A 5-Day Guide to New York

New York is fabulous! It’s a city packed with possibilities, eclectic neighbourhoods and vibrant nightlife. I’ve partied there ’til the sun came up back in the ’90s, spent days playing tourist, and worked there for about a month in 2014. But it can be hard to know where to start when planning a trip, so here’s my 5-day guide to the Big Apple. Get ready to take a bite! If you’re wanting a more guided and planned out trip to New York, perhaps have a look at different tours provided by the likes of Tours4Fun and others, this way you’re able to take part in the activities and sight-seeing events that they plan out for you, giving you more to enjoy! Who knows, maybe you will end up enjoying your time in the city that much that you’re thinking about moving here on a permanent basis? If this is the case, a good place to start would be taking a look at somewhere similar to these apartments for rent so that you can get a better idea of the types of accommodation that are on offer to you. Before even thinking about moving to the city, you need to know if its right for you, so read on to find out about all of the different opportunities and experiences that you can take part in during your trip.

Day 1

Start your adventure at the Empire State Building (seen here in an old Instagram pic of mine), the setting for numerous American movies such as Sleepless in Seattle and An Affair to Remember. Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views.

Take a 15-minute walk from the Empire State Building to reach nearby Times Square. It’s a visual cornucopia of neon lights, display screens and shops. Stop for lunch in one of the restaurants; you’ll find everything from Sushi and Dim Sum to burgers.

To maximise your time, stay in the Times Square area to visit attractions such as Madame Tussauds New York, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not and Gulliver’s Gate, lauded to be ‘The Largest Interactive Museum of Miniatures in the World’.

Grab a pre-theatre meal and head to Broadway to enjoy a show. There are a host of choices, but long-running spectaculars, such as The Lion King, Wicked and Chicago, are hard to beat.

Day 2

Head to the One World Trade Center Observatory, the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere, for more incredible views. Don’t forget to pay your respects at the 9/11 memorial and museum too.

No trip to New York is complete without seeing the Statue of Liberty. It was a gift of friendship from France to the United States and designated a National Monument in 1924. Visitors must purchase a ticket for ferry transportation to the parks, which includes access to Liberty Island and Ellis Island.

Enjoy some downtime in Central Park. Opened in 1873, it’s one of the most visited parks in the United States and features beautiful lakes, cafes and fountains. The Central Park Zoo is located near the south end. Remember, further information on events and sights is available at the three staffed kiosks.

Day 3

The Museum of Modern Art is a must for all art fans, second only to it’s recently-expanded San Francisco counterpart. The New York MoMA houses works by inspirational artists such as Andy Warhol, Monet and Van Gogh, as well as featuring displays of photography, film and sculpture.

Hail a yellow cab or hop on the subway to go to the Guggenheim, just 25-minutes away. Aside from housing an eclectic collection of touring and permanent exhibits, it’s also a good place to stop for lunch with The Wright restaurant providing an elegant setting, while serving classic American cuisine.

After dinner, enjoy a show at Radio City Music Hall, in the Rockefeller Center. This famous attraction was built in 1932 and has played host to numerous concerts and events, over the years.

Day 4

Head to Clinton Street Baking Co, in the lower East Side, to enjoy a classic pancake breakfast. I would recommend the blueberry stack with warm maple butter. From there, head downtown to walk across the famous Brooklyn Bridge.

Once across the bridge, check out Dumbo, which stands for Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass. This is one of Brooklyn’s most vibrant neighbourhoods and is packed with shops, boutiques and some of the best pizza places in NY, so grab a mouth-watering slice.

On the waterfront, between Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, is Jane’s Carousel. This historic piece of fairground equipment is encased in glass and you can still enjoy a ride, for a small fee. It’s a classic three-row machine featuring two chariots and 48 exquisitely carved horses.

Round off your day with a meal at an upscale restaurant in affluent Brooklyn Heights. This grand area, with it’s impeccably restored brownstones and wide streets, will transport you back to a bygone era.

Day 5

Head to the Upper West Side to visit the most famous of New York Jewish delis; Zabar’s. Here, you can grab a delicious breakfast of a bagel smeared with cream cheese and lox, to go, before strolling two blocks to Riverside Park for a picnic overlooking the Hudson River.

Close by is the American Museum of Natural History. One of the most famous museums in the city, highlights include a 94-foot replica of a blue wale and “Lucy”, a skeleton dating back more than two million years.

Say goodbye to New York with a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park, followed by dinner at the famous Russian Tea Room. Enjoy delights such as the famous beef stroganoff, accompanied by a glass of wine or vodka – they have 40 different varieties to sample.

XOXO Angela