StuartThere’s no shortage of things to do in New York – from Central Park to watching a Broadway show. During my recent trip, I discovered a few gems in the city that I’d love to share with you.
Open Top Bus Tour Around New York
One of the first things I did on my full day in New York was to go on an open top bus tour around Manhattan. This is a good way of getting to know the city and its main sights and to get your bearings.
When it comes to sightseeing tours, TopView NYC is the company for me. Not only do they have positive reviews, but their main bus stop is conveniently located just a short distance from my Times Square hotel. The buses run frequently, and they offer a recorded commentary throughout the tour. They also provide two different loops. The downtown loop takes roughly two and a half hours (depending on traffic), and the uptown loop that takes about two hours.
Downtown Loop
The downtown loop covered a wide variety of sights. These included the Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall and the newly-constructed One World Trade Center. We also went through villages of Greenwich, Chinatown and Little Italy before heading through the Financial District to Battery Park.
I got back to Times Square to a large crowd who had gathered for an impromptu concert with one of the members of BTS. There is a stage that can be set up in the middle of one of the LED screens in the Square and I thought it was a good idea even though it did add to the already large crowds there.
Uptown Loop
It was getting dark when I boarded the uptown loop of the bus tour. This took me around Central Park and sights such as Carnegie Hall, the Guggenheim Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Plaza Hotel (which was featured in Home Alone 2)
The tour was a really good way to spend the day and saved you having to walk for miles! You could get off and on at many places or just, like I did, enjoy the bus tour around the city sights.
One World Trade Center and Memorial
Amidst the bustling cityscape, the One World Trade Center and Memorial stands as a solemn tribute to the harrowing events of September 11, 2001. The memorial’s poignant presence stirs the soul, as you read the names of all those who perished in the tragedy. A fitting monument to their memory, the gardens surrounding the waterfalls bear witness to the resilience of the human spirit. You can walk amidst the tranquil beauty that has emerged from the ashes of tragedy.
Standing next to the One World Trade Center is the magnificent Westfield World Trade Center. This is an architectural masterpiece that captivates both the eye and the soul. Inside its grand walls, you can indulge in a vast assortment of designer stores. While wandering through this amazing space, you can’t help but be drawn to the charming cafes. I leisurely enjoyed a delectable sandwich and a steaming cup of coffee in one of the lovely cafes here.
You can also book the One World Trade Center Observatory for a great view of the city.
The High Line Walk and Hudson Yards
If you’re looking for a unique way to see the city, take a stroll along the High Line. This old freight railroad track has been transformed into an elevated park that’s free to enter. Starting at Gansevoort Street and Hudson Yards, the 1.5-mile walk offers a scenic path with plenty of trees and plants. During the summertime, there are several options for food and drink along the way. You’ll also find lots of seating to rest and take in the stunning views of the city.
It was a gorgeous day when I visited. I even managed to visit the Chelsea Market on the way. This has some lovely art and craft stalls for that unique gift from the city. I ended up at Hudson Yards, a centre that has some lovely restaurants and high end shops. Here, I also visited the Vessel, a sculpture that is a unique way to see the city.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Perched in One Vanderbilt, adjacent to Grand Central Station, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is a breathtaking 93-story skyscraper that offers more than just stunning views of New York. The extraordinary art installations along the way enhance the experience. This includes the Room of Mirrors, the Silver Ball Room, and the Cloud Room, featuring sculpted images of countless visitors within the clouds. The whole space is very instagrammable and is much more interesting then just viewing the city (which you can do from various buildings).
There is also a shop and cafe at the top with an outside terrace where you can get cold (or in my case hot, as it was cold!) drinks whilst admiring the views.
After visiting here, there are a few points that I would like to share:
- Bring as few belongings as possible as you go through airport-style security before going to the top.
- Buy tickets in advance as it gets booked up.
- Tickets you do buy are for a place in the queue at that time and not the time you actually go to the top. So bear this in mind when allowing time for the experience.
- Be prepared to queue for up to 30 minutes, partly in darkness (not sure why!) to get into the lifts.
- It is probably not great for those who suffer from vertigo or those who have claustrophobia due to the lifts.
- Make sure you bring your camera with you to capture those amazing views!
Staten Island Ferry from New York
For a great view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, the Staten Island Ferry is just for you. It is a free ferry service provided by the city of New York mainly for commuters. However, many tourists travel on it to get those views of the Statue of Liberty. Ferries tend to go every 20-30 minutes and the whole journey takes about 20 minutes.
When I went on it, I made my way up to the top deck on the right hand (starboard) side of the ferry. This is where you get the best views. It is a lovely way to relax and soak up the sights. The ferry gets quite close to the Statue and if you stand at the back of the ferry as it leaves Manhattan, you get some amazing views of the whole of Manhattan in your wake.
Staten Island
Once you get to Staten Island, there is a great opportunity for discount shopping as the Empire Outlets Mall is right outside the ferry terminal. It has outlets from big brand names such as Gap, Nike, Banana Republic and Nordstrom Rack. With it being in the state of New York, there is also no tax to pay on clothing under $100. Here, you can also get a coffee whilst looking over the water to Manhattan.
After my shopping spree, I boarded the ferry for more views of the Statue of Liberty on my journey back to Manhattan. Again, board on the right hand side as it does not turn around.
There are some things you should know when going on the Staten Island Ferry:
- It is free, so don’t fall for the ticket touts trying to sell you tickets for it or saying it is not running.
- The ferry runs 24 hours a day at frequent intervals, so don’t worry about getting stuck over the island.
- There is free Wi-Fi in the terminals and on board the ferries. Why not make people back home jealous!
Other things to do in New York
There are so many other places to visit, such as Times Square, Central Park, Grand Central Station, Penn Station, the Empire State Building and museums galore. However, I decided to pick a view that I really enjoyed on my recent trip to New York.
If you do get a chance, you can visit a Broadway show. Tickets are generally very expensive, but if you are prepared to queue to get much cheaper last-minute tickets then go to the TKTS booth in Times Square.
