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UPPER EAST SIDE. This famed 843-acre rectangular park offers a variety of beautiful recreational opportunities amid the bustle of Gotham. Joggers, nature lovers and bikers use the park daily. Kids young and old enjoy riding the Friedsam Memorial Carousel (near 65th Street), and the Belvedere Castle (near 79th Street) affords great views of the city. The Central Park Wildlife Center (Zoo) at 5th Avenue and East 64th Street (212-861-6030) is open daily year-round. A ticket from CPWC gets you in free to the nearby Tisch Children's Zoo. The two and a half-acre Strawberry Field contains the black-and-white "Imagine" mosaic, a tribute to John Lennon, donated by the city of Naples, Italy. Ice skate in the winter and in-line skate throughout the year at Wollman Rink (6th Avenue at 59th Street). The Great Lawn (behind the Met) is popular with sunbathers. Race mini-yachts or rent a boat of your own at Conservatory Water (near 5th Avenue and 74th Street). The Conservatory Garden (212-360-2766) at 104th Street is open 8am-dusk and holds tours of its six-acre grounds every Sat (April-October) at 11am. Central Park Conservancy Visitor's Centers are located at: the Dairy, mid-Park at 65th Street, Belvedere Castle, mid-Park at 79th Street, mid-Park at 97th Street, the North Meadow Recreation Center, and the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (off Fifth Avenue). TRAIN: A, B, C, D to 59th St, 66th St-Lincoln Center, 72nd St, 81st St-Museum of Natural History, 86th St, 96th St, 103rd St, 110th St-Cathedral Pkwy; 2,3 to 110th St; N, R to 5th Ave
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UPPER EAST SIDE. The Met is a coalition of internationally renowned museums housing more than 2 million works of art. The Museum displays international work by artists from all styles, genres, and time periods. The Cloisters, housed in a separate building in northern Manhattan, displays the museum's incomparable medieval art collection. The Unicorn Tapestries are a must see. Walking tours, lectures and concerts are just some of the offerings from the Metropolitan. Venture out on your own or take a guided tour. Price includes admission to the Main Building and the Cloisters. TRAIN: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St
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FINANCIAL DISTRICT. The best boat ride in the world! Leaving Manhattan, you gaze at the most enduring symbol of the city, the Statue of Liberty, ahead on the right, with the sleek Verrazano-Narrows Bridge dominating the left. Then you realize that skyscrapers are assuming postcard dimensions of grandeur behind you. It is New York, even America, at its best, a truly thrilling experience! The magnificence of the Brooklyn Bridge soon completes the view behind you on the right. And it's free! Once at the terminal on the Staten Island side, just grab a departing boat and enjoy the dramatic view in reverse. Hint: avoid the newer, faster craft with no outside deck. The Ferry Terminal on Peter Minuit Plaza is at the end of South and State Streets. No vehicles are allowed on the ferry until further notice. TRAIN: 1 or 9 to South Ferry; N or R to Whitehall St/South Ferry
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MIDTOWN EAST. Said to be "Manhattan's only remaining great gateway," Grand Central Terminal (not "station" as it is so often mistakenly called) is a magnificent example of art meeting functionality. Visible on the south side of 42nd Street is a grand beaux arts façade with three high arched windows separated by pairs of fluted columns. At the top is a beautiful clock and crowning sculpture of Transportation (Minerva, Mercury and Hercules statues). Inside the terminal, gold and nickel plated chandeliers hang from light blue ceilings covered with celestial mapping that displays the zodiac constellations (major stars even glow with fiber optic lighting). A new marble staircase on the east end of the main concourse was modeled after the Garnier stair at the Paris Opera. Sixty integrated railroad tracks act as a transport hub for over 500,000 people daily, including commuters from Connecticut and New Jersey. The lower level offers dining and retail shops. In addition to the travel concourse, Vanderbilt Hall is a part of the terminal and makes 12,000 square feet of space available for special events. Arts for Transit, a unique program hosted by the New York Transit Department, encourages the placement of art and musical performance in public transportation areas. Free public tours are given on Wednesdays & Fridays at 12:30pm.
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5. Trinity Church
74 Trinity Place, Broadway at Wall Street, New York, NY 10006 · 212-602-0800
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FINANCIAL DISTRICT. The site of New York's first Anglican parish, Trinity Church received its charter in the late 17th century. After a series of reconstructions and renovations, the current Trinity Church was consecrated on Ascension Day 1846. The church has retained three of its original bells, dating from 1797. Also noteworthy are the beautiful stained glass windows and the Chapel of All Saints (1913). The Trinity Museum contains numerous church-related artifacts. William Bradford and Alexander Hamilton are buried in the Trinity Cemetery. Tours of the church are offered daily at 2pm. TRAIN: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 to Wall St
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These two sights represent freedom for millions of people, and the Statue of Liberty, a 450,000 pound gift from the people of France, is a must-see for anyone visiting the Big Apple. Access to the islands is via a Circle Lines ferry, and a (free) timed pass is required. Ranger-led tours detail the history and technical aspects of the statue. Inside the base of Lady Liberty you'll find a number of exhibits and concessions, and from the observation deck the city and harbor views are unbeatable. Circle Lines recommends that guests arrive at least two hours in advance of their scheduled departure time. Reservations are essential – call 866-882-8834 or visit www.statuereservations.com.
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GARMENT DISTRICT. One of the world's most famous skyscrapers is easily recognized by its strong, slender ascent into the NY sky. The building opened in 1931 at a cost of $41 million after about a year of construction, making it the fastest development of any major skyscraper (4.5 stories per week). At 1,450 feet and currently the ninth tallest building in the world, this landmark soars more than a quarter mile into the Manhattan atmosphere. Observation decks are on the 86th and 102nd floors. The lower deck is probably the better spot for the best views. On clear days, there can be an amazing 80-mile visibility. The upper deck is good too, just smaller and glassed in. Mornings are less crowded, yet the views at night can be magical. You can bank, shop, send a postcard or have a cup of coffee – all within the building. Also available is a virtual trip around the city on the New York Skyride, an exciting thrill-ride simulated helicopter experience. In the lobby, special concerts and art exhibits are offered at various times throughout the year. If you are observing the Empire from another building, you may notice on occasion that the top 30 stories are illuminated by colored lights. Since 1976, varying color combinations have served as a New York City-style Empire celebration of different holidays. TRAIN: 6 to 33rd St; B, D, F, N, Q, R to 34th St
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UPPER EAST SIDE. The building is impressive by itself. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and completed in 1959, the Guggenheim was restored in 1990-1992. The exhibition space was renamed the Thannhauser Building. The galleries feature work by such greats as Picasso, Kandinsky and Klee. Some of the oldest pieces represent the height of French Impressionism. The museum's second floor displays an impressively growing permanent collection. Be sure to visit the museum store and café for a nice coffee and gifts. NB Admission is open (pay what you wish) on Fridays from 5:45 to 7:45pm. TRAIN: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St
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UPPER EAST SIDE. Opened in 1935, the Frick was once a private mansion and now houses numerous works. Pieces from such greats as Rembrandt, Whistler, Vermeer and El Greco are on permanent display. There are also special exhibitions, so call for a calendar of showings. While here, take a break in the indoor garden court and enjoy a quiet moment by the ornate fountain or gaze through the beautiful glass ceiling. The price of admission includes the ArtPhone audio guide. Children under 10 not admitted and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The Frick Library, which is at 10 East 71st Street, is open to researchers with and without affiliation to an institution. TRAIN: 4, 5, 6 to 68th St
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LOWER EAST SIDE. The historic gateway to America, Manhattan's Lower East Side is home to the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. In the 19th century, millions of European immigrants poured into New York Harbor. A tour of the Tenement at 97 Orchard Street illustrates the way of life for many of these new arrivals. All tours begin at 90 Orchard Street. Tours of 1863 Tenement house are offered Tue-Sun. Tours of the Confino family apartment are on Sat-Sun. Lower East Side Stories Walking Tour offered Sat-Sun, April-December only, 1pm and 3pm. TRAIN: F to Delancey
You want quality attractions and activities for your lesiure time. To that end, we've researched a diverse list of options, ruled out the wastes of time, and delivered only the 10Best. We provide quality information about historical sites, theme parks, sporting events, and city parks that you won't want to miss. Peruse our lists, see what grabs your fancy, and then head out for some personal time!
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