I had never been to New York City until I was 25, living there for 6 weeks on a training course after I joined a Financial Services Firm. I ended up seeing more sites and enjoying more parts of the City than my colleagues who lived there had seen. Since then, I feel more than comfortable visiting for 2 to 3 days, to enjoy a small part of the city. Accessible from three international airports, and train stations galore, it’s also a reasonable place to drive to, and park the car at a hotel on the outskirts of the City. Pick from the list of 50 sites you have heard of and try to see just 20 in 3 to 4 days. I stayed in the mid-town the first time, just near the United Nations building which is worth a visit. I was lucky enough to see the presidential motorcade come up to drop him off for a UN address. On the first trip, see mid-town 42nd. See Central Park, go to Wall Street and take a boat cruise up and down the river. My choices for visits included the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), good for a 3-hour visit in itself the first time. Then go and visit the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art to fill out the day. If you had foresight, you could have bought discounted Broadway theatre tickets at the Times Square Booth, if not do that for your second day. Visit the Guggenheim and Whitney Museum on your next visit. A walking tour with your credit card on Fifth Avenue will stock up your closet, with clothing, electronics and jewelry. A walk through Central Park, some of the famous hotel lobbies, might end in a lunch at the famous Crystal Palace. Dinner might be at one of many steakhouses. I have taken the subway many times, but if you have a few travelers with you, a rideshare car is fine. If you are in business with lots of meetings to make over two days, hire a limo and driver for the two days, well worth it. Going into the Financial core is special, with a must do stop at the World Trade Centre memorial. I had lots of colleagues that perished that day. Later in the day walk up to SOHO and enjoy the neighborhood feel, and some more great shopping. For your first visit, I also suggest taking the elevator up the Empire State Building. I was also lucky one visit which corresponded with Saint Patrick’s day, its parade and a fabulous live band party that several celebrities attended. Luckily the 6am flight back home gave me a couple of hours of sleep before I showed up for work. For subsequent visits, and tennis fans, see the US Open Tennis area not far out of town, or take the train up to Connecticut to see the communities there. New York City will not let you starve, but some active days of walking will make you certainly enjoy your choice of international foods offered close by.
Vibe: New York is kinetic, layered, expensive, electric, and full of neighborhood-level contrasts that make the city feel bigger than the skyline alone.
Best for: Best for city lovers, hungry travelers, arts and culture travelers, nightlife seekers, and visitors who want neighborhoods and meals to matter as much as famous sights.
