Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge is of of new York's landmark.
An engineering wonder when it was completed in 1883, it was the largest suspension bridge and the first to be constructed of steel. It took 16 years to build, 600 workers (20 of them did not make it). When finished the bridge linked Manhattan and Brooklyn, which were two separate cities. The two Gothic arches are each 83 m high, one is in Brooklyn, one is in Manhattan, they were meant to be the portal of the 2 cities. Each cable contains 5657 Km of wire.
The way to see the bridge is walk on the elevated walkway, the poet Walt Whitman said that "it was the best, most effective medecine my soul has yet partaken".
The best is to start from the Brooklyn side as you have great views over the city.
The roadway over the East Riber is just over 1 Km long.
To get there:
Subway A,C to Hight Street on the Brooklyn side. Subway J,M,Z to Chambers Street or 4,5,6 to Brooklyn City Hall on the Manhattan side more
Grand Central Terminal
The station was opened in 1871 by Cornelius Vanderbilt, it was often refurbished and eventually demolished and rebuilt in 1913. Since that period it has been the gateway to the city wit its hidden gems. The main concourse is really beautiful with arched windows, marble Grand Staircase styled after the Opera House in Paris, and the vaulted ceiling. The ceiling represents signs of the zodiac and contains over 2500 stars. The Vanderbilt hall holds gold chandeliers and pink marble. Not to be missed is the famous four faced clock in the main hall (on the top of the information booth), made of opal. Inside is a full range of shopping facilities as well as eateries, the best is the Oyster Bar.
Outside is on the 42nd street facade is the sculptures of Mercury, Hercules, and Minerva. After the events of September 11 2001, huge USA flags were hanged u in the main hall.
The terminal is an attraction, a destination in its own right.
Entrance is free. more
Top Of The Rock Observation Deck
Best views over the city! Once inside there are short film explaining the Rockfeller history, and about the construction of the Rockefeller Center. Then the elevators will carry you up the 70th floor, you can see the shaft on the way, the ride is very impressive! Once on the Open Deck, you will have great view over Central Park and Manhattan mainly on the Empire State Building. Best point to see New York Skyline, the best time to go is just before sunset until pitch dark, see all the lights of Manhattan.
Entrance is $17.50 for adults, advance booking recommended for busy time, set time on the tickets.
Check out the website for more info www.topoftherocknyc.com
Souvenirs/refreshments shops available as well as a Kodack photo shop. more
Empire State Building Observatory
The Empire State Building has been portrayed in numerous films, it is one of the best place to have an overview over the Manhattan skyline.
The entrance is via the Art-Deco lobby all in marble with a pictogram of the building set against a map of New York State. On the second floor is the Visitor Centre where tickets can be purchase as well as audio tours. There are also screens and panels explaining the history in of the building. Then the visitor is lifted up to the 86th floor observatory, it only takes just over 1 minute! With a 15$ supplement a visitor can reach the 102nd floor observatory deck as well.
Adult is 18$, or 25$ with the Audio tour.
For New York City Pass card holder is free.
Best time to go: just before sunset and after dark, it is magical!
Best views includes: South: Manhattan, Brooklyn bridge, Statue of Liberty. North: Central Park, St Patrick Cathedral, Met life building. West: New Jersey, Newark airport. East : Queens, United Nations, Chrysler building. more
Nippon Restaurant
This place has very good ice cream. That's right I said ice cream. What you should do is to walk all around Midtown in August. When you get too tired, go to this restaurant and get some ice cream. Instead if having chocolate etc., it has green tea and mango. Hey, how can green tea be a flavor? I don't know but it is good. The staff is friendly and nice. The website is under construction but come to this restaurant anyway. more
Nathan's Famous
If you come to New York, you need to eat a famous Nathan's hotdog. They are famous for them. Hotdogs aren't the only thing to eat there though. There's seafood and other things at this location. It's not famous for its prices though. If you eat outside, send someone to find a seat because they're exclusive. Every summer, they have the famous Hotdog Eating Contest. This is essential to your trip to Coney Island. more
The Gershwin Hotel
Exactly what one would expect a New York hotel to be. Great location and exceptional rooms. more
Marrakech Hotel
It is a cheap-ish hotel in Manhattan - Moroccan style in a historic building. There is no lift (elevator) and there a few steps towards the lobby from the street level and a few flights of stairs throughout the building. The lobby bar is great with sitting on large, colourful Moroccan cushions.
The hotel is not luxurious, but for this price it should not be expected as such. The rooms quality vary - so if possible one should view a few rooms. Cleanliness has been receiving mixed reviews, particularly bedbugs, but when I stayed I had no complaints. My friends had an issue with their bathroom, which was quickly rectified.
The staff are friendly.
Location of the hotel is great. It is a bit away from all the Broadway action and eating late might be a problem, but there is a fantastic pub half a block up north from the hotel, which does some food, and great selection of beers. more
Indus Valley
This Indian restaurant is well worth a visit. Looks rather like a fine dining room! We had a nice table in the window looking out onto the cold and wet street. Attentive but not overbearing staff. We ordered a range of dishe which were all very good. Plenty for meat eaters and vegetarians. A great mango lassi and lemonade on offer too. Open from 17.00 - 23.00. Average price for a main course about $15. more
Massawa
This Ethiopian/ African restaurant is located close to Columbia University. The small dimly lit restaurant offers a range of dishes. We opted for a combination platter where the food comes served with and on a bed of injera, a flat spongy sort of bread like a tortilla. It is used to eat the food with. There were a mixture of meat and vegetable dishes to taste, none too spicy or overpowering (for my palate anyway!). Platters range from about $12 to $17. The place is open from 11.30 -23.30. more
Nicholas Roerich Museum
This is a fantastic museum if you like the paintings of the Himalaya and the mythical Shambala.
First, this San Petersburg born artist, painted Russian mythology paintings (there are some in Tretiakovskaya Galereia, Moscow) but afterwards he started to travel around Central Asia and the Himalaya in search of the mythic city Shangri-la and his paintings became more mystic.
Nikolai Roerich died in Kulu, Himachal Pradesh, India (I visited that place a few years ago, today converted in a kind of temple), and his body cremated following his will. His son, Sviatoslav, was also a painter (he died a few years ago).
There are also Roerich museums in Moscow and Novosibirsk.
In the New York museum they will sell you reproduction of his paintings. I bought several postcards. more
Chelsea Savoy Hotel
This is a great hotel! It has good service. The staff actually smile. Not a typical New York hotel. When I was there, they were renovating a restaurant so there was no dinner at the restaurant. They have warm pastries delivered from a bakery daily. It has been since August 2005, so I'm not sure if they're done. Design freaks may not like some of the "faux-pas" of décor, but it was fine for me. Moderatly priced for great service. more
New Yorker Ramada Inn and Plaza
A mid price hotel by NY standards. Well situated -walking distance to Times Square, Macy's, Empire State and close to subway. Own 24 hour restaurant the Tick Tock diner. Lots of places to eat close by. Clean and secure. more
Poona
Indian restaurant only a stones throw from Central Park (between Broadway and Columbus Ave). Nice food - good size portions, friendly staff. Open 7 days. more
Rolf's German Restaurant
The best Saurbraten. Completely worth every penny. The atmosphere is charming and delightful. This is a true gem of a restaurant in a city filled with fine dining. more
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