New York is so many things. Its glitz and glamor; dirty and gritty. Its calm and quiet; rich and poor, the necessary and the superfluous. Anything you could want is here. Food from any county, art, history, and internationally recognizable. Its black and white in the winter, green in the spring and summer and colorful in the fall. There so many things to do in New York. I would love to live in the Big Apple for a while and you really would have to do that to see it all. Here are a few suggestions for those wanting to see the city in a short period of time.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door! This quote was written by Emma Lazarus and was placed at the Statue of Liberty in 1883. The Statue was a symbol our willingness to accept people from all over the world in the U.S. at the time. Even then we had specific criteria and Ellis Island processed more than twelve million people between 1892 and 1954.
To get there, you need to purchase your tickets early and cross to the island by boat. Additionally, if you want to walk the 345 steps to the top, there is an additional fee. While you won’t have to walk up the stairs with doctors assessing your health to get in, the is a lengthy security process that mimics airport security. Leave any sharp objects behind. The boat goes from the pickup point to Lady Liberty first where there is a small museum holding the old flame. There is also a café and store here. Once finished, you can get back on the boat and go to Ellis Island where you walk around and visit a larger museum. There is also a free 30-minute ranger tour that I would recommend. Back to the boat and it will take you back to Manhattan.
Staten Island FerryIf you want to go on a boat ride but don’t want to pay a fee, you can hop on the Staten Island Ferry. Its free and about 25 minutes long. It goes from St George on Staten Island and Whitehall Street in Manhattan and back again about every 30 minutes. If it’s cold, there is a section of the boat that is indoors but seating is limited.
Views
There are so many places where you can get a view of the skyline from above. Some of the choices include the top of the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center), One World Observatory, all of which are the most popular. This time we went to One World. It was so foggy, you couldn’t see anything. They offered to trade out our tickets for the next day but it was our last day in New York. So, the tip is go before you need to leave incase the weather doesn’t cooperate. If you don’t want to pay but still want an experience there are a number of roof top bars and restaurants that you could go to instead.
Times Square
Times Square is always worth a walk around. FAO Swartz is here, the one in Big along with the New Year’s Eve Ball and just general mayhem. There are bright lights, advertisements for this and that, and people everywhere. Night time is a fun time to go to really enjoy the sites.
Broadway Shows
Speaking of shows, if you want to see a particular show, you’ll need to buy your tickets early and they can be pricey. Off Broadway plays are another less expensive option and just as fun. In Times Square, if you’re willing to wait in line, you can purchase discount theater tickets for that night. Tickets are half price for remaining seats that can be limited. The ticket booth is located underneath the red steps between Broadway and Seventh Avenue at 47th Street.
Museums
If you’re into museums, I’d recommend the Guggenheim or The Met. The Guggenheim is an art museum and a gorgeous building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The Met also houses art and has rotating exhibits. I’ve have spent hours in each.
Central Park
A trip to New York wouldn’t be complete without walking through Central Park. Here is a link to the map. The Bow Bridge and
Strawberry Fields are probably two of the more popular spots to visit. At Strawberry Fields, there is the Imagine Mosaic, which is dedicated to John Lennon who was killed at his home across from the park. If you want to take a carriage ride around the park, you can find them all over lined up like taxis. Just negotiate the price before you get in. In the winter, there is ice skating here as well as the famous one at Rockefeller Center.
While you are near Rockefeller Center, dip into St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The cornerstone of this cathedral was laid in 1858 and 24 years later was finished. It’s on par with the cathedrals built in Europe. Masses are held seven days a week.
The 9/11 Memorial and museum is a solemn experience. You can just walk around the two Memorials that sit at each tower site, visit the museum and/or take a tour depending upon how much time you want to spend.
While you are at the 9/11 Memorial, go into the Oculus. This is my favorite building in all of the U.S. It’s actually a transportation hub with both the subway and train likes meeting here. It was designed to look like a hand releasing a white dove. If you are into photography, this is the place to get some excellent architectural shots.
Radio City Music Hall
Last time we were in New York, we took at tour of Radio City Music Hall. Its home to the precision dance team, the Rockettes, famous for their Christmas Spectacular Show and synchronizing their leg kicks above their head. Not impressed? Read The Spectacular and then you will be.
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is another free fun thing to do. It goes from Manhattan to Brooklyn. It’s a little more than one mile in length and leads to Dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), a area in Brooklyn. At the end of the bridge as you enter Dumbo, you can get that iconic shot of the Empire State Building under the Bridge.
Another great place to walk is along the Highline. It is a old Central Railroad spur that has been converted to a walking path and park. The 1.45 mile, raised platform will provide you upper level views of the city. Tours are also available and pretty interesting. Note If the weather is bad, make sure its open. Afterwards, stop in the Chelsea Market for some snacks or a sit down meal.
Grand Central
Grand Central Train Station is worth a look and even a tour or lunch. Built in 1913, the Station is beautiful and houses more than 70 shops and restaurants. The Grand Central Terminal has been featured in many movies and photographs over the years.
Other Fun Places
Bull of Wall Street
Take a selfie at the Charging Bull symbolizing symbol of financial optimism and prosperity. Its located between 25 and 26 Broadway.
Katz Deli
Branded as NY’s oldest deli, this institution has been serving corned beef and pastrami since 1888. They have a walkup bar for pick up and also a place to sit in the back with as many pickles as you can stuff in your belly. We have even had Katz shipped to California for a party. It’s just that good!
Serendipity
This ice cream shop will provide your entire days’ worth of calories in one sundae. It’s so popular that I recommend you make reservations.
Schmackarys
Awesome cookies here. You’ll have to wait in line. We went twice!
Broad Nosh Bagels Deli & Catering
Bagels like pizza are part of New York’s culture. We loved this place. There are more than 20 bagel choices and after you finally figure that out, you still need to pick out your cream cheese. Your choices include: Plain, Scallion, Chipotle Scallion, Sundry Tomato Basil, Walnut Raisin, Strawberry, Jalapeño, Non Dairy Tofu, Non dairy Scallion Tofu, Olive, Sundry Tomato, Vegetable, Plain and Jelly, Butter and Jelly, Peanut Butter , Peanut Butter and Jelly, Pumpkin Spice, Vegan Garlic Herb, Vegan Smoked Paprika & Chili, Vegan Garlic Herb, and Blueberry. Phew. Robert the owner of the store on 58th Street makes eating a bagel and event with his Al Pacino jokes and friendly face. We went back a second day for more.
We just found this pub looking for a place to hide out from the snow coming down. O’Hara’s is near the 9/11 Memorial and when 9/11 happened, its windows were blown out and there was substantial damage. Within six months, they had rebuilt and opened their doors. On the first anniversary of 9/11, a patron of the pub took off a patch of a first responder and stapled it to the wall. By the end of the night, there 
were 250 patches on the wall. Today, there are more than 6,000 from all over the world. We sat down in a booth and right next to me was two patches from my work hometown, the place where I live and the airport I fly out of. Coincidence? I think not. Check it out and see if you can find a patch from your city/country. They also have a book that shows the history. It’s a tear jerker but worth the read. Just ask a server to see it.
The TWA Hotel is my favorite fun hotel. Located at JFK Airport, its fashioned after airport travel in the 60’s. If you are flying in or out of JFK, make sure you set some time aside to spend here. The main area offers a sunken lounge and bar. Warning, the drinks aren’t cheap but you can also just hang out, listening to Old Blue Eyes and his fellow crooners and people watch. Outside, there is an old Lockheed Constellation “Conni” airplane that has been converted to a small bar and upstairs, there is a small restaurant that is fashioned after a Swiss Chalet along with the hotel pool that overlooks the runway. I’ve spent the night here and its truly awesome.
Hints
Be prepared to walk and bring comfortable shoes. Our first day in New York, we walked nine miles. If you don’t want to walk, I would recommend the subway. For the most part, its clean and an excellent way to get around. The system has been upgraded so you can tap your credit card to get on the train and you don’t have to tap to get out. The exception is if you are taking the trains out of Manhattan, you might have to purchase a Metro card. We needed one from New Jersey to Manhattan.
Also, make a list of places you want to see and organize them on a map. Manhattan is organized by three areas. Upper, Middle and Lower Manhattan and it takes time to get to each area. You won’t want to waste time and money going back and forth on the subway or using rideshare. Your feet will also thank you.
As far as places to stay, New York has all types of options. One of our favorite places is along the shoreline in New Jersey. It’s cheaper to get a hotel here and you get the skyline view looking back at the city. We have stayed twice at the Hyatt House. It has a great view. The train is just across the sidewalk or you can take the water taxi to get back.
Warning, New York can be bitterly cold in the winter. The wind whips off the water and through the tunnels between the buildings. I learned my lesson as a professed whimp and now pack really warmly.