New York City
New York City or the "Big Apple" is one of the coolest cities I've travelled to and is the mecca of fashion and big brands.
To see New York City properly, you need at least two weeks and even then, you'll find you need more time as you discover little pockets of culture and funky places to hang out.
If you're one of those people that can't stand crowded areas or prefer a relaxed atmosphere, New York City may not be the place for you. On the other hand, if you thrive on the hustle and bustle, where beauty meets attitude and where people work hard and play hard, then you're going to love New York!
For this post, I'll break it down to three areas of interest – shopping, sightseeing and nightlife entertainment.
Shopping
If you check out nycmag.com you'll find their top 25 destinations to shop which is a good place to start planning your shopping route.
Personally, I think West 34th Street in New York is where you want to go as it has all of your shopping needs, including Macy's, Uniqlo and Dr. Jays. But if you can't get to the mid-town section, you can always find something at Century 21 near the World Trade Centre or the various department stores at Times Square.
Tip: I recommend having lunch at Shake Shack at Madison Square Park (prepare to queue up for a while during the peak lunch hour rush) first, then burn away the food you just ate by walking up to West 34th Street.
Sightseeing
New York is made up of five boroughs, which include Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx and Staten Island, and, to be honest, there's so much to see in Manhattan alone that I can't do it any real justice.
But, in saying that, here are my top areas to visit if you only have a few days in New York.
- Times Square is a must
- Empire State Building with a clear 360 view of the city
- New York Highline is a definite after a solid day of walking
- Metropolitan Museum of Art to soak up the amazing collection of cultural artifacts from around the world
- National History Museum – the dinosaur exhibit is worth the visit alone
- Central Park – you haven't seen a park until you've seen this one
Nightlife entertainment
There are various other bars and lounges in New York City and you can generally start off at the meatpacking district on the lower west side (between 12th and 13th streets), then head your way up to the tourist bars and restaurants in Times Square between 42nd and 47th streets.
There are also other various bars and lounges in Williamsburg, in Brooklyn as well.
However, if bar hopping isn't your thing, the 'must do' in New York has to be to attend one of the many Broadway shows playing each day.
Tip: To get the cheapest available tickets for Broadway and off-Broadway shows, head over to the TKTS ticket booth where you can find shows at 20-50% off face value.
Final tips
- It's customary to tip on service (i.e. restaurants, cab fares, cafes etc)
- For value, check out the New York Pass as it gives you express access to some of the most iconic places around the city
- Download Yelp application on your smartphone or tablet to find out reviews and tips on various restaurants and attractions
- If you're visiting New York City for more than a few days, make sure you get a 7-day Unlimited MetroCard pass so you can get on the subway quicker
The views, opinions and positions expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect those of Cover-More Insurance.