New York City – A Whole Other World

Highlights:
My parents were never big fans of “The City”, so I wasn’t encouraged to go as a child. As I got older, it seemed so far away and such an exotic (is that the proper word?) place to visit, but I could never get up the nerve to take the journey on my own until I chose to make my first trip a group adventure.

I decided to organize my inaugural “Lunch and a Show in NYC”. I ended up with 20 fellow travelers, and never having stepped foot in New York City, I planned a lunch at Tavern on the Green and tickets to The Radio City Christmas Spectacular for the group. From there, the rest is history. I have since organized a trip twice a year into the city for a party of approximately 20 attendees.

I experienced many firsts during that exciting trip in 2001: my first cab ride, subway ride, train ride, and view of Central Park. I saw the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, visited Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, ate my first corner-stand pretzel, and saw my first show in NYC.

While I have returned to the city numerous times since then, there has never been enough time for me to visit ALL the tourist attractions. I have yet to visit the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building, although I have walked down 5th Avenue and visited Tiffany’s, Bergdorf Goodman, and Saks.

I have had breakfast at the Plaza and lunch at Tavern but have never eaten a dirty-water hot dog. I have visited FAO Schwartz and Toys “R” Us in Times Square but have never experienced Ellis Island. I have eaten at Carmine’s on 44th Street, visited Greenwich Village (briefly), and seen a few Broadway plays but have never visited the Intrepid Space Museum or been to the Museum of Natural History. However, I have spent a couple of wonderful hours at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

As you can see, there are numerous places to visit, restaurants to dine at, and museums to explore, not to mention the shopping. Each part of Manhattan has its own personality.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
While just about any time of the year is great to visit New York City, my favorite is in early December. I love to go the weekend right after the Rockefeller Center tree is lit. You are early enough in the month to avoid last-minute crowds. It is the time to take in the famous storefront window displays at Saks 5th Avenue, visit Santa Claus at Macy’s, and just experience the festivity at that time of year.

Bring small bills for cab fare, subways, and small souvenirs. I recommend a credit card for any larger purchases. Try to map out where you plan to go early in the day. You can get a decent map at any local souvenir shop for under $10 or pull one off the Internet. If you are a member of AAA, they will provide you with a TripTik, which contains lots of useful information.

I only suggest that you do not make a big deal of looking like a tourist by bringing out your map at every street corner. While I have never had a bad experience in NYC, it is always better to be safe.

Best Way to Get Around:
Walking, walking, walking – wear comfortable shoes. It is the cheapest and best way to get around. No matter where you are in the city, there are always places to visit and things to do. If you need to travel long distances, flag down a cab, and subways can drop you at many different locations, or the horse-drawn carriage is a wonderful way to get around portions of the Midtown area.

To get into the city coming from NJ, I have driven, although parking is horrendous, and the garages can be pricey. I prefer to take the bus or the train and be dropped at Penn Station or the Port Authority. There you can pick up a cab right outside. Both the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels will bring you into the city.