For first time visitors or those who don’t know the city well, I would advise you to connect with someone who has lived there or is currently living there so you don’t “spin your wheels” trying to do to much, not enough or the wrong things. Random exploration of a city is a beautiful thing and can be a cool way to see NYC but planning a few things of interest might be a wiser choice.
Below is a NYC visitor’s guide that my good friends (Manfred and Bill) and I came up with to help fulfil the needs of those visiting soon or in the future. Manfred grew up in NYC while Bill has lived there for many years. This is not a definitive list as there are a plethora of elements to experience or explore. Take a taste from our list and talk to those who know the city well so that you come up with a NYC package suited to your palette that will bloom once it’s opened!
If you ever have the desire or opportunity to live in NYC, I strongly suggest a whole hearted embrace. It’s not for everyone and frankly many avoid the experience as they can’t or don’t want to handle the daily grind in one of the most challenging places on earth. It will test you on any level that you can imagine with the highs being magical or dreamlike and the lows being chaotic, overwhelming, stressful or burnout. It usually takes about a year or two to find that comfortable middle ground and once there, NYC is beyond intoxicating.
And let’s not forget how we bounced back beautifully after the horrific tragedy on September 11, 2001. What other city could have done that? My article on the day can be found at the following link:
(http://gswede-sunday.blogspot.com/2008/09/sept-11-2001-my-view-from-brooklyn-not.html)
Two personal recommendations:
1) Henry’s (www.henrysnyc.com) – Go see my friend Henry at his American Noveau restaurant on 105 and Broadway. His brunch has great food and the hamburger I had last time was absolutely delicious! There is always a diverse mix of people and the atmosphere is lively. In addition, it’s a wonderful meeting place for a large group of people. (More information is below)
2) Driving around Manhattan at Night – If you have access to a car, take 30-60 minutes and drive solo up and down NYC after midnight. It’s a unique and fascinating way to view the city with its random action, beautiful architecture, and famous sites – not to mention the jolt from the general pulse of the city that a car so coolly provides. I have done it several times and each time was exhilarating and quite relaxing after a busy day. Often, you can hit all the green lights going from lower Manhattan to the upper east or west side which is a soothing experience. Whether a first time visitor or a long time resident, you will not be disappointed.
Enjoy our guide and feel free to comment at the end on any must do’s or places/experiences you have found worthwhile and would recommend for my readers.
Absorb all you can on your first or next visit to the Big Apple!
Happy Gswede Sunday!
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Sites and Attractions:
Central Park – (A magnificent place and a must see)
-- Central Park Zoo
-- Shakespeare Gardens behind the castle in Central Park
-- Playground for Kids – Great play area down near the Time Warner building in the park – huge with water.
Walk across Brooklyn Bridge (could combine with brunch at Superfine in Brooklyn)
Brooklyn Heights Promenade (could combine with lunch at Grimaldi’s) – Amazing view of Southeast Manhattan!
Cloisters (Take A train up to Dyckman Street) – Note view of Palisades in New Jersey so go on a clear day to see the views from up high.
Walk along Riverside Park (Take the #1 train to 79th Street and walk all the way west. The rotunda will take you to steps that lead to a restaurant that leads to the riverside park. Walk due south all the way to 59th street.
Central Park Boat House (take B or C to 72nd Street and walk to the center of Central Park). Ask and people will direct you.
MOMA - Museum of Modern Art – 11 West 53rd Street (take E or V train to 5th Avenue stop)
Guggenheim – 1071 5th Avenue at 89th Street (4, 5, or 6 train to 86th Street. Walk west on 86th Street, turn right at 5th Avenue and proceed north to 88th Street)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art – 1000 5th Avenue (take #6 to 77th Street and walk due West to 5th avenue)
Whitney Museum – 945 Madison Avenue (take #6 train to 77th Street stop. Walk due west to Madison ave between 74th and 75th streets)
A cheap Bus tour – take the Limited city bus from 96th and 5th all the way downtown…
See the Statue of Liberty in the evening from Battery Park downtown.
Chelsea Galleries – Take A train to 23rd Street. Walk due west. All the galleries are between 21st street and 26th street between 10th and 11th streets
Shopping: The village
Bleeker Street in the village -- get a Magnolia cupcake near Bleeker and Hudson
United Nations – Guided Tour of the General Assembly Building – 405 East 42nd Street (take #6 to 42nd Street stop and walk due east to 1st avenue. Tourist entrance at 45th street entrance. Note the exhibits in the main lobby as well.
Madison Square Garden (MSG) – 33rd and Broadway. Take a tour of the “World’s most Famous Arena”. Catch a NY Knick basketball or NY Ranger hockey game if you can!
Food:
Sushi:
Haru (multiple locations in city)
433 Amsterdam Avenue (between 80th and 81st Street)
Manhattan
Sunday brunch: (it’s called the Blue-grass brunch with a live band)
Superfine
126 Front Street
Brooklyn
Directions: Take F train to York Street stop. Exit and walk down the hill and make a right on Front Street
Sunday Brunch:
Henry’s (American Noveau)
2745 Broadway at 105th Street
Directions: Take number 1 train to 103rd Street
Max (Italian)
51 Avenue B (4th and Avenue B)
(East Village)
Manhattan
Lunch: (Italian pizza)
Grimaldi’s
19 Old Fulton Street
Brooklyn
Directions: Take A or C train to High Street. Exit in the back of the train. Walk downhill because Cadman Plaza West Street turns into Old Fulton.
Lunch: (Cuban)
Café Habana
17 Prince Street
Manhattan
Directions: Take #6 to Spring Street stop. Walk to corner of Prince and Elisabeth)
Lunch: (Thailand)
Kelly and Ping
127 Greene Street
Manhattan
Directions: Take F, D or B to Broadway/Lafayette stop. Walk to Greene between West Houston and Prince
Dinner: (Spanish Tapas)
Casa Mono
125 East 17th Street
Manhattan
Directions: Take #6 to 14th street. Walk up Park Avenue and make right on 17th street.
Dinner: (Austrian)
Café Katja
79 Orchard Street
Manhattan
Directions: Take F train to Delancey Street, Walk up Orchard Street, between Grand and Broome.
Dinner: (New England Seafood)
Mary’s Fish Camp
64 Charles Street
Manhattan
Directions: Take #1 Train to Christopher Street. Walk up West 4th Street to Charles Street.
Dinner: (Asian Fusion)
Buddakan
75 9th Avenue
Manhattan
Directions: Take A or C to 14th Street. Walk to 9th Avenue and 15th Street
Dinner: (Japanese)
Morimoto
88 10th Avenue
Manhattan
Directions: Take A or C to 14th Street. Walk to 10th Avenue and 16th Street
Dinner: (Cuban-Asian Fusion)
Asia de Cuba
237 Madison Avenue
Manhattan
Directions: Take #6 train to 33rd Street. Walk to 37th and Madison Avenue
Bars: (All in Soho)
Soho Grand Hotel (West Broadway north of Canal Street)
Thompson Hotel (Thompson and north of Broome)
Lucky Strike (Grand between West Broadway and Wooster)
Café Noir (Corner of Grand and Thompson)
Jazz:
Village Vanguard – 178 7th Avenue (take #1, 2 or 3 to 14th street stop. Walk south on 7th Avenue)
SOB’s – 204 Varick Street (take #1 to Houston Street stop. Walk to corner of Varick and Houston)
The magnificent beauty of Central Park in Manhattan
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