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.
Membership Rewards® Programme
Cardmembers enrolled in the American Express Membership Rewards® programme will earn one additional bonus Membership Rewards point in addition to their standard earn rate (for a total of 2 points) for every full £1 spent on flights, prepaid hotels, car hire and experiences booked through the American Express Travel website americanexpress.com/en-gb//travel. Specific Card products or limited time promotions may offer additional Membership Rewards points, please see individual Card or promotion Terms and Conditions for more information. Additional Membership Rewards points cannot be earned on products which are not prepaid but are paid directly to the supplier, including cruise bookings and select hotel bookings. These bookings will not earn two Membership Rewards points for every £1 spent but will be earned at the normal rate of one point for every £1 spent. Full Terms and Conditions apply, please visit americanexpress.co.uk/termsandconditions.
To use Pay with Points, you must book your eligible purchase through American Express Travel and charge to a Membership Rewards programme-enrolled American Express® Card. Eligible purchases through American Express Travel exclude non-prepaid car rentals and non-prepaid hotels. Points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account, and credit for corresponding amount will be issued to the American Express® Card Account used. If points redeemed do not cover entire amount, the balance of purchase price will remain on the American Express Card account. When paying with a combination of your American Express Card and Membership Rewards points, only the value applied to the Card is eligible to earn Membership Rewards points.
Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions apply when booking on americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/. Please visit visit americanexpress.com/en-gb/rewards/membership-rewards/terms/ for the Membership Rewards programme information and terms and conditions or call +44 0800 917 8053 to request a copy. For more information on Pay With Points visit americanexpress.com/uk/travel/how-to-pay-with-points. To earn or exchange Membership Rewards points, Cards must be registered to the American Express Membership Rewards programme and be active and current in their payments. Please allow up to ten weeks for Membership Rewards points to be credited to your Account. Bookings are subject to the full American Express Travel Terms and Conditions. To view these, please visit americanexpress.co.uk/termsandconditions.
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, Business Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, the Dedicated Centurion® Team or American Express Travel (americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/) with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Cardmembers or Centurion® Members and excludes Platinum Credit Companion Cards. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior-year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 Credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amont will be applied at check-out.
Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay).Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and
amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel (americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/), Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, Business Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge or the Dedicated Centurion® Team, with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Preferred Rewards Gold Cardmembers, Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Cardmembers, Platinum Cardmembers or Centurion® Members and excludes Platinum Credit Companion Cardmembers. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
International Airline Program (IAP)
1. Current International Airline Program Partners: Air Europa, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
2. American Express reserves the rights to change these conditions from time to time with 21 days prior notice and/or to discontinue the whole program.
3. Airlines reserve the right to change, cancel or restrict flight operations without notice. IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares may be limited by airlines to certain flights and/or dates (“blackouts”). IAP is subject to the terms and conditions of each participating carrier. American Express does not guarantee that seats or tickets will be available. Cabins of service and discounts vary by airline and route. Discounts are applicable to adult fares however some airlines extend savings to child fares.
4. To qualify for the IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares:
a) Your journey must start and end at the same port as designated by the participating airline and be completed within the period during which your selected carrier participates in the program. You will be advised of any applicable dates at the time of booking;
b) IAP tickets must be purchased through the Platinum Travel Service and must be charged to a valid American Express Platinum Card which is in good standing;
c) The Platinum Cardmember who purchases the ticket(s) must be one of the travellers;
d) IAP tickets are non-transferable and non endorsable.
5. Any travel on non-participating airlines must be ticketed and paid for separately and is not part of the IAP. Certain code share or flights on the worldwide partners of the participating airlines may not apply.
6. Certain IAP airlines or non-participating airlines impose restrictions such as ticketing time limit on advance booking to indicate a timeline for ticketing upon making your reservations. For each individual airline Terms & Conditions, please check with the Platinum Travel Service for details.
7. IAP upgrade offers or specially negotiated fares may not be combined with any other promotion, discount, negotiated or corporate rate.
8. American Express acts only as an agent for travel service providers and does not own or operate any airline or means of transportation. American Express is not liable for service deficiencies on the part of airlines or other service providers, including but not limited to: accidents and injuries; delays; changes in routes or itineraries; loss, theft or damages to possessions. American Express strongly advises travellers to insure themselves against travel risks. Travellers are responsible for ensuring that they have valid documentation and for complying with the health, customs, currency and other laws of any country they enter or attempt to enter.
9. IAP is available to Platinum Cardmembers from a variety of participating airlines each with specifically designated ports of departure and arrival. Please refer to the Platinum Travel Service for details of participating airlines, applicable routing and timetables and fares in force at any particular time.
10. Other International Airline Program Terms & Conditions may apply.
For full Terms and Conditions for Global Lounge Collection®, please visit our Global Lounge page.
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