A taste of the Big Apple
2010 Getty Images
Visitors take in the view of the Empire State Building at the top of the Rock Observation Deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York
My two adult daughters and I are planning to go to New York in September. The priority is to see as much as possible plus a Broadway show and have a brief shopping spree. We are interested in staying in one hotel and sharing one room. How many nights would you recommend?Eileen, Kilkenny
New York has so much to offer that you could spend weeks getting to know it and doing the sights. For a really good taste of the city I would suggest a five-night stay, which will give you plenty of time to see the place without rushing around, and allow you to get over the journey there and accompanying jetlag.
Most, if not all, of your time will be spent in Manhattan. It is well worth planning a rough itinerary because although the city is easy to navigate and get around via the excellent underground system, the island is 13 miles long, so it can be tiring and eat into your time to get from one side to the other.
On your first day, you could head to the harbour at Manhattan's southernmost tip. Here you can get great views of the harbour, wander through Battery Park and hop on to the free ferry to Staten Island to see more of the famous New York skyline and catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty. You could then head to some of the city's most fashionable districts: Soho, Noho (south and north of Houston St respectively) and Nolita, found north of Little Italy, where you'll find galleries and a good selection of shops.
You will probably want to make time to take in the views from the top of the Statue of Liberty (stop by as soon as it opens at 9.30am to avoid the crowds). Make sure to check out some other spectacular architecture, such as the Chrysler Building and Grand Central Station. I would definitely advise a wander over the Brooklyn Bridge, starting on the Brooklyn side -- you will get to experience one of the most scenic walks in NYC.
For shopping, you'll be spoilt for choice. Around Midtown you'll find a selection of department and designer stores, particularly along avenues such as Madison and Fifth. The Meatpacking District offers edgier, high-end fashion, while at the other end of the spectrum, department store Century 21 in Lower Manhattan is legendary for its bargains, and Chelsea's Antique Garage Flea Market is also worth a dig around.
For discount theatre tickets, check out one of the three TKTS booths that sell seats to same-day Broadway shows. One is on Times Square, right in the heart of theatreland. La Cage aux Folles, Enron and The Pitman Painters are set to be big this autumn.
Club Travel (clubtravel.ie) can help with bookings.
- Tom Hall
Irish Independent
