Pops Ten Best Things To Do In "New York, New York, It's-a-Hell-of-a-Town
Sep 20 '07
The Bottom Line I've listed my top ten places to visit in NY. I have just touched the surface. New York does have so much more to explore.
I was born in New York and lived there as kid in two Manhattan neighborhoods. As a teen my parents moved us out to Long Island. I still live on Long Island but my wife and I visit New York whenever we can. My business also brings me into the city often. I love "New York, New York, It's a hell of a town!"
1. Times Square
They say that if you stand on the corner of 42nd and Broadway you will meet every person you ever knew. Perhaps it wouldn't be everyone but that corner draws masses from around the world. That's because any visit to New York must include a walk through Times Square. The lights, sounds and myriads of people make it magical.
Whether there day or night the same feeling of excitement permeates the body and soul. You can always tell who out-of-towners are because they are always looking up...and there is so much to see!
2. See A Broadway Play
While in Times Square one is also in the Theatre District and there is no better place to see a Broadway play than on BROADWAY!! If one must see a particular show, tickets must be purchased in advance. The concierge of many of New York's finer hotels can help make arrangements but be prepared to pay premium prices.
To save a bit one could make a stop at the Tkts booth on Broadway (it's now in a temporary location in the Marriott Marquis Hotel during renovation of the Duffy Square Site. West 46th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue) and take a chance at half price tickets to Broadway and off Broadway plays for cash. It's all legit as theatres broker discounts through Tkts to fill available seats last minute. At times you could hit it lucky and find prime shows. If not there's still many offerings.
The Theatre District also has many restaurants that are ready for pre or post show meals for couple or large groups. Besides the hottest tickets of new shows, many revivals keep the Broadway scene active. Whether looking for Artsy or Disney, Broadway has it all. My wife an I love seeing shows.
3. Walk Through Central Park
Central Park is a wonderland of surprises. It's a place where one may see a castle, take a ride on a turn of the century merry-go-round, walk among flower gardens and memorials like John Lennon's Strawberry Fields or even take a gondola ride in one of the parks large bodies of water.
I love watching people play base ball or simply sunning in the huge fields. Though most people know there is a zoo, (actually two) few people know there are over 21 play grounds, a boathouse, an ice skating rink in the winter, many musical and live shows, fountains galore, and two upscale restaurants that are as romantic as any that can be found in NY. A hot dog or knish from a street vendor is also possible.
There is so much more in this park that starts on 59th street and goes all the way up to 110th. This park has been the background to over 170 films.
4. Visit the Museums in Mid-Town
All around and in Central Park are wold class museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art that is in the east side of the park on 5th Ave. A roof top view gives vistas of Central Park too. My wife and I enjoy going there when they have the lighting of their Christmas Tree that is displayed every December. We also enjoy seeing the special show that come to Manhattan through that museum. The Frick Collection is nearby as is the remarkable structure of the Guggenheim Museum and art treasures within.
For those into the sciences the the west side of the park is home to the The Museum of Natural History and The Hayden Planetarium. My favorite since being a child is that of the dinosaur displays that were diligently detailed in a makeover that more than rivaled the memories I had of the old displays. This is one excellent museum!
Other museum that come to mind are The INTREPID Sea-Air-Space MUSEUM that is now out of dock for a refurbish but a fifteen minute walk from the park takes one to the The Museum of Television and Radio and MoMA. Both can fill the day. As a more fun outing a visit to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum is always a hoot.
Downtown has the The Lower Manhattan Tenement Museum where one can learn how immigrants lived when they first arrived. The Jewish Museum is a good one and the Museum of the American Indian though still sparse in what they show is magnificent in its grandeur. There are so many other museums and I didn't even touch on the hundreds of galleries in Manhattan.
5. Take a Ride on the Waters Around Manhattan
One way to appreciate Manhattans views is by taking a boat ride around it or up and down its two rivers. Boats go out from the west side at 42nd St and offer Dance cruises, Dinner Cruises and a heart stopping wild ride on the Beast that will be sure to make your day. I've done that one a couple of times. It makes a high speed run to the Statue of Liberty, gives a few minutes for photos and such and then plows uptown and back to port on the Hudson River.
Elegant cruises go out of Chelsie Piers on yachts and specially designed all glass-topped boats for the ultimate in views. The South Street Seaport also has a few rides from that port.
6. See The World From the Heavens
The Empire State Building is a must stop if in Manhattan for the first time. The views on a clear day are like no other in the world. he problem comes when trying to decide whether to go during the day or at night. The best is an hour before the sunset. One can get some spectacular daytime views and then watch the sun go down and the tiny lights of the city below start to turn on like lighters at a rock concert.
There is a museum and a really fun ride 3D over the city that can be part of a package deal. I liked that ride. Be sure to get tickets ahead of time if possible. It can save a lot of time and ensure a visit when you want to go.
7. Visit New York During the Holiday Season
Christmas in Manhattan brings memories that I want to repeat every season. There's nothing like the grand show of the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall with the Rockettes kicking and the special Holiday show that knocks everyone of their feet. It all ends with a spirit filled Christmas ending.
Walking the plaza of Rockefeller Center while watching the ice skaters under the huge lighted Christmas Tree is a delight. Nearby stores have lighted displays that give forth to the best of window shopping in the world.
If one is lucky enough to be in Manhattan during a snowfall, make a bee line to Central Park. It's glorious and the rink there is one where you can rent skates and join the masses.
8. Visit "Ground Zero" and See the New Freedom Tower now at Street Level
Ground Zero is a place where many tourists make a stop. The pit as it was known is starting to reach street level but memories and memorials surround the grounds. The east side of the park has a few large plaques that pay homage to those lost and give an understanding of what happened that day. Hawkers will be selling all kinds of junk and trinkets with 9/11 or World Trade Center memorabilia.
Nearby is St Paul's Chapel that is a living memorial to that fateful 9/11 day. It's a must stop to get a slight feel of what happened those early hours and days after the event.
The hallowed grounds are giving way to the Freedom Tower that for a time at least will be the tallest building in the world at 1776' high. The height, taken from the year the colonies declared their independence is a number that shows the spirit of those who want to continue ahead and not be held hostage to terrorists.
9. Walk the Streets of New York's Many Neighborhoods
Manhattan, like that of the United States was known as being the Melting Pot of many cultures. Lower Manhattan is still reflective of the immigrants that came to this country through Ellis Island.
Taking a walk through Little Italy and Chinatown takes one back in time. My grand father came to America in 1898 and the address of the people he was sponsored by still stands. Having dinner at one of the Italian restaurants alfresco is a charming way to spend an hour or two of people watching. A twenty minute walk brings one to The Lower Manhattan Tenement Museum where one can learn how immigrants lived when they first arrived. Walking the streets of So Ho, the South Street Seaport, Greenwich Village, and so many more will give colour and flavour to this magnificent city.
10. See the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and other National Landmarks
Taking a subway downtown to the island's southern coast opens up a whole different view of Manhattan now and it's history of bygone days. Wall Street got its name because it was where a literal wall was defending the Europeans from the savages on the north side. Now its quite different being the gateway to much of the worlds financial institutions. Just around the corner is Federal Hall National Memorial. After the Revolutionary War the First Congress met in Federal Hall and this was the first site for the capitol of the US. It was here that General George Washington became the first president of the United States. The building is grand and the rangers are eager to share information. Nearby dine in Fraunce's Tavern where George Washington said goodbye to his fellow officers at dinner celebration. It became known as his Farewell Address. A small museum is upstairs.
In later years Federal Hall became the entrance to the US for immigrants coming into NY harbor. It was soon outgrown and Ellis Island was established as the entrance station. The ferry ride to it's grand building and educational displays and that of the Statue of Liberty are from the same boat originating out of Castle Clinton where both tickets and security checks are done before boarding.
Seeing the Statue of Liberty up close is still quite special to me when I think of my grand parents coming with nothing and making a go of it in a land where they had to learn a new way of life and language. They did well!
It was them and so many immigrants from around the world who worked hard to make New York what it is today.
Bonus #11!! Go out from Manhattan and visit the outer Boroughs of New York City. The views of Manhattan from Brooklyn and Queens neighbor hoods with small coffee shops and eateries on the water can be absolutely delightful.
The Bronx has an incredible zoo and is home to the New York Botanic Gardens. A visit and a game at the old Yankee Stadium before it becomes history is a thing to do.
Brooklyn has Coney Island, the Aquarium, the Brooklyn Art Museum and the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. It has Prospect Park too. Queens is home a fine hands-on Children's Science Museum. Nearby is a small zoo that also has a farm section with a petting area and more. Shea Stadium and the home of the METS new stadium is taking shape right next door.
New York's biggest and best bargain is a ride on the Staten Island Ferry for free! You just can't beat the views or that price!!
To find links to reviews of most of the italicized sites talked of in this General Itinerary go to
New York City In it will be over 50 places to see, things to do and restaurants to dine in as reviewed by pops
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