NewYorkTraveller.info

New York City Guide

admin — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:21:45 +0000

There is only one New York City. No other US metropolis even comes close to it in terms of population, diversity of culture, entertainment, business and commerce. Yet within a day’s drive, visitors can find fine beaches and seascapes; quiet, forested mountains, quaint, small towns; and plenty of historical sightseeing.

Long Island, a short train ride east of Manhattan, is the largest island adjoining the continental USA. A popular destination for native city dwellers, it also features the celebrated seaside resort of the Hamptons.

New York City (the Big Apple), the unofficial capital of the world, is a melting pot of cultures, cosmopolitan, and diverse; an interesting city full of vitality to visit or live in. NYC is comprised of five boroughs: the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island; with Manhattan being the most visited. Even after many visits, one would not have experienced everything to see and do.

Places of interest are not very far from each other in Manhattan. The most convenient way to get around is walking, or the subway for longer distances. Taxis and buses are convenient, except when a traffic jam ensues. The museums are world class and everyone should visit the MoMA, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim, the American Museum of Natural History, or the Whitney. You will never go hungry with neighborhoods like Little Italy and Chinatown.

There is something for everyone with the myriad of restaurants, cafes, and street vendors. And dont forget to visit SoHo, 5th Ave, and Madison Ave for the trendy shopping! New York has been labeled “The City That Never Sleeps”, because of 24-hour subway, all night diners, etc.

Central Park is a city oasis-perfect for walks, picnics, bike rides, boat rides, ice skating, horses, etc. There are also many small parks all over the city and lovely courtyards hidden between the tall buildings. While there are many visitors, surprisingly, New Yorkers are friendly. So dont be surprised if a visitor or native gladly helps with directions!

Lombardi’s

admin — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:59:32 +0000

This pizzaria opened in 1897 and is one of the oldest eateries in New York. My friend took me there for supper one night, and I soon realised what a popular place Lombardi’s is as we had to wait about 20 minutes for a table, which I have been told is not too bad, as the wait can sometimes be longer, this is how popular they are!!

This is where you come for good pizza. They are very very large and equally as tasty. If you are 2 people that want their own toppings, they will happily divide the ingredients for you so that each person gets what they want on their pizza. As per usual, I had all the meats on the pizza and loads of olives, and it was very very delicious. A large 18″ pizza will cost $15,50, and then you can add your toppings from a choice of your favourites. Toppings are 1 for $3, 2 for $5, 3 for $6 etc… I will reccomend going there for a pizza, their food is very good. If I can advise you, I would book before so you dont need to queue (I am not sure if they take bookings but its worth asking) if you cannot book ahead of time, you can always have a drink in the bar before you have your pizza.

Theme: Pizza

Price: US$31-40

Comparison: about average

Address: 32 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Phone: 212-941-7994

Directions: Little Italy

Quality Inn Brooklyn

admin — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:53:42 +0000

The hotel is ideally located just minutes from Manhattan via the New York subway and is nearby the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

This Brooklyn, New York hotel is also close to the Brooklyn Museum, and the Coney Island neighborhood and amusement park. The John F. Kennedy International Airport is eight miles and LaGuardia Airport is 12 miles from the hotel.

The surrounding area offers many things to see and do, including world-class shopping, outdoor recreation, sporting events and much more. Nearby restaurants have something for everyone, catering to a variety of tastes and budgets.

Rooms: 49.

Comfort Inn JFK Airport

admin — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:49:56 +0000

This newly renovated hotel is conveniently located just two minutes from the John F. Kennedy International Airport. The hotel provides free scheduled transportation to the local subway and local mall.

This Jamaica, New York hotel is minutes from Aqueduct racetrack, Jones Beach State Park, Rockaway Beach and Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, home of NHL’s New York Islanders. New York City and its many popular attractions are only a quick drive away.

Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, there is always something for you here at the Comfort Inn JFK Airport in Jamaica.

Rooms: 59. Hotel Chain: Comfort Inn.

Days Inn North Bergen

admin — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:47:18 +0000

This luxury hotel within minutes of Times Square offers great value and substantial savings as compared to similar hotels in New York City.

In addition, it has been recently renovated and has received a Five Sunburst Rating from Days Inn, which is the highest rating for the Days Inn Chain.

Rooms: 250. Hotel Chain: Days Inn.

Broadway Hotel & Hostel

admin — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:46:15 +0000

is New York’s first and only boutique hostel. The property is located on the trendy Upper Westside of Manhattan.

Situated on West 101st Street and Broadway, the hotel offers travelers a unique hostel experience and a central location to explore New York City. Warm colors tones and an Asian theme accent through out the hotel’s public spaces & guest rooms to create an exciting environment.

The Broadway Hotel & Hostel features:

- Chic and plush guest lounge with multiple seating
- Elegant library with intimate fireplace
- Kitchen facility equipped with refrigerator, microwaves, sink & storage cabinets with condiments
- Complimentary amenities upon check-In for all guests including brand name products - razors, tooth brushes and paste and feminine products
- Daily linen changes provided with complimentary local newspaper deliver to all guest rooms
- Newly upgraded private rooms featuring flatscreen television with cable, coffee maker, comfortable beds and plush pillows
- Bellmen services provided to assist guests with luggages and information
- Exciting monthly dance parties in our club lounge playing all the hottest dance hits. Select food and beverage services available.

Shoreham Hotel

admin — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:22:54 +0000

The hotel is located within walking distance of many of Manhattan’s most important business addresses, the finest 5th Avenue shopping, Central Park, Broadway Theatres and Carnegie Hall.

Recently recognized by Forbes.com as one of the “Best New Business Hotels in 2005″, the hotel has re-emerged from a recent multi-million dollar metamorphosis to become the new midtown standard for high-style design hotels in Manhattan.

Seductively stylish and sleek, the Shoreham not only guarantees an interesting visual experience, it’s 174 luxuriously appointed and tech-savvy guestrooms/suites promise the highest standard of comfort, convenience, and amenities, all of which are complimented by an attentive, friendly staff.

Rooms: 174.

Hard Rock Cafe NYC

admin — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:06:56 +0000

Home to seven and a half million people and the preferred weekend destination for billions more, New York is arguably the grandest, most exciting city America has. Also the most ethnically diverse, artiest, and with the best variety of culture anywhere, the Big Apple is where it’s at for entertainment of every kind. Riding front and center on this multi-culture rodeo is the Hard Rock Cafe Manhattan, situated between 7th Avenue and Broadway, amidst vital N.Y.C energies. Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Carnegie Hall and Central Park are all within walking distance from our great restaurant here (only the third Hard Rock to be built in this great nation), and as we all know, the bright neon lights of New York have lured many. Talents as diverse as Louis Armstrong, John Lennon, Leonard Bernstein, The Ramones, Blondie, Terence Trent D’Arby, Sammy Davis Jr., The Cramps, Tito Puente, Blood Sweat & Tears, Beastie Boys, Anthrax, Billie Holliday and Grant Green have all called this isle home. Paying homage to New York City’s diversity is our famed and widely-featured “god wall,” a huge painted canvas of polytheistic religious images at the Hard Rock Cafe New York. (Pursuing glitz and glamour is an equal-opportunity endeavor! No one understands that better than we do with our famous “love all, serve all” motto). So come take a bite out of the Big Apple, or anything you find on our extensive menu, and see what the fuss is all about at the Hard Rock Cafe Manhattan. We’ll rock you and all your friends in a New York minute!

Theme: American

Price: US$11-20

Comparison: about average

Address: 221 West 57th St. New York, NY 10019

Phone: 212-489-6565

Serendipity

admin — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:05:32 +0000

Although famous for their frozen hot chocolate and most of the desserts, this is not a restaurant with good food or good value for the service. Staffs are indifferent at best and curt at worst. Not one person in the over-staffed restaurant made a feeble attempt to crack a smile at any customer both times we were there. The majority of the customers, on the other hand, seemed to be jazzed about the place. Chalk one point to the power of publicity. Note: I didn’t even know there was a film that used this place for location until later on. Perhaps that’s the reason my review is different from other VTers: I didn’t have any preconception about the place. The decor is offbeat, with many Tiffany-style lamps and a non-functioned ceiling fan with a missing blade. The shop in front of the restaurant sells sweets and gifts, and the salesclerk is just as po-faced as the rest of the staffs. NYC is a place where you can find excellent food easily, so if you want to visit Serendipity because some actors have been there, go ahead and please yourself. However, if you want excellent food (desserts included) in good ambience and with better service, go elsewhere. Most places even have ceiling fans that work.

Appetizers are from $3.50 to $10; soup/salad from $5.50 to $15; entrees from $6 (hot dog) to $19 (mixed grill). Desserts are from $5 (small tart) to $17.50 (large slice of cheesecake). The price, therefore, is from average to more expensive than average. None of the food is worth the money. Most desserts are good but I would not categorize them as excellent. Mocchacino is mediocre.

Theme: Dessert

Price: US$11-20

Comparison: more expensive than average

Address: 225 E. 60th St., New York, NY 10022

Phone: (212) 838-3531

Directions: Take the N, R, 4, 5 or 6 to 59th St-Lexington Ave. The restaurant is located between Second and Third Aves.

Katz’s Deli

admin — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:03:02 +0000

In New York City’s Lower East Side, where Jewish pushcart peddlers once hawked their wares, is the deli to end all delis. You don’t go to Katz’s Delicatessen for elegant décor. You don’t go for the service. You definitely don’t go if you’re on a diet. But if you’re seeking authentic Jewish deli food that is truly New York, look no farther — corned beef, pastrami, salami, and Nova Scotia Lox. Katz’s operates on an unusual system. To enter the restaurant, you pass through a turnstile and take what looks like a raffle ticket from the cashier. The food is served cafeteria-style; you stand in line and give your ticket to the cooks when you order. They’ll punch the ticket and hand over your food. When you’re finished, just hand your ticket to the cashier and he’ll ring up the bill. The atmosphere at Katz’s Delicatessen is bright, bustling and no-nonsense. The décor is old fashioned without being quaint: salamis hanging from the ceiling, promotional food signs (circa 1960, judging from the color scheme) and autographed pictures of celebrities. There are letters of appreciation from several U.S. Presidents who stopped by for a nosh when they were in the neighborhood. And John Glenn requested Katz’s Pastrami before his ride on the Space Shuttle. A bit of trivia for movie buffs: Katz’s Delicatessen is where they filmed the famous deli scene in When Harry Met Sall.

Theme: Deli

Price: less than US$10

Comparison: about average

Address: 205 E Houston St New York NY

Phone: (212) 254-2246

Directions: F, V at 2nd Ave Corner of Ludlow and Houston Street