A visitors guide to New York Citys neighborhoods – Part 2

New York City, the most populous city in the United States is made up of five boroughs: Staten Island, Queens, The Bronx, Brooklyn and my personal favorite, Manhattan. Commonly referred to as “the city that never sleeps” and “the Big Apple”, the city is divided by several different and equally popular neighborhoods. While some are lesser known, these neighborhoods top the list of most visitors and tourists alike.

The Upper West Side, primarily consists of an upscale residential neighborhood and hosts a number of popular attractions such as the Lincoln Center, the Met (Metropolitan Opera House), and the New York State Theater, home of the New York City Ballet and is the heart of the city as far as culture is concerned. If you find yourself in this neighborhood after dark, check out Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola Nightclub for some tasty eats and enjoy world-class jazz music while overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

The Upper East Side, located east of the famous Central Park is the location of Museum Mile, a collection of nine of New York’s finest museums such as the Guggenheim and the Jewish Museum. If you’re on a budget, stay away from this part of town as the shopping experience can get pricy. But if you’re looking for a luxury, world class hotel, this area features the lot of them.

Next, head over to Midtown. Most of the city’s best known landmarks are located in this area along with some of the best shopping in the world. Don’t miss the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station and the Chrysler Building, all located in Midtown.

Not far from Midtown is Murray Hill, a quiet residential neighborhood near the Midtown tunnel and features nice brownstones and located near the tramway to Roosevelt Island.

Above Central Park you will find Harlem, an area rich in African American history. Famous landmarks include the Apollo Theater, Grant’s Tomb, a memorial to the late Ulysses S. Grant and Studio Museum specializing in African American art.

A widely popular area is the Theater District and Times Square. Probably one of the most visited neighborhoods in New York City, Times Square is the home to MTV Studios (hosting the popular tv show, TRL), and the Times Building, the location where the New Years Eve ball drops and of course, the setting for Good Morning America. Located nearby is the ever-popular Theater District, popular spots such as Radio City Music Hall (home of the Rockettes), the Metropolitan Opera House and Carnegie Hall are located in this area. A few

Guide to visiting New York City with young kids

Why not? Kids love NYC too! Do you remember the first time you stood in the middle of the magic of Times Square? Remember the excitement you felt looking around at all those amazing lights! Now imagine the look on your little guy’s face while he takes it in for the first time. How can you not take them along?

My husband and I have three girls, 10, 6, and 2. We live in the Boston area and have traveled with the girls to New York City for the weekend since the oldest was a baby. We always drive and we always stay at beautiful hotels that welcome our children lovingly. The key to the four hour drive is to leave while they are tired. That way they will sleep most of the trip. Usually, we leave very early in the morning (i.e. 5:00 am) so the girls fall back to sleep after just a little while in the car. Of course we take along lots of books, games and snacks for the times when they are awake.

The next important factor is the hotel and the area of New York you want to stay in. We typically stay in Manhattan around Times Square or Fifth Avenue shopping. My advice is to research kid-friendly hotels. My absolute favorite is the Omni Berkshire. They have a fantastic Omni Kids Club. Every child gets a bag upon arrival with toys and games and a list of ‘cool’ places to visit. There is even a suitcase full of games and stuff at the front desk the kids can borrow while they are hanging out at the hotel. The kids menu in the restaurant is great, too. The kids even get there own cups that they can have refilled for free at anytime during the stay. It really makes me (and the kids) feel welcome.

Then you have to decide what to see while you are there. My kids absolute love the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. They are incredibly interested in the history and significance of our dear Lady Liberty. I love to quiz them on Liberty Trivia. The view from the top of the Empire State Building takes their breath away every time! Of course, we miss our old haunt, FAO Shwartz, but love the Ferris wheel inside Toys R’ Us in Times Square. My 6 year old loves the Barbie car! If you have girls, do not miss the American Girl Doll Store. This is a 6 story mega store, complete with a theater, photography studio, Doll hair salon, and caf! We could (and have) spend an entire day (and a lot of $$) there. Finally, don’t forget to take a relaxing carriage ride through Central Park. I prefer to do this around dusk. Central Park is beautiful at the end of the day when the lights come on and the sun sets as the whole family snuggles down under a blanket.

Do take your children with you to New York. You will have a wonderful time. The children will learn a lot about our history and culture. You will build brilliant memories.

A Neighborhood Roundup of Hostels in New York

“The city that never sleeps” it may be, but everyone needs to lay their head down from time to time. Luckily, right across the five boroughs, New York hostels are there are the budget traveler exhausted by a long day – and even longer night out! – in the city.

New York City is split into five different boroughs, with each area offering its own unique sense of identity. And given that it’s such a huge city, deciding where to stay can be a tough choice for any backpacker.

The Bronx is the home of hip hop; Brooklyn is packed with beautiful brown-stone buildings; Queens is veritably buzzing with Latino flavors; while Staten Island is a little more suburban, but it’s Manhattan that undoubtedly the number one choice for travelers.

As the most-visited borough, Manhattan is where visitors will find most of the famed New York sights. The Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Station, Penn Stadium –the list of attractions on the main island is almost endless. The commercial center of New York is also home to Wall Street, the United Nation’s headquarters and countless skyscrapers.

Uptown

From the Bronx at the very north of New York City to the vibrant communities of Washington Heights and Harlem and on to the exclusive Upper East Side, Uptown is a great place to start looking for a good New York hostel.

The Upper West Side is a good place to experience the life of local New Yorkers. The region is often seen as the home of New York’s liberal community, with many residents working in the media and creative arts.

Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway are packed with restaurants and cafes in the Upper West Side and visitors can explore Central Park from Columbus Circle. The area is also the location of the famous Dakota Building where John Lennon lived with Yoko Ono.

Midtown Manhattan is home to several massive tourists’ attractions, including Times Square where the Portland Square Hotel is situated.

Downtown

Heading south takes travelers into the trendy Downtown area of New York City. The haunt of several artists and once the home of Andy Warhol’s Factory, the areas around the East Village, Greenwich Village and Washington Square Park offer plenty to see and do.

Hostels in this part of the city are also reasonably priced and include the recently-renovated Hotel 17 on East 17th Street and Jazz on the Town, situated in the trendy heart of the East Village at the corner of East 14th Street and 2nd Avenue.

Other hip areas to seek out budget accommodation include the Lower East Side, SoHo (which stands for South of Houston) and TriBeCa (short for ‘Triangle below Canal Street’).

To the south-east of Manhattan is Brooklyn, where backpackers can find some of the most attractive New York hostels. The Crown Brownstone is one such hostel, offering free internet, kitchen facilities, shared common rooms and easy access to the subway.

Guide to visiting New York City with young kids – Part 1

New York City is a fun three-night get-away for families. Even young school age children will recognize many landmarks from movies, television and books.

Midtown Manhattan has good access to public transportation, and is walking distance to many attractions, kid-friendly dining and Broadway theaters, so it makes a good “home base.” Although New York is notorious for small, pricey hotel rooms, Midtown offers a variety of lodging, some with relatively larger rooms or suites that will suit a family. After a day of sight-seeing, more space makes relaxing more comfortable, and makes dining in on budget-friendly take-out easier.

Early risers might enjoy a walk toward Rockefeller Center to catch the “Today Show” broadcast, beginning around 7:00 a.m. Grab breakfast at one of the many delis, where you can choose from a selection of bagel-and-egg sandwiches, coffee, fruit and pastries filling and affordable. Head over to the NBC store at Rockefeller Center and buy tickets for the NBC tour, where you can see how a real TV news studio and the “Saturday Night Live” set.

Midtown is home to Times Square, a must-see for any first time visitor. Safer, cleaner and more tourist-friendly than a decade ago, this revitalized area is amazing at night, like standing in the midst of a neon fireworks display. Hang onto your little ones Times Square can be a little crowded when the Broadway theaters empty out in the evening.

Theater-going families can take advantage of the “Tkts” booth right in the center of Times Square, where day-of-performance tickets sell at a discount. Shopping is easy in Midtown, with a giant Toys “R” Us complete with a 60 foot tall ferris wheel. FAO Schwartz, American Girl and Nintendo stores are all within walking distance. An ambitious walk or a short subway ride from Times Square will take you to the Empire State building, an art deco landmark and a symbol of New York City. Ride up the elevator at dusk and watch as night falls and lights begin to twinkle breathtaking!

Walking to your destinations is a great way to take in the city if your kids can manage. If not, the subway is a quick and safe alternative. Ask the hotel concierge for a map and for help navigating the system and you’ll be on your way. After a few busy days, you’ll be planning your next trip with the kids to New York City!

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Travel destinations: New York City – Part 2

There is certainly no shortage of interesting sites in New York, from Broadway to the Empire State Building, the great museums and the Statue of Liberty to name just a few. But for the traveler that has already seen it all, or for the traveler who wants to stay away from the large crowds of tourists, there are still a lot of interesting sites in New York that don’t regularly get listed in the travel guide.

Federal Hall: When this building was first built, 1834-1842, it served as the US Customs House of New York. Today, Federal Hall is a museum that celebrates the fact that America’s first national capital once stood on this site. It was here, in New York, that George Washington was inaugurated in 1789 and where Congress wrote the Bill of Rights. The Federal Hall Museum is free of charge, and guided tours are given three times a day. 26 Wall Street

Trinity Church: Designed by Richard Upjohn in the Gothic Revival style, the Trinity Church of New York was consecrated in 1846. Today, Trinity is surrounded by skyscrapers, but in the 19th century, Trinity was by far the tallest building in New York, serving as a beacon for ships sailing into New York Harbor to the south. Its surrounding graveyard serves as the final resting place of many of the elites of New York, including Alexander Hamilton and Robert Fulton. The church is open to the public and guided tours are offered seven days a week at 2pm. Broadway at Wall Street

Fraunces Tavern Museum: What stands here today is a replica of the original Fraunces Tavern, which first opened in 1719. Famous for playing host to General George Washington’s farewell to his officers in 1783, the Fraunces Tavern today is the only remaining remnant of commercial colonial New York. There is a restaurant on the ground floor, which features a colonial type interior, while upstairs there is a museum whose exhibits share the history of colonial and revolutionary New York. 54 Pearl Street

St. Paul’s Chapel: Built in 1766 in what was, at the time, rural New York, St. Paul’s Chapel is the sole surviving church from colonial New York. George Washington was a regular worshiper here during his Presidency in New York, and his pew box has been preserved to this day. Located next to the World Trade Center site, St. Paul’s Chapel was amazingly not harmed by the 2001 terrorist attacks which leveled its neighboring towers. Today, there is a very interesting Ground Zero Ministry Exhibit. Open to the public. 209-11

Places to see before you die: Reasons to add New York City to the list – Part 26

I’ve gasped as a glacier split and slowly fell into THE Gastineau Channel; sipped mocha from a bathtub sized coffee cup while watching herds of walrus lounge on a beach of the Pacific; relaxed with the sun setting over the Appalachians; watched the fireworks explode from atop the Federal Building in the District of Columbia. I could try to remember all the amazing places I’ve seen, but it is surprisingly difficult considering the time it took to write the first sentence. Traveling, when you get to a certain point, seems to blend itself all together into an indecipherable blur. Suddenly, I cannot remember if I ate strip steak at the Hard Rock Caf in Myrtle Beach or Boston. Or was that DC? I can, however, remember the name of the song that played while I drank whiskey sours with my younger brother in a cramped caf in Lower East Side of New York Cityit was “Is You Is, Or Is You Ain’t, My Baby?” by the way.

If Las Vegas is America’s playground, then New York is the world’s. There are simply too many sites that cannot be ignored. Their names are infamous and bound to be frequented by any tourist and suggested by any native. Any single attraction is more than enough reason to visit New York. Avoid the runners, rollerbladers and skateboarders in Central Park. Bump elbows on the L. Stare at the Cup of Noodles advertisement at Times Square. Resist throwing a penny off the top of the Empire State Building. Pretend to be able to afford the showpiece hanging in the window of Gianni Versace. Do all that and go home happy. Or stay a bit longer and see what New York really has to offer.

Just walk outside. Quench all different types of thirsts in a nightclub on a Monday night. Become metaphorically lost in any hands-on toy store. Even I found myself gawking at an oversized floor-step piano. See Strawberry Fields, and then look up to see where Lennon slept. Walk a bit closer to see where he was murdered. Stand in place too long and be engaged in a random conversation you neither started nor necessarily agreed to. Sites. Food. Culture. Diversity. Entertainment.

New York is not only always changing, but depending upon how serious or relaxed the trip may be, the Big Apple always pushes back. And I, after sitting atop a mountain during an aura borealis or driving down the strip in Myrtle Beach during Bike Week, still found myself thinking but one thing. There is only on reason not to see New Yorkfear that wherever home may be, the volume may be turned down, the colors may appear gray, the food may taste bland and you, like me, may be thinking that same one thought, “I wish I were in New York.”

Top five tourist attractions in the USA

The United States is a treasure trove of amazing sights, experiences and attractions. Any list of top tourist attractions could be broken down in many ways: top five historical locations, top five great architectural achievements, top five natural wonders, etc.

On a broader scale, consider the top five tourist attractions in the USA to be five of the most exciting cities in the world. Why limit a top attraction to a single event or sight when the top five cities can offer enough attractions and excitement to build an entire vacation around?

Top tourist attraction number one, of course, would be New York City. In the city that never sleeps there are non-stop opportunities for fine dining, luxurious hotel accommodations, world class theatre, world class sports teams and shopping experiences of the most “en vogue” level. History abounds in the city that houses the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building. Central Park provides the beauty of nature and the chance to escape from the chaos that makes New York City the Mecca of humanity.

A second great tourist attraction city is Las Vegas. There must be something to these cities that operate full-tilt 24/7. Although known best for it gambling venues, Las Vegas is an adventure in unique architecture, once in a lifetime entertainment experiences and unusual dining options, not to mention the spectacular heat. History and nature lovers can fulfill their interests with day trips to the nearby Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon while there.

For historic and political attractions, it would be hard to beat Washington, D.C. Here, in the seat of government, the foundation of American society had its turbulent birth. Nowhere else is history so meticulously cataloged, maintained and displayed for the entire world to see. Just taking in the Smithsonian museums would be enough to fill several vacations. The influential buildings of note, such as the White House, the Supreme Court building or the Pentagon, bring every grade school history class into sharp focus.

Not all great tourist attraction cities are fast paced and high tension. Some are attractive for their natural and extraordinary beauty.

Niagara Falls boasts one of the most unbelievably beautiful and overwhelming displays ever offered up by nature. The power and the majesty of these dynamic falls attract millions to nature’s intense explosion of water.

A final tourist attraction city, known for its natural beauty more than for its high energy, is San Diego. Situated on the California coastline, San Diego reaches out to the Pacific Ocean with the warm embrace of its delightfully temperate climate. San Diego has big city appeal and the basics of nature’s beauty, all rolled into one. The sea lions on the beaches of La Jolla lay claim to the untouched beauty of nature that has existed side by side with the modern city life that has grown up just a few miles from the Mexican border.

Great tourist attractions are not always one person, place or thing. For enough exciting attractions to fill a vacation and leave the mind with a sense of wonder and fulfillment, any one of these five great cities will fit the bill. For every city listed on this list of five great tourist attractions, there are five more that might be suggested. Wonder and excitement can be found all around us if we take the time to open our eyes and really see.

Visiting New York City on a modest budget – Part 4

Start your trip by doing research. Don’t assume you can pick a random amount of money and that it will cover all of your expenses. The Big Apple can cost big bucks if you’re not careful. Do you want to see the Statue of Liberty? It costs to go up the monument but also to take a ferry across the water to it.

Would you like to see a Broadway show? If you buy same day tickets while in New York you can save a bundle. One way to do this is by visiting a TKTS Booth for shows at up to 50% off the original ticket price. Find more detailed information on the TKTS Booths at: http://www.entertainment-link. com/tkts.asp

You should also visit a few museums while visiting New York. While most museums charge admission you can check their individual websites for any specials they might have. The Guggenheim normally charges $18 for an adult admission. However, on Fridays after 5:45, they have a “pay what you wish” program to gain entrance.

City Pass tickets also offer travelers a way to package multiple attractions into a single cost. At only $65, the NYC City Pass gets tourists admission to the Empire State Building, a number of museums, and a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise. For more info. visit: http://www.citypass.com/city/n y.html

Where you stay in New York will affect your cost. The closer you are to downtown or the coast the pricier your hotel will be. If you can’t find a budget hotel, look at a map of the city and use that to find a good deal. A hot dog on a street corner or a small family owned diner can enrich your experience of New York while giving your wallet a break. It can be okay to splurge every once in a while and maybe go to Tavern on the Green, but make sure you understand the costs of these places ahead of time.

Finally, you will need to get around New York. Cab fares have standardized fees, but be aware that they charge you for miles traveled and also time idling in traffic. The subway can be confusing, but if you familiarize yourself with underground tunnels ahead of time you should be fine.

Just remember to plan out your budget ahead of time and stick to it. Happy traveling everyone!

Visiting New York City on a modest budget

New York, New York! You know it’s a fabulous town, but did you also know it can be a frugal one as well? Learn some tips from the locals and discover how you can make your New York vacation marvelous while staying in your means.

In hotels, as in real estate, location is everything. By booking a hotel away from tourist areas and Manhattan especially, you can easily save $50 or more a night. Consider a Borough Tour- spend a night or two in hotels in Brooklyn, Queens, and historic Harlem. While experiencing different parts and subcultures of the city, you also will experience a fuller wallet.

Travel in the city can be daunting at first, which leads many visitors to take cabs. But with prices at several dollars per quarter mile, you can spend your entire budget getting around. Locals use the subway, and so can you. Don’t be put off by movie presentations- the New York City subway is generally well-lit, fairly clean, fast, and efficient. With stops every few blocks, you are always bound to be close to your destination. Maps are free and can be found online, making it easy to plan your routes before you arrive.

A great part of any vacation is the food. New York hotspots like Butter are full of the in-crowd, but a nice dinner can cost almost as much as your hotel room. The best and most authentic food is found on the streets, and happily will cost a fraction of the price. Try a street vendor hot dog- the freshest ones are found in high-traffic around museums, parks, and Wall Street. Get a slice of New York pizza, every corner has its own specialty. Sample the generous portions in a real Kosher deli, reasonable prices (and a pickle!) come standard.

Pick only one or two traditional tourist spots to visit and skip the rest. You don’t really need a replica Empire State Building. A fall walk in Central Park will be far more memorable and is free. Visit Grand Central Station and admire the architecture and artwork. A museum unto itself, and free for all. Make a point of experiencing the city, not gift shops.

New York has it all- food, culture, history, and fun. Visiting New York is bound to be a memorable experience, whether this is your first time or twenty-fifth. A trip to New York does not have to be outrageously expensive. By visiting New York as the locals do, this trip can mean rewards for your wallet and your memories.