New York!! The city that never sleeps

 

Has given birth to the …food culture.The city where dreams are made…..or broken.

When you think New York, you think Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Saks 5th Avenue, Trump Towers and so on…the mind boggles when one thinks of all the ‘first time’ attractions in the city, but is there more to this sexy city than what we see on TV and the endless tourist attractions?  Yes, yes and yes…

 

Sure you must visit the landmarks, Ellis Island has a story all its own, Top of the Rock has great views  and the Empire State Building, well songs have been written about it, so yes, take a few days and visit the tourist attractions, but then give yourself time to absorb the flavour and feel of what must be the most famous city in the world. There is no time to be bored in New York, just drink in the hustle and bustle of this magnificent city. And believe me when I say, New York is like a drug, once you’ve been, you will go back. Again. And again. And again.

 

1. Visit Max Fish Bar on the lower east side, it has a ‘hipster’ feel to it and there is no outside seating but its here that you will get a feel for what the locals get up to on weekends. It’s a cash only bar so leave your plastic in the room, those shots of Evan Williams, don’t come cheap.

 

2. Grab a pizza at Grimaldi’s, just under the Brooklyn bridge, from where you can also get a stunning view of Manhattan

 

3. Take a stroll through Bergdof-Goodman, the last remaining “New York” only department store. With an array of designers available for your shopping fetish, you could easily rack up a scary bill. The guys version of the store is across the road, so couples don’t have to fight over how much they’ve spent, well at lest not right away.

 

4. If you’re a “Foodie” you can take in the best of New York’s culinary offerings at The Gourmet Culinary Market at Grand Central Terminal…from artisanal bagels and pastries at Zaro’s to handmade chocolates at Li-Lac

 

5. A pastrami sandwich from Katz Deli – and that famous New York staple, a cuppa joe are must haves –with tons of coffee shops, espresso bars and cafes to choose from, you will be spoilt for choice. And lets not forget the Cosmopolitan and the Mimosa

 

6. Take a tram to Roosevelt Island, the drawcard a 4 minute ride on the city’s only commuter tram.

 

7. Jump on the Staten Island ferry, its free and you can get great views of Ellis Island ,The Statue of Liberty and the view of the receding Manhattan skyline is breathtaking.

 

8. Rooftop bars are scattered all over the city, but the views from The Upstairs at the Kimberley Hotel of the Chrysler building and the relaxed yet sophisticated setting make this one quite popular.

 

9. For foodies wanting to rub elbows with some of the city’s top chefs, head to Union Square Green Market, you’ll find them scouring the stalls for the best regionally grown produce plus you get offered all kinds of free ‘taste’ samples.

 

10. If there is concert on in Central Park when you’re there, don’t miss it. The setting is beautiful and so dreamy you will be forgiven if you forget for a while that you’re in the middle of a city