7 reasons why New York is still the ultimate holiday destination
Francesca KentishSunday 31 Jan 2016 6:13 pm
The Big Apple (Picture: Getty)
You can visit New York 100 times and not even scratch the surface of what the city has to offer.
Even once you've visited all the main attractions, there will always be more independent galleries to explore, unknown streets to walk, bars to drink in and restaurants in which to while away the hours.
Despite this, there is something wonderfully familiar about the place even from the first time you step foot into the city.
Perhaps this comes from the way we've all viewed it a million times through iconic photographs and much-loved sitcoms.
That instantly recognisable skyline, even when it towers above you, roots you to the spot.
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It's that mixture of familiarity and the new that makes New York a place to visit and revisit time and again.
Here are seven of the things that make New York the ultimate holiday destination:
1. The culture
From Broadway shows to some of the world's most renowned artworks, New York has culture galore.
If it's your first trip to the Big Apple and a lot of attractions are on your radar, consider getting a City Pass booklet for cheaper entry to the most popular sites.
View of Central Park from the Egyptian room at the Met (Picture: Francesca Kentish)
Included in the booklet is entry to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where you could easily spend a day wondering the vast collections of art and costumes from around the world.
They've even got a whole Egyptian temple in it, because the 26,000 historical artefacts from ancient Egypt wasn't quite enough.
The vast Metropolitan Museum of Art. (Picture: Getty)
For blockbuster exhibitions head to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and it's worth visiting the Guggenheim just to check out the architecture of the place, let alone what's inside it.
And if you venture out to Brooklyn, the experimental artwork at Interstate Projects is often critically acclaimed.
2. The shopping
(Picture: Peter Foley/Bloomberg/Getty)
New York has Bloomingdale's, Macy's and Saks on Fifth Avenue for those who love to shop big brands.
But while the iconic department stores are fun for window gazing, the real bargains are found outside the city at the outlet malls.
One mile of shiny shopping at The Mills (Picture: Simon)
Recently renovated, The Mills at Jersey Gardens is the largest indoor outlet mall in New Jersey with over 200 glossy shops including favourite American brands like Calvin Klein, Victoria Secret and Tommy Hilfiger.
Levi's is notably cheaper than in the UK, where you can snap up a pair of jeans for around £25.
The mall is only 30 minutes away from Manhattan by bus from the Port Authority, but it's easy to spend an entire day perusing the mile-long circuit with plenty of restaurants to keep you fuelled up.
A whole shopping village at Woodbury Common Premium Outlet. (Picture: Simon)
Aficionados of designer labels will love Woodbury Common Premium Outlet, an outdoor village dedicated to high end shops, in upstate New York. It's a surreal mini world filled with fabulous clothing and luxury makeup brands like Lancome and Elizabeth Arden with prices as low as £5.
Shops like Gucci, Prada and Armani cost far less than over here, though the starting prices at the higher end outlets aren't exactly cheap.
3. The Nightlife
Old school charm. (Picture: PJ Clarke's)
There are clubs to be found, but it's really all about the bar scene in NY and not to worry if you're travelling by yourself – no one bats an eyelid if you pull up a bar stool on your lonesome.
St Mark's Place in the East Village is a fun spot, packed full of bars and perfect for people watching. East Village Social is a stand out bar in the area, with friendly bar staff and an impeccable mac cheese if you need something to soak up the booze.
For a quintessential dive bar experience head to Welcome to the Johnson's in the Lower East Side. It might have the grimiest toilets in the entire east coast of America, but it's all a part of the experience. As is the retro 1970s decor – fake wood paneling included – pool table, juke box, achingly cool locals and best of all, $2 cans of beer.
Great cocktails at this Upper East Side watering hole. (Picture: The Bar Room)
When in midtown make a pit stop at PJ Clarke's, one of the oldest bars in the city. The saloon has survived prohibition, depression and is left virtually unchanged since it first opened doors in 1884.
While in the area, walk a few streets over to The Bar Room, where they make a mean Old Fashioned.
Not your usual late night snack (Picture: The Blue Ribbon)
And if you fancy a bite to eat at two in the morning, you'll not only find somewhere that will serve you, you can get an amazing meal rather than a greasy kebab.
Try The Blue Ribbon Brasserie between SoHo and the West Village for incredible seafood, served until 3am. It truly is the city that never sleeps.
Amazing dim sum. (Picture: Nom Wah Tea Parlour)
Which brings us to the food. The insanely good food. With a melting pot of cultures, there's a huge choice of what to eat from authentic curries on Lexington Avenue to amazing dim sum in China Town – try Nom Wah Tea Parlour for some of the freshest around.
But there are two things you have to get at least once in New York.
One is a hot dog from a side walk cart, the other is pizza. A cheap and easy lunch fix are dollar slices, sold all over the city. Yeah, that's a slice of pizza as big as your head for less than a pound.
Perfectly crisp. (Picture: John's of Bleecker Street)
For a sit down pizza, John's of Bleecker Street is a New York landmark noted for its giant pies (American speak for whole pizzas rather than slices), wooden surfaces covered in graffiti and cash only policy.
Each pie has a perfectly thin, crisp crust topped with a robust tomato sauce and just the right amount of greasy cheese.
Incredibly fresh. (Picture: Beyond Sushi)
When you need something a bit fresher away from the myriad of calorie laden treats America has to offer, Beyond Sushi does incredible handmade vegetarian rolls, which even the keenest of meat eaters will fall in love with.
Everything is made fresh to order and the flavours more than make up for the lack of actual fish. The Spicy Mang roll packed with avocado, cucumber, mango, spicy veggies, wrapped in black rice with a dollop of toasted cayenne sauce on top is sublime.
5. The skyline
View from the Empire State Building. (Picture: Francesca Kentish)
While other cities have big buildings, few are as spectacular as the ones in New York. The skyline defines the city and never ceases to amaze.
The iconic Empire State Building. (Picture: Getty)
If you only do one typical touristy thing while in New York, make it the Empire State Building.
Sure, the queues can be ridiculously long, but when you make it to the viewing platform and gaze across the city, you realise it's all been worth it for the unparalleled 360 degree views. Go at night to witness the city's lights.
(Picture: Stan Honda/Getty).
For more sight seeing head to the Statue of Liberty, but instead of paying to visit, get the ferry to Staten Island. It costs absolutely nothing and you still get to see the famous lady with the bonus view of downtown Manhattan on your return to the city, which is nothing short of breath taking.
(Picture: The High Line)
A newer spot to take in glimpses of the skyline is The High Line, a public park built on a disused freight rail line, elevated above Chelsea and Meatpacking District. Lined with plants it's a pleasant place for a stroll and offers a clear insight into the growing gentrification of the area. You can also have a good nose into the real lives of New Yorkers as the line often overlooks apartment windows.
6. Central Park
An urban oasis. (Picture: Getty)
In the middle of this compact city lies an unexpected swathe of green – Central Park. There's 843 acres, to be precise and they are all beautiful at any time of the year, but it's possibly at its best in the autumn with leaves of yellow, gold and red framing the sky.
Serene. (Picture: The Loeb Boathouse)
Highlights include The Loeb Boathouse in summer, where you can enjoy a stiff cocktail while watching lovers row their boats, while The Alice in Wonderland sculpture is always a favourite of children who love to clamber over it (some adults too).
(Picture: Central Park/ Elizabeth Johnson)
And the Chess & Checkers House is a fascinating place where you can hang out and watch pros play chess with alarming intensity, or you can check out your own board game, free of charge.
7. Upstate New York
Beautiful countryside Upstate (Picture: Getty)
Manhattan is an incredible place to visit, but New York has far more to offer – just an hour's drive away jaw-dropping countryside awaits.
West Point, as in the famous military base and academy, may not sound like the site for a relaxing get away, but the grounds are beautiful with incredible views of the Hudson river.
Where the Presidents stay. (Picture: The Thayer Hotel)
The Thayer Hotel is located at the base and is wonderfully American with rooms named after generals and patriotic flags galore. It's the place place where Presidents stay when visiting, so you could wind up eating at the same table Obama has in the past at the hotel's restaurant.
Fantastic setting for hiking. (Picture: Bear Mountain State Park)
It's also a short drive away from shopping at Woodbury Common Premium Outlet, hiking at Bear Mountain State Park and wine tasting at the Palaia and Brotherhood wineries.
The Loews Regency hotel on the Upper East Side is just a moments walk away from Central Park and nearby the stylish shops of Fifth Avenue.
The beds are mega comfortable and the room is fitted with all the possible comforts you need and more – such as the TV that's built in to the bathroom mirror so you can watch your favourite shows while in the shower.
Necessary? Not at all, but they're a whole lot of fun.
All bathrooms should come with a TV mirror. (Picture: Francesca Kentish)
Top tip: try the chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. They're to die for.
North America Travel Service offers a three night package to New York, including scheduled flights with British Airways from Heathrow, two nights at the Loews Regency New York in a Superior King room and one night at Thayer Hotel, West Point in a Queen Deluxe room from £710 per person inclusive of airport taxes and fuel surcharges. 0845 122 8899
For more on Woodbury Common Premium Outlets and The Mills at Jersey Gardens visit the Simon website.
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