New York City Day Trip Ideas
September 11th, 2011Of all the cities in the United States, it is possible that New York City is the greatest. The five boroughs, boasting roughly ten million inhabitants spans a vast array of cultures and history. New York City is one of my favorite cities in the world because wherever you turn, there is infinite variety of activities, language, culture and cuisine. Visiting New York for a day is like traveling to Paris for the day, but it’s worth the time to see what the city has to offer.
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New York Travel Tips: Think about using the subway system to get around. Taxis are great, but they can add up. While figuring out, the New York subway is kind of like trying to decode a map written in Hindi in the dark, it’s possible to figure it out, and as long as you’re clear about where you need to go, many New Yorkers will be happy to answer a quick question. Metro Cards work for either the subway or the bus system, and it’s definitely less expensive than a taxi. However, if your destinations are relatively close together, I would suggest walking, particularly if you’re in Manhattan, which has very interesting and beautiful buildings and unique stores.
Works of Art: I love the museums. One of my first stops would be the Museum of Modern Art, located on 53rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth streets. The Museum of Modern Art may very well house the greatest collection of modern art in the world, covering every variety of media. The MOMA also houses paintings by Van Gogh, Picasso, Cezanne, Matisse, Monet, Dali, Mondrian and Warhol, in addition to many, many others. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is another must-see, featuring exhibitions of fashion, textiles, paintings and art from every era and culture. The exquisite collection is well worth the price of admission. The Met is on Fifth Avenue. It’s not impossible to get there on foot from the MOMA, but it is a bit of a walk. However, the Whitney Museum of American Art is in between the two, providing a nice pause.
Be Amazed: The American Museum of Natural History, located on 79th Street, Central Park West is a great stop for anyone of any age, although kids are often thrilled by the exhibits. The museum has a large exhibit of dinosaur bones and a number of really cool exhibits on human history, human biology and the universe. While you’re seeking out the natural world in New York, consider visiting the Central Park Zoo, located across Central Park from the Museum of Natural History. The Zoo has a red panda, polar bears, sea lions, monkeys, and snow leopards – and that’s just in the mammal section. It also offers movie entertainment. Taking a break between the museum and the Zoo to enjoy Central Park is another great idea. Enjoying a picnic in one of the most famous parks in the world is a great way to spend your lunch time.
Consider visiting Chinatown and Little Italy. To start with, they’re quite near each other, making it an easy trip. Not only that, you’re in for some of the greatest Italian or Chinese food of your life. The shopping in Chinatown is intriguing, giving you opportunities to buy unique jewelry, clothing, bags and snacks, while experiencing the closest thing to Beijing you can get in the United States. Little Italy has phenomenal restaurants and great architecture. Not only that, you’re also near SoHo, NoLita and the Bowery, three unique districts of Manhattan, each with their own flavors, styles and cultures. For anyone who enjoys wandering, this is the area of New York for you.
The Classics: There are some places in New York that are iconic and classic. The Empire State Building, located on 5th Avenue, is one of them. From the moment King Kong climbed it up, it has represented New York. It’s also near the New York Public Library, which is a great place to take your favorite book-lover, although you might not get them to leave. The other original New York must-sees are the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, located in the bay. You can take a ferry from the tip of Manhattan to both islands. Ellis Island is an interesting stop for anyone curious about their heritage and the Statue of Liberty is the other classic symbol of New York City. If you’re doing the classics, I would suggest a trip through Central Park and a stop in Times Square to enjoy the lights.
The Theater: New York has got some of the greatest theater in the world. Enjoy it. Getting really great tickets to some of the hottest shows may be difficult, but worth it if you are planning your trip in advance. I would recommend Avenue Q, Rent, Wicked and The Lion King as safe bets for entertainment, but keep an eye out for a show that looks like it might hit the spot. Carnegie Hall, located on 56th and Seventh, near Central Park is a great stop as well. There are countless off-Broadway theaters in New York, so your chances of seeing a great production on your trip are very high. Be adventurous.
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Shopping, shopping and more: New York’s other reputation? Fashion. Take a trip down to Century 21, located near Ground Zero on Cortland Street. There, you can find a huge selection of marked-down designer pieces or unique purchases. Heading back towards the heart of Manhattan, stop in the Garment District. Macy’s and Herald Square are located on 34th street and you can do some shopping in the iconic department store before moving on to 38th street and the center of the Garment District. In that area, you will find some of the most interesting and unique clothing stores in the city, as well as a huge selection of fabric stores (many of which are used by well-known fashion designers.) It’s a pricey plan for the day, but if you’ve been saving, NYC is the place to splurge.
There is more to do in New York than is possible to list. Restaurants, walking tours…I didn’t even get into the other 4 boroughs. Whatever you choose to do, make New York your own. Enjoy the moments you spend on the streets, trying to capture the unique flavor and rhythm of one of the most unique cities in the world.
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