First Timers' New York City
Description:
Is this your first time visiting New York City? With so much to see and do it can be difficult to organize your time. That's where this First Timers' New York City guide can help. Every New Yorker - - or, in my case, New Jersey neighbor who visits the Big Apple frequently -- has a list of places to visit and things to see. Here's mine. Enjoy!
Author: Melody Moser
Day 1 - New York City
After checking into the Library Hotel, a book lovers haven in the heart of the City, stroll north (or take a bus) along famed Fifth Avenue, one of the most expensive streets in the world. Window shop (or splurge!) at Tiffany and Co., Bulgari and Louis Vuitton, but don't forget to stop for a few moments of quiet reflection at the ornate Neo-Gothic St. Patrick's Cathedral.
If you're up for more walking, explore Central Park, an oasis of greenery amidst the bustling city. Enter at 59th Street, then head over to the Boathouse restaurant (or the Boathouse cafe for a more casual meal), where you can enjoy fabulous views of Central Park Lake.
No visit to New York City is complete without seeing the world-renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art. This amazing museum will keep you occupied for some time. The Met is enormous, so don't try to see all of it in one visit.
Of course, every first timer to New York City wants to take in a Broadway show (who doesn't?). Head to Carmine's for a pre-show dinner, then see a classic, such as Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera, the longest running Broadway show in history. Later, enjoy the bright lights of New York City's iconic Times Square before turning in for the night.
1
The Library Hotel
Location:
view in google maps299 Madison Avenue, 41st Street
At 41st Street
New York City, NY 10017
Phone:
+1 212 983 4500 / +1 877 793 73232
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Location:
view in google maps460 Madison Avenue
Between 50th and 51st streets
New York City, NY 10022-6863
Phone:
+1 212 753 22613
Central Park
Location:
view in google mapsCentral Park Driveway
The Central Park Conservancy
New York City, NY 10022
Phone:
+1 212 310 66004
Boathouse Central Park (The)
Location:
view in google mapsEast 72nd Street and Park Drive North
Central Park Lake
New York City, NY 10023
Phone:
1 212 517 22335
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Location:
view in google maps1000 Fifth Ave
Fifth Ave. at 82nd St
New York City, NY 10028-0198
Phone:
+1 212 535 77106
Carmine's
Location:
view in google maps200 West 44th Street
(Between 7th & 8th Avenues)
New York City, NY 10036
Phone:
1 212 221 38007
Phantom of the Opera On Broadway
Location:
New York City, NY8
Times Square
Location:
view in google maps1560 Broadway, Between 46th & 47th streets
New York City, NY 10036
Phone:
+1 212 768 1560 (Times Square Alliance)Day 2 - New York City
Begin the day with breakfast in Midtown at Ellen's Stardust Diner, a 1950s-themed restaurant where a lively crew of singing wait staff entertain you with their renditions of Broadway songs while they serve your food . Their enthusiasm is so contagious, it makes me want to belt out a song of my own.
Afterwards, take the subway to Battery Park, where you can board the ferry to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty, a moving monument to freedom and all that it represents.
You'll also want to get off the ferry at Ellis Island, former gateway to the United States for 12 million immigrants. The museum offers a fascinating look at the immigration experience, and the forces that brought people from all over the world to America's shores.
Back in midtown, take a stroll around Rockefeller Center, then have dinner and drinks at the upscale Morrell Wine Bar & Cafe, where, depending on the season, you can either sit outside in the open air or inside with a wonderful ground-level view of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
1
Ellen's Stardust Diner
Location:
view in google maps1650 Broadway 51st Street
Corner of 51st Street
New York City, NY 10019
Phone:
+1 212 956 51512
Statue of Liberty
Location:
view in google mapsLiberty Island
On Liberty Island in New York Harbor
New York City, NY 10004
Phone:
212-363-76203
Ellis Island
Location:
view in google mapsEllis Island
(in Hudson River)
New York City, NY 10004
Phone:
+1 212 561 45884
Rockefeller Center
Location:
view in google maps47th to 51st streets
Btwn 48th and 50th sts., from Fifth to Sixth aves
New York City, NY 10112
Phone:
+1 212 332 6868 / +1 212 632 39755
Morrell Wine Bar & Cafe
Location:
view in google maps1 Rockefeller Plaza
New York City, NY 10020
Phone:
1 212 262 7700Day 3 - New York City
This morning travel to Lower Manhattan to pay your respects at Ground Zero and the Tribute WTC Visitor Center, where you can connect with people who experienced the 9/11 tragedy first-hand.
If you're hungry, enjoy a hotdog from a street vendor, but leave some room for more. You're about to take Big Onion Walking Tours' "Multi Ethnic Eating Tour" (advance reservations are necessary) on which you'll learn about the history and gastronomy of Little Italy, Chinatown, and the Jewish East Side while sampling the food of Eastern Europe, China, Italy, the Dominican Republic and more.
Back in Midtown, finish your sightseeing with a visit to the Empire State Building. Take the elevator up to one of the observation decks for an unparalled view of New York City.
Finally, head over to the Mandoo Bar in the heart of Manhattan's Koreatown, where they serve the freshest dumplings around. If you're having a hard time choosing which dumplings to order, go for the Combo Mandoo so you can sample them all.
Back at the Library Hotel chill out with a glass of wine and reflect on three days -- your first ever -- well spent in New York City.
1
Tribute WTC Visitor Center
Location:
view in google maps120 Liberty Street
New York City, NY 10006
Phone:
+1 212 393 9160 x138 / +1 866 737 11843
Empire State Building
Location:
view in google maps350 5th Avenue, Suite # 3210
between 33rd and 34th Streets
New York City, NY 10118
Phone:
+1 212 736 31004
Mandoo Bar
Location:
view in google maps2 W. 32nd St
Just west of Fifth Ave
New York City, NY 10003
Phone:
212/279-3075