There is so much to see and do in New York City…this city is my dream city. You can just get lost in the neighborhoods. As a visitor to this great metropolis, it’s great to spend a full day exploring one of the neighborhoods and not trying to go from Lower Manhattan, to Colombus Cirlcle to Greenwich Village to Soho all in the same day. Spend a day in each and that way you get to find some hidden gems whilst exploring.
I love walking the streets and looking up at the skyscrapers, listening to the sounds of the city and taking in the different aroma’s. I particularly like visiting the museums and galleries on the Upper East Side, such as the Guggenheim – I always go straight to the top level and then wind my way down.
The Solomon Guggenheim Museum
photography exhibition
Central Park is a vast and majestic rectangle of open space in the middle of Manhattan. The people’s park is a leisure space for all New Yorker’s. While parts of the park swarm with joggers, in-line skaters, cyclists, musicians and tourists on weekends you can still find some quieter moments to enjoy the elm-lined walkways, the Bow Bridge connecting Cherry Hill and the Ramble, Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields memorial to John Lennon, Sheep Meadow, the Loeb Boathouse and one very famous statue of Alice in Wonderland.
Central Park
I have been fortunate enough to see New York’s famous landmarks from the air on a couple of occassions with an exhilarating 15-minute helicopter tour. As you fly above the Hudson River the flight takes you past the World Financial Center, around the Statue of Liberty and over Ellis Island, past the iconic Empire State Building and Chrysler Building, alongside the sprawling expanse of Central Park all the way to Yankee Stadium and back.
Great ride
Birds-eye view from helicopter
New York is a walking city and it’s a great place to people watch, so put on your sneakers and hit the pavement.
Strolling along Broadway
Lady Liberty, designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, was a gift to the United States from the people of France. The copper statue is of a robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess, who bears a torch and a tablet evoking the law upon which is inscribed the date of the American Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776. A broken chain lies at her feet and represents freedom.
Lady Liberty
The High Line is a must do. What was once a dingy rail line is now one of New York’s best-loved attractions due to stunning views of the Hudson River, public art installations, lounge chairs for soaking up some sun and a unique perspective on the neighborhood streets below.
Spotted from the High Line
Whether or not it’s a love of baseball, American football, Ice Hockey or Basketball, New York has it all and it’s a great days entertainment. Even the pre and post cheersquads are great to see. Always love seeing the Yankees playing their fierce rival the Boston Red Sox.
Rodriguez…strike
There is always a celebrity playing on or off-Broadway and there are so many shows to choose from. As a theatre tragic, it’s one of the first things I book tickets to.
Ethan Hawke with a few well known celeb’s on Broadway
On a sunny day there is nothing better that walking the Brooklyn Bridge. Whether you start in Brooklyn and walk across it to Manhattan or vice versa, it’s well worth it for the views over the River and of the city skyline. As you cross it, you will often see artists drawing, painting or photographing the bridge and it has appeared in so many movies including The Docks of New York, Godzilla, Moonstruck and Spider-Man to name a few.
Brooklyn Bridge – locks of love
It’s not uncommon to stumble across a tv show or movie filming on the streets of New York. On this particular day I came across a fashion shoot for a high-end magazine whilst wandering around the Meatpacking District.
Meatpacking District
For me the view from the Top of the Rock trumps the Empire State Building as it’s less crowded and actually offers a view of the Empire State Building itself. You also have an awesome view of Central Park and Upper Manhattan.
View of Central Park from Top of the Rock
Empire State Building…standing tall
I just happened to come across this handwritten quote on the pavement, and I think it truely represents the spirit and belief of New Yorkers.
So true!
My top 10 things to see and do in New York City:
- Guggenheim Gallery / MOMA / Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Central Park – go for a bike ride, it’s fantastic
- Helicopter Ride
- Statue of Liberty (Ellis Island is worth a stop too)
- The High Line
- Go to a game at Giants or Yankee Stadium or see a Broadway Show
- Brooklyn Bridge walk
- Meatpacking District and Soho
- Top of the Rock
- Explore the neighborhoods
Ok, so I had to combine a couple to keep it to a top 10 list. This is just the beginning of some things to do and see in New York and that is why I will never get bored of visiting this inspiring metropolis. I’m not done with New York City and New York City is not done with me, so until next time!
I would love to hear what your favourite places are in New York.
Thanks for stopping by!
Running along both sides of the space are two rows of hung pieces of art which appear to magically float in the air. On the right side hand twelve painted portraits.
On the left eight photos of Rone’s works shown in striking context in abandoned houses.
A discreet peephole looking into the pitch black warehouse next door revealed another mural rising out of the rubble covered floor. The piece had numerous small holes drilled into it allowing the light to peak through.
I am so glad I made it to the last day of the exhibition…one of the most inspiring collection of artwork. Not only will we be losing a massive work of art, it is such a pity we are losing another interesting building as it’s due to be demolished in a few weeks time.
amomentintime 