New York City Center

Welcome to our travel guide to the New York City Center, bringing you the best of The Big Apple! It is one of the most exciting cities in the world. New York offers an incredible variety of attractions, from historic sites to modern marvels. New York City is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the United States, including the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and Madame Tussauds New York. There are also amazing theaters like Radio City Music Hall and Broadway tickets available to take in some great shows.

PLANNING AHEAD – We highly recommend planning your visit some months out. By doing so you can get the hotel you want and decide your schedule of activities. New York City Center – it’s so big! That’s why we recommend purchasing a New York CityPASS. You can buy these travel passes online and from the comfort of your own home you can plan well ahead of time and take full advantage of all the many discounts and front-of-line privileges this card offers.

FLIGHTS – Heavily in favour of business class for any flight. When booking domestic sectors in the United States be aware that you can opt in to buy things like extra leg room, extra bags. When in country, keep on top of your domestic bookings well ahead of day of travel to ensure your trip remains on track.

WHERE TO STAY – New York is a world of choice. There’s a lot to recommend the Sofitel New York in the Diamond District which is within walking distance of Broadway. It’s a beautiful property with a fantastic restaurant and staff and is part of the Accor chain of hotels. It’s advisable to book well ahead of time to make sure you secure the property and location you want.

New York is home to the iconic Statue of Liberty

PREPARING TO TRAVEL AND CONTACTS IN COUNTRY – Some governments have a diplomatic presence in the United States. It is advisable to keep the phone numbers and addresses for your embassies in country with your passport just in case. In Australia the government advises travellers to obtain their passport six months before travel and you will need to allow sufficient time to obtain a visa to enter the United States. Australians can visit Smart Traveller for information about passports, insurance, consular assistance overseas and how to keep safe.

CUSTOMS – There are forms to fill out on the plane as you are arriving in country. It’s important to be aware that some agricultural products are not allowed to be carried past customs either in hand luggage or suitcases. This is a measure observed by many countries so as to protect their agricultural sectors from pests and disease. Click here to learn more about clearing customs when arriving in the United States.

GETTING FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CITY – We highly recommend booking the town car attached to your hotel. They will greet you at the airport gate, assist you with your luggage and ensure you get safely to your hotel. New York City also offers other transport such as its iconic yellow taxis.

The STATUE OF LIBERTY is beautiful to see and is perhaps New York’s most recognizable landmark. Designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, its metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel. This colossal statue was dedicated on October 28, 1886. Visitors can access Liberty Island via New York Harbor to explore the grounds and take in views of New York City. If you prefer, you can book a cruise that takes visitors around the picturesque waterways. There are some great photos to be had from the water around sunset and some of the cruises provide narrated information about New York and its history.

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL is one of New York’s most famous theaters and has played host to the likes of Judy Garland. The venue features some of the most incredible interior design, with ornate fixtures and plush seating. Visitors can take tours during the day to explore the secrets of the theater and get a peek behind the curtains. Additionally, tickets are available for many of New York City’s top Broadway shows, both current favorites as well as classic productions like The Phantom of the Opera. Make sure you visit the gift store after your visit in case there’s a souvenir you cannot live without.

Fun fact: Swedish superstars ABBA performed at New York’s famed Radio City Music Hall in October of 1979. ABBA’s music is still circling the globe in their recent smash hit album, Voyage, their new groundbreaking virtual residency in London, ABBA, and stage spectaculars like Mamma Mia! The four sure know how to throw a great running party…

THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING is iconic, one of New York’s most recognizable landmarks, towering 1,454 feet above Manhattan. Completed in 1931, it was briefly the world’s tallest building until 1972 when the World Trade Center was completed. Visitors can access a variety of attractions at the Empire State Building like the observatory, a digital 3D theater, and an interactive museum experience. You will kick yourself if you miss the chance to see the sweeping views of Manhattan from the upper floors of the Empire State Building. Keep an eye out for the Flat Iron Building, Central Park, and all the brown stone walk-ups money can buy. On a good day, you can see forever…

MADAME TUSSAUD’S offers visitors an unforgettable experience with its world-famous wax figures. Located in Times Square, this attraction allows guests to get up close and personal with lifelike sculpted celebrities from all genres.

BROADWAY TICKETS – If you are going to take in a show on Broadway we highly recommend attending your chosen venue well ahead of time and choosing tickets towards the front of house for a matinee. The theatre is a New York institution and well worth your time. You never know which stars you might see while you are walking around New York. We saw Sigourney Weaver taking the door after performing on Broadway. The fans stood respectfully in a semi-circle, perhaps a bit in awe at what they’d seen, perhaps a bit in awe of this actor that has won a place in so many people’s hearts, maybe slightly in awe of Ms Weaver’s security detail?! Ever the professional, Ms Weaver moved along the line, signing keepsakes for the crowd and even pausing to sign a folded piece of newspaper which was clearly the only piece of paper the fan could lay their hands on at the time. Sigourney Weaver – a class act.

Photo: Pixabay

GRAND CENTRAL STATION – New York City’s famous train station, built in 1913, is one of New York’s most iconic sites. It’s a bustling hub for travelers and tourists alike who come to marvel at its grand architecture.

ROCKEFELLER CENTRE – A New York City landmark since 1933, Rockefeller Center offers visitors an opportunity to visit New York in style. From the observation deck on the 70th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of New York City with its skyscrapers reaching up into the sky. The complex also features some excellent shopping opportunities as well as ice skating in winter months and popular art installations. If spending Christmas in New York it has to be seen to be believed.

CENTRAL PARK – New York’s Central Park is a must-see for visitors to the city. New Yorkers have been flocking to the park since it opened in 1857 and it remains one of the most popular destinations for tourists today. Whether you’re looking for a spot to relax, take a stroll, or have a picnic, Central Park has something for everyone.

METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART – New York City’s most famous art museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art has been a New York landmark since 1870. With over two million works of art on display, ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to modern Pop Art, the Met is a must-visit for anyone interested in visual arts.

MUSEUM OF MODERN ART – New York’s Museum of Modern Art, or MoMA, is an absolute must-see for culture and art lovers. The museum houses some of the greatest modern and contemporary works by artists like Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and Monet.

Best corned beef sandwich in New York City

New York City also offers some incredible dining options that you can’t miss! From upscale Michelin star restaurants to more casual cafes that serve up local favorites, New York has something for every palate. Please scroll for some of our recommendations.

KATZ’S DELICATESSEN – New York City is home to some of the world’s best delis, and Katz’s Delicatessen is top of our list. This Lower East Side institution serves the best corned beef sandwich in New York City. It has been serving up classic New York-style ‘sangers’ since 1888 and remains one of New York’s most beloved restaurants. To some visitors, these sandwiches will just seem wild, too. Some of these sandwiches are simply enormous as well, brimming with lashings of their freshly carved corned beef or turkey, to name just two of the deli’s offerings. Or if you prefer, there’s a half sandwich and a bowl of matzoh bowl soup. The menu at Katz’s is legendary and you could spend half an hour studying it before ordering or ask one of the friendly staff members for their recommendation. Perfection. Always at Katz’s Delicatessen. 205 East Houston Street, corner of Ludlow Street, New York City.

Katz’s Delicatessen serving New York’s finest. Image supplied.

MAGNOLIA BAKERY NEW YORK – Not just any cupcakes, not just any bakery. Small screen fans will be delighted to visit this bustling haven of sweet treats. It’s no surprise to New Yorkers that this bakery is as busy as a graduation sock hop and it’s definitely worth any wait to place your order. The result? Sweet success. Magnolia Bakery has three New York locations including Bloomingdales at 1000 Third Avenue. Trading from 10am seven days.

NEW YORK BEER PROJECT – Curiously, this famed destination brewery is located in Lockport, NY which is more than 600 kilometers from Fifth Avenue and well worth the visit if you wish to plan a side trip to a craft brewery with the mostest. You’re welcome. http://www.nybeerproject.com/

NEW YORK FRIED CHICKEN – Some people are prepared to travel quite some distance to sample chicken that is well prepared and served. In New York, fried chicken is synonymous with Amy Ruth’s. There, carefully hand-seasoned chicken is floured and fried to a perfect golden crisp. Some of it is served with one of the finest waffles you ever did see in a dish called The Rev. Al Sharpton. Pre-COVID, this dish was selling 2000 serves each and every week – an impressive metric that seems to make a certain point. This restaurant is serving lush soul food from an extensive menu in a successful restaurant with an amazing family story to it. That’s Amy Ruth’s 113 West 116th Street Harlem. Trading from 11am-8pm seven days.

NEW YORK PIZZA AND PASTA – The words ‘Stage Door Delicatessen’ make some people lower their voices to hushed and almost reverent tones. That’s because it’s a New York delicatessen par excellence. The Stage Door Deli is two floors of heaven. The 24-hour Deli has a menu that has a pretty good shot at restoring both the soul and faith in humanity. Their signature sandwiches can only be ordered by menu number and they are legendary – generous lashings of succulent deli meats like corned beef combined with slaw and Russian dressing. Juicy beef brisket that would give your mother’s dish a run for its money, served on the freshest of bread with a pickle. If you prefer, there are also vegetarian options served so lavishly you will need a healthy appetite – maybe even a friend plus a doggy bag. During business hours the second-floor pizzeria serves lunches and dinners that give people the strength to do anything, yes even their taxes. If you think you’re feeling strong visit their website, and browse through Stage Door’s gourmet photo gallery. Oh, and good luck resisting the compulsion to immediately book two first-class plane tickets to New York on the next flight out for lunch – at the famous, the iconic, the irresistible Stage Door Deli – 26 Vessey Street New York. 

THE RED FLAME DINER – The Red Flame Diner offers the classics that New Yorkers have come to love over decades. Really friendly staff will usher you into a comfy booth or a seat at the long bar. From breakfasts to milkshakes, burgers and salads, it’s all here. Red Flame Diner makes a very generous serving of spaghetti bolognese for takeaway. From my perspective, one serving of this spaghetti is more than enough for two people with a side salad. That being said, it is a case of horses for courses. Whether you dine in or take away, this well-loved New York diner offers patrons classic meals from 9am to 11pm seven days a week. The Red Flame Diner. 67 W 44th Street New York City.

NEW YORK OPEN – A highlight of the ATP World Tour Tennis Tournament, this indoor hard court favourite is generally held annually each February at NYCB LIVE, Long Island. New York Open draws the best professional players from New Zealand, Australia and the US. The tournament has become a New York City tradition and is one of the most popular tennis events in New York for both locals and international visitors alike.

FLYING OUT – If you can, consider flying out via Newark Liberty International Airport. It’s not quite as busy as some other airports and is recommended by some commercial flight attendants and pilots.

When leaving New York consider whether you would like to fly out of Newark International

Gosh, New York has everything too, something for everyone to enjoy! I’d like to thank the people who helped create this blog post for you, dear reader, to enjoy.

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