Wow! Thanks to all my readers for adding your suggestions to my list of Must-sees and Do’s in New York City. I’ll be sure to add your favorites on my next visit. Here’s what made my final cut during my most recent quick trip:
11) I never tire of taking the Staten Island Ferry to see The Statue of Liberty, even if it’s only to offer a passing salute. One thing that has changed since my last trip to NYC is having the steady presence of the U.S. Coast Guard cruising alongside our vessel for the short round trip between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island. I have yet to get off the ferry to explore the island, but one of these days . . .
12) What’s a trip to NYC without a ride on the subway? With an estimated 660 miles of track and 22 interconnected subway routes serving Manhattan and its surrounding boroughs, you’re bound to hop on one sooner or later.
Walking the city neighborhoods is a must, but when you’re in a hurry or your feet need a break from hitting the pavement, the subway makes life sooo much easier.
13) Explore High Line Park, which was built on the historic elevated freight train line on Manhattan’s West Side. This was, well, high on my list for this trip since it only first opened in 2009. Once scheduled for demolition, community residents fought to preserve the original structure. What an achievement! The area has been transformed into a beautiful landscaped public space covering the area from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues.
Strolling through the park while taking in the city skyline offers one of those great New York City experiences. There are any number of choice spots where you can sit for a spell along the way, including the 23rd Street Lawn which has become a favorite gathering place among locals.
14) Visit The New York Public Library, an architectural wonder, with its great lion guardians outside the entrance. Inside, the Beaux Arts masterpiece showcases soaring vaulted ceilings and archways, marble hallways and an extraordinary reading and music collection. You won’t want to miss the Main Reading Room which is about the size of two city blocks alone!
15) Visit St. John the Divine, the largest, though still unfinished, cathedral in the world. After suffering major damage from a fire in December 2001, the “house of prayer for all people” was restored and rededicated in 2008. On this trip, I had hoped to see the newly restored gift shop which was also destroyed in the fire, only to discover that it hasn’t been replaced. What a shame! But the Great Bronze doors and the Great Rose window are as magnificent as ever. The Poets’ Corner and the Baptistry are also among my favorites here. If you’re new to the cathedral, pick up a flyer in the entrance for a self-guided tour. Or if you’re up for a fun adventure, schedule a Vertical Tour for a climb of over 124 feet up the spiral staircases to the top of the cathedral.
So much left to explore in The Big Apple, Wanderboomers, so little time!
What would you most want to see & do in The City That Never Sleeps over the holidays? Leave a comment here.
Visit the Guggenheim Museum!
Ah, believe it or not, Nancy, this is still one museum I have yet to see in New York City. My “Next time!” list is growing longer by the day :-). Thanks for your suggestion ~
I saw a show called Sleep No More….an modern, interactive take on Macbeth. Really different and very cool experience. I went with some friends – we’re all originally from the city and we had a blast. If you’re from out of town and want a totally off broadway, New York theater experience it’s a great night out. A great little restaurant is across the street and takes walk ins…the name escapes me now. Highly recommend this!
love your pictures too Nancy!!
You know I never had that desire once I became an adult to go to NYC. But the cathedral sounds nice.
great tips! thank you Nancy! will share on FB! as a native new yorker, i love this!
Thanks, farzana! Coming from a native New Yorker, that’s high praise indeed! I appreciate your support. Hope you like the first two posts in my series, too!
Hmm . . . I wonder why that is, Samantha? There’s SO much to see & do in this fabulous city, I wanted to share it with you. You’re right – you would love St. John the Divine. I love New York! Thanks for stopping by ~
Thanks so much, Laura! Imagine the photos I could take if I really knew what I was doing with my camera :-)!
Ooo, that sounds like it was great fun, Christine! Thanks for sharing it with us here.
My sister and I spent 3 days in NYC in October. We took the tour of Grand Central, went to the Ellis Island Museum along with the Statue of Liberty, visited the Jewish Museum and saw Love, Loss and What I Wore, a chick play for sure. I’ve always meant to visit the Guggenheim but never have made it there. Next time…
One of the most overlooked sites in NYC is Brooklyn. A ride on the subway (IRT) to Grand Army Plaza and voila–the Brooklyn Library, Prospect Park, the Botanical Gardens and the Brooklyn Museum are right at your feet! Lived and loved it for 20+ years, still miss it.
Sounds like you had the perfect three days with your sister in NYC, Thelma! I’m adding the Jewish Museum and Ellis Island Museum to my list for “Next time!” Thanks for stopping by ~
You are so right, Marcia, and I’m as guilty as anyone for not making it to Brooklyn more often when I am in NYC. I have been to the museum but not for some time – and your comments have convinced me to make this a priority on future trips.
Patience and Fortitude, the two lions outside the library, are favs of mine too.
And I’ll put in a plug for the fascinating Tenement Museum, with tours of actual, preserved tenements in the Lower East Side and interesting info. on the many, many immigrants who passed through that area of NYC: http://www.tenement.org/
Patience and Fortitude! I didn’t know the lions had names, Beth. Thanks for sharing that info. – and for the plug of the Tenement Museum. Sounds fascinating . . . One more for my list! Thanks for stopping by ~
i love new york…there’s always something to do, things to see…just walk around for hours on end!! I still need to go to staten island. 🙂
So true, Jenny . . . To me real luxury would be having the time to simply wander the NYC neighborhoods. Glad to hear I’m not the only city visitor who hasn’t stepped on to Staten Island – yet!
My total favorite is the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side. From the website: The Museum tells the story of immigrant families and visitors view restored apartments of past residents from different time periods.
Thanks, Neala! I’m definitely adding this museum to my list ~