Statue of Liberty National Monument- Even with her likeness sold all around town on ashtrays and T-shirts, the real thing remains impressive and moving. The American Museum of Immigration is housed in the base of the statue. The Circle Line Statue of Liberty Ferry departs from South Ferry at Battery Park (on the Lower West Side of Manhattan) every 30 minutes. From May-Labor Day access to the stairs leading to the crown is restricted. Only passengers from the first two ferries of the day, one leaving from Battery Park in Manhattan and the other from Liberty State Park in Jersey City, are allowed into the stairwell (which can reach temperatures of 100 F/38 C in the summer). Otherwise, you can still enjoy the view from the top of the statue’s pedestal. Fall, winter, spring hours: daily 9:30 am-3:15 pm. Summer hours daily 8:30 am-7 pm. Get to one of the ferry terminals at 7:30 am if you want to get on the first ferry. If you’re taking the 354 stairs to the crown, prepare to climb them very slowly. US$7 adults, US$6 seniors, US$3 children ages 3-17. Liberty Island. Ferry information, phone 212-269-5755. Times Square- The site of the country’s biggest New Year’s Eve party, this square (really more of a triangle) was once famous for its huge billboards, porn palaces and Broadway theaters. Today it’s been cleaned up and boasts bright lights, a Disney store, a Virgin megastore for music, and (still) some Broadway theaters, including the meticulously restored New Amsterdam. The news is broadcast round the clock on a huge screen over the square. Tours of the New Amsterdam are given Monday 11 am-5 pm on the hour. US$10 adults, US$5 children under age 12. Phone 212-282-2907. Broadway to 7th Avenue, between 42nd and 47th Streets. Grand Central Terminal - The largest train station and main concourse in the world. With its recent cleanup, passing through the station, even (or especially) at rush hour, has become a sublime experience. The Renaissance-style architecture creates a strangely peaceful backdrop for the frenetic dance of thousands of commuters. The creamy-rose, Tennesee-marble floors are gleaming, as are the brass chandeliers with hundreds of bulbs. The Sky Ceiling is a heart-stopper, with an aquamarine image of the night sky with teeny lights for stars and major constellations outlined in gold. Stores and restaurants are moving in at a rapid clip. Go to the station even if you’re going nowhere. 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue. Empire State Building. Incredible views of the city day and night from the various observatories. Daily 9:30 am-midnight (last elevator to the top is at 11:30 pm). US$6 adults, US$3 seniors and children over age 5. A newer attraction is the New York Skyride, a flight simulator that makes you feel as if you’re soaring over the city. US$11 adults, US$9.50 seniors and children over age 12, US$3 children ages 5-12, free for children under age 5. Daily 10 am-10 pm. The ride lasts 30 minutes. Pregnant women and children age 4 and under not allowed. Combination tickets for Skyride and the Empire State Building: US$14 adults, US$9 seniors and children. 34th Street and 5th Avenue, phone 212-736-3100. For Skyride information, call 212-279-9777. Chrysler Building. This 1930s art-deco stunner was New York City’s first skyscraper. Unfortunately, you can’t ride to the top, but you can at least appreciate its night-lit spire, one of the most stirring sights on the city’s skyline. The beautiful lobby is also worth checking out. 405 Lexington Ave. (at 42nd), phone 212-682-3070. Ellis Island National Monument. This site allows visitors to retrace the steps of their ancestors and share the excitement and heartache of the immigrant experience. Circle Line Statue of Liberty Ferry departs from Battery Park (on the Lower West Side of Manhattan) every 30 minutes, stops at the Statue of Liberty, then heads on to Ellis Island. Open daily 9:30 am-3:30 pm; tickets can be purchased from 8:30 am on. US$7 adults, US$6 seniors, US$3 children ages 3-17. Ellis Island recorded information: 212-363-3200; ferry information, 212-269-5755. (Take IRT subways No. 4 or 5 to Bowling Green or Nos. 1 or 9 to South Ferry; BMT trains N and R stop across the street from Battery Park.) New York Public Library. More than just one of the world’s great research libraries, the New York Public Library lures residents and visitors alike with its beautiful beaux-arts facade, grand entrance (guarded by two marble lions), changing exhibits and beautiful Main Reading Room. Monday and Thursday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 11 am-7:30 pm. 5th Avenue and 42nd Street, phone 212-930-0800. Carnegie Hall. A landmark concert hall with continuous performances of classical, chamber music, opera, pop and jazz. Tours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 11:30 am, 2 pm and 3 pm. US$6 adults, US$5 seniors and students. 154 W. 57th St. (at 7th Avenue), phone 212-247-7800. City Hall. Built between 1803 and 1812 in the Federal style with French influences, it houses several art and history exhibits. Tours Monday-Friday 10 am, 11 am and 2 pm (not on weekends). Tours given with two weeks’ advance notice; minimum 10 people, maximum 30. Broadway at Murray Street (downtown), phone 212-788-6865. Rockefeller Center. Perhaps most famous for its Christmas tree-lighting ceremony and ice-skating rink, Rockefeller Center is also home to NBC Studios. Studio tours given every day but holidays every 15-30 minutes 9:30 am-4:30 pm. US$10. You can book a tour months in advance. No children under 6 years old. For NBC Studio tours information, call 212-664-7174. Also in Rockefeller Center: an underground shopping concourse, a patio for outdoor dining, and an ice-skating rink (closes for the season mid May). Open daily at irregular times; call 212-332-7654 for schedule. Around US$8 for adults to skate, around US$6 for seniors and children under age 12. 5th Avenue between 47th and 52nd Streets. New York Stock Exchange. A visitor’s gallery in this landmark of capitalism overlooks the trading floor. Recordings for self-guided tours are in five different languages. Walking down Wall Street, itself, is an awe-inspiring experience, as you’re closed in by towering skyscrapers. Stock exchange hours: Monday-Friday 9 am-4:30 pm, although trading stops at 4 pm. Get tickets, free, starting at 8:45 am. 20 Broad St., phone 212-656-5165. Chinatown. It’s a labyrinth of narrow streets where crammed storefronts dispense everything from herbal remedies to cloud ears to cleavers and back-scratchers. When the frenetic activity wears you out, stop in at a restaurant that serves dim sum. Located in Lower Manhattan, Chinatown extends from Canal to Pell Street and from the Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) as far east as the Bowery. Major streets are Canal, Pell and Mott. Parking is impossible. Take the N, R or No. 6 train to Canal Street, or A, C, or E train to Canal (at 6th Avenue). Greenwich Village. The Village held my fascination as a child in the '60'sl This longtime artists’ community, replete with coffeehouses and off-Broadway theaters, is also distinguished by its large and politically active gay community (in the West Village) and bars that serve either aging beat poets or young hipsters. Wonderful, winding cobblestone streets, old town houses and the smaller scale of streets and apartment buildings make the Village a great place to dine, shop or walk. On weekends many out-of-towners go there to party, so the neighborhood loses some of its charm. Houston Street north to 14th Street, Broadway west to the Hudson River. Little Italy has dwindled significantly over the years as neighboring Chinatown has expanded, but it remains the best place in Manhattan to find authentic Italian breads, meats, pasta, cheeses and desserts. During warmer months you can eat alfresco at the restaurants. In lower Manhattan, just north of Chinatown, and extending from Mott to Mulberry on Hester Street and from Hester to Grand on Mulberry Street. South Street Seaport. This historic seaport district offers cobblestone streets, waterfront piers, shops, restaurants and a great view of Brooklyn and New York Harbor. It’s considered a tourist trap by many New Yorkers who shun it, though some good concerts are held there. The bars and restaurants attract the Wall Street crowd; upscale clothing shops attract the J. Crew crowd. Historic ships and harbor boat tours. Great vantage point for the July 4th fireworks. East River at the foot of Fulton Street, phone 212-732-7678. PARKS, GARDENS AND ZOOS Central Park. I spent so much of my childhood in this oasis set in the middle of a hot, grimy city! In 1856 New York officials set aside an amazing 843 acres/341 hectares of valuable city land between 5th and 8th Avenues and 59th and 110th Streets for a park. To this day, flowing meadows, bridges, lakes, ponds and playing fields produce a fragile serenity in the heart of this metropolis. Visitors of all ages enjoy sculptures both serious and whimsical, the skating rink, the boat pond and the zoo. John Lennon fans may pay their respects at Strawberry Fields, the area of the park dedicated to his memory, on the west side near 72nd Street. During the summer, residents flock to the band shells for afternoon and evening concerts. A motorized trolley tour will take you through the park to different points of interest. Departures from Grand Army Plaza, 60th Street and 5th Avenue. Call for an updated schedule and rates: 212-397-3807. For a horse-drawn-carriage ride through the park, find an empty buggy at Tavern on the Green or at 59th Street and 5th Avenue. Ride costs US$34 for 20 minutes, US$10 for every 10 minutes thereafter. Central Park Information: 212-246-0520. Note: Never venture into Central Park after dark. There are too many isolated spots for the "wretched refuse" to gather and wait for unsuspecting tourists. Central Park Wildlife Center. This is a delightful, lovely, small zoo—the perfect size for a leisurely visit: There’s plenty to see, but you don’t have to wear yourself out to get through it all. The Tisch Children’s Zoo is designed especially for children age 6 and under. Admission to the Wildlife Center includes admission to Tisch. Summer hours: Monday-Friday 10 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:30 am-5:30 pm. Winter hours: 10 am-4:30 pm. US$3.50 adults, US$1.25 seniors age 65 and older, US$0.50 children ages 3-12. Children under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Last tickets sold a half hour before closing. For further information, call 212-861-6030. New York Botanical Garden. A 250-acre horticultural preserve, research laboratory, and tree and plant museum. Several newer areas include Old World and New World desert and aquatic plants, a rain forest and a Children’s Adventure Garden, adorned with topiaries and mazes. The Enid Haupt Conservatory, renovated to critical acclaim, is a lovely cold-weather retreat. Gardens open April-October, Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-6 pm; November-March, Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-4 pm (open Monday when it’s a legal holiday). US$3 adults, US$2 seniors and students, US$1 children ages 2-12. Garden Passport with admission to many specialty gardens and discounts in shop is US$6.50 adults, US$4 seniors and students, and US$2.50 children ages 2-12. To get there, take the D train or the No. 4 to Bedford Park Boulevard; walk eight blocks east. Or, take Metro North (from Grand Central) to the Botanical Garden Station. Southern Boulevard at 200th Street, Bronx, phone 718-817-8500. Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. A jewel, frequently overlooked: Something is always in bloom! Lovely displays of holly, winter jasmine, pussy willows and roses. Tours and workshops, annual holiday exhibit and concert. Open Tuesday-Friday 8 am-4:30 pm, Saturday, Sunday and holidays 10 am-4:30 pm. Conservatory open 10 am-4 pm, Terrace Cafe open 10 am-3 pm. (But check: Hours change seasonally.) US$3 adults, US$1.50 seniors and students, US$0.50 for children ages 6-16. Free for all Monday-Friday in the winter and Tuesday in the summer. 100 Washington Ave., Brooklyn (take No. 2 or 3 train to Eastern Parkway). Phone 718-622-4433. SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOURS For information on walking tours, pick up a free copy of The Big Apple Visitor’s Guide. It’s an excellent resource, and you may find it indispensable during your stay. Available at the New York Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, 810 7th Ave., 3rd Floor (between 52nd and 53rd Streets), New York, NY 10019, phone 212-484-1200. Pick up a free Walking Tour of Rockefeller Center pamphlet at the information desk in the lobby of the GE Building, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, phone 212-698-2950. LOCAL TOURS Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises. Narrated cruises around Manhattan with sightings of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the World Trade Center and the United Nations. Tours take place year round, less frequently in the winter. (Bundle up for winter cruises!) Departure days and times vary depending on the month. The cruises departing from Pier 83, 42nd Street on the Hudson River, last 90 minutes or three hours. Cruises departing South Street Seaport last one hour and only go around the tip of Manhattan. No reservations necessary. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Call 212-563-3200 for more information. Citywalks: Walking Tours of New York offers private Saturday and Sunday tours of Greenwich Village, downtown and the Lower East Side, for individuals or groups. Closed January-February. Contact John H. Wilson (owner), 410 W. 20th St., 10011, phone 212-989-2456. Guides Association of New York City. A nonprofit association that represents 200 NYC licensed guides. Many are multilingual—more than 25 foreign languages are spoken. Guides available to narrate motor coach tours, to meet and greet visitors at the airport. Phone 212-969-0666. Joyce Gold Tours. Eclectic walking tours of the Financial District, Greenwich Village, Ellis Island, Harlem and other historical locations. Tours March-December, weekends only, US$12 a person (tours last two to four hours). Private tours can be arranged. 141 W. 17th St., phone 212-242-5762, fax 212-242-6374. Harlem Spirituals offers a variety of tours, some multilingual, including a Soul Food and Jazz tour of historic Harlem, a Harlem and Gospel tour, and a Saturday tour of Upper Manhattan that includes Harlem, the Cloisters and parts of The Bronx (seasonal, beginning in March). Some evening tours include dinner and music. Prices vary. 1697 Broadway, Suite 203, phone 212-757-0425. Big Apple Greeter. Not a tour guide, exactly, but a volunteer “friend” to greet you and give you an insider’s perspective on New York. Call five days in advance of your visit and discuss what you would like to see. One greeter per two or three people or a family. They will match languages. Free. Phone 212-669-8159, fax 212-669-3685. NY Apple Tours. See New York from a double-decker bus. The route includes Rockefeller Center, Times Square, the Empire State Building, South Street Seaport and more. Full city tour, US$35 adults; Manhattan without Brooklyn, US$31 adults; downtown only, US$21. Children age 12 and under US$22, US$18 and US$12, respectively. Hop on and off at 48 different locations. Tours start at 9 am from the Plaza Hotel, Rockefeller Center or in front of JoJo’s (Broadway and 46th Street). Buy tickets on the bus or at various hotels. Phone 800-876-9868. The Municipal Art Society. Architectural, historical, walking and bus tours. Tours include Rockefeller Center, Immigrant New York, Times Square Theaters, Irish New York, the Subway System, Skyscraper Evolution and more. Cost ranges US$10-$15. For reservations (needed Saturdays only), call 212-935-3969 (Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm). Spirit Cruises. Sail away on a three-hour tour of the New York Harbor on either the Spirit of New York or the Spirit of New Jersey. A dinner and dancing cruise is an option. Prices run US$35.50-$72. Cruises every day. Reservations necessary. Phone 212-727-2789. Big Onion. Twenty walking tours of historic and ethnic New York, including Governors Island and the Lower East Side. US$9 adults, US$7 seniors and students. Tours weekends and holidays year round. They last 2-2½ hours. No reservations. Phone 212-439-1090. World Yacht. Three-hour
cruise, with four-course, sit-down dinner and a live band for dancing. Sails daily
April-December. Weekend service only January-March. Boards 6:00 pm, sails 7-10 pm.
Sunday-Thursday US$67 per person, Friday US$75 per person, Saturday US$79 per person.
Also, a lunch cruise 15 April-17 October, Wednesday-Saturday, and a Sunday Brunch cruise
April-December. Reservations necessary. Cruises depart from Pier 81 at W. 41st Street and
12th Avenue. Phone 212-630-8100 or 800-498-4270. ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
The seat of New York’s archdiocese, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is an enormous and ornate Gothic-style cathedral that has the souls of even the most exhausted travelers rejoicing after a visit. Open for visitors every day 7 am-8:30 pm. 5th Avenue at 50th Street, phone 212-753-2261. The United Nations. The largest international governmental organization in the world. Free tickets to the General Assembly and various councils are sometimes available. Guided tours every 30 minutes, daily 9:15 am-4:45 pm (January and February, tours Monday-Friday only). US$7.50 adults, US$5.50 seniors, US$4.50 high school and college students, US$3.50 children, children under age 5 not admitted. Reservations needed for groups of more than 12. 1st Avenue at 46th Street, phone 212-963-7713. Sony IMAX Theater. An eight-stories-high screen plus 3-D. Feature films change. Eight shows daily. US$9.50 adults, US$7.50 seniors over 62, US$6 children under age 12. Broadway and 68th Street, phone 212-336-5020. Sony Wonder Technology Lab. An interactive science/technology museum that seems more like an amusement park. You can do everything from producing a TV show to laying down a track in a recording studio, or you can see the human body in a medical imaging lab. Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm (Thursday to 8 pm), Sunday noon-6 pm. Last entrance 30 minutes before closing. Free. 550 Madison Ave. (56th Street), phone 212-833-8100. Chelsea - Quiet streets graced by beautifully renovated townhouses. From 5th Ave. West to the Hudson River, and from 14th St. to 23rd St. Writers, artists, multicultural population, lively stores and restaurants. Fraunces' Tavern - Broad and Pearl Streets. Erected in l7l9, called the Queen's Head Tavern. The Chamber of Commerce was founded here in l762. In l783, Gen. Washington's farewell to his officers took place here. I remember taking this trip when I was in school, and it had an effect on my overactive imagination. The Sons of the Revolution reorganized here in l883 and ave occupied the building since. The Third floor is now used as a museum and the first floor as a restaurant. Free admission. Haydn Planetarium - 81st St. and Central Park West. Opened in l935. The auditorium is a circular chamber with a diameter of 75 feet, seating capacity over 750. Suspended over the chamber is a white dome of perforated stainless steel, serving as a screen on which images of the heavenly bodies are cast by the Planetarim projector. The projector shows, in a realistic manner, evry object that is visible to the unaided eye in the heavens, and their motions are represented with accuracy. Everything is shown on the inside of the dome by rojection of bright light from the projection apparatus, with the perfect illusion of depth and space. The ceiling seems to roll away and reveal the sky itself. This illusion is further heightened by the skyline of New York, which circles the Planetarium walls on the "horizon line". An additional feature is the actual harnessing of the cosmic rays in order to light the stars. Each presentation lasts from thirty-five to forty minutes, accompanied by a lecture.On the first floor of the building is a Copernical Planetarium of the Solar System, which includes the sun and the six inner planets with all their satellites, all making their revolutions in the proper relative speeds, the earth travelling around the sun in twelve minutes. The diameter of the apparatus is more than 40 feet. Soho (South of Houston
Street) and TriBeCa Lively realms of loft-dwellers, galleries and very trendy shops and cafes. |
