Places to Visit & Things to Do in New York
New York has a dizzying amount to offer. Times Square stimulates the senses while tranquil Central Park provides an antidote. Landmark skyscrapers loom over tucked-away cocktail joints nestled next to impossibly chic storefronts. The city that never sleeps continues to live up to its name.
Sights & Attractions in New York
The island of Manhattan, New York City’s most famous borough, hosts the majority of the attractions in the metropolitan area. A lingering stroll down the High Line is a good option in any type of weather. Beloved by locals, this 1.5-mile-long park was built on the foundation of a retired subway line and snakes its way above the trendy Chelsea neighbourhood. Recline in one of the coveted wooden lounge chairs to do some people-watching, or escape the urban jungle to Chelsea Market below for a wine or ice-cream break.
Everyone should cross Brooklyn Bridge at least once, it takes an hour on foot with ample photo opportunities, or opt for an iconic yellow taxi. You’ll end up in the Dumbo neighbourhood with its picturesque Brooklyn Bridge Park, home to the ornate Jane’s Carousel. Relax on a bench and take in the views of New York and New Jersey meeting the Hudson River. And if you want to be above it all, choose an elevated vista from atop the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, or One World Trade Centre.
Art & Culture in New York
A visit to New York City is simply not complete without taking time to wander around the immense Metropolitan Museum of Art, MOMA to locals. The walls are replete with priceless works from humanity’s most revered artists. Once you’ve gotten your fill of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and Cézanne still life paintings, visitors shouldn’t miss the seasonal rooftop exhibitions or live musical performance until 9pm every Friday.
For more modern tastes, stop by the sunlight-drenched Whitney Museum of American Art, its multiple balconies offer fantastic views of the Hudson River and the Highline. For unique dance, music and theatre experiences any night of the week, turn to the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Its venues have hosted South Asian dance troupes and Oscar-nominated films.
When people hear New York, Broadway shows always come to mind. And it goes without saying, the bright lights of Broadway’s staggering 41 theatres offer world-leading performances.
Shopping in New York
Upscale Fifth Avenue and the cobbled streets of Soho may steal New York’s shopping limelight but a chic yet more laid-back retail experience can be had nearby. Nolita, the neighborhood North of Little Italy, is brimming with stylish independent stores. Find New York-designed, Italian-made eyewear in Illesteva, accessorise with elegant jewellery from Ermine and then head to Clare V for bags and purses. Lifestyle store Love Adorned is a curated emporium that has a little bit of everything from accessories to apparel to art supplies from a roster of designers. Over in the West Village drop into boutique milliner Goorin Bros for classic fedoras and funky trucker caps, then head to Rains for super stylist Scandi backpacks. Across the river in Williamsburg is quirky vintage clothing and gift store Red Pearl, as is Artists and Fleas which sells vintage clothing, jewellery and handmade goods.
Food & Drink in New York
Hopping over to the artistic enclave of Bushwick in Brooklyn, is well worth the effort for uber-cool pizza restaurant Roberta’s. Sit in the outdoor patio area and order a Bee Sting pie – topped with pepperoni, mozzarella, chili flakes and honey – best enjoyed with a seasonal frozen drink. Sample superstar chef David Chang’s Momofuku empire with a dinner at Ssäm Bar (try the incredible heritage pork shoulder with garlic rice followed by a tipple from the delectable cocktail menu) in Pier 17. Then head over to the East Village for dessert at Milk Bar, where most palates will be delighted by cereal milk soft serve. For a fancy, old New York affair, The Campbell Apartment in Grand Central Station serves up luxury and elegance with impeccable customer service.
Shopping in New York
You can find everything you need on famous Fifth Avenue and the cobbled streets of Soho, but a more enjoyable retail experience is waiting nearby in the revitalizing West Village. All along tree-lined Bleecker Street you’ll encounter essential designer outposts, from Michael Kors to Burberry, as well as skincare tour de force Caudalie, candle magnate Dyptique and boutique milliner Goorin Bros. Head a bit uptown to Story, where the retail store’s ever-changing theme and hard-to-find merchandise tells an enchanting tale, then cross the river to Williamsburg for high-end clothing with a serious edge at Bird, and vintage clothing, jewellery and handmade goods at Artists and Fleas.
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