Cruise into the City that Never Sleeps
There are many words to describe New York, The Big Apple; the city that never sleeps:
iconic; eclectic; electrifying; magnetic; tall; intoxicating; utterly
addictive. Many people who live there or have visited will tell you that
there is no other city in the world quite like it. Exhilarating,
breathtaking and non-stop, your visit to the city of New York will pick
you up, transport you and deposit you on your departure with the
distinct feeling that you will never be quite the same again.
As
a visitor on a brief stay in the city, you can thrill to the
unforgettable experience of the vitality and diversity that is New York.
It would be impossible to cover all there is to do and see in the space
of a few days, so when you plan your visit you will have to be ruthless
in deciding your personal absolutely “must see” places. This is
especially true if your time in New York is part of a wider itinerary,
touring the States by road or as a luxury cruise destination. What you feel is the unmissable,
quintessential spirit of New York will depend, in
part at least, on your personal tastes and interests. With the
boundless historical and cultural destinations; the gastronomic
adventures and the shopping, you will not have time to become bored. New
York by day is one city and by night another and exploring both is a
must. While many will undoubtedly include the Empire State Building, the
Statue of Liberty, Times Square, a boat trip to Ellis Island, or Central Park in their sightseeing, there are other delights to discover too.
Cruise Stopovers in New York
When
arriving by cruise ship, you will moor either in Manhattan or Brooklyn,
depending on your cruise. Disembarking in Manhattan will put you almost
in the heart of New York with about a 20 minute walk to Times Square
and Broadway. Berthing in Brooklyn will leave you with a bit more of a
trek, but either flag a yellow taxi or take one of the many ferries operating
between Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan and other stop off points. No matter
where you berth, it is a really good idea to make a note of your berth
number – just to save yourself any problems on the way back to ship.
Many
cruises will have organized day tours available during your stopover in
New York. You can take advantage of one of these city tours or go it
alone and take in just the places that appeal to you. Why not take a
bike tour through Central Park? You can rent a bike and take in
the Park by yourselves for a couple of hours, or sign up for the
two-hour Central Park Bike Tour. For a really special trip around
Central Park you could go by horse and carriage and
take in the sights. With sculptures and monuments; bridges, lakes and
historic buildings such as the Blockhouse (Central
Park’s oldest building), Central Park Zoo and the Conservatory Garden,
to name but a few; you could spend the entirety of your visit to New
York in this world renowned park.
Collect a Few Shopping Bags
For
shopping, you are spoilt for choice and may run out of credit cards
before you run out of stores to visit. Whether Saks (at 611 5th Avenue) is more to your liking or you prefer Bergdorf Goodman (at 754 5th Avenue)
you will be elbow to elbow with some of the most discerning shoppers in
New York. As well as these two flagship stores, you can take in Macy’s
over on West 34th Street or Bloomingdales on 59th Street
and Lexington Avenue. As an overseas visitor, take your passport with
you and register with customer services at Bloomingdales or Macy’s to
receive
either complimentary discounts on your purchases or gifts (offers may
vary). 5th Avenue, between 49th and 60th Streets
is also home to what are perhaps the most exclusive boutiques anywhere
in the world. Stroll down here and enjoy taking in the crème de la crème of designer stores, parfumiers and jewelers.
Enjoy the Gardens
Why not walk the High Line,
the highest public park in New York, built on a historic freight rail
line above the streets of Manhattan? Running from Gansevoort Street to
West 34th Street, these public gardens feature
lawns and flower borders, interspersed with some outstanding modern art
(you can take a walking tour with one of the curators of High Line Art
to get a real insight into the pieces on display) – all at rooftop
level, giving you the chance to get a birds’ eye view of
Manhattan during your stroll. You can stop off and enjoy a coffee or a
bite to eat at one of the many eateries. With stargazing, nature walks,
dancing
and music events taking place, the High Line is totally unique in its
location and facilities – making it a real pleasure to spend time there.
The Dining Experience
An opulent and totally luxurious experience awaits you at The Russian Tea Room. Lunch or high tea; breakfast or dinner; you are certain to enjoy the Russian overtones of your meal here. With amazing ambience
and superlative service, you will leave here feeling both spoiled and
decadent. This iconic New York restaurant has been host to the political
and cultural elite of New York for around eighty years since its
foundation by members of the Russian Imperial Ballet in 1927. Why not
combine a visit to this amazing restaurant with your theater trip to
Broadway and soak up the atmosphere.
With so much to choose from, you couldn’t hope to take in everything on one visit, so it is certain that you will want to return again and again to continue exploring this extraordinary metropolis.
Article by Julie Cowley
Visit MondoExplorer New York
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