New York New York!

I have just returned from an amazing weekend in New York. This is what we did - Woodbury Common (shopping outlet) which is around an hour away from the city. It was really good, well worthwhile if you want to shop. Although saying that there were lots of offers on clothes etc around 5th Avenue which I wasn’t expecting, thought it would all just be full price. Allow a full day here – even with this we didn’t finish all the shops! We also walked the Highline (disused railway which runs from about 35th to 3rd Street), it is much calmer than at ground level and runs about 3 storeys high between the skyscrapers and is nice for a leisurely walk IF the weather is good – it closes at different times in the evenings depending on time of year but we did it in the dark and during the day – worthwhile if you want an hour or so a bit more relaxed. If you want somewhere nice to eat, Morton’s Steakhouse is very good but look at the prices as it isn’t cheap! We also ate at The Park (Greenwich Village area) which is nice, it has a conservatory so it’s almost like eating outside and the prices here were more reasonable. There are lots of McDonald’s/similar if you just want somewhere very cheap to eat. We enjoyed a nice lunch at Moe’s. Moonstruck Diner is nice for breakfast/lunch – very American with lots of booths and very good value and tasty food. We went to see the show ‘School of Rock’ – this was outstanding. It my choice of shows and I didn’t have high hopes but can highly recommend it. The stars are 10-15years old and boy, do they have some talent! There are lots of shows to choose from and I’d definitely recommend a trip to the theatre. We also went to a Jazz Club which was different, we enjoyed it as something different but it wasn't geared up for tourists so felt a little out of place!! Definitely glad for the experience though!! We pre-booked an Explorer Pass (well worth the money and I would highly recommend this), this included the following 6 attractions (you can get different numbers of attractions with this pass): Empire State Building – a must, views are great and doesn’t take much time – probably allow 1-2 hours depending on what time you go. It opens at 8am and we went shortly after that and there were no queues at all so I’d recommend that if you don’t mind getting up early, we just went for brunch afterwards rather than breakfast beforehand. Circle Line 2.5 hour Best of New York Cruise – this was really good and the views are amazing and you sail past Statue of Liberty. This cruise goes all the way round Manhattan Island but if you are limited for time there are ones that just go past Statue of Liberty and as far as the Brooklyn Bridge which takes you past the Financial District which has a pretty cool skyline and back again. 9/11 Tribute Centre & Walking Tour – we thought we had the museum included so I was disappointed when they said it was the Tribute Centre (didn’t really know about this beforehand) but actually it was brilliant. I would still do the Museum next time I go but the Tribute Centre has a tiny museum (it was hard reading all the things anyway so an hour in there was plenty, it is truly heart-braking) but after that we got a walking tour with 2 people who were involved with 9/11 – one was a journalist who camped there for 14 days as once you were in it was easier to stay in, rather than leave and try and get back in. And the other was a fireman who was on holiday and who had to help with the search and rescue in the days after. It was fascinating and we learnt so much more doing it that way than going to the museum so really chuffed we made the mistake in the first place, we saw the Fireman’s monument which I am sure 99% of people miss as it’s hidden away and found out about the ‘Survivor’s Tree’ which we wouldn’t have known about without the Walking Tour. We also had a quick wonder round Wall Street and saw the NY Stock Exchange and Battery Park which only needed about 30-45 minutes but good to do while we were there. We took a Subway from Grand Central Terminal (good to see if you can) to Wall Street and it was US$3 per person each way. We did this on a Sunday, not sure what Wall Street etc would be like on a working day! Central Park Bike Tour – this was 2 hours and I haven’t been on a bike for about 8 years but it was brilliant and made me realise I need to buy a new bike!!! Again guided, so found out things you would have never have otherwise known if you had just walked around. It’s massive - 4km long and 800m wide - so you wouldn’t have got to see much in 2 hours if on foot. It’s worth going to see, however you do it, but I’d really recommend the bike tour. We even got to cycle in NY traffic (which I was extremely nervous about) back to the depot at the end which is something I never thought I’d do!!! The Ride – bus tour/show. Didn’t really know what to expect and don’t do this if you want a bus tour but it was absolutely hilarious as a show with a tiny bit of sightseeing along the way. I won’t ruin it but if you want something funny and a bit different, then do this!!! You have to pre-book this even with the pass whereas we didn’t pre-book anything else just turned up when we wanted to do it. Top of the Rock. Another observation deck with great views. We did this one at night so we had the contrast of Empire State Building in the day and this at night. People who have done both in the day say this one is better but is less well known. With this pass (or any others) do check before you go when things are available so you can plan your itinerary.

I have been in travel 17 years and this was my first visit to NYC but it was well worth the wait and am sure it won’t be my last!