New York City, New York — Things to Do
Sightseeing in New York City
With New York's countless attractions, it would take days to see and do everything this vibrant city has to offer. From iconic structures such as the Statue of Liberty and the Rockefeller Center, New York is brimming with sights to see. The question is where to start.
Anyone who has ever watched a movie set in New York will feel at home with the recognizable sights, whether looking out over the New York skyline from the Empire State Building, reading billboards in Times Square, or strolling through Central Park. Visit the boroughs, watch a show on Broadway, admire the animals in the Central Park Zoo, look out for celebrities waving from the windows of TRL in Times Square, or simply people-watch while sipping a coffee at a French Bistro in Soho.
For culture-vultures there are wonderful museums to explore such as the American Museum of Natural History or the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Visitors to Madame Tussaud's Wax museum can make a video of themselves as Superman flying through New York City and keep the CD as a souvenir. An easy way to see the sights is to take a ride on one of New York's topless tour buses. It may not be as exciting as exploring the city on foot, but it's a great way to learn and see a lot quickly.
Shopping in New York City
Visitors to the Big Apple will be blown away by the amount and calibre of stores in this city. Offering some of the best and most expensive shopping in the world, 5th Avenue is synonymous with classy high-end department stores such as Bergdorf's and Saks. Madison Avenue is known as 'the trendy road' and this haute strip boasts 15 blocks of celebrity designer shops such as Chanel, Jimmy Choo and Prada, to name a few. Soho is one of New York's poshest outdoor malls where cobblestone streets and loft-like spaces make the Soho a prettier location for a spot of shopping than the average mall.
As cosmopolitan as New York may be, visitors on a tighter budget can still find plenty of bargains at the city's flea markets, which offer some top quality goods with stores touting designer knockoffs, antiques, jewelry, curios, thrift wear, home furnishings and cosmetics. Farmer's Markets are a must for foodies where they can sample vegetables, meat, dairy, poultry and fish as well as baked goods, honey, maple syrup, jam and wine.
Chinatown is a shopper's paradise with cheap knockoffs on offer, and where haggling is common practice. Century 21 is considered 'New York's best kept secret' with over 15 departments of quality and designer merchandise at 25 to 75 percent off retail prices. Whether shopping in upscale Madison Avenue or the bargain-friendly Lower East Side, New York has something to offer everyone.
New York City Nightlife
New York City has a vibrant nightlife encompassing jazz bars, nightclubs, lounges, comedy clubs and live shows. The Village, Broadway, Bowery and Madison Square Garden are just a few of the best destinations for evening entertainment in New York.
As the hub of the jazz world, New York is home to venues such as 55 Bar and Arthur's Tavern. Jazz tours from the Village to Harlem are also an option. Rivertown Lounge has a pool room and live Djs, and Cream boasts two dance floors and four theme rooms to relax in. As the launching pad of comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld, New York has many comedy shows; catch these at the New York Comedy Club or the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. There are always Broadway shows to be seen, try the Palace or O'Neill theaters for the latest.
Broadways shows are expensive - up to $150 per ticket for blockbusters. Hence the popularity of the TKTS discount ticket booth at Times Square. It opens every day at 11am, but the queue forms well before this. You can pick up last minute tickets for under 50% of the regular price, depending on what's available. For the super flexible theater goer, visit the booth around 5pm when there is seldom a queue and last minute prices have dropped even further.
As for clubbing, 13 Bar/Lounge is a lounge and nightclub offering live music and poetry readings, Aria dance club features Latin, rock and hip hop, and the Bowery Ballroom is an Art Deco-style venue with alternative and indie rock. Madison Square Garden hosts rock concerts, sporting events and exhibitions. The Oak Room offers superb cabaret and the People's Voice Café features live folk music. Radio City Music Hall, at the Rockefeller Center, also has live music.
Attractions for Kids
The bustling city of New York is a great place for children on vacation. Boasting some of the world's most well-known and recognizable attractions, the kids will be well entertained. Take the kids out to Ellis Island to see the Statue of Liberty, or take them up to the Empire State Building's observation deck where they can marvel at the panoramic views of this metropolis.
For active children, a stroll through Central Park will give them plenty of space to stretch their legs and in winter months don't miss ice skating at the Trump Wollman Rink.
On rainy days why not take the kids to some of the amazing shops around New York City, such as Toys "R" Us in Times Square, NIKETOWN, or the wonderfully decadent Dylan's Candy Bar where kids will go wild at the amount of sugary candies and chocolates available. The Brooklyn Children's Museum is also worth a visit, as are the New York Aquarium and Central Park Zoo, both of which are perfect to visit on rainy days.
With so much to see and more, children visiting New York City will be sure to have a memorable and unforgettable experience and hopefully, for parents, get tired out from all the sightseeing in this 'city that never sleeps'.
