Things to do in NYC off the top of my head:
Zillion things to do in Central Park:
centralpark.com
You're sure to see places featured in movies.
(to make the most, bring good shoes /sneakers to walk around in)
[warning: squirrels are spoiled, so don't be disappointed if they prefer fine dining to that peanut you tossed at them. But they're not cheeky, and neither are the pigeons. You might see some exotic stuff like woodpeckers :-) ]
Row boat on the lake - my favorite. Or take a gondola ride. Visit the castle.
Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art metmuseum.org - tip: the entry fee is a "suggested donation" - pay what you want - you don't have to pay their full suggested admission
Central Park Zoo is a nice small zoo with some interesting exhibits (penguin and tropical are nice)
Pathway south of the Zoo have artists drawing portraits - some artists are so so but most are quite good. Exit the park at the south east end, cross the street and visit the Apple store :-) (conveniently located next to FAO Schwarz, a really really great toy store.) Walk down 5th Ave, window shopping at the zillion of stores, from low end to high end $. You might like to keep going even below 42nd street and or explore other avenues. There is stuff all over the place. If you're near Macys, stop into a Korean restaurant, there are zillions of good ones.
Oh yeah, walking around town, good idea to bring your own water bottle, unless you like paying like $2/bottle. If you buy food from any street vendor, calculate the cost - these guys usually add wrong (in their favor - they'll usually add up an extra hot dog or so). They'll back down when you show you're paying attention. If they don't post prices, ask first. (They are my NYC pet peeve $@##%!!&@)
A few "bit out of the way" places if you are the adventurous type-
Bronx: Bronx Zoo; New York Botanic Gardens;
Queens: Main st. Flushing (like Manhattan Chinatown, not as old, definitely no where as touristy, incredibly crowded but many great chinese/ korean/ indian/ malaysian/ asian/ etc restaurants and shops);
Brooklyn: Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, Coney Island beach/amusement park/aquarium;
North Manhattan: Cloisters metmuseum.org
and not too out of the way - I think South Street Seaport was mentioned?
I'll second that as a place to visit.
If you want to visit WTC, well there's not much to visit or see, but the park and area near the river nearby is nice. Go to Chelsea piers, go got the view, bowling ice skating (not sure season), actiivities.
Circle line cruise in inexpensive and it does as the name suggests: circles Manhattan.
For cheap "thrills", take the Staten Island Ferry. Nice boat ridebut nothing much else to say about it.
Visit Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty. |
