New York is made up by many different people, and they all come to the city, looking for something.” I remember hearing this the day that I stepped off of plane at the La Guardia Airports.Let’s not forget the famous Alicia Keys song, Empire State of Mind.Equipped with my rock star sun glasses and my brand new Burberry scarf, I was ready to conquer what New York City had to offer me. My weekend long vacation would put me to the test of how much I can do in 72 hours.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
A common argument that I found amongst New Yorkers was, which restaurant serves the best brick oven pizza. If you have a longer trip in NYC than my weekend excursion, you might actually have time to try a host of different pizzerias and see how they compare. If your time is limited, I recommend skipping the trial and error process; simply go to Grimaldi’s Pizzeria. Located under the Brooklyn Bridge, not only will you enjoy an unforgettable pie, you will also get a fantastic view of Manhattan from one of the oldest parts of Brooklyn. They also have a jukebox filled with Frank Sinatra classics.
Empire State Building
Your first trip to NYC should include a visit to the Empire State Building, seeing that this is New York’s tallest structure. The view from the 86th-floor is extremely remarkable and the best view of the city that never sleeps. Be prepared to wait in line though, from my experience, the best times to visit are 8:30 a.m. or during lunch and dinner hours. Tickets do cost, but in my opinion the cost is worth it. You can even pay extra to get to the 102nd-floor deck.
Central Park
Central Park is part park, part museum, and part concert hall. It covers the center of Manhattan along with the cities most popular sights, which are located next to the park. The 843-acre square is a hit for New Yorkers and a variety of tourists, whether you want to exercise, eat, or visit the zoo. There is a variety of things to see and do; the park includes a staggering amount of 21 playgrounds, 48 fountains, and 36 bridges.
Grand Central Station
At this remarkable train station, you can eat lunch or shop endlessly. I mostly enjoyed looking at the scenery. Before you go in, make sure you check out the Beaux-Arts neoclassical architecture. Upon entering the celebrated main concourse, you will see marble floors, gold and nickel chandeliers, and a sky-painted ceiling. If you are lucky, you might see a flash mob! Restaurant options inside include the infamous Michael Jordan Steak House and the Campbell. While the restaurants are a hit, there are also many different shopping options. Bring home a souvenir for your family by visiting the New York Transit Museum Store, located in the shuttle passage. If you are on a tight budget, you can visit Grand Central Station from 2:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. for free. You may also take a free guided tour on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Broadway
If you are like me and enjoy musicals or theatre, I recommend you seeing a show on Broadway. Considering that Times Square has an overwhelmingly amount of sights and sounds, you can see all you need to by going back and forth to the different shows. Nothing can compare to a Broadway show. Simply purchase a ticket and enjoy a performance; the creativity and art work is guaranteed to give you a taste of what New York has to offer.
New York City has countless things to do, from a variety of sights to see and restaurants, you most certainly will enjoy. My recommendation is to come prepared to have something to do each and every second you are in the city. Forget what’s shown on Sex and the City. See what New York City has to offer with your own eyes. Happy travels!
Author Bio: Frank Conley is a frequent traveler to U.S. cities and islands near the east coast.
