So you've landed and you've also more than likely experienced the trial of stamina and frustration of the immigration queue at one of New Yorks 3 main airports and you've arrived at your hotel.
Now what, where to go first and what to do, New York is vast and I'm only really talking about Manhattan, never mind Brooklyn, Queens or Staton Island amongst the other areas you could visit and it's easy to become overwhelmed so below I give you a little direction and advice on the 5 "must do's" for people visiting New York, especially if your visiting for the first time.
MUST DO #1 - One World Observatory
Well this has to be top of the list doesn't it, to begin with you travel 102 floors in around 47 seconds, in a lift that shows you the skyline through the history of Manhattan and its transformation over time to the present day via its video walls, just that part of the visit is an experience to remember.
At the One Dine restaurant and bar you can dine or have cocktails whilst you gaze at the city skyline of downtown Manhattan whilst its doing it's thing below you from the relative calm up near the clouds.
Sunset is a very popular time but gives you some of the most spectacular vistas across the city at the “Golden Hour” for that you pay a little extra and I would recommend pre-booking your tickets as there are queues and it may take a little while to get through on the day, prices range from $34 to $87 depending on the time of day, the flexibility of the ticket and if you want a VIP pass which gives you little extras such as a gift and of course queue jump among other benefits.
I would highly recommend this to anyone visiting NYC be it your 1st or 5th time.
MUST DO #2 - Afternoon tea at The Plaza
Wether you’re a huge Home Alone fan or just love the history and grandure, the The Plaza Hotel New York has to be a must for any visit to the big apple, and why not experience it with afternoon tea in the palm court.
From between $95-$150 per person (depending if you want to add champagne or not) you get a memorable experience that you will treasure for years to come, Its easy to book via OpenTable prior to you arrival, which would be advisable as it gets booked up pretty quickly.
Along with a selection of different finger sandwiches and teas you get some tasty desserts and scones to help finish the treat off just right, and of course if you add the champagne option that also enhances the experience and takes it to that next level of indulgence.
Who knows you may be brushing shoulders with a familiar face as The Plaza is a regular haunt for the rich and famous.
Be it for a birthday, anniversary or just for the experience this has to be right up there on the list of things to do in NYC.
MUST DO #3 - 9/11 Memorial & Museum
The 11th September 2001 was one of New York City’s darkest days and i’m sure you can all remember were you were when you heard the news or saw the pictures about what happened and you may wonder why a visit to remember such a day would be in a list of things to do in New York.
However along with the terror and sadness of that day came stories of heroism and humanity, the city pulled together in a way not seen before and in the long run made it stronger and more united. The memorial museum helps tell some of the stories that help show the light that came from that dark day.
Set within the foundations of the old towers the museum helps give scale and context to the pictures you have seen and what the heroes of that day had to endure. A sobering and humbling experience that gives you the opportunity to understand the day in a way only seeing remnants can help.
Tickets cost between $24-$44 for adults and $15-$35 for children dependent on which option you take and can be bought directly from the 911memrorial.org, also basic entrance tickets are free with a New York Pass.
We recommend you set a few hours aside to take in the museum and memorial pools as this is not something that should be rushed.
MUST DO #4 - Brooklyn Bridge
A walk along this iconic Bridge has to be right up there on anyones list, along with the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most recognisable parts of the New York City skyline.
Opening in 1883 the bridge was build for horse drawn and rail traffic and a separate elevated walkway for pedestrian traffic between lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. At a hight of just over 276 feet and a length of nearly 6000 feet the Brooklyn Bridge gives you an opportunity to see Manhattan from a completely different perspective and away from the sometimes congested streets of the big apple.
It’s of course free to cross the bridge and you can access it from Park Row, Chambers St, Centre St and Church St on the Manhattan side of the bridge and Tillary St, Adams St South and Sands St on the Brooklyn side.
But don’t forget to take your camera, there are numerous opportunities to take photos of either the architecture of the bridge or the New York skyline along the way.
MUST DO #5 - Brooklyn
If your on the bridge you may as well carry on and take time to experience borough of Brooklyn, if Manhattan is the heart of New York City, Brooklyn is it’s soul.
With its iconic brownstone buildings and stone stoops Brooklyn is just as iconic as Manhattan and over the past 10 years its has grown more and more attractive to visitors and is continuing to entice people from the Manhattan bustle to its slightly more laid back and eclectic style, with cool flea markets and bars & restaurants to be found.
one of them being the live music venue Baby’s All Right in Williamsburg, a must with its intimate setting and ability to attract amazing talent this is venue is for live music lovers and it also does good food too.
Manhattan bridge from Washington street, Dumbo
Or you could take a stroll around Brooklyn Bridge park taking in the views of Manhattan just across the East River and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges that span it, and if you’d like to take the iconic Manhattan Bridge photo from Brooklyn you need to head to Washington Street in Dumbo.
Accesible from Manhattan via the Subway or bus or even a yellow cab if of course you don’t fancy the walk along Booklyn Bridge, so there is no reason not to take a peak at what Brooklyn has to offer visitors to New York
Whatever you decide to do you won’t be disappointed and the next time you travel to New York you may well decide to stay in Brooklyn after you’ve experienced all it can offer to visitors.
If you’re visiting New York soon or are planning a trip in the future you have a lot to think about and plan, I wouldn’t recommend arriving without at least a loose plan of what you’d like to see and do as it’s easy to become overwhelmed with what the city has to offer and spend the first day or two just wandering around and as most trips are shot breaks every hour counts.
So I hope this list has given you food for thought and a brief insight in to what to expect from just a handful of the sights to see and things to do on your trip
Enjoy!!!