New York City Travel Guide
New York’s capacity to surprise and delight never waivers – this is a metropolis which constantly reinvents itself, setting trends which every other world city clamours to follow.
Manhattan remains the vibrant centre, the first among the Five Boroughs. Walk its long, unending avenues and you’ll see a cross–section of the globe: the frenetic buzz of Chinatown, the bookish hush around New York University and Washington Square Park, the epicentre of African-American culture in Harlem.
Ticking off every cultural highlight in the city is nigh on impossible. First timers should make a beeline for the big–hitters: the Statue of Liberty, MoMA, the Empire State Building. For those returning, the city’s outer neighbourhoods and green spaces are a must. Brooklyn’s stunning Prospect Park and Inwood Hill Park (the latter the only undeveloped part of Manhattan) are great ways to spend an afternoon.
Foodies will be overwhelmed with options. The Astoria neighbourhood in Queens is a great bet for those looking to eat cheaply and well, with a melting pot of Greek, Italian, Egyptian and Chinese restaurants. This is New York at its most real, away from the razzle dazzle of Fifth Avenue and fast gentrifying areas of Brooklyn.
If you’re more interested in shopping than eating, then New York has it covered. Music lovers are blessed with a first rate record shopping scene, led by Rough Trade NYC and South Slope’s ace Permanent Records, while the weekly Brooklyn Flea Market (held at various locations throughout the year) is great for unique treasures and one–off fashion.
Night owls can find a dark booth and a great selection of cocktails and beers all over the city, but the Lower East Side and Brooklyn’s Greenpoint and Williamsburg neighbourhoods serve up some of the best spots. Maison Premiere’s absinthe cocktails are a great way to kick off a night on the tiles on uber-hip Bedford Avenue.
Just remember that even the hardiest New Yorker hasn’t seen everything the city has to offer. Pick a few highlights and you’ll be certain to want to come back for more.
This area of North America was originally inhabited by the Lenape tribe of Native Americans, specifically the Unami.
Though European settlement began around 1609, modern New York City began with the formal creation of the five boroughs in 1898, and mass immigration followed in the early 20th century.
Each new community established roots in a different neighbourhood, giving the city areas like Chinatown, Little Italy and the Lower East Side – a stronghold of Jewish immigrants. African-Americans migrated from the south and helped fuel a cultural boom of art, music and literature in Harlem.
Despite the Great Depression of the 1930s, development continued, and skyscrapers began to shape the city’s aesthetic. Art deco buildings went up, as did as bridges and parkways, right through until WWII.
A post-war economic boom saw a real expansion of the residential boroughs, as Wall Street and the United Nations led the way in world economics and political affairs. Shipbuilding and fabric production declined but hotels, restaurants and bars opened up on an astonishing scale, transforming the city into a service economy.
New York in the 1960s shook with race riots, gang wars and activism on a proactive scale. Even through to the late 1970s, much of the city remained edgy.
As Wall Street took centre stage during the materialism of the 1980s, crime and unemployment stayed high, but as the 1990s approached, reform and social recovery were in the air. The dotcom market roared into life, fuelling a building boom across the city. Meanwhile, tough-talking Mayor Rudy Giuliani tackled crime, helping make New York, America’s safest big city.
2001 was defined by the horrendous terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, when 3,000 people died. The trauma eventually fortified the city, and New York set about rebuilding itself, both psychologically and physically.
The 2000s saw New York on the ascent. New projects reshaped the city, from waterfront parks on Manhattan’s West Side and Brooklyn to new stadiums and ballparks (including new arenas for the NY Yankees, the Mets and the Brooklyn Nets).
In 1789, New York City became the first capital city of the US.
A B-25 Bomber crashed into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building in 1945, leaving a 20-foot hole in the side.
In 1944, the lights in the crown of the Statue of Liberty flashed dot-dot-dot-dash which means ‘V, for Victory in Europe’ in Morse code.
It may be hard to believe, but New York City has a humid subtropical climate according to the Köppen climate classification. To many visitors, however, it is an excellent place to visit at any time of the year even the weather can be unpredictable.
Spring (March to May) sees temperatures climb rapidly from an average high of 9°C (48°F) in March to very pleasant 20°C (68°F) in May. The later part of spring is a lovely time to visit New York City.
Summer (June to August) can be hot and muggy and often lasting until September. July is usually the hottest month with an average high of 29°C (84°F), although 41°C (106°F) were being recorded. From June, the city hosts SummerStage in Central Park, presenting a series of free and paid performances.
Autumn (September to November) is the best season to visit New York City as temperatures start to cool down. October is often pleasant, with an average high of 18°C (64°F) and an average low of 10°C (50°F).
Winter (December to February) can be cold and unpredictable so wrap up warm. The city turns festive in December. Visitors flock to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the Times Square New Year’s eve ball drop. The average high in December is 13°C (55°F) while the average low is 4°C (39°F).
Getting around New York City
Public transport is run by the
Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA)
Address: 2 Broadway, New York.
Telephone: +1 212 878 7000
Website: www.mta.info
The 24-hour subway is fast and cheap, although it is still best avoided late at night. The network serves over 400 stations. Staten Island is served by the
MTA Staten Island Railway
Telephone: 511 in the USA only.
Website: www.mta.info
To ride the subway, purchase a MetroCard, available at newsagents and station kiosks. Various types of cards are available, including pay-per-use, and 7-day unlimited travel. Kiosks accept credit/debit cards (some also accept cash); when a credit card is used, you will be asked to enter your zip code for verification.
However, if your credit card account has a billing address outside of the United States, type in ‘99999’ instead. Bus services are extensive and run 24 hours, with stops every few blocks. Fares are paid with a MetroCard or exact change.
Taxis are hailed on the curb. A 10-15% tip is expected, and there are various surcharges.
NY NJ Taxi & Limo
Telephone: +1 212 804 7898
Pet Cab NYC
Telephone: +1 917 982 6335
Private car services can be called directly for fixed-rate fares. These are especially useful outside of Manhattan, where it can difficult to hail a taxi on the street.
Driving in Manhattan is not recommended to visitors. The traffic is horrendous, drivers are impatient, parking fees are exorbitant and street parking is elusive.
There are over 644km (400 miles) of bike lanes in New York. New York has become much more bicycle friendly in recent years, with key bike lanes up the west side of Manhattan, down Broadway and across the bridges between Manhattan and Brooklyn or Queens. New York’s bike-sharing scheme
Citibike
Telephone: +1 855 245 3311
Website: www.citibikenyc.com has thousands of bikes for quick hire around the city.
Central Park Bike Tours
Address: 203 West 58th Street.
Telephone: +1 212 541 8759
Website: www.centralparkbiketours.com offers bicycle hire. For bike maps and other info, visit
NYC Bike Maps
Website: www.nycbikemaps.com
In partnership with Get Your Guide
Book popular activities in New York
Things to see in New York City
Attractions
The ultimate symbol of the American Dream, Lady Liberty stands majestically over New York Harbor and is probably the most famous landmark in America. The people of France donated the statue in 1886, to commemorate the alliance during the American Revolution. It was the first sight of the New World to be seen by the 12 million immigrants who passed through Ellis Island in the early and mid 20th century. Limited tickets to visit the crown are available by advance reservation. Opened on 16 May 2019, the museum dedicated to the Statue of Liberty explains the history through multimedia displays, live performances and authentic artefacts such as the original torch.
Address: Upper New York Bay, Liberty Island, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 363 3200
Opening times: Daily 09:00-18:30.
Website: www.nps.gov
Admission Fees: No (but there are admission fees for the ferry and crown access).
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) houses the most important modern art collection in the USA, covering a variety of media from the late 19th and 20th centuries to the present time, and with impressive touring exhibitions. Some of the most prominent features include a lobby that connects 53rd and 54th streets; an atrium that soars 33.5m (110ft) above street level; and innovative glass curtain walls that provide views of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden.
Address: Midtown, 11 West 53rd Street, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 708 9400
Opening times: Sun-Fri 10:30-17:30, Sat 10:30-19:00.
Website: www.moma.org
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
A cherished New York institution, The Met is home to more than two million works of art. It opened in 1870 with a modest collection of 174 European paintings and has grown to be the largest art museum in the western hemisphere. Now its collected works span 5,000 years of culture and the museum is home to some 2,500 of the finest paintings, including Vermeers, Rembrandts, Impressionists and Post-Impressionists as well as Renaissance, African, Asian, and Islamic art. The museum also has annexes at the Breuer (contemporary art) and the Cloisters (medieval art and architecture).
Address: Upper East Side, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 535 7710
Opening times: Thu-Tue 10:00-17:00.
Website: www.metmuseum.org
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux designed this magnificent city sanctuary situated in the centre of Manhattan. It opened in 1876 and now offers numerous recreational and cultural outlets. The Belvedere Castle (a stone castle built on Vista Rock in the middle of the park at the 79th Street Transverse) offers excellent views, while the Shakespeare Garden, just west of the castle, contains flowers and herbs mentioned in the Bard’s plays. There is also a theatre and sports facilities in addition to the celebrated Central Park Zoo.
Address: Uptown, From 59th Street to 110th Street, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 310 6600
Opening times: Daily 06:00-01:00.
Website: www.centralparknyc.org
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- National September 11 Memorial and Museum
One of New York’s most evocative memorials opened on 11 September 2011, 10 years after the terrorist attack that destroyed the World Trade Center and claimed nearly 3,000 lives. Names of everyone killed that day surround two bronze reflecting pools set inside the footprints of the twin towers. A museum dedicated to the events surrounding September 11 tells the story through multimedia displays, archives and a collection of monumental and authentic artefacts.
Address: Lower Manhattan, 180 Greenwich Street, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 312 8800
Opening times: Daily 09:00-19:00.
Website: www.911memorial.org
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Immortalised by Hollywood cinema, this stunning skyscraper is one of New York’s most recognized buildings. Completed in 1931, the 102-storey Empire State Building is a wonderful example of art deco architecture and the observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors offer magical views of the city; the 86th floor deck is open air. Each night, the top 31 storeys are illuminated with colours that reflect a holiday, a special event or pay homage to a particular organisation.
Address: 20 W 34th St., New York.
Telephone: +1 212 736 3100
Opening times: Daily 10:00-23:00.
Website: www.esbnyc.com
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Greenwich Village & the West Village
For much of the 20th century, Greenwich Village had a reputation as New York’s bohemian district, where artists and writers would gather in salons and coffee houses. These days, well-heeled professionals rather than struggling artists live in the restored townhouses and small apartments of the Village. Christopher Street, which runs through the centre of the district, is still a lively part of New York’s gay scene, whilst Bleecker Street is a good place to shop, with high-end boutiques scattered west of Seventh Avenue.
Address: Greenwich Village, New York City.
Opening times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Dubbed the eighth wonder of the world when it was completed after 30 years of construction in 1883, John Augustus Roebling’s design remains a masterful feat of engineering. One of the world’s first steel wire suspension bridges (and at one time one of the world’s longest) links Manhattan with Brooklyn, over the East River. The bridge’s mile-long wooden promenade, located above the car traffic, is open to pedestrians and cyclists.
Address: Civic Center Lower Manhattan & Downtown Brooklyn, New York City.
Opening times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Originally inspired by the slick designs of the grand ocean liners, the Rockefeller Center’s observation deck offers exceptional views. The deckchairs upon which New Yorkers once relaxed to escape the bustle below may be long gone, but the exceptional views remain. From the 70th floor, 260m (850ft) above street level, the unobstructed 360-degree vista takes in the best of the city’s landmarks, including the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and Central Park.
Address: Midtown, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 698 2000
Opening times: Daily 09:00-12:00.
Website: www.topoftherocknyc.com
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Solomon R Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum, a seven-storey spiral building designed by US master architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is worth visiting for the architecture alone. Opened in 1959, its design represented a new way to view art and was a radical departure. Visitors ascend to the top floor via a lift and descend at their own pace on a continuous, circular ramp. The open rotunda makes it possible to see many levels and exhibits simultaneously. The Guggenheim’s acclaimed collection consists of late 19th- and 20th-century art works, many of which came from the private collection of Solomon’s niece, Peggy Guggenheim.
Address: Upper East Side, 1071 Fifth Avenue, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 423 3500
Opening times: Daily 10:30-17:30.
Website: www.guggenheim.org
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
With leaflets, brochures, maps and guides, the bilingual staff at this:
Address: Macy’s Herald Square, 151 West 34th Street, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 494 3827
Opening times: Daily 10:00–19:00.
Website: www.nycgo.com
NYC Information Center can help plan and execute your perfect holiday.
There are other tourist information centres at TKTS Plaza, Broadway at 47th Street (daily 09:00–18:00), at City Hall Park on the Broadway sidewalk at Park Row (Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–17:00) and at East River Waterfront Esplanade at Pier 15 (daily 09:00-19:00 (May-Aug), daily 09:00-17:00 (Sep-Apr)).
Tourist passes
Telephone: +1 208 787 4300
Website: www.citypass.com offers a combined ticket to six selected New York attractions.
The pass is valid for nine days and is available for purchase at any of the attractions or online.
Things to do in New York City
- Cut loose and climb New York
For avid climbers, New York has great indoor walls to grapple with. In Manhattan, the best place to climb is at the
Sports Center Climbing Wall
Telephone: +1 212 336 6000
Website: www.chelseapiers.com
Brooklyn has a wider range of options:
Brooklyn Boulders
Telephone: +1 347 834 9066
Website: www.brooklynboulders.com boasts 2,044sq m (22,000sq ft) of climbing surfaces and beginner classes.
- Lose the crowds and hike Central Park
New York is very much a walking city and ripe for urban hiking, but if you want to surround yourself with nature then head to Central Park for some solitude. Appropriately named, The Ramble makes for a good hike and birdwatching, whilst the waters edge at Harlem Meer offers tranquillity.
- Navigate the city’s seas from a sailboat
Local sailing schools offer the chance to admire New York from the water.
Manhattan Sailing School
Telephone: +1 212 786 0400
Website: www.sailmanhattan.com charters boats in the city or you can enjoy a range of classes, including a weekend-long, learn-to-sail course. Out on Long Island, the
New York Sailing School
Telephone: +1 914 235 6052
Website: www.nyss.com has a good selection of programmes and vessels.
- Paddle to the Statue of Liberty
New York is surrounded by water, so for an adventurous alternative to harbour tours, try kayaking.
The Manhattan Kayak Company
Telephone: +1 212 924 1788
Website: www.manhattankayak.com runs group tours, including easy paddles across the Hudson River, intermediate trips out to the Statue of Liberty and advanced 80 km (50 miles) courses that circumnavigate the island of Manhattan.
- Race round the rink at the Rockefeller Center
In the winter months, New Yorkers love getting their ice skates on. Join them at the
Rockefeller Center’s ice rink
Telephone: +1 212 332 6868
Website: www.rockefellercenter.com or the much-visited rinks at
Central Park
Website: www.centralparknyc.org and Bryant Park. If the weather is less than ideal, Riverbank Park on the Hudson River has a covered rink too.
New York City tours and excursions
New York City tours
- Tours with native New Yorkers
Big Apple Greeters is a free service sponsored by NYC & Company. A knowledgeable, native New Yorker will escort one to six people who are travelling together to special places such as neighbourhoods, sites or ‘off the beaten path’ destinations. Reservations and schedule must be confirmed in advance.
Telephone: +1 212 669 8159
Website: www.bigapplegreeter.org
On Location Tours operates bus tours of the sites of America’s top TV shows, including Sex and the City and The Sopranos. Other tours include ‘Central Park Movie Tour’ and ‘Manhattan TV and Movie Tour’. Tours last from two to three and a half hours. Booking is essential for all tours and meeting points vary depending on the tour taken.
Telephone: +1 212 683 2027
Website: www.screentours.com
New York City excursions
Situated to the east of New York City, Long Island stretches for 190km (118 miles) into the Atlantic. Coastal parts of residential Long Island have some beautiful white sand beaches popular with New Yorkers for weekend retreats. The north and south shores differ greatly. The south shore is fringed by almost continuous sandy coastline, including Jones Beach and gay-oriented Fire Island National Seashore, reachable by ferry. Meanwhile, the north shore is more immediately beautiful; its cliffs topped with luxurious mansions, estates, farms and excellent ‘ma and pa’ wineries.
Telephone: +1 877 386 6654
Website: www.discoverlongisland.com
Roughly two hours’ drive north of New York City, the picturesque Hudson Valley makes a refreshing break from the concrete jungle, with its leafy state parks, farms and apple orchards and quaint country towns. Highlights here include hiking and swimming in Harriman State Park or nearby Bear Mountain State Park. Art-minded visitors will want to visit the Storm King Art Center, a sprawling open-air museum in the town of Mountainville, or the Dia Beacon, with cutting-edge exhibits in a former factory.
Telephone: +1 914 366 6900
Website: www.hudsonvalley.org
Shopping in New York City
A city famous for its elegance and Bohemian chic, New York is a shopper’s paradise, hawking everything from cutting-edge designer fashions to flea market bargains.
The smartest shops are on Madison Avenue in the Upper East Side. Fifth Avenue is a magnet for the label conscious. Soho is the most European of the neighbourhoods. The East Village and the Lower East Side harbour street fashion, with vintage shops and music stores.
On weekends, the Antiques Garage Flea Market, 112 West 25th Street (between Sixth and Seventh Avenues), spreads an assortment of vintage goods. Along Broadway and Soho, street vendors that hawk almost everything. The Brooklyn Flea consists of several huge markets held on weekends in Fort Greene and Williamsburg.
The mall at the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle houses a variety of upscale shops. Famous department stores include Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Avenue; Macy’s, 151 W 34th Street; and Bloomingdale’s at 504 Broadway in Soho and 59th Street at Lexington.
Business areas open as early as 08:00, while shops in Soho and the East Village open at 12:00. Many stay open until at least 19:00. Department stores are generally open Monday to Saturday 10:00-20:00 and Sunday 12:00-18:00.
Classic souvenirs include clothing or accessories emblazoned with iconic New York City logos like NY Yankees, NY Mets, FDNY, NYPD or the new basketball team, the Brooklyn Nets. The ubiquitous I ‘heart’ NY label is plastered on everything from bags and t-shirts to luggage tags and Christmas ornaments.
There’s a sales tax of 8.875% on most consumer goods (clothes and shoes are taxed at a lower rate – no tax under US$110, 4.5% over US$110). Visitors are unable to claim a tax refund.
New York Food And Drink
Food in New York
- The Classic New York Slice
The New York-style slice grew out of Neapolitan-style pizza when Italian immigrants brought pizza to NYC—and America—in the early 1900s. New York-style pizza has slices that are large and wide with a thin crust that is foldable yet crispy.
- Bagels with a New York Twist
Bagels are made from the basic bread ingredients of flour, yeast, salt, and sweetening. High-gluten flour gives the roll its spongy, chewy texture, which can be lightened by the addition of eggs, milk, and butter.
Hot dogs are made from the emulsified meat trimmings of chicken, beef, or pork. This meat mixture is blended with other ingredients (like preservatives, spices, and coloring) into a batter-like substance.
A traditional dim sum brunch includes various types of steamed buns, such as cha siu bao (a steamed bun filled with barbecue pork), rice or wheat dumplings, and rice noodle rolls that contain a range of ingredients, including beef, chicken, pork, prawns, and vegetarian options.
- Pastrami Sandwich – Beef Navel
New York pastrami is generally made from beef navel, which is the ventral part of the plate. It is cured in brine, coated with a mix of spices such as garlic, coriander, black pepper, paprika, cloves, allspice, and mustard seed, and then smoked.
Matzo ball soup is a soup consisting of dumplings made from matzo meal, eggs, and chicken fat, that are then cooked and served in chicken soup. It stems all the way back to the 19th century, where Jewish people would make matzo balls from leftover crumbs of Matzo bread.
Cheesecake is a dessert made with a soft fresh cheese (typically cottage cheese, cream cheese, quark or ricotta), eggs, and sugar. It may have a crust or base made from crushed cookies (or digestive biscuits), graham crackers, pastry, or sometimes sponge cake.
When it comes to the black and white cookie, he’s right though. There’s nothing quite like eating a fresh chocolate and vanilla cookie you picked up at your favorite bakery. It’s a quintessential New York treat and one that’s gone down in the history books as one of the best desserts the city has to offer.
Drink in New York
The Manhattan has managed to remain one of the most popular cocktails in the world for well over a century. A combination of whiskey, sweet vermouth, bitters, and a maraschino cherry garnish, this drink embodies the classic, spirit-forward, and aromatic school of cocktails.
Others believe it was invented in 1911 at the Knickerbocker Hotel in New York by bartender Martini di Taggia, served to billionaire John D. Rockerfeller with equal parts London dry gin and dry vermouth.
A red alcoholic drink made by mixing together vodka, triple sec (= an alcoholic drink made with oranges), cranberry juice and lime juice: mint mojitos, cosmopolitans, and martinis. Origins and mixology. The origin of the cosmopolitan is disputed, with some histories tracing it from the gay community in 1970s Provincetown, moving west to Cleveland and Minneapolis, and landing in San Francisco. From there, it moved back east, with the contemporary recipe being mixed in 1989 in New York City.
It is made up of an enclosed dipeptide formed by the condensation of L-cysteine and D-valine. This results in the formations of β-lactam and thiazolidinic rings. The key structural feature of the penicillins is the four-membered β-lactam ring; this structural moiety is essential for penicillin’s antibacterial activity.
In a mixing glass, stir together two ounces of bourbon, whiskey or rye, rich simple syrup, and Angostura bitters. Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube, and garnish with an orange peel and/or a maraschino cherry, if desired.
- “Red Snapper” Bloody Mary
Regis New York Hotel and an avid fisherman, had Petiot rename the cocktail, fearing the name was too vulgar. And, thus, the Red Snapper was born. (By the 1960s, Bloody Mary mix became a commercial product, and Red Snapper began being referenced as a gin-based Bloody Mary.
The Brooklyn was originally invented by actor and playwright Maurice Hegeman in 1910 at the Schmidt Cafe near the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge; although in a different version than what is now considered the standard version of a Brooklyn.
Mix water, lemon juice and sugar in large pitcher until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate about 3 hours or until chilled if desired. Serve lemonade over ice. Garnish each serving with a lemon slice and cherry.
A plain cup of New York coffee translates to black coffee. If you are more particular about your cup of joe, you can always make your order beige (a little more milk) or even light and sweet, which is a crowd favorite.
Whether your preference is black or green tea, oolong or pu’erh tea, New York has some spectacular spots for tea for a fun tea-tasting date, a group outing in lieu of coffee, or a tranquil pause in a serene setting.
Restaurants in New York City
Eating out is a way of life in New York, from the famous diner breakfasts and brunches, to some of the finest restaurant experiences in the world. Even grabbing a hotdog from a street vendor feels somewhat iconic. An eating out guide for New York is an encyclopaedic task in itself, but visitors should still make a reservation well in advance to avoid disappointment. It is not unreasonable for patrons to call for a table in the trendiest restaurants a few months in advance. Sales tax of 8.875% is automatically added to the bill but service charges are only standard for large groups. The New York restaurants have been split into three price categories:
Expensive (over $65)
Moderate ($35 to $65)
Cheap (up to $35)
These prices include starter, main course and dessert. Tax and a customary tip of 15-20% are not included.
Expensive
Cuisine: Modern American
One of New York’s best farm-to-table restaurants, Blue Hill serves beautifully prepared dishes that showcase top produce from biodynamic farms of the Northeast. Dishes aren’t overly complex and let the delectable ingredients speak for themselves – Berkshire pork, perfectly ripe vegetables, Hudson Valley duck and decadent chocolate bread pudding. Top-notch service and elegant ambience add to the experience.
Address: 75 Washington Place, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 539 1776
Website: www.bluehillfarm.com
Cuisine: French
Named after renowned chef-owner Daniel Bolud, this restaurant consistently ranks among the city’s most opulent venues for French fare. With an accent on seasonal ingredients, culinary masterpieces have included Louisiana crayfish with Iberico ham, Quebecois suckling pig and whole-baked American red snapper in a salt crust. Jacket and tie are required for gentlemen.
Address: 60 East 65th Street, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 288 0033
Website: www.danielnyc.com
Cuisine: Grillhouse
Come for the views (of Central Park), stay for the food. This is about as good as it gets for carnivores, with steaks done to absolute perfection, including a subtle chilli-rubbed Rib Eye. In case that all sounds too healthy, there’s also butter-poached lobster for some wild indulgence. Chef Michael Lomonaco oversees the meat feast.
Address: Columbus Circle, 10 Columbus Circle, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 823 9500
Website: www.porterhousenewyork.com
Moderate
Cuisine: French
A slice of Paris in Manhattan, this is chef Keith McNally’s latest New York venture. It has won plaudits aplenty for its authenticity, and remains a haven of sophistication and suave for Manhattan’s bon viveurs. French classics, such as duck confit, salade Niçoise and bouillabaisse (the speciality on Friday) are superb. It’s also a great place to come for weekend brunch.
Address: Soho, 80 Spring Street, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 965 1414
Website: www.balthazarny.com
Cuisine: Italian
On the edge of Madison Square Park, you’ll find Eataly, a sprawling Italian food emporium with dining spaces for lovers of antipasti, cheese, wine, seafood and much more. Up top, is La Birreria, a rooftop restaurant and beer garden, where you can linger over a hearty meal (market-fresh fish, beer-braised pork shoulder), matched by tasty microbrews.
Address: Madison Square, 200 Fifth Avenue, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 229 2560
Website: www.eataly.com
Cuisine: Italian
Robert de Niro is famously a part-owner of this rustic style Italian eatery in the Tribeca district. Celebrated chef Andrew Carmellini brings the classics to a town that knows its Italian food. Fennel-glazed duck with sunchokes and pioppini mushrooms appears on the menu along with simpler fare such as ‘My Grandmother’s Ravioli’. The atmosphere is casually stylish and relatively affordable.
Address: Tribeca, 377 Greenwich Street, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 925 3797
Website: www.locandaverdenyc.com
Cheap
Cuisine: Deli
This iconic New York Jewish deli used to be on 2nd Avenue, but now inhabits a narrow counter-lined storefront in Midtown with booths in the back. The stars of the show are the vast range of prepared meats like succulent pastrami, brisket and corned beef, and it’s a great place to try matzoh ball soup, blintzes and pierogi.
Address: Midtown East, 162 E 33rd Street, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 689 9000
Website: www.2ndavedeli.com
Cuisine: Jewish
Going strong for over 100 years, this traditional Jewish deli serves all the Kosher classics, including cheese blintzes, caviar and loads of smoked fish. Sturgeon and smoked salmon are superb here, and best paired with a bagel and cream cheese. The ambiance at this Upper West Side haunt is casual, and makes a great start to the day, New York Times in hand.
Address: Upper West Side, 541 Amsterdam Avenue, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 724 4707
Website: www.barneygreengrass.com
Cuisine: International
This busy café attracts diners ready to tuck into Swiss-inspired fare. Dishes range from rösti, a large, rich potato fritter topped with bacon, avocado and other treats, to specials like lobster bisque with creamy polenta. The back room hosts an oyster shack in the evenings.
Address: Soho, 212 Lafayette Street, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 925 9322
Website: www.cafeselectnyc.com
New York City Nightlife
New York nightlife is non-stop and highly addictive, from bustling neighbourhood bars to swank cocktail lounges and nightclubs. The East Village is famous for its local bars that stay open late and its small live music clubs. The Lower East Side offers a similar nightlife scene and vibe. Soho is the cool capital, with its small chic bars attracting models, poseurs and media types. The gay scene is headquartered in the bars of Chelsea, the West Village and Hells Kitchen. Gramercy, in the 20s on the east side, has a smaller selection of velvet-rope cocktail lounges. The city’s best nightclub scene can be found around the Meatpacking District.
Normal club closing time is 0400, although many venues are open all night. An ever-changing crop of ‘after-hours’ places offer entertainment until sunrise, however, alcohol cannot legally be served between 0400 and 0800 or after 2400 on Sunday. The minimum drinking age is 21.
Time Out New York ( Website: www.timeoutny.com ) is a good source of nightlife event information, published weekly. A good online nightlife and restaurant guide is
Yelp ( Website: www.yelp.com )
Bars in New York City
This intimate wine bar in the West Village has a distinctive red-topped bar and is a popular spot to sample well-chosen wines from the top regions of the world. Sit at one of the vintage theatre seats at the front, or in cozy tables at the back, and pair a wine flight with French bistro fare such as cheese, truffle ravioli or chocolate tart.
Address: West Village, 22 W 8th Street, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 533 2962
Website: www.ameliewinebar.com
Craft cocktails are big news in NYC, and Death & Co (the name is a nod to a saying about prohibition) is at the top of this game. Go early as it’s seating only. If not, you’ll give your name to the doorman, and be put down on his list. If you gain entry, prepare yourself for cocktails like you’ve never tasted.
Address: East Village, 433 East 6th Street, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 388 0882
Website: www.deathandcompany.com
About as low-fi as it gets, both in terms of the spit and sawdust barroom and the drinks menu, which extends to ‘dark’ or ‘light’ beer. Choose one and sit back in a charmingly raucous atmosphere that has a hint of old New York about it.
Address: East Village, 15 East 7th Street, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 473 9148
Website: www.mcsorleysoldalehouse.nyc
Clubs in New York City
This raging East Williamsburg venue complex features the massive outdoor Brooklyn Mirage sanctuary and a pair of plush indoor rooms: a 15,000-square-foot Great Hall and cozier Kings Hall, that still has a 800 person capacity. You’ll see some of the biggest artists in the electronic dance music scene in the open-air Brooklyn Mirage during the summer month, and then keep the party going all year round in the interior spaces which have also hosted heavy-hitters like Jamie Jones, Fisher, Gramatik and Aphex Twin. Don’t miss the immersive projection mapping visuals in both the indoor and outdoor areas.
Address: 140 Stewart Ave, Brooklyn, NY.
Telephone: +1 347 987 3146
Website: www.avant-gardner.com
One of the best places for a night of dancing in the Lower East Side, Mehanata is a small multi-story club with a high-spirited dance floor and a wild soundtrack – a mix of Slavic bands and DJs spinning world grooves hold court. The upstairs lounge has a more laid-back vibe, where hookahs are available. For a bit of a lark, partygoers head down to the ice cave to don old Soviet army uniforms and chug vodka from ice-carved glasses.
Address: Lower East Side, 113 Ludlow Street, New York City.
Telephone: +1 917 584 3344
Website: www.mehanata.com
The stylish Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District has several enticing drinking spots, including an outdoor beer garden (glass-enclosed in the winter) on the street level with classic German brews. On the rooftop, Le Bain is a top nightspot that attracts a largely Euro crowd. It has a buzzing dance floor and panoramic views over the city, and during the summer, party people hop into the spacious Jacuzzi (towels provided).
Address: Chelsea, 848 Washington Street, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 645 4646
Website: www.standardhotels.com
Live music in New York City
Outfitted in classy art deco style building, this three-level club is one of New York’s best live music venues. It has a cosy downstairs lounge that isn’t overbearingly hipster-ish, and a 500-capacity concert hall that welcomes all kinds. It’s become a cool, mid-sized venue for indie-rock, and after the concert, you can stick around for drinks.
Address: Lower East Side, 6 Delancey Street, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 533 2111
Website: www.boweryballroom.com
- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
This massive, elegant performing arts complex is the seat of high profile opera, theatre, film and jazz in New York City. From the
Metropolitan Opera ( Website: www.metopera.org ) with its iconic fountain in front, to the
Film Society of Lincoln Center ( Website: www.filmlinc.org ) and
Jazz at Lincoln Center ( Website: www.jazz.org ) you can take in world-class theatre, dance and music, as well as avant garde film.
Address: 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 875 5456
Website: www.lincolncenter.org
A trendy-as-you-like music venue in the Lower East Side, this building actually used to house the servants of the Astor family, but now caters more to slaves of fashion. Expect the odd secret gig here for big name bands – Radiohead and Lady Gaga have both graced the stage, playing to crowds of only 250 people.
Address: 217 East Houston Street, New York City.
Telephone: +1 212 260 4700
Website: www.mercuryloungenyc.com
