Your must see and do's for New York, New York

[Sodthesystem]

About to go international on a solo vacation and the excitement is kicking in :)

Anyone want to tell me what they most enjoyed?

I have 5 days. I love architecture. I wouldn't mind catching some beautiful music. I'll absolutely do a ghost tour because it's my fave way to get to know cities. And i want to do a tour from the water but tbh I'd happily just get a normal ferry tbh (anyone know where to go for the best views?)

Tbh I think I'll maybe skip museums as I often feel they either drag out or you don't have time to see all and it's annoying. But I may give one half a day or so.

But basically - chasing beautiful places, sounds, feelings, clothes etc...

Any places that are must eats? (I'll try to save but I'm sure I could splurge on occasion).

Anyone got any must do's?

former NY-er here. A few thoughts:

if you are traveling in November/ December and planning doing a lot of walking, bring a warm coat. Cold feels colder in NY because of how the wind channels off the water.

Museums are great but if they aren’t really your thing I would skip - unlike London they aren’t free. In fact they are shockingly expensive. If you are into architecture & design though you can go to either the MOMA or Guggenheim gift shop for free.

Ferries: the Staten Island ferry is iconic and provides amazing views of the Statue of Liberty & lower Manhattan. Or you could take the ferry to Hoboken then take a walk along the Hoboken waterfront, which has great views of Manhattan.

Restaurants: the must eats from last year may not be the must eats today. New York Magazine & Time Out NY are good resources for what’s current. A lot of restaurants in NY will serve you at the bar which is a great option if you are solo, and you can often get a spot even at a trendy spot.

If you like charity shops (“thrift shops” in the states), I’ve gotten beautiful designer stuff in some of the shops on the Upper East Side. And the Housing Works in Soho is one of my favourite places to hang out for an hour or 2. It’s a used book store / charity shop / cafe in a lovely space.

Foods of NY tours.
Really enjoyed this. Got a tour of certain parts of NY and dropped into a few little local restaurants for a taster.
Also Brooklyn is amazing. Lots of little shops and bistros. We stayed there and travelled into Manhattan on the metro and got a taxi back.
See a show on Broadway.

The 9/11 museum is excellent. It’s so cleverly and tenderly done, I was blown away and could have spend hours longer there.

As you’re after beautiful places, I’d definitely go to Grand Central Station. Beautiful architecture and a stunning ceiling. It’s also got loads of great smaller shops and a food hall well worth checking out.

I also really enjoyed cycling over the Brooklyn bridge. We timed it just right so that it was getting dark and all the lights were coming on. You get some brilliant views looking back at Manhattan.

Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise and breakfast at TimeOut market.
Walk the High line and Chelsea market.
If you do do a museum we enjoyed the free highlights tours at both Natural History and the Met. You do have to pay for entry but get a good taster in around an hour.

Don't go up the Empire state unless you particularly want to see the inside up close. Go up the Rockefeller building in stead which is a fairly boring building itself but gives magnificent views which include the Empire state. You get a great view of it from the Top of the Rock.

Another vote for the High Line, and the Museum of New York.

When are you going?
For eats, the iconic ones are Max Brenner, Juliana’s Pizza and Katz’s Deli.

Thanks all who have replied so far.

Oh and thanks for the heads up about the cold weather @ExpatForLife as I was thinking will I take my heavy coat or not. It's to be 7-12 degrees most days and colder at night but other people had said New York feels colder than here so I guess I better take it. Just wish it wasn't so heavy.

The Ellis Island museum is a really interesting experience that covers immigration over the last century or two - you can book the tour (just a series of ferries and state park entrance fee) that covers Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

The 9/11 museum is the best museum I have ever been to. It was so incredibly interesting, well done and moving. We spent over three hours in there and I didn’t notice the time go at all. That would be my top recommendation for NYC.

Cafe Wha? Is one of the best things to ever happen to me. They have a house band that is SO good everyone gets up and dances. Go to the early slot but be prepared to wanna stay on for the later slot (double check which nights are live band nights). I’m not even a live band/ up dancing late night person but it won me over!

I also love the Sea Glass Carousel at Battery Park.

Murray’s Cheese Restaurant is another must but I think it’s moved further out of town.

If you love musicals, Ellen’s Stardust Diner is a cheesy must or Marie’s Crisis for an evening (a piano bar where all the off duty/ out of work theatre people go to drink and sing show tunes. No phones allowed and everyone sings. Magical).

Clinton Street Baking Company does the BEST pancakes/ brunch.

Top of The Rock over the Empire State viewing platform as then you can look back on the empire state.

Beauty and Essex is a fun, dressier restaurant where you have to go through what looks like a pawn shop to get inside (like a secret bar).

High Line is also worth a visit.

I would always recommend a stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge into Brooklyn for a mooch if you have time too.

My absolute favourite thing in New York is the Tenement Museum. It's fascinating. I genuinely love it. I also really love the Hudson Yards/Chelsea Market area (the Whitney is in that area too and is free on a Friday evening). Statue of Liberty and the Immigration Museum/ Ellis Island was really interesting too.

Climbing up to the top of the Statue of Liberty was my favourite thing to do - we've done it twice, and loved it both times - needs to be booked well in advance. A visit to the Public Library to see the original Winnie the Pooh toys was lovely, and made me a bit emotional!

Go and see the Flat Iron building snd the Chrysler building. The city scape can be seen from the Top of the Rock. Radio City music hall is fantastic art deco. The Vessel at Hudson Yards is by Heatherwick and the High Line is fantastic. Cold winds guaranteed! The Guggenheim and MoMA really are worth your time. I’d look at any book on NY architecture to see what you like.

I didn't like New York much, but I absolutely loved The Tenement Museum. It really is fantastic, like living history.

Take your big coat, those winds off the Atlantic are brutal in winter.

Also, even of yoi don't like mjseums.mich MoMA is extraordinary, really just the most amazing collection of modern art in one place.

All of the above but my favourite thing which hasn't been mentioned is Central Park. Such an amazing contrast to to the tall buildings and noise. Although I've not been in December so the lack of leaves might change how it feels I guess. I also really loved Grand Central Station, beuatuful Bryant Park, the library and St Patrick's Catherdal. Lots of beautiful architecture and lovely ambience.

If you only go to one art gallery in NY, I highly recommend the Frick. Not only is it (in my view) one of the best art collections in the world (it includes the famous Holbein portraits of Cromwell and More for example), but it can only be seen in NY as they cannot lend anything that was collected by Henry Frick. The museum building itself is beautiful and the whole visit only takes about 3 hours.

Sorry op, do you mind if I hijack your thread?
My dd (20) is going to NY for 5 days in 3 weeks time. Her and her friend have thought about their itinerary and will do the usual - but does anyone have any recommendations they may not have thought of? Or that is more aimed at their age. Preferably budget ones 🤣

Try and ok the Radion City Christmas show, it’s fabulous!

You are spot on!

One of my favourite things in NYC is to root out the art deco; the foyer of the Empire State, Bloomingdales, Grand Central. It’s other-world in a city of screaming modern architecture.