New York From the Sea and Sky
- The Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise has been circumnavigating Manhattan since 1945. The two-and-a-half-hour cruise boasts views of 101 city sights, including a close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Vouchers can be used for any cruise, so scheduling is convenient. After taking in the whole island from its watery perimeter, a trip to the observation deck of the Empire State Building is like a real-life version of Google Maps. The whole city lies before you. The 102nd-floor deck is the highest location in New York accessible to the public. Lines can be long, so buying tickets online is recommended.
A Day in New York Is a Walk in the Park
- At the center of the island of Manhattan, 843 acres stretching from 59th Street to 110th Street, is Central Park. The park can serve as an oasis from a busy day of touring the sights of the city -- or it can be a destination in itself. The first landscaped park in the country, Central Park features hiking and biking trails; lush, rolling lawns perfect for sunbathing; a concert facility where national music acts perform throughout each summer; and even its own lake. A stroll to the butterfly gardens in the park’s North Meadow is an excellent getaway not only for the colors and tranquility, but because not many people know about the “secret” gardens. So on a sunny day, they’re your best chance to get a few moments away from the crowd. The best part of a walk in the park? Admission is free.
Neon Lights Are Bright on Broadway
- You can be forgiven if you think “Broadway” is a street. It is, but Broadway refers to the 40 theaters clustered around the Times Square area, which centers around Broadway the street, 7th and 8th Avenues, from 41st Street to 52nd. While some shows flop and last only a matter of weeks on Broadway, others seem to run forever. “The Phantom of the Opera” has run for more than 25 years and shows no signs of slowing. Other long-running shows include “Wicked,” “Jersey Boys,” “Mamma Mia” and “The Book of Mormon.” Broadway shows play eight times per week -- nightly plus afternoon matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays for most shows. The easiest way to pick up a Broadway ticket is to stand in line at the TKTS booth, which has stood at 47th and Broadway for more than 40 years. But online sites such as Broadway.com and Theatermania.com offer tickets in advance, often at a discount, without the wait.
Want to Buy a Bridge? Or Walk Across One?
- Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, another of New York City’s many iconic locales, is one of the most beautiful ways to see the city. Start walking at the Manhattan Municipal Building across from City Hall downtown. If you’re unsure where to go, on any nice day, there is a crowd of walkers and cyclists you can follow. You’re now walking over the East River, and it’s worth a stop halfway across to take pictures or just contemplate the bustle of activity below and all around you. When you exit the bridge in the Brooklyn district called DUMBO, you’ll have an appetite. Grimaldi’s, always a candidate in the race for New York’s best pizza, is right there under the bridge.
