Are you planning to visit the New York City anytime soon? If it is your first time to visit, it is quite practical to have an insider’s guide when traveling to the Big Apple. With all the places to see and things to do, below are some recommendations to make the most out of your limited time in the city.
When is the best time to visit the New York City?
Most people who visited the Big Apple would say that the best time to see New York City is during fall because of the clear blue skies and crisp air. But if you want to experience free events, summer would be the most ideal and reliable time to visit.
Why go to the Big Apple?
New York City lives up to its nickname, the city that never sleeps. There’s just so much to see and so much to do that a single visit would never be enough. NYC also considers itself the restaurant capital of the world so a few days would only take you to some of the best dining spots.
Where to Go
Classic attractions in New York City include:
The Empire State Building
This is one of the most popular places to go when vising New York City. Its entrance is on 5th Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets. People go to the Empire State Building for the history of the building and the tour. It also offers stunning views of the New York City from the Observation Deck. It offers two observatories, one at the 86th floor and one at the 102nd floor. It is open 7 days a week from 8:00AM to 2:00AM. Last elevators go up at 1:15AM.
Empire State Building – New York City
Insider Tip: Get your Express Pass in advance from the Empire State Building website to save yourself from the long lines. But if you are traveling on a tight budget, then buy the New York City Pass. If you want to get the best views, be there two hours before sunset.
Central Park
Central Park is not your ordinary park. It is a beauty by itself that countless movies, novels and films took place here. Based on research, it gets around 37-38 million visitors a year and everyone who visits picks has his or her favorite spot in the park. There are Walking Tours that you and your family can enjoy. For the movie aficionados, you can join the two-hour Central Park Movie Tour and see the locations of famous scenes shot here. If you are traveling with small kids, you can visit the Central Park Zoo which has a petting zoo, 4D movies, rainforest with tropical birds and so much more.
Central Park – New York City
Insider Tip: Most of the activities that you can do in Central Park are free. But if you wish to do more than just walking, you can get discount passes such as The New York Pass and the New York Explorer Pass.
Times Square New York
Also known as the Crossroads of the World, Times Square remains to be the major commercial and tourism district of New York City.
Times Square New York
Popular attractions include:
Museums at Times Square:
- The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) – featuring Van Gogh’s Starry Night painting
- Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met)
- Museum of Natural History
- Guggenheim
- Madame Tussaud Wax Museum
Shopping at Times Square:
- SoHo (South of Houston Street) and NoLIta (North of Little Italy)
- Macy’s
- Century 21
- MAC Cosmetics
- Disney Store
- Forever 21
- Planet Hollywood
- Swatch
- Toys R Us
- NASDAQ Marketsite
Restaurants at Times Square:
- Meskeree (468 W 47th, 10th Ave)
- Croton Reservoir Tavern (108 W 40th St (6th/Broadway)
- Becco (355 W 46th, 8th Ave)
- Restaurant Row (46th St., 8th/9th Aves)
- Ruby Foos (1626 Bway / 49th St)
Hotels at Times Square
- Hotel Pennsylvania New York
– Chelsea, New York City (1 km from Times Square) - The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel – Theatre District, New York City (0.6 km from Times Square)
- The Roosevelt Hotel – Midtown Center, New York City (0.8 km from Times Square)
- Millennium Hotel Broadway – New York City (0.2 km from Times Square)
- Edison Hotel New York City – Theatre District, New York City (0.3 km from Times Square)
- New York Marriott Marquis – Times Square District, New York City (0.2 km from Times Square)
- Courtyard by Marriott New York Times Square West – Garment District, New York City (0.9 km from Times Square)
Insider Tip: Do not be deceived by the street vendors who sell branded / signature items. But what you can buy from them are handmade products such as artworks, photographs, and crafts.
Where to Eat
Expect the unexpected when dining in New York City. Prepare yourself for a one-of-a-kind culinary experience because the restaurants in NYC are always innovating and there is always something delicious to try. From fine dining to street food, you can eat at a different restaurant / food truck every day. If you’ve got time, try visiting these dining places in NYC and taste some of the best food in the city:
Fine New York Dining
- Eleven Madison Park – 11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010
- Crown Restaurant – 24 E 81st St., New York, NY 10075
- Jean-Georges – Trump Hotel Central Park, 1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023
- Ai Fiori – 400 5th Avenue, 2nd Level, New York, NY 10018
- Le Bernardin – 155 W 51st St., New York, NY 10019
Classics for New York Foodies
Steak House:
- Delmonico’s – 56 Beaver St. New York, NY 10004
- Leopard des Artistes – 1 W 67th St., New York, NY 10023
- 21 Club (Twenty-One Club) – 21 W 52nd St., New York, NY 10019
- Peter Luger Steak House – 178 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Italian:
- Four Seasons – 99 E 52nd St., New York, NY 10022
American (Traditional):
- Parm – 248 Mulberry St., New York – Average sandwich: $9
- Pies ‘n’ Thighs – 166 South 4th St., Brooklyn – Average food price: $10
- Saltie – 378 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn –Average sandwich: $8
- City Bakery – 3 W 18th St., New York 10003 – Average food price: $14
- Artichoke Basile’s Pizza and Bar – 114 Tenth Ave., New York – Average pizza: $4
- Totto Ramen – 366 W 52nd St. New York – Average ramen: $10
- Tehuitzingo Deli and Grocery – 695 Tenth Ave., New York – Average taco: $2.50
- Caffe Falai – 265 Lafayette St., New York – Average main course: $12
- Mei Li Wah Bakery – 64 Bayard St., New York – Average bun: $1
- New Malaysia Restaurant – Chinatown Arcade #28, 46–48 Bowery, New York 10013 – Average main course: $10
Always remember that NYC is a wonderful walking city. Not only would it give you toned legs, it would make you appreciate the different cultures of the various neighborhoods and the friendliness of New Yorkers. But just in case you really want to explore the city, you will love how the subway can take you wherever you want to go. You can buy the 7-day pass for only $29 or the 30-day pass for $104. The best part? There are no zone restrictions and the subway pass can also be used for the buses.
Now, are you ready to explore NYC?
