and ever changing movement of tastes and flavours. I would like to hedge a bet that you would be hard pressed not to find a country whose food isn’t represented somewhere on the streets of New York; but it’s not just the diversity of the food but the variations of how you’ll find it.
From fine dining, Michelin stars and waiting lists that are months long, to the fast paces hurry of food trucks, corner foods, and of course cwa-fee - I mean, ‘coffee’ – and it’s takeaway culture.

Average Cost of Food: With so many restaurants you can find something to fit into any price range. Breakfast and lunch will always be your cheapest meals, with continental breakfasts often provided at hotels or hostels.
Mid-range restaurants start between US$15-$25 for a main and goes up from there.

Food Trucks

Bryant Park Grill

Ellen’s Stardust Diner

• New York’s Food Trucks – the cities food trucks can be hit and miss, but these meals on wheels are never far from your door and always cheap! If you want a good feast be sure to chase down Mexican food truck ‘Mexicue’ for tasty mini tacos and fajitas.
• Byant Park Grill - American-styled dining set in Byant Park. A little on the expensive side but the food comes in decent portion sizes and tastes devine. Come in summer to dine on the verandah or in winter to watch the ice skaters.
• Katz’s Delicatessen – A New York Jewish icon worth visiting for their pastrami sandwiches, if nothing else. A little bit overpriced but a city icon.
• Stardust Dinner - What do Broadway actors do when between shows? They work at Stardust Diner! Think traditional American diner with a sprinkle of singing, and plenty of musical and rock ‘n roll memorabilia and there’s Stardust for you. The food is also pretty tasty and at a decent price.
• Miss Korea BBQ - In the heart of NYC’s Little Korea lies Miss Korea BBQ – a meat lovers paradise filled with so much Korean BBQ that you will be rolling yourself back to your hotel. Top picks are the premium kalbi – marinated boneless short ribs – and the kimchi hot pot.
• Lombardi’s – The queues can be enormous during peak times so get in early if you want to taste what is regarded to be New York’s best pizza, located conveniently near the Brooklyn Bridge walking path.

Check out this list of New York Eats from other bloggers!

• “New York Eats: My Favourite NYC Restaurants” by Lisa from LL World Tour
• “Angie Eats New York City!: The Restaurants” and “Angie Eats New York City!: The Verdict” by Living the Dream
• “Foodie’s Guide to Fun & Must-Have New York City Eats” by Aaron & Andy on Sharing Travel Experiences
• “S is for Serendipity 3 in New York City” by Jennifer from Solo Travel Girl
• “Foods of New York Tours – Nolita Tour review” by Cailin from the Taste of Travel
• “Vegan New York – Best Cheap Vegan Food in NYC” by 30Traveler

Bars and other nightlife

This is just a small selection of the many New York City bars and clubs. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of great places to go out for a drink in the city.

• Vapiano - chic and sophisticated, Vapiano is an Italian-style pizza and pasta bar but go there for their well priced happy hour cocktails!
• Metropolitan Museum of Art Cocktail Terrace – the ultimate luxe experience. Sip your drink on the cocktail terrace of the Museum and enjoy the open air and view in central Manhattan.
• Marie’s Crisis in West Village – a very funky underground bar in the West Village, Marie’s Crisis Cafe is a relaxed paino bar with a class speak-easy feel.
• Blockheads - cheap, cheerful and also serves Mexican food. A must try for any penny pinching traveller.

Luxe-on-any-Budget Digs

Waldorf=Astoria

Yotel New York

The Equity Point New York @ Times Square

$200+ - The Waldorf Astoria New York

This five-star property on Park Avenue is one of the old time elegance. Walking into the carefully maintained property you are taken back into grand era where plush furnishings and gold trimmings were all the rage. You’d think that this property, one of Hilton Hotels top-tier properties, would break the bank but compared to other New York properties of a similar caliber the prices are quite reasonable and you get a lot more for your dollar.
Choose to either stay in the hotel – the spacious and lush standard suites – the or in the Towers – a keycard accessed area which includes a private entrance, higher floor, complimentary breakfast in the Astoria Lounge, and more lavish suites, with a somewhat residential feel, for the high profile cliental that often frequent the rooms.

$100 to $200  - Yotel New York

One of the cities newest additions, Yotel New York takes modern to another level with smart, functional rooms.
The concept comes from the accessibility and functionalality which is expressed in airline travel; Yotel has translated this to hotels and offer small but luxurious cabins for guests in the perfect location – just minutes from Times Square.
Each cabin features hand-made organice mattresses, monsoon showers, and complimentary tea, coffee and muffins each morning.
The Yotel property also is home to DojYO Restaurant & Bar offering Japanese-style eating over Latin-Asian cuisine and a fitness centre if walking through the streets of New York isn’t enough.
Perfect for families, friends, or even the business traveller, Yotel’s modern space and smart accessibility will please any traveller.

$50 – $100 - Equity Point New York @ Times Square

In the heart of the city next to Times Square, and just a short walk from Radio City Music Hall, the Empire State Building and the Garment and Theatre district, Equity Point New York @ Times Square is the first choice for budget conscious travellers who still want the location and amenities of a boutique property.
Providing guests with complimentary continental breakfasts, free Wi-Fi, complimentary linen and towels and, in most rooms, hairdryers and fridges for personal use, Equity Point @ Times Square offers the modern traveller everything they need to have a comfortable stay in New York City.

Travel tips

• Want to travel like a real New Yorker? Skip the cabs and take the Subway! Cheap, fast, and there is a station within walking distance of most places.
• Walk! New York is flat and with its street grid system it is easy to navigate.
• Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge - not only is it a beautiful bridge but you’ll get stunning views of the city, especially as the sun sets over Manhattan.
• If you want to visit the Empire State Building go early! The lines are loooong and the scalpers outside trying to sell you ‘express’ passes are not worth buying because the express line is just as long.
• Don’t forget to tip! In America, many waiters and waitresses rely on this money as the bulk of their income, so don’t be self-righteous and just hand over the tip.

A Locals Perspective

Visit my other city guides from around the world here.

Post Image: Ben Cooper

Tagged as: City Guide, New York, United States, USA