My New York City Guide

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A New York institution, the Circle Line is famous for its 3-hour tour around the entire 35 miles of Manhattan. This Full Island cruise passes by the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, the United Nations, Yankee Stadium, the George Washington Bridge, and more, including Manhattan's wild northern tip. The panorama is riveting, and the commentary isn't bad. The big boats are basic but fine, with lots of deck room for everybody to enjoy the view. Snacks, soft drinks, coffee, and beer are available onboard for purchase.

If 3 hours is more than you or the kids can handle, go for either the 2-hour Semi-Circle or the Sunset/Harbor Lights cruise, both of which show you the highlights of the skyline. There's also a 75-minute Liberty version that sticks close to the south end of the island. But of all the tours, the kids might like the Beast best, a thrill-a-minute speedboat ride offered in summer only.

In addition, a number of adults-only live music and DJ cruises sail regularly from the seaport from May through September ($20-$40 per person). Depending on the night of the week, you can groove to the sounds of jazz, Latin, gospel, dance tunes, or blues as you sail along viewing...

Our Local Expert Says:

Housed in a colonial landmark building, the Fraunces Tavern was reopened in 2001 after a $2 million makeover.

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Serving food and drinks since 1762, Fraunces Tavern offers the chance to relive the good times of America's founding without making one relive how it really was. They have a museum for that. The old wooden decor takes you back, while the world marches on outside the paned windows. George Washington was no liar when it came to this historic establishment that he frequented during his New York times. Lift your mug to freedom and enjoy some old-fashioned and updated American food. The bar closes early, so get the drinks in early or risk being called a redcoat.

Our Local Expert Says:

This museum offers a diverse selection of visiting exhibitions (fun past ones include the history of chocolate and a hall of butterflies) and a great IMAX theater, as well as its famous dinosaur halls.

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Founded in 1869 by a group that included J.P. Morgan and Theodore Roosevelt, Sr., father of the 26th U.S. president, the American Museum of Natural History is a remarkable architectural landmark, with its combination of Neo-Gothic and Neo-Romanesque styles and its grand white-columned entrance on Central Park West, marked by a statue of President Theodore Roosevelt. The museum complex contains 27 interconnected buildings housing 45 permanent exhibit halls, a planetarium, temporary exhibition halls, research and collections facilities, and a library in the natural sciences; add parking and service amenities and the area totals 1.6 million square feet.

The museum's vast selection of permanent exhibitions and its various special temporary exhibitions focus on illuminating various aspects of the earth's evolution, from the birth of the planet through the present day. Those that have the energy and perseverance to tour all of the museum's four floors of gallery space will be rewarded with a "field guide to life on Earth, the cultures of humanity, and the latest discoveries in the cosmos," according to the museum's Web site. In addition to the expansive galleries of dinosaurs, whales, birds,... read more

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This massive cathedral, located at the corner of 50th Street and Fifth Avenue, is the largest decorated Neo-Gothic cathedral in North America, the seat of the Archdiocese of New York, and one of the city's most visited landmarks. Construction of the cathedral began in 1858, was halted for the duration of the American Civil War, and was finally completed in 1878. Its elaborate marble façade and 330-foot spires dwarfed the Midtown Manhattan of that time, and they still stand out today, even in a district packed with office buildings, shops, and tourist attractions, such as MoMA, Rockefeller Center, and Radio City Music Hall.

Stand-out features of the cathedral's interior include the St. Michael and St. Louis altar, designed by Tiffany & Co., the St. Elizabeth altar, designed by Paolo Medici of Rome, and the stained glass windows. The spectacular rose window is acknowledged to be the finest work designed by Charles Connick, the 20th century genius in stained glass window design. The Archbishops of New York are buried in a crypt under the high altar, and their honorary hats, called galeros, hang from the ceiling over their tombs. St. Patrick's seats about 2,200 people, and every year... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

Grabbing a bite to eat at Grand Central is easy these days, with a food concourse below ground offering a great selection of options from pizza to gourmet sandwiches to Indian food. For a classier meal or drink, there's always the Oyster Bar, a New York City institution.

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Often called Grand Central Station, this major transportation hub located on the corner of Park Avenue and 42nd Street serves commuters on the New York City subway as well as the Metro-North Railroad, which travels to Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess Counties in New York and Fairfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut. Aside from its importance as a transportation center, Grand Central Terminal is also one of New York's most durable landmarks, and a dramatic symbol of the hustle and bustle of the city. The decision to electrify New York's trains around 1900 meant that rail yard operations were moved underground and centered in a new, breathtaking Beaux-Arts terminal building, completed in 1913. Later, Grand Central was almost destroyed (the fate of the original Pennsylvania Station across town), but preservationists including Jacqueline Kennedy had it declared landmark in the mid-1960s.

Those approaching Grand Central Terminal from the south are rewarded with views of the building's impressive façade, topped by a 13-foot clock. The clock features the world's largest example of Tiffany glass and is surrounded by huge sculptures of the Roman gods Hercules, Minerva, and Mercury.... read more

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This classic example of Art-Deco architecture stands 77 stories and 1,048 feet (319 meters) high, looming above the busy intersection of Lexington Avenue and 42nd Street. Ground was broken for its construction in 1928, during an intense competition in New York City to build the world's tallest skyscraper. Designed by architect William Van Alen to house the Chrysler Corporation, the steel-framed brick building was briefly the world's tallest, topping one rival skyscraper built at 40 Wall Street, but was swiftly overtaken by the Empire State Building in 1931. After the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the Chrysler Building is again the second-tallest building in New York City.

When the Chrysler Building first opened, it contained a public viewing gallery on the 71st floor, but this was closed to the public in 1945. The building itself is worth a look, however, for its elegant style and distinctive ornamentation. At its top is a series of gleaming arches that gradually diminish in size and are made of stainless steel. Narrow triangular windows pierce the arches, which end in a slim stainless steel spire reaching some 185 feet into the air. Ornaments... read more

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In the midst of New York City is this working monument to world peace. The U.N. headquarters occupies 18 acres of international territory -- neither the city nor the United States has jurisdiction here -- along the East River from 42nd to 48th streets. Designed by an international team of architects (led by American Wallace K. Harrison and including Le Corbusier) and finished in 1952, the complex along the East River weds the 39-story glass slab Secretariat with the free-form General Assembly on beautifully landscaped grounds donated by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. The 180 member-nations use the facilities to arbitrate worldwide disputes.

Guided tours leave every half-hour or so and last 45 minutes to an hour. Your guide will take you to the General Assembly Hall and the Security Council Chamber and introduce the history and activities of the United Nations and its related organizations. Along the tour you'll see donated objects and artwork, including charred artifacts that survived the atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, stained-glass windows by Chagall, a replica of the first Sputnik, and a mosaic called The Golden Rule, based on a Norman Rockwell drawing, which was a gift from the...

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Herald Square is named after a defunct New York newspaper. It was once the heart of a red light district, but now visitors are mainly interested in shopping at Macy's, 'the largest department store in the world', Toys R Us, and the Manhattan Mall-home to the Sterns department store and numerous shops. It is within easy walking distance from Times Square. When you are done shopping, there is a mini Koreatown located nearby along 32nd Street between Broadway and Fifth Avenue.

Our Local Expert Says:

The best views are from the outdoor observatory on the 86th floor (1,050 feet high), which spans the building's circumference. High-powered binoculars (bring quarters!) offer views of up to 80 miles on clear days.

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This 102-story Art Deco skyscraper, located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street, has been one of New York's most notable landmarks since its completion in 1931. Built as part of an intense competition to build the world's tallest building, the Empire State Building overtook its rivals - 40 Wall Street and the Chrysler Building - to gain the distinction, which it held for four decades, before the World Trade Center towers were completed in 1971. With the destruction of the World Trade Center in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Empire State Building again became the tallest building in New York City. It was designed by Gregory Johnson and his architectural firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon.

The building's façade is classic, with modernistic stainless steel canopies marking the entrances on 33rd and 34th Streets and leading to corridors surrounding a core of 67 elevators. Though the Chrysler Building is undoubtedly the more attractive of New York's two Art Deco towers, the Empire State Building has earned its reputation as a top destination largely due to the popularity of its indoor and outdoor observation decks. The outdoor observatory on the 86th floor,... read more

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Everything is B-I-G at this family-style mainstay with two locations, on the Upper West Side (the original) and in Times Square. Carmine's, with a dining room vast enough to deserve its own zip code and massive portions, turns out better pasta and entrees than most 20-table Italian restaurants. I've never had pasta here that wasn't al dente, and the marinara sauce is as good as any I've had in Manhattan. The salads are always fresh and the fried calamari tender. Rigatoni marinara, linguini with white-clam sauce, and ziti with broccoli are pasta standouts, while the best meat entrees include veal parmigiana, broiled porterhouse steak, shrimp scampi, and the remarkable chicken scarpariello (chicken pan-broiled with a lemon-rosemary sauce). The tiramisu is pie-size, thick, creamy, and bathed in Kahlúa and Marsala. Order half of what you think you'll need. Don't expect intimate conversation; in fact, it's downright loud. Unless you come early, expect to wait.

Our Local Expert Says:

For views that rival the Empire State Building's famous 86th-floor observatory, head to Top of the Rock, which boasts a more spacious observation deck and equally stunning views (from a slightly lower height).

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A major commercial center covering 22 acres between 48th and 51st Streets and 5th and 7th Avenues in Midtown Manhattan, Rockefeller Center is one of the city's foremost shopping and entertainment destinations. Oil billionaire and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. leased the site from Columbia University in 1929 with plans to build a new home for the Metropolitan Opera. After the stock market crash of that year, plans were changed. Now, 19 buildings constructed in the Art Deco style house shops, restaurants, and offices, along with Radio City Music Hall.

The centerpiece of Rockefeller Center is the 70-floor, 872-foot GE Building at 30 Rockefeller Plaza (aka "30 Rock") - formerly known as the RCA Building - centered behind the complex's sunken plaza. The building is the headquarters of NBC and houses most of the network's New York studios, including the legendary Studio 8H, home of Saturday Night Live. The windows of the studio where NBC's Today Show is filmed are usually mobbed by crowd jostling for a look of the show's hosts and guests. Tours of the NBC studios are also available, and many visitors choose to wait in line for tickets to one of the many shows taped in the building. read more

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This free walking tour, sponsored by the non-profit Times Square Business Improvement District, takes visitors on a fun, informative tour of one of the city's most famous neighborhoods. You will learn all about the neighborhood's recent economic turnaround, its fabled history, and (if the schedule permits) visit the inside of a Broadway theater.

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This large facility in the heart of Times Square provides all the information visitors need to get around the city. In addition to the dizzying array of free brochures and maps, visitors may book guided tours, purchase theater and concert tickets, find information on local events and shop for NYC souvenirs. Airport transportation can also be booked here.

Our Local Expert Says:

Natives may avoid Times Square whenever possible, but its neon lights and cast of weird characters (including the Naked Cowboy) make it a must-see for the first-time visitor.

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Located at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Street, its glittering lights and neon signs make Times Square one of the most iconic sights of New York City. Formerly the property of fur trading and real estate tycoon John Jacob Astor, the square got its name in the early 1900s when the New York Times moved into a new skyscraper on 42nd Street. After new subways brought thousands of commuters to 42nd Street, the city's theaters moved up from the Bowery and lower Broadway, and the area is now the center of New York's bustling theater district.

In the decades after the Great Depression, Times Square became known as a dangerous neighborhood and a symbol of the city's decline and corruption from the 1960s to the 1990s. After a long-term development plan and a comprehensive crackdown on crime by the city government, the infamous center of pickpockets and porno theaters has been thoroughly reinvented and filled with more upscale and tourist-friendly attractions, hotels, vendors, and street performers.

Our Local Expert Says:

After viewing such masterpieces as Monet's Water Lilies, Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, and van Gogh's Starry Night, visitors to the MoMA can relax and recover in the museum's stunning restaurant, the Modern.

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Opened in 1929, the Museum of Modern Art was one of the first museums with a focus on modern art, and it boasts one of the world's most comprehensive collections. Its permanent collection numbers 135,000 paintings, prints, photographs, drawings, sculptures, films, and design objects, including works by Picasso, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Kandinsky, Dalí, O'Keeffe, Pollock, Warhol, and some of the best more contemporary artists, like Richard Serra, Cindy Sherman, and Chuck Close.

MoMA reopened in 2004 following a $425 million expansion program that marked the museum's 75th anniversary. Led by the Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi, the renovation nearly doubled the capacity of the original building and revamped its appearance completely, starting with the striking entrance. A 110-foot-high atrium towers over an indoor walkway, extending over 53rd Street to a new entryway on 54th Street. The new six-story David and Peggy Rockefeller Building houses the main collection and temporary exhibition galleries, while the restored and expanded sculpture garden, named for museum founder Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, boasts more than 30 masterworks of modern sculpture. The MoMA's sleek next-door restaurant,... read more

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Planet Hollywood is widely known to be a major tourist trap. Nevertheless, kids love every inch of the place, from the celebrity handprints outside to the promotional movie memorabilia, not to mention the greasy burgers and fries. The meal itself is not too expensive, and you will likely spend a lot more in the gift shop. But maybe if you go there first, the kids will not mind so much when you drag them to nearby Central Park.

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Juice Generation offers customers their daily juice fix in an immaculate, hip and modern atmosphere. The irresistible aroma of fresh oranges and wheatgrass fill the store. Fresh fruits and vegetables are beautifully prepped and iced behind the counter and unique herbal products line the shelves beckoning to those seeking a healthy alternative.

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After eliminating products carried by the big discounters, FAO Schwarz now carries those hard-to-find and oh-so-expensive items such as Vespa scooters for older children, mini-luxury cars such as Hummers and Jaguars, and serious karaoke machines. There's also a soda fountain where the kids can load up on sugar to fuel their romp through the magical store. The giant piano keys made famous in the movie Big thankfully still remain.

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This small but charming stone castle sits atop Vista Rock, which is the highest point in glorious Central Park. Built in the 1870s, the castle now houses a weather station and the Henry Luce Nature Observatory. The Observatory displays exhibits on the park's ecology. The rooftop offers spectacular views of the park, including the Great Lawn below, as well as the surrounding skyline of Midtown Manhattan. Admission is free.

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A trip to the Loeb Boathouse, located in the heart of Central Park, is essential to any New York vacation. You can take a ride in an authentic Venetian gondola, and rowboats are available as well. In addition, bicycles can be rented on the site. These activities are seasonal, so call or check the Web site for schedules. The boathouse is also home to the romantic restaurant Park View at the Boathouse, which boasts an unequaled view of Central Park Lake.

Our Local Expert Says:

For just a few of the many diversions available in the park, check out some advanced roller blading skills at "The Hill" west of Sheep's Meadow, or have a drink/meal at the Boathouse, near 74th Street on the east side of Rowboat Lake and open all summer.

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The idea for Central Park was born in 1858, which a competition was held to choose a design for what would be the first public park built in America. The winners were Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, whose Greensward plan proposed an entirely man-made park that would be intended only for public use, as a refuge from the relentless rhythms of New York City's already overcrowded streets. It took more than 15 years and $14 million (the equivalent of about $200 million today) to build the Park, with its 843 acres and six-mile perimeter extending from Central Park West to Fifth Avenue and from 59th Street to 110th Street. Those 843 acres include 136 acres of woodlands, 250 acres of lawns, and 7 different bodies of water totaling some 150 acres.

Starting in 1980, a public-private partnership between New York City and the Central Park Conservancy restored and preserved Central Park, and attendance has only been rising in recent years. Now, more than 25 million visitors per year stroll its 58 miles of pedestrian paths, go horseback riding on 4.5 miles of bridle paths, bike or jog on its 6.5 miles of winding roads, or simply relax on the grass or on the nearly 9,000 benches provided.... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

Between 2005 and 2008 the Guggenheim underwent a $29 million exterior renovation; soon after its completion, the museum was registered as a National Historic Landmark. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009.

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Opened in 1959 to house the impressive collection of mining tycoon Solomon R. Guggenheim, the museum is considered by many to be a work of art in itself. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright worked for 16 years (he died one month before the museum opened) to create not just an art museum but a completely unique space, where the building and the art work together to create "an uninterrupted, beautiful symphony." From the outside, the oddly shaped Guggenheim has drawn comparisons to an upside-down cupcake, a Jello mold, or a pile of twisted ribbon. Inside, a long ramp spirals upward for a quarter of a mile above a large central rotunda, topped by a domed glass ceiling. Wright's love of nature led him to make the building appear on the inside like a giant seashell, with each room opening fluidly into the next.

In 1993, a controversial expansion and renovation added even more exhibition space to the museum, which houses a large permanent collection of Impressionist, post-Impressionist and other modernist work and mounts several large-scale special exhibitions each year. These are usually devoted to the work of a single modern artist or to a topic, such as the Aztec Empire, the Art of the Motorcycle,... read more

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This attractive landmark is known more for its beautiful view of Central Park Lake than the food, but nevertheless a string of well-known chefs have passed through here on their way to bigger things. The menu features New American food, including a large selection of seafood. The restaurant is connected to the Loeb Boathouse on the lake in Central Park. There is also a private party room attached to the restaurant, with ample space for weddings and other large functions.

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On a block where many imitators have come and gone, this old theme-chain standby still draws busloads of teenagers and Midwestern tourists. There are good reasons for its staying power-the only slightly over-priced American food is better than what is served by its competition, the line moves quickly and the rock and roll memorabilia is still downright fun. They added a veggie burger a few years ago that is actually worth trying.

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Located in an old Nabisco factory, this big, dazzling food mall is the city's largest. Come for both raw and ready-to-eat foods, including divinely inspired baked goods and cappuccino from Amy's Bread; yummy soups from Hale and Hearty; Manhattan's best brownie at Fat Witch Bakery; and much more, including the wonderful Chelsea Wine Vault. Stop by Ronnybrook Dairy for the best low-fat chocolate milk you'll ever have or a delicious yogurt smoothie. Chelsea Market Baskets is a great place to pick up gifts for home.

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Built in 1902 and designed by Daniel H. Burnham, this building is considered the oldest and possibly one of the most famous skyscrapers in New York City. Instantly recognizable, the building includes a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles and has a peculiar wedge shape (like that of an old-fashioned flat iron) that has made it a New York favorite. The area's Flatiron District is named after this enduring New York symbol.

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This complex was designated the permanent headquarters for the United Nations in 1952. Many buildings, including the General Assembly Hall, can be viewed on guided tours. When the flags in front of the complex are flying, the Assembly is in session. It is possible to sit in on a council session: call the information desk for a free ticket. Seats are limited, so make sure you book well in advance. Tours are held every half-hour. Prices and opening times are subject to change, call in advance.

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Before the massive Fifth Avenue St. Patrick's was completed, New York's Catholic community was centered at this small, dignified Little Italy cathedral. Completed in 1815, the landmark building houses a beautiful marble altar surrounded by ornate hand-carved reredos. Historically significant, Old St. Patrick's weathered early American anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant sentiment and organized its congregation against their attackers. Still active, Old Saint Patrick's celebrates masses in English, Spanish and Chinese. Check their website for service timings and special event.

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Cleveland Rocks, and now so does SoHo where, as of late 2008, we can all hail rock 'n' roll in Manhattan. With an entrance fee approaching the price of a real concert ticket -- $26.50 for adults, when you add sales tax -- the question is: Is it worth it? It depends: on how much you're into this music, into the lore, into the instruments, into the costumes, into the "everything" of it. The experience begins with a blasting, let's-get-pumped 10-minute film that kicks off with John Lee Hooker and takes us on through Elvis, Chuck, and Jerry Lee, down to John, Paul, George, and Ringo, then over to Jimi, Mick, and Keith, and to the present day. The space is divided into galleries, each one ostensibly with a theme. You've given a pair of earphones that play music while you walk that's appropriate to the display or exhibit you're viewing. What do you see? Well, over here is a white Vegas-style jumpsuit that was worn by Elvis (a lot smaller than I would have thought); Madonna's famous cone bra; a gorgeous, wonderfully eerie guitar John Lennon owned and played; Bruce Springsteen's first car, a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; the old CBGB awning that was the drawing card for so many punk fans,...

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The heart of this well-known Italian neighborhood is Mulberry Street. Years ago, the vast majority of people who lived here were Italian, but expansion of Chinatown and Italian migration to the suburbs has changed the make-up of the neighborhood. Still, cafes, restaurants and bakeries line the street. Take a walk and smell the fresh baked bread, garlic and sauces. Stop for a glass of wine or tiramisu at a sidewalk cafe, or gaze longingly at the salamis hanging from store windows.

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Paul's Place isn't your typical fast-food joint. Our oversized, mouth watering burgers will have you and your family coming back for more. Paul's Place is a great place to dine with friends, family or just to come in and grab a quick bite.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Statue of Liberty's original 1886 torch is included among the exhibits contained in the statue's base.

Description:

This iconic copper statue was presented to the U.S. by France in 1886 as a commemoration of the U.S. centennial and a gesture of friendship between France and the U.S. Since then, it has stood at Liberty Island in New York Harbor as a welcome to all visitors, immigrants, and Americans returning from abroad. Construction of the statue, supervised by sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and engineer Gustave Eiffel (mastermind of Paris's famous tower), began in France in 1875 and was completed in 1884, after which the statue was dismantled and transported across the Atlantic to be reassembled.

Lady Liberty stands approximately 151 feet tall and weighs 225 tons (450,000 pounds). Visitors used to be able to climb the 354 steps to peer at the view through the windows in her crown, but this option is no longer available. Currently, the museum and ten-story pedestal are open for visitation but are only accessible if visitors have a "Monument Access Pass" which is a reservation that visitors must make at least two days in advance of their visit and pick up before boarding the ferry. There are a maximum of 3000 passes available each day (with a total of 15,000 visitors to the island daily). read more

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Wall Street runs east from Broadway downhill to South Street on the East River, through the historical center of the Financial District. During the 17th century, Wall Street formed the northern boundary of the New Amsterdam settlement. As the first permanent home of the New York Stock Exchange, Wall Street became the name of the surrounding area and a shorthand term for leading U.S. financial interests in general. Though many New York-based financial companies are no longer headquartered there, it is still the home of several major U.S. stock and other exchanges, including the NYSE, NASDAQ, AMEX, NYMEX, and NYBOT.

The heart of the Financial District is often considered to be the corner of Wall and Broad Streets. The neighborhood, New York's oldest, was anchored by the World Trade Center towers until the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Now, visitors to Wall Street and the Financial District find an increasingly residential neighborhood, with a number of new restaurants and bars and a relatively lively atmosphere after work and on weekends.

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This is undoubtedly New York City's best free ride. The 25-minute one-way trip across New York Harbor should give you ample opportunity to see such nearby sites as the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan's skyscrapers. The fare for the ferry, which runs every 20 to 30 minutes, actually went down from 50 cents a few years ago. During rush hour, it is filled with Staten Island residents going to or from work in Manhattan. Cars and motorcycles are no longer allowed on the ferry.

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The Stock Exchange's present home on Wall Street did not open until 1903, but trading in stocks began well before that; by the time this building became its headquarters, the Exchange had already been in existence for more than a hundred years. Today, people trade hundreds of millions of shares electronically as well as by the floor broker system. Visitors can see the action on the floor from a viewing gallery. Multi-media exhibits help explain the frenzy below. Admission is free.

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Located within the Standard Oil Building, just south of the World Trade Center, the Tribute WTC Visitor Center was created in the wake of September 11, 2001. Tribute offers visitors to the World Trade Center site a place where they can connect with people from the September 11th community. Through walking tours, exhibits and programs, the Tribute WTC Visitor Center offers "Person to Person History," linking visitors who want to understand and appreciate these historic events with those who experienced them.

The space features interactive exhibits and five galleries that deal with different aspects of the 9/11 tragedy. All walking tours make five stops while traveling around the site. Most of the tour takes place indoors, traveling along the windows of the World Financial Center and looking out onto Ground Zero. Guides share key facts and reveal specific events of the day while weaving their personal experiences of survival, loss, and healing throughout the tour, giving visitors an unparalleled opportunity to connect with history first-hand.

Our Local Expert Says:

The glass-enclosed Winter Garden hosts a number of musical and other performances, and is a popular destination for brides getting their picture taken on the circular marble staircase.

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This modern complex features office towers, as well as a shopping plaza and dining complex inside, and a marina overlooking the Hudson River. Located across the street from the former site of the World Trade Center, the World Financial Center sustained major damage when the twin towers were destroyed by terrorists on September 11, 2001. Designed by architect Cesar Pelli and first opened in 1988, the World Financial Center has become a popular destination in lower Manhattan. A number of corporations are headquartered there, most notably American Express.

Our Local Expert Says:

South Street Seaport (11 Fulton Street, to be exact) is home to the acclaimed Bodies: The Exhibition, an up-close-and-personal tour through the intricate and seemingly miraculous workings of the human body.

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This historic trading port, which dates back to the 1600s, is located on the edge of the Financial District, where Fulton Street meets the East River. It was restored and revitalized for tourist use in the late 1960s, and now boasts more than 120 shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as the South Street Seaport Museum, the Pier 17 Pavilion, and the New York City Police Museum. Visitors to the Seaport will also find some of the oldest architecture in downtown Manhattan, including renovated original mercantile buildings from the early 19th century, renovated sailing ships, and the former Fulton Fish Market.

With its cobblestone streets and broad piers, South Street Seaport offers a welcome escape from the congested, skyscraper-lined streets of downtown. There are usually free outdoor performances going on - check out a number of prominent and up-and-coming acts at the outdoor stage set up in the summertime - and the cool breezes, fun people-watching, and beautiful views of the Brooklyn Bridge can all be enjoyed for free.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you're in the mood for a little exercise, walk or ride your bike across this famous bridge for some of the best views of the city.

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Opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. It stretches 5,989 feet (1825 meters) across the East River and connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. At the time of its construction, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world and the first steel-wire suspension bridge. The bridge was designed by the New Jersey architect John Augustus Roebling, who died before construction began after he contracted tetanus from a wound sustained in a ferry accident during surveys for the bridge project. Built from limestone, granite, and cement, the Brooklyn Bridge is an example of Gothic-style architecture, with its characteristic pointed arches topping twin passageways through huge stone towers. Because Roebling designed a bridge and truss system six times stronger than he thought it needed to be, the Brooklyn Bridge is still standing, while many other bridges built around the same time have had to be replaced.

In the past, the inside lanes of traffic on the bridge carried the elevated trains of the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transport (BMT) Corporation from stations in Brooklyn to a terminal at Manhattan's Park Row. Streetcars shared the... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

Long hailed as one of the best falafel joints in town, Alfanoose has expanded into a 48-seat Middle Eastern restaurant.

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Alfanoose is touted as the best falafel joint in all of New York. Owner Mouhamad Shami's commitment to making the healthiest and most authentic Lebanese food goes a long way in maintaining the high standards. This eatery was resurrected after 9/11 solely because of the loyal patronage it enjoyed. Sometimes there are serpentine queues outside as people wait for their shawarmas and falafels. Homemade hummus, kafta bil-saniyeh and vegetarian moussaka are voted to be the best of the best. So the next time you have the urge to eat Lebanese in New York, you know where to head.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the standout dining and drinking options in the area around the Brooklyn Bridge, the Bridge Cafe is a good choice for both families and groups of friends.

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The simple wood-framed building housing the Bridge Café (once home to a brothel) was erected in 1794, long before the nearby Brooklyn Bridge. Today, the Bridge Café bills itself as "the oldest drinking establishment in New York"--it also offers a well-regarded menu of favorites like lobster rolls and soft-shell crabs (in-season), in-bone rib eye steaks, crab cakes and its famous buffalo steak, served with lingonberry sauce and house-made potato gnocchi.

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A four-story sign on the side of the building trumpets MACY'S, THE WORLD'S LARGEST STORE -- a hard fact to dispute, since the 10-story behemoth covers an entire city block, dwarfing even Bloomie's uptown. Macy's is a hard place to shop: The layout impedes traffic flow, the service is forgettable, and the best part about its Herald Square location is usually leaving it. But they do sell everything. Renovations over the past few years has redesigned many departments into more manageable "ministores" -- there's a Metropolitan Museum Gift Shop, a Swatch boutique, and cafes and makeup counters on several floors -- but the store's one-of-a-kind flair is just a memory now (with the exception of the wooden escalators on the Seventh Ave. side of the building). Still, sales run constantly, holiday or no (1-day sales are popular on Wed and Sat), so bargains are guaranteed. And because so many feel adrift in this retail sea, the store provides personal guides/shoppers at no charge. My advice: Get the floor plan and hopefully it will keep you from wandering off into the sportswear netherworld. At Christmastime, come as late as you can manage, because the store is usually open until midnight in the...

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Find out the stories behind the games on this one-hour behind-the-scenes guided walking tour of Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks, New York Liberty, and New York Rangers among countless other sporting events. Tours run every day, approximately every half hour.

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Welcome to Blackstones. If you're looking for that old fashioned saloon type feel with all the modern amenities you've come to expect, then you now have your new home. Blackstones has all this and more. Great food and atmosphere with extensive beer list are just a few of our attributes. Blackstones comes complete with seven flat screen TV's- a sports fan dream. We have a great view from every corner of the bar, even while you're engaged in a competitive game of pool.

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Blue Smoke offers authentic barbecue accompanied by seasonal vegetable side dishes and home-style cakes and pies. Specialties like Iced Oysters On The Half Shell and Applewood-Smoked Chicken are served by the hospitable staff in a bustling atmosphere. The barbecue is really impressive; try the spice-rubbed and sauce-slathered pork and beef ribs and order a wine that complements it. Visit website for more details.

Our Local Expert Says:

The line for Shake Shack's celebrated burgers, fries, and frozen custard snakes through the park and sometimes back towards the subway entrance—but fans say the food is well worth the wait.

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Billed as a modern-day "roadside" burger stand, Shake Shack goes back to the basics of the hamburger (no truffles, foie gras, pork belly or Kobe beef in sight). As a result, it's won over legions of fans since its opening in Madison Square Park in 2004 (around the corner from owner Danny Meyer's upscale star Eleven Madison Park), and has been a perennial contender for best burger in the city. In addition, the Shake Shack hot dog and frozen custard--a creamy twist on soft-serve ice cream--help build the lines in warmer weather to epic proportions in the park location.

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A small doorway on a busy West Village street leads you down into Café Wha--underground den of live music. Though the bands aren't ones that you are likely to see on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine anytime soon, they are very talented. A Brazilian band usually plays on Mondays, and every Wednesday-Sunday the Café Wha Band takes to the small stage. This varied group changes out its singers and can play anything from Fleetwood Mac to Bonnie Tyler to Bob Marley. As house bands go, they are a cut above, and the energy definitely picks up when they start playing. The staff is friendly, and as attentive as they can be in such a busy place. For the claustrophobic: the place has a low ceiling and is often packed, but if you can handle the cozy surroundings, you'll probably have a great time here. Stop by on Wednesday or Sunday, when there is no cover, and get there before 10 to get the best seats.

Our Local Expert Says:

The risotto menu at this small (only eight eat-in tables) and popular West Village spot is organized by variety of rice, from arborio to carnaroli to vialone nano. There are also gluten-free pizzas available.

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The brain child of rising chef Joseph Pace, this charming Bleecker Street newcomer does one thing and does it very well: Risotto. Pace trained at Bouley, the defunct restaurant that has since become a culinary legend. Not surprisingly, risotto is an obsession here, and the menu boasts no less than 45 different kinds. All the ingredients are fresh, and you even have a number of different types of rice to choose from. A bevy of cheese stuffed pastas, crunchy salads, layered pizzas and paninis are lined up to tantalize your taste buds. Vegetarians and diet watchers will love the gluten free touch.Check website for more details.

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Wogie's Bar and Grill is named after my dad, William Styer Hoffman. No one but my mom, affectionately known as Krazy Kate, is sure why he was nicked named Wogie (Whoa-Gee) and she isn?t telling.

Our Local Expert Says:

It's been estimated that close to 40 percent of all current U.S. citizens can trace at least some part of their ancestry to Ellis Island. Today, visitors to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum can trace their ancestors through millions of immigrant arrival records made available to the public in 2001.

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Not far from Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty stands Ellis Island, former gateway to the United States. Between 1892 and 1954, over 12 million Immigrants were processed in the "Main Building" at Ellis Island. In 1990, the long disused buildings were restored and the Immigration Museum was born.

The Museum offers a variety of exhibits and programs about the history of Ellis Island and the immigration process. Today, the Main Building is a three floor museum, containing a variety of self-guided permanent exhibits.

The museum includes a research library that contains materials related to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and immigration history. Visitors can use the museum's resources to track their own ancestors. The Oral History Collection includes over 1,000 taped and transcribed interviews of Ellis Island immigrants and staff. Both the Library and Oral History Collection are open to the public during regular operating hours of the museum.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Costume Institute, a curatorial department of the Met, does not have a permanent installation but hosts two special exhibitions each year featuring items from its vast collection. Past events dedicated to star designers like Chanel and Versace have drawn huge crowds.

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Don't expect to fully take in all that this enormous museum has to offer in one visit. With the finest collection of American art in the world, a collection of more than 3,000 European paintings, an expansive array of art from ancient Egypt, and recently renovated halls of Greek, Roman, Cypriot, and Asian art, there is a reason the Metropolitan Museum is considered the foremost symbol of arts and culture in a city chock-full of arts and culture. Often referred to simply as "The Met", the museum is located on Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street, on the eastern edge of Central Park and at the center of the so-called "Museum Mile".

First opened in 1872, the Met has been significantly expanded over the years, and its permanent collection now contains more than two million works of art, divided into nineteen curatorial departments. In addition to its giant holdings of American, European, Egyptian, African, Asian, Oceanic, Byzantine, and Islamic art, the museum is also home to encyclopedic collections of musical instruments, costumes and accessories, and antique weapons and armor from around the world. A number of notable interiors, ranging from 1st century Rome through modern American design,... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

Though the price of a hot dog keeps going up, this is still the best deal in NYC dining--by a longshot.

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A New York favorite for almost 30 years, this hot dog joint offers a long-running special--one juicy hot dog with a slightly mysterious "papaya" fruit drink--that stakes a claim as the best dining deal in town. The store's famous facade has featured in several movies, and star chef Mario Batali is among the prominent New Yorkers who have proclaimed themselves fans of these dogs. There are three locations in the city, including this Upper West Side branch, the West Village (402 Sixth Avenue at 8th Street) and Hell's Kitchen (539 Eighth Avenue at 37th Street).

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Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. From real flying monkeys to a trip to the Emerald City and a soaring, modern score by Stephen Schwartz, Wicked is a true spectacle for the eyes and ears!

Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

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Decent food, a huge menu and reasonable prices help keep this dated restaurant alive. In the morning, try the Rise and Shine breakfast. Later on, a triple-decker grilled and marinated chicken breast sandwich makes a hearty lunch. Dinners range from steaks to chicken and fajitas. Located in Times Square, the decor is strictly from the 1950s. It is a fun place to be if you are into the glitz and energy of the neighborhood.

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Celebrity chef Terrance Brennan-owner of perennial favorite Picholine-has taken Manhattan's current fascination with cheese to a whole new level at Artisanal. This handsome Midtown brasserie features a menu of approximately 200 cheeses, as well as such French cheese dishes as fondue. And even if you do not love cheese, there are plenty of choices available, including Hanger Steak and Rabbit in Riesling Sauce. The attractive dining room was created by renowned designer Adam Tihany and resembles a typical French brasserie. Service is professional but not overly stuffy.

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New York's Chinatown is a cultural haven full of ancient and exotic traditions, and a huge amount of restaurants. This bustling and crowded neighborhood is home to over half of the city's Chinese population. In the grocery stores and fruit stands, you will find many food items available nowhere else in the city-from exotic fruit and vegetables to live snails and dried shrimp. In recent years, excellent Thai, Vietnamese and Korean restaurants have joined the mix.

Our Local Expert Says:

For just a few of the many diversions available in the park, check out some advanced roller blading skills at "The Hill" west of Sheep's Meadow, or have a drink/meal at the Boathouse, near 74th Street on the east side of Rowboat Lake and open all summer.

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The idea for Central Park was born in 1858, which a competition was held to choose a design for what would be the first public park built in America. The winners were Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, whose Greensward plan proposed an entirely man-made park that would be intended only for public use, as a refuge from the relentless rhythms of New York City's already overcrowded streets. It took more than 15 years and $14 million (the equivalent of about $200 million today) to build the Park, with its 843 acres and six-mile perimeter extending from Central Park West to Fifth Avenue and from 59th Street to 110th Street. Those 843 acres include 136 acres of woodlands, 250 acres of lawns, and 7 different bodies of water totaling some 150 acres.

Starting in 1980, a public-private partnership between New York City and the Central Park Conservancy restored and preserved Central Park, and attendance has only been rising in recent years. Now, more than 25 million visitors per year stroll its 58 miles of pedestrian paths, go horseback riding on 4.5 miles of bridle paths, bike or jog on its 6.5 miles of winding roads, or simply relax on the grass or on the nearly 9,000 benches provided.... read more

Description:

Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. From real flying monkeys to a trip to the Emerald City and a soaring, modern score by Stephen Schwartz, Wicked is a true spectacle for the eyes and ears!

Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

Our Local Expert Says:

A contender for Best Ice Cream in New York City.

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This small ice cream café on the Lower East Side offers a changing selection of as many as 200 gelatos and sorbets, all freshly handmade on the premises from locally sourced seasonal ingredients. Regularly available flavors include hazelnut, dark chocolate, banana, as well as more unusual offerings such as olive oil, black mission fig, and Mexican cinnamon basil.

Our Local Expert Says:

Seriously delicious pizza in a newly expanded space, though the bigger Lombardi's has definitely lost a little of its gritty charm from the old days. The pizza is still great, though—a contender for the best in the city.

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Established in 1905, Lombardi's stakes its claim as America's oldest fully-functioning pizzeria. Its influence stretches into every corner of the New York pizza establishment, as Gennaro Lombardi taught pizza-making to the founders of several other New York pizza institutions: John Sasso of John's, Patsy Lancieri of Patsy's, and Anthony Pero of Totonno's. Today, the restaurant is often overcrowded with tourists and faithful waiting to sample the classic brick-oven pizza served with a huge selection of fresh toppings. Prepare for a wait on weekends, and dining in the backyard garden (weather permitting) is more pleasant than the crowded indoor area. In the heated battles over New York's best slice, Lombardi's has its passionate defenders, many of whom cite the pizza with fresh chopped clams as one of the more memorable options.

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Chinatown Brasserie is the exciting new downtown restaurant from Josh Pickard and John McDonald, the team behind Lever House, Lure and Joe's Pub. The restaurant is stylish and dramatic, but with a comfortable brasserie atmosphere. Chef Joe Ng will present one of the most exciting dim sum programs outside of Hong Kong, along with a wide variety of both regional Chinese specialities and Chinese-American favorites.

Our Local Expert Says:

This tiny East Village spot serves up a selection of affordable wines, savory and sweet panini (try the "world-famous" one made with Nutella), and other tasty treats.

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In Short
One of three Veloce outposts, this sophisticated Italian wine bar is surrounded by a sea of frat-friendly, cheap beer-serving locales. A late-20s crowd listens to instrumental jazz while sipping sake, grappa, sexo (a red wine with tannic cherry highlights), and classics like sherry, bourbon, cognac and port, all while nibbling a menu of delectable pressed sandwiches. Servers clad in suits and ties, an endless stream of muted black-and-white movies on a big-screen TV, and candles that flicker before an impressive display of wine racks add to the classy vibe.

Hits: A romantic spot to take a date you want to get cozy with.

Misses: Despite strategically placed mirrors along the walls designed to make the place seem bigger than it is, Bar Veloce is so small that claustrophobes would be advised to stay away.