One Stop Guide To New York City

I feel great pleasure in finally writing about my favorite city ever. Having visited New York City more times than I can remember, I have never seen such a culturally diverse crowd anywhere in the world. The spirits of this city never seem to dim. The chaos is not bothersome, in fact it does it’s magic and sways you along making you fall in love with the city even more. I could spend a day or a week or a month or even more exploring the concrete jungle and yet be asking for more. That’s the beauty of it. There is always someplace new to visit, you just cannot get bored!

Travel Tip: I love to explore New York City by foot. Every nook and corner could have a surprise waiting for you. But if you are pressed for time, I would highly recommend the Hop On Hop Off bus tours offering the uptown,midtown and downtown loops. If the weather is promising, the view of the city from the open roof of the bus along with live commentary by the bus guide could be a lovely experience. You get to see the sights from the comfort of the bus plus get to know about the city from a local. You can get down at any of the listed stops and get back in as the buses arrive every 15 minutes.

Without making you wait any further, here is your NYC guide ..

Times Square and More..

• 

• 

• 

As cheesy as it sounds, the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of New York City is Times Square.. Yes it’s touristy.. Yes the locals do not visit anymore.. But hey.. NYC is incomplete without Times Square! And if you haven’t had a chance to witness the sheer madness called ‘Times Square’, it should be on top of your list. Make sure you visit during evening or when it’s dark. It’s like a splash of color for your senses. The giant digital billboards, live webcams and the neon lights are just the beginning.. Apart from being a visual delight, Times Square is also a hub for theaters, restaurants, bars and shopping!

Go checkout Madam Tussauds, a wax museum showcasing the famous wax sculptures of celebrities around the world. If you are into theater and musicals, a broadway show is a must!

Rockefeller Center & St. Patrick’s Cathedral

• 

• 

• 

Known as an ‘Art Deco’ landmark, Rockefeller Center has a lot to offer. The gorgeous ice skating rink, the lighting of the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree, and the holiday display windows will enchant you like never before. Featured in a number of movies and TV shows, it is home to some beautiful murals, statues and art motifs.

The Top of the Rock is an observation deck perched on the 69th floor of the gilded building, and has some of the best views of the New York City skyline. A 360 degree view from the indoor and outdoor viewing decks is breathtaking to say the least.

Located right across from the Rockefeller center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest Gothic Catholic cathedral in the US.  It is a must-visit for architecture lovers, a neo-gothic site sitting right in the middle of the city surrounded by modern day sky scrapers. A national historic landmark, St. Patrick’s cathedral is visited by over 5 million people every year.

If in the neighborhood, do check out the Radio City Music Hall in all its gleaming neon glory at night. It is a sight to behold!

The Vessel, The High Line & Iconic TV Locations

• 

• 

• 

Start your day by visiting the latest feather in New York City’s hat known as ‘The Vessel‘. A 16 story structure of connected staircases, it is an architectural marvel inspired by the Indian Step-wells. Regardless of whether you climb up the structure or only view it from a distance, The Vessel will surely impress you.

Next on our list at a 5 minute walking distance is The High Line. Take the entrance to the high line from 34th street. The high line is a 1.5 mile long park established on an abandoned rail track which stands 30 feet above street level. Giving you the views of the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen neighborhoods, High Line is more than your round the corner park. Apart from the city views, the park is well maintained and an ideal place for sunbathing. Surrounded by greenery and art displays ( inspiring wall murals) throughout the park, High Line is a good break from the much loved chaos of the city. There are viewing platforms with steps for seating, perfect for giving your feet the much needed break and clicking pictures for the ‘gram!

After you exit from the other end at Gansevoort St. , get a cup of steaming Mocha from Kava Cafe and brace yourself for another 10 minutes walk to Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment (It can be found on google maps using this name) on Perry street. If you are an ardent SATC fan like myself, you couldn’t miss the opportunity to visit this iconic shoot location of your all time favorite show. I actually dressed up to pay tribute to the legend in style!

Walk another 6 minutes and you’ll reach the FRIENDS Apartment building (Can be found by this name on google maps) on Bedford street. I don’t even need to wonder if you are a fan lol. Relive those light happy funny moments while standing at the location of the opening shots throughout the 10 seasons. I actually felt elated being there and forgot about the real world (That’s what this show does to me) for a while!

Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island & 9/11 Memorial

• 

• 

• 

Having visited the city a number of times, we have often stayed in a hotel in Manhatten or an AirBnB in the closest New Jersey city. When we visited Liberty Island and Ellis Island, we were staying in the latter. So we booked our ferry departure from Liberty State Park, NJ. There is another departure port in New York City if that’s closer to you. We had purchased tickets for the ferry in advance with Pedestal Access to the Statue of Liberty. If you want to reserve the Crown access, you might have to book up to 2 months in advance. This entire experience will take around half a day.

An emblem of hope & opportunity, Lady Liberty is a symbol of freedom. With her torch held high, she welcomed millions of immigrants and refugees escaping war torn countries trying to find a safe haven. Enlightening the world, she fills your heart and reignites your faith in humanity. While I loved the views of the city, the river and the Statue from the ferry, the experience of going up to the pedestal wasn’t very exciting. If you are very much into architecture and history, you will appreciate it more. The stopover at Ellis Island however was very interesting and knowledgeable. If you do not have half a day to spare, take the free Staten Island ferry and enjoy the views of the Statue and the cityscape.

We got off at the Battery Park port in NYC on our way back. After walking for 10 minutes, we reached the 9/11 Memorial. It is a tribute of remembrance located at the World Trade Center honoring the people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. It is a nonprofit which relies on support of generous donors.

Libraries (Architectural Marvels) & Bryant Park

• 

• 

• 

My love for books goes long back. They were always my escape mechanism from the real world (apart from daydreaming lol). I would often get attached to the book I am reading, so much so that it would upset me once I had finished reading it. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that a Library to me feels like home. A source of comfort and hope! Having said that, some of these libraries are architectural wonders and you could witness their beauty right in the middle of the New York City.

New York Public Library (Stephen A. Schwarzman Building) literally took my breath away. I had never been to a library with such grandeur. Beautiful chandeliers, painted ceilings, natural light from the massive windows give it an appearance of a palace. Add to it, the collection of 10 million books, it looks like a setting from a book lovers’ fairy tale!

Walk for a minute and you’ll reach the entrance of Bryant Park. Greenery all around, this park hosts live events & classes (dance, yoga etc.) during summer and holiday shops & ice skating during winters. With al fresco dining, a carousel, reading room and different games, this park is one of the best places to wind down and enjoy some quality time with friends and family.

Another stunning library on the list is The Morgan Library & Museum. The bronze interiors have a royal aura highlighted by plush carpets, a gorgeous fireplace, stained glass windows and floor to ceiling bookcases. I have never seen such a stunning library in my life!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art & Central Park

• 

• 

• 

Known as ‘The Met’, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in The United States. With more than 200,000 items in its collections, the exhibits consist of art, architecture and artifacts from all over the world. Founded in 1870, it is one of the most visited museums in the world. Apart from The Met, New York is home to many world famous museums including The Museum of Modern Art, American Museum of Natural History and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.

Travel Tip: A lot of the museums have a suggested admission price which is not mandatory to gain entry. If you are on a tight budget or do not agree with the suggested price, you could donate a suitable amount and get in. This information is available on internet for each museum.

After walking out from the MET, we walked for a few minutes and made our way to the Central Park. A lush retreat right in the middle of the city, one could easily spend an entire day in the park. Home to the Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Fountain, Bow bridge, a carousel, Central Park Zoo, a boathouse, it has everything you could possibly imagine in a park. We started off with a picnic in one of the gardens followed by a boat ride. After grabbing a coffee from the cafe (you could also have some beer and relax), we decided to rent some bikes and explore the park on wheels. Finally it was time to end the day and bring home some memories. You could get a sketch made by one of the professionals while listening to the melodious music by street performers. It truly was a magical experience, a much needed break from the hustle-bustle of the city.

Charging Bull, Brooklyn Bridge & Dumbo

• 

• 

• 

Start your day by visiting the Charging Bull at Wall Street, a bronze sculpture created by the Sicilian artist Arturo Di Modica. Considered a symbol of prosperity, the symbol was created after the stock market crash in 1987. Wall street is the financial district of Manhattan. Latest addition to this beautiful structure was another bronze sculpture called the Fearless Girl.

Fun Fact: The Charging bull has been compared to the golden calf worshiped by the Israelites during their Exodus from Egypt. Also, legend has it that rubbing the bull’s bronze.. ahem.. balls, brings one good luck. If you do want to try it out, I suggest bringing along sanitizer. Too many people reach for the poor animal’s nads!

Next, we walked for 15 minutes and reached the starting point of the Brooklyn Bridge. You can cross the bridge on foot, bike or by car. We chose to walk the entire length of the bridge as it offers some of the best views of the New York skyline. A stroll across the pedestrian pathway was a lovely experience on a nice sunny afternoon. Upon reaching the other end, we were welcomed by the Brooklyn bridge park and the lovely Jane’s Carousel. Soak in the beautiful views of the bridge from the park and rest your feet before you begin exploring the trendy Brooklyn neighborhood called Dumbo.

Before heading back to our hotel, we made a stop at Jacques Torres store and bought a variety of chocolates to last us for the next few months!

Grand Central Terminal, Empire State Building & Flatiron Building

• 

• 

• 

The most photogenic train station I have ever seen in my life, Grand Central Terminal is one of the most famous NYC landmarks. With a celestial ceiling, a grand clock, a palatial staircase and splendid exterior, this one will surely blow your mind.

After you have had your fill of the largest train station in the world, it’s time for a 15 minute walk to our next destination. Empire State Building (featured image on top of the blog) needs no introduction. A 102-story skyscraper offering the best views of the city, planning a visit to the building’s observation deck was a no brainer. Needless to say, it didn’t disappoint.

Time to head to the last destination of the day, the gorgeous Flatiron building. Walk another 13 minutes and witness this architectural marvel in all it’s glory. A 225 foot tall triangular building was designed by Chicago based architect Daniel Burnham and built in 1902. A photographer’s dream, this building is different because of it’s distinctive shape and considered an enduring icon.

Dinner,Drinks & Bar Hopping

• 

• 

• 

Lips Drag Queen Show Palace Restaurant & Bar: If you are up for a drag queen show, head to Lips and have a fun night. It was my first experience with the kind of show and it was a complete delight.

The Standard Rooftop Bar: Beautiful bar, gorgeous views, extensive cocktails menu and a classy vibe!

• 

• 

• 

Solas Bar: A no-fuss busy bar with affordable drinks and small dark lounge area.

Keybar: A small East Village bar with loud music and free yummy birthday shots!

230 Fifth Rooftop Bar: My favorite party spot has heated igloos on the rooftop during winters and an epic club/lounge area below. The views are gorg and it’s always a fun night!

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

• 

• 

• 

If you happen to be in NYC during the holiday season, do not miss the Dyker Heights Christmas lights. The entire neighborhood visited by a million visitors each year is decorated with the holiday themes like you have never seen before. Bright Christmas lights with life sized Santas, sleighs, snowmen, nutcrackers and Christmas carols all around will bring out the kid in you. You can either go for a self guided tour or a paid tour.

Accommodation

• 

• 

• 

There are plenty of accommodation options in NYC. I love to stay in middle of Manhattan but also liked the experience of staying in an AirBnB in the closest New Jersey city (20 minute bus ride) like Union City or Jersey City. Here are a few recommendations based on my personal experience.

Fancy Hotels:

The Millennium Broadway Hotel NYC – Right on Broadway in the middle of Times Square, this was the perfect birthday surprise with gorgeous views.

Watson Hotel – I booked this for the Christmas weekend using the Priceline express deal! You don’t get to see the name of the hotel before you book, only the neighborhood and star ratings. I couldn’t be happier with the deal.

Budget Hotels:

36 Hudson Hotel (Name changed to Casamia 36 Hotel) – No fuss budget hotel close to The High Line. Got additional discount upon booking from their website. Value for money considering the location and the room.

Holiday Inn New York City Wall Street – Another one of the Priceline express deals. I wasn’t too happy with the cramped location of the hotel. But again, New York City is expensive and a decent budget hotel in the middle of the city is a hard find.

I hope this blog helps you finalize your New York City itinerary. Rest assured, I will always look forward to this city and write more about it!