Best At New York City Breaks

Walk along Broadway to see the theatres and buy tickets for an evening play or musical – there is a wide variety of entertainment on offer featuring some world famous names. The Midtown West area also features numerous restaurants and cafes to enjoy an evening meal or a snack during the day. The big US names such as Planet Hollywood are here, as are smaller restaurants and many cafes. The range of cuisines on offer varies from high-class French food to Scandinavian cuisine, Mexican dishes and Chinese food. Also in Midtown West is the New York Public Library, set in an historic building.

Visit Radio City Music Hall, the home of the famous dancing troupe The Rockettes, and skate on an outdoor rink in wintertime. You can also visit the Museum of Television and Radio, which houses an extensive collection of vintage TV and Radio artefacts, and the Museum of Modern Art, as well as Carnegie Hall and the Museum of Arts & Design.

There are many options for accommodation in this part of New York City. A range of hotels caters for every budget, from the upscale hotels to budget chain motels. When you are in Midtown West you are in easy reach of a number of other New York City tourist attractions, many of which are just a subway ride away. read less »

Another is the famed Rockefella Center. In Midtown East New York you can visit some of Manhattans most popular department stores including Saks Fifth Avenue. Neighbourhoods include East Harlem, Yorkville, Upper East Side, Turtle Bay, Murray Hill, Kips Bay, Gramercy, East Village, and Lower East Side. Grand Central Station is located at the intersection of 42nd street and Park Avenue, and is a city by itself, with over a 100 retail outlets, police station, an annex of the New York transit museum, several restaurants and the Beaux-arts masterpiece. Spread across 49 acres and with over 125,000 daily commuters, Grand Central has been a part of a number of prominent productions to include The Fisher King, Spiderman, Madagascar and North by Northwest. The station is regarded as the longest station in the world, with 67 tracks and 47 platforms and in addition to commuters, an overwhelming 500,000 people simply frequenting its realms. With several dining options to choose from, the one that must be visited is the Oyster Bar, which opened to the public in 1913, the same year the Grand Central Station was inaugurated. The restaurant is noted for its arched ceramic tiled ceilings designed by Spanish architect Rafael Gustavino and is popular with tourists and New Yorkers. Most of the terminal facade consists of brilliant bronze and gold accents and are accented with NYC art statues. Some of the other main features of the Grand Central Station worth capturing are the cerulean blue ceiling flourished with astronomical details, the renowned four-faced clock, chandeliers, grand staircases, ticket booths and its huge arched windows. read less »

Famous museums include the Metropolitan Museum of Art with its collection of classic paintings by Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso and others. The Guggenheim museum is home to an extensive collection of modern art and the Whitney Museum has a well-known American Art Collection on display. These museums are located in Museum Mile, which is the collection of famous galleries that stretches alongside Central Park. Other museums of interest in the Upper East Side include the Cooper-Hewitt Museum of Design, the Frick Collection with its selection of 19th century paintings, and the Jewish Museum. This museum has a collection of Jewish art on display. For antiques and furniture, visit the City of New York Museum, this museum is packed with examples of antiques and art relating to New York City’s history. Aside from the museums, Upper East Side is also famous for its shopping. You may have to pay out to make a purchase, but Park Avenue, Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue have a great selection of designer stores and some beautiful window displays.

The neighbourhood is also famous for its collection of upscale luxury hotels with views of Central Park. Central Park, bordering Upper East Side, is a destination in its own right and you can walk through the park to reach other interesting neighbourhoods in New York City. read less »

Speeding the exodus of companies was primarily due to the concentrated financial district and the aftermath of the World Trade Centre in September 2001. The New York Stock Exchange is the largest financial stock exchange in the world and is located at 111 Wall Street. Wall Street makes a pleasant New York walking tour and is accessible from all areas of the city by the well served buses, subways and taxis. Visitors to Wall Street can cherish the stunning neo-classic exterior, but are not permitted inside the exchange. Within the financial district at the corner of Wall St. and Nassau St lies the Federal Hall National Memorial, which is the venue of George Washingtonís Presidential inauguration. The South Sea Seaport is another area of interest and is set alongside Wall Street leading to the East River. Once the Fulton fish market, the seaport is a favourite of residents and visitors alike and today is a combination of a shopping mall, museum, entertainment complex, set with a backdrop of unsurpassed views of the historic sailing ships. Just a few minutes away from the Wall Street Financial District is Battery Park, which is a 32 acre waterfront offering panoramic views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Visiting Wall Street and the New York Financial District is an interesting deviation from the bustle of New York City and with imposing facades and rich history, is a must see for any New York visit. read less »

There are many cultural attractions in this part of New York City. The top tourist draws include the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, which is made up of a theatre and the well-known Metropolitan Opera House, as well as Avery Fischer Hall which puts on orchestral concerts. The New York State Theatre is home to the New York City Ballet and attracts many visitors to every performance. You can pick up cheap tickets to cultural performances on certain days. For other evening activities, head to one of the Upper West Side’s bars and clubs. Pick up an evening meal at one of a selection of eateries catering to different tastes. Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue are great destinations for shopping – the streets are lined with a variety of boutiques – as well as for eating out in restaurants, and having a drink in one of the many bars.

In the daytime, visit the American Museum of Natural History. This famous museum has a number of interesting exhibits about the natural world which are fun for both kids and adults. Other museums in the Upper West Side area of New York City include the Children's Museum of Manhattan. The New York Historical Society is in this area and also the Dakota Apartment Building, which is the site of the shooting of Beatles’ musician John Lennon. read less »

There is also an extensive gay community. The boundaries run from 14th Street to 29th Street and Broadway to Hudson River. Today many people visit Chelsea to look around the vibrant and imaginative art galleries. The Chelsea neighbourhood is mostly residential but there are a number of well-reviewed restaurants and cafes located on its busy streets. Visit Chelsea’s Historic District between 20 and 21st Street on 9th and 10th Avenue. This area contains a street of renovated Greek Revival homes dating from the 1800s. Another historic attraction in Chelsea is the famous Chelsea Hotel. This 19th century building boasts Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Mark Twain, Janis Joplin, William Burroughs, Patti Smith and Tennessee Williams among its well-known guests. The hotel is associated with many celebrity stories and makes an interesting place to visit. If you’re looking for a little fresh air and exercise, visit Hudson River Park, which stretches from 59th Street to the Battery. Hudson River Park is a great place to skate or ride a bike.

The Chelsea neighbourhood also lists rock climbing walls, children’s playgrounds, spas and sports centres among its leisure attractions. For shopping, check out the Chelsea Flower District, where florists sell a huge variety of plants and flowers to the public. There’s also the Chelsea Market which sells an extensive range of foods from breads to cakes and ice cream. read less »

This beautiful park boasts 24,000 trees, 250 acres of lawns, meadows, 150 acres of lakes and streams as well as 130 acres of woodlands. Managed by the Central Park Conservancy who maintain the upkeep of the park and replenish the plants and flowers; with over 100,000's bulbs, plants, shrubs and trees every year! They look after thousands of benches, play areas, monuments and sculptures to keep the park at its best. At Central Park you can do so many things from enjoying a picnic in summer, cycling, walking and listening to live bands to the celebrated ice skating (Wollman Rink) in the winter time. Highlights in the park include the Central Park Zoo and the Friedsam Memorial Carousel. The huge park has entrances which range from four Midtown entrance gates (Central Park South), to the Upper East Side, the 5th Avenue part of Central Park has over ten entrance gates inbetween 60th and 110th St. There are over 12 entrances stretching across the Upper West Side from 63rd and 110th St. There are also another four entrances/exits along the north side of the park at 110th St on the east and west side. read less »

The nightlife here is vibrant and there is something to do at any hour of the day and if youíre looking for something less pretentious, then head over to Antarctica or the Anchor bar for its festive ambience. While Soho attracts a ton of visitors annually, it is not just for its parks and recreation, but rather for other forms of entertainment to include live music, bars and clubs. However, for a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, Soho park provides a tranquil ambience with itís innovate garage gardens that create a breathtaking backdrop, while indulging in succulent cuisine and refreshments. Getting around in Soho can be accomplished with buses and subways, but you can always opt for taxis, which are available at almost every corner. TriBeCa (the triangle below canal) is located just below Soho and is noted for its dining options to include Tribeca grill, City Hall restaurant, Capsouto Freres Restaurant and F.illi Ponte. Soho puts you in the centre of all the hype in Manhattan and is the ultimate venue for artistic and cultural enthusiasts. read less »