A Quick Guide to Visiting Manhattan, NY
I would recommend staying at least seven days in New York City if you really want to enjoy what it has to offer the tourist. Probably one of the first stops will be the Empire State Building and whilst it may be on every tourists list, that doesn’t mean it is not worth it, especially the view from the top. Although, it is probably the top of the Rockefeller Center aka “30 Rock” where a person will get a more impressive view but foggy weather can mean that it is sometimes impossible to see anything.
Tour boats can take visitors out to see the big lady ‘The Statue of Liberty’ but be prepared for long delays these days; the view of her from Ellis Island or South Street Seaport is an option worth considering.
An easier option is to take the Staten Island ferry which doesn’t cost anything and can still give a first class view of the Statue of Liberty; dropping off at the terminal is the best place because it is where there are some good street artists. Without going to the site of where the World Trade Center Towers used to be no seven day visit to New York would feel right. Despite the moving nature of this place where over 3,000 people lost their lives, most people do not wish to take a picture of it. For those who love to shop there is of course the famous Tiffany’s and Broadway plus some fantastic old discount warehouses worth a look down on the Lower East Side.
Of course you must not miss out Macy’s where there is always a sale on or the very expensive Bloomingdales. An excellent tourist location is the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum which is likely to be closed until the end of 2008; once the refurbishment is complete it will be worth visiting when it re-opens. For those that are interested in large vessels like planes and aircraft carriers for example, then this is the place to visit with the aircraft carrier - Intrepid; submarines and even a Concorde to name but a few of the craft they have there. The real New York City Police Museum is open for visitors and whilst admission is free; donations are expected of around five dollars to help with running it; many TV viewers have grown up with the cop shows set in New York and a large amount of memorabilia is housed here.
Then it is worth seeing some of the older history of New York back when there were huge numbers of migrants entering the city and the Lower East Tenement was where most of them ended up; this is now a museum and a time capsule.
One museum not mentioned a great deal is the City of New York Museum on Central Park that houses images and objects of the past (and present) in an exhibition that is constantly changing. Once again, admission to this wonderfully grand building is free but a donation of at least nine dollars is expected. Most visitors seem to be on a flying visit so end up missing some of the most beautiful areas and that’s why seven days in New York should really be the minimum stay.
Of course, no trip to the Big Apple is complete without tasting their world famous pizza pies. While any street pizza shop will serve you the most delicious slice you’ve ever eaten, ask a local where the nearest “Ray’s Pizza” is located. They will point you to one of 4 different city franchises that every true New Yorker swears by. No need for toppings, even the plain cheese pizza will have you craving another.
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May 13 2008 02:36 pm | Destinations