Post by Swoosh on Oct 6, 2007 11:16:05 GMT -5
Sure, it's crowded and choked with vendors peddling T-shirts, sketches of celebrities and throngs of screaming fans outside the MTV studios, but standing in the human whirlpool of Times Square is a must, simply for the sensory overload. While most visitors should avoid the restaurants here, catching a Broadway show is essential. Whether you're looking for crowd pleasers like Hairspray or The Producers, a little Shakespeare, or an off-off-Broadway play, New York's theater world has it all
The Frederick Law Olmstead-designed Central Park is the city's 843-acre backyard. Strolling through Central Park, or taking a horse-drawn carriage through its winding paths, is a quintessential New York thing to do. Make a stop at Strawberry Fields and the Alice in Wonderland statue, which is always popular with children. In the summer, try to catch Shakespeare in the Park (which is free) or one of the many philharmonic concerts. Or simply do what New Yorkers do: Bring a blanket and your own picnic.
Few cities can rival New York's mind-boggling amount of museums. Start at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which would take days or even weeks to thoroughly explore. Make sure to visit the Temple of Dendur. Further down Museum Mile (a stretch of Fifth Avenue) are the Guggenheim and the Cooper-Hewitt art museums. Don't overlook some of Manhattan's smaller, more manageable museums, such as the elegant Frick or Ronald Lauder's Neue Galerie New York, which showcases German and Austrian art.
Like French, Thai, Turkish, Indian, Ethiopian or even Sri Lankan food? New York City has it. Manhattan is home to gastronomic temples, such as Alain Ducasse at the Essex House, Le Cirque 2000 and Nobu, but one of the best aspects of eating in New York is that no matter where you go--from a diner to a corner bistro--you will almost always have a terrific meal. Gobble a sidewalk hot dog, try Sunday dim sum in Chinatown, or head to Little Italy for food that could rival any Italian grandmother's.
Since New York is a walking city, it's not about the car you're driving; it's about how good you look on the street. New York is the place to shop for clothes, jewelry, shoes and accessories--and also the perfect place to show it off. Flaunt it with the best of New Yorkers along Madison Avenue, or in the streets of SoHo. Try to accessorize with plenty of shopping bags and a small dog.
Wall Street is pretty much back to business as usual, but the gaping scar where the Twin Towers had once stood is a constant reminder of the horror experienced on Sept. 11, 2001. Today Ground Zero is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, drawing thousands of people, who come to pay homage or are drawn by curiosity. For whatever reason, it is a powerful and tragic sight.
While Greenwich Village is always going to be a classic New York neighborhood, stroll around some of the newly hip ones as well. (Hint to visitors: You know a New York City neighborhood is cool when it has been rechristened, such as Hell's Kitchen being given the new moniker "Clinton"). Some of the best hot spots for simply walking, window shopping and nibbling are the East Village, the Meatpacking District, Harlem and Brooklyn's Williamsburg. Yes, they're gritty, but you'll also find boutiques, cafes and surprisingly good restaurants.
It's not for nothing that New York is dubbed the city that never sleeps. No matter if it's a Monday or a Thursday night, there is always someplace to get into trouble in New York, whether it's a bar, nightclub or lounge. One of the hottest places remains Amy Sacco's celebrity hangout Bungalow 8. If you can't get in there, drown your misery at nearby Hogs & Heifers. For dancing, Crobar is a throwback to the cavernous clubs of the 1980s. If you're in the mood for something more initimate, try Suede on West 23rd Street. If live music is your thing, check out Joe's Pub. Looking for sophisticated late-night cocktails, befriend a member and mingle at Soho House in the Meatpacking District. But, because many bars stay open until 4 A.M., you can have fun just about anywhere.
One of the best ways to wile away an afternoon in New York City is to people watch. It's also one of the cheapest spectator sports. Stake out a spot, preferably a sidewalk cafe in SoHo, Washington Square Park or the East Village, pop on a pair of sunglasses and simply watch the human zoo parade forth. You never know what you will see, but we can predict a variable group of models, hipsters, performance artists, creative panhandlers, chess players, dancers, wanna-bes and students.
It would be seductively easy to come to New York and do nothing but shop. The city has some of the best department stores, such as Barneys, Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. For one-stop shopping on the major luxury brands, such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Burberry and Prada, head to 57th Street. For more specific products (like jewelry and shoes), hit Fifth and Madison Avenue, where's you'll find such shops as Harry Winston, Cartier, Jimmy Choo and Tiffany. For funkier stores, head downtown for cult favorites Jeffrey, Mayle and the newly opened Rock Star Baby, for the youngest fashion mavens.
While visitors to New York City spend most of their time outside and prowling the streets, where you prop up your feet and rest your head at night is an essential part of a visit to Manhattan. Plus, sleeping in late and ordering room-service breakfast in bed is a key part of any vacation. For a classic New York stay, book a room at The Plaza, The St. Regis or The Carlyle in midtown. If you prefer to stay downtown, try the Mercer or the discreet boutique hotel 60 Thompson in the heart of SoHo.
