The Best Way To Experience New York

By Go City Expert

This post originally appeared in World Within Her a travel blog focused on sustainable travel and a vegan lifestyle.

"New York is a cosmopolitan city, full of wonder and culture, but when you’re visiting for such a short time, what’s the best way to see the city and cram in as much as you can while not spending a fortune?"

THE NEW YORK PASS This is where the New York Pass came in handy. We picked them on our first day there. The pass allows you to get into 90+ major attractions, and, yes, we are talking about the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, The Met, The Whitney, along with walking tours of the different neighbourhoods. The price varies, depending on how many days you want the pass for; for one day it’s $109, if you buy the three-day pass it works out as $80 a day. I hear you say it sounds a lot, but most attractions in New York have about a $35 entrance fee. Needless to say I took full advantage of seeing the major museums; The Moma, The Met and The Guggenheim along with Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building and the New York City bus tour. These were all incredible to say the least, as you can see in some of my photos below. What I really enjoyed doing were the walking tours, which were included in the pass. I did the meatpacking district tour, which I recommend highly to learn about its history and why Samantha from Sex and the City that made it so popular. I also did the Soho, Little Italy and China town tours. It’s such a great way to find out how the city has evolved and why the neighbourhoods are so charming.

TWO BOOTS Right now, let’s talk about good vegan food.We all know that when you come to New York, it’s inevitable that you will gorge on food, because the food here is SO GOOD! Pizza is high on the agenda. I went to Two Boots in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s a well-known pizza place among the locals; they offer vegan and non-vegan pizza and, my gosh, the vegan pizza is incredible. It didn’t feel like I was missing out and it certainly tasted better than any vegan pizza I’ve had in London. I’ll even go as far as saying better than those in Rome! I’ve been told it’s due to the New York water... The crust is like no other. BY CHLOE By Chloe is one of the most talked about vegan restaurants in New York, so naturally on our second night, we headed on over to the one on Bleeker Street. Like any hot spot in New York, it was packed with a massive queue when we arrived there were no tables available, so I do recommend going at non-peak times otherwise you will struggle to find a seat. We waited 15 minutes until two seats became available, it was great to see so many healthy options on the menu. I went for the Kale Cesar salad, which came with shiitake bacon, avocado, maple wheat croutons and a Cesar dressing. It was a generous sized portion, which was to my liking it had a lot and tasted great, the shiitake bacon tasted scrumptious and it didn’t leave me wanting the meatier bacon.

My friend had the quac burger, which entailed black bean quinoa, sweet potato patty, corn salad, quac tortilla strips, chipotle, aioli with a whole grain bun. Before I could blink she had eaten it, it was bursting with flavour with a lot of juiciness to tuck into. I can certainly see why By Chloe was put on the map! B&H [caption id="attachment_988" align="alignright" width="980"]

Photo Credit B&H[/caption] Photography lovers you would have heard of the B&H flagship store in Manhattan, I can only describe it as being a kid in a candy store. We were very lucky to be given the grand tour by Jonah, who showed us the four floors, packed with photography and film equipment, computers, drones and printers and a hell of a lot more! From this tour I got a really good sense of how important every customer is to B&H, Jonah talks about the different process that are in place to make a customer have a good experience, from the above the head electronic baskets and the big demo stations to the knowledgeable staff available. The staff in store do not work on commission, so are free in selling you a cheaper product if is indeed better performance wise than its more expensive neighbour. They have a used section, if you so want to head over and get yourself a bargain, I myself own a few secondhand lenses. B&H also have events, seminars and workshops in store along with offering street photography tours led by professional photographers. My friend and I were very lucky to have a private street photography tour organised by B&H, portrait and street photographer Derek Fahsbender. He took us to Brooklyn for the street tour to commence, we walked around Bushwick and Williamsburg, which is highly recommended for the street art and the trendy hipsters, along with some colourful characters. People here have more time to stop and talk unlike the hustle of Manhattan. We ended up talking to a lot of the people we photographed, getting to know them and finding out what they would recommend from a local perspective to a tourist. Below are some of the photos taken on the day. Enjoy.

All Photo Credit: Nyla Sammons

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Visiting Carnegie Hall

Like London’s O2 Arena and Sydney’s Opera House, Carnegie Hall New York is the place to go for live acts when visiting the Big Apple. This historic landmark dates back to the early 1890s and has been showcasing world-class performers since its opening. Carnegie Hall has hosted over 50,000 events, a world record, and continues to be revered as a place of legacy and prestige for all music lovers. Carnegie Hall history When walking through the streets of New York, you can’t miss the grandeur of Carnegie Hall in Midtown Manhattan. Designed by architect William Burnet Tuthill, it was built by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and was one of the last buildings of its size built entirely from masonry. Inside, its welcoming foyer and celebrated white and gold auditorium nods to a Florentine Renaissance inspired design and its lobbies are hung with signed portraits by those who headlined this renowned venue. Carnegie Hall has three separate performance areas; the Main Hall or Isaac Stern Auditorium, the Zankel Hall and the Weill Recital Hall. The majestic Main Hall is the largest and can seat an audience just shy of over 2,800. Also known as the Isaac Stern Auditorium, it was renamed after the violinist to thank him for his generous donations to save the hall from demolition in the 1960s. This hall is considered the most prestigious of all in the United States when it comes to classical music but now also headlines more popular acts, too. Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall has passed through many names and was even used as a cinema for over 30 years. It is one of the more adaptable performance areas and this new modern renovated space welcomes the likes of classical, pop, and jazz artists from around the world. The Joan and Standford I. Weill Recital Hall is the venue’s smallest but most intimate performance space. Decorated with large draping chandeliers and soft blue velvet curtains you’ll find chamber music concerts and debut performances here along with panel discussions. The latest addition to the Hall is the Judith and Burton Resnick Education Wing which hosts programs run by the Weill Music Institute and Ensemble Connect. The Rose Museum is worth spending some time in, too, to discover the 400 artifacts and exhibitions showcasing some of the most famous acts to have played in Carnegie Hall NYC. To name a few, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Nina Simone, Ike & Tina Turner... If that isn’t impressive enough, the Beatles performed here twice during their New York tour of ’64, and guess who holds the record for the most consecutive sold-out performances at this iconic venue? Liza Minelli – she sold-out 17 consecutive shows at the Carnegie Hall! Visiting Carnegie Hall One of the best ways to experience 125 years of this historic landmark is by tour and Carnegie Hall tickets are included in the purchase of a The New York Pass. The sightseeing pass offers a free tour (60-75mins) led by an expert guide where you can learn of Carnegie Hall’s three separate performance areas; the Main Hall or Isaac Stern Auditorium, the Zankel Hall and the Weill Recital Hall, as well as the Carnegie Hall Archives and the Rose Museum, too. You’ll learn anecdotes and stories of the famous performers to grace the stages, such as the long-standing folklore that a tourist pedestrian on Fifty-seventh Street asked the musician Jascha Heifetz as he was leaving on the day, "Could you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?" and Heifetz quipped, "Yes, Practice!" Location: 881 Seventh Avenue (at 57th Street)How to get there: Subway: Q R, to 57th StreetOpening times: Box office: Mon-Sat 11am-6pm, Tours subject to availability* Carnegie Hall tickets can be pre-booked online or by phone to avoid disappointment and their box office is open Mon-Sat 11am-6pm. Or, make the most of a free guided tour included in your The New York Pass.
Kirsten McCroskrie
Madame Tussauds
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A Guide to New York City Points of Interest

New York is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. The streets are alive from day until night and it’s quite true that the city never sleeps. Its iconic skyline is one of the most recognizable with impressive skyscrapers and historic landmarks and the age-old promise of the American Dream never feels too far away. New York City points of interest are too many to count on one hand but here are top 10 places to visit in New York. In no particular order, some of the best New York landmarks are: Williamsburg Bridge While not as famous as its sister bridge, Brooklyn, the Williamsburg Bridge is a great option to avoid the crowds but still enjoy the same experience. Whether you rent a Citi bike and cycle over or take the pedestrian route, it’s a fun adventure leaving Manhattan to explore this hipster-friendly up and coming area that has fast become one of the most sought-after boroughs in Brooklyn. Williamsburg is full of quirky cafes and bars, independent boutiques, tattoo shops and vegan restaurants waiting to be found. Times Square It’s cliché, but Times Square has to be on the New York City points of interest list. It would be like visiting London and not seeing Buckingham Palace. Times Square is a vibrant, loud, bustling, exciting, overwhelming experience – a real sensory overload but that’s part of it. High story buildings loom overhead with dynamic digital advertisements, shop fronts are wide and beckoning with all manner of tourist souvenirs and you can find some of the city’s most famous Broadway shows, comedy venues and theatres a stone’s throw away. Central Park Measuring in at an impressive 843-acres, Central Park is an urban oasis amid the bustling streets of this vibrant city. Framed by skyscrapers and townhouses owned by some of the wealthiest names in the world, Central Park is one of the New York landmarks favoured by all. In the summer you’ll find visitors and locals alike relaxing with their picnics and idle rowers boating on the lake. Even in the winter you can go ice skating or enjoy a stroll through the snow-dusted paths with a hot drink. Whether you're strolling or cycling through - Central Park should be on everyone's must-visit list when in New York. High Line Perhaps one of the newest New York City points of interest: the High Line. Built along an old freight railway line, it’s a creative urban green space elevated above Manhattan’s West Side. It has become a wonderground for nature, art and design making it one of New York’s most unique cultural experiences. Take half a day and walk along the woodlands, stay a while at the sundeck and water feature, stop for lunch at the Chelsea Market food court and enjoy the buskers and artists along the way. There is also a programme of events held throughout the year such as performances, salsa dances and thought-provoking discussions and debates. Top of the Rock The Empire State Building is one of the most iconic New York landmarks but rather than wait in line to get to the top like everyone else, head over to Rockefeller Plaza instead and up to the 360-degree Top of the Rock Observatory Deck to see it from a new perspective. At night the experience is especially breath-taking when the iconic New York skyline is illuminated so you can see the Empire State Building, as well as the Chrysler Building and even over to Times Square. Wall Street’s Bull & Fearless Girl Otherwise known as the Charging Bull, Wall Street’s Bull is one of the many New York City points of interest to be found in Downtown Manhattan’s Financial District. How they managed to sneak a 3000kg bronze bull into the city is anyone’s guess, but thanks to its popularity it’s staying for good. Tip: catch the Fearless Girl by Kristen Visbal, who stares down the bull with hands on hips, before she is relocated in 2019. MOMA If you have a few hours to spare, the Museum of Modern Art (known locally as the MOMA) is an endless display of visual treats that will inspire and also challenge with their range of diverse cultural, artistic, social and political offerings. The permanent exhibitions showcase world-famous pieces from renowned modern artists and there’s a sculpture garden with works by Picasso and Rodin, as well as an art-house cinema. Tip: make the most of the Free Fridays to save on the entry fee. Statue of Liberty There aren’t many other New York landmarks that quite have the same wow-factor as the Statue of Liberty. A symbol in Hollywood films, a chance to get up close to this iconic statue in real life is on most people’s To Do list when planning a trip to New York. Lady Liberty offers unparalleled views of the city from a new vantage point, her crown, and on your way back it would be worth visiting the Liberty Island museum to learn more about her history and how she came to be here, all the way from France. Apollo Theatre Head to the Harlem institution, the Apollo Theatre. It was here that Ella Fitzgerald debuted in 1934, in 1962 the venue catapulted the talented James Brown into households around the country and a mere two years later Jimi Hendrix won first prize at an Amateur Night. Now, you’ll find headliners like Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen on stage, but you can still attend the renowned Wednesday Amateur Night to witness some of the hottest up-and-coming talent emerging from the city, too. Yankee Stadium Whether you’re a baseball fan or not, going to the Yankees stadium is a pretty big deal and one of the New York points of interest you won’t want to miss. Situated in the Bronx, the original House That Ruth Built has been flattened but the current Yankees Stadium II is just across the street. There is a museum too with memorabilia from every Yankees player to date. Fun fact: as a little tradition, they play Frank Sinatra’s New York New York after every game.
Shashia Mitchell
Aeroplanes over New York
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New York Airport to City Travel Options

New York. So good they named it twice. So pretty it holds the Guinness world record for being the planet's most Instagrammed city. And so perennially popular with tourists and business travelers that it requires not one, not two, but *three* airports to keep up with demand. It’s not hard to understand why either: think household-name attractions like the Statue of Liberty and Empire State building, a vibrant nightlife and entertainment scene (looking at you, Broadway!), and some of the best shopping in the Western world. And that barely scratches the surface. Planning a trip to to the city never sleeps? Read on for our guide to the airport transportation options that will have you enjoying the bright lights of downtown Manhattan in no time at all. New York Airports in Brief The Big Apple has three international airports: John F. Kennedy (JFK), Newark Liberty (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA). Here’s the lowdown… JFK is the main entry point for all arrivals in the US, making it the biggest and busiest airport in New York by some considerable margin. It’s located in Queens, around 26km southeast of Midtown Manhattan. Newark Liberty Airport is 14km southwest of Manhattan and runs JFK pretty close in terms of annual passenger numbers. LaGuardia is the baby of the three main New York airports, processing around half the number of annual passengers of its Queens neighbor JFK. It’s around 17km by road from Midtown Manhattan. But what’s the best way to get to Manhattan from each airport? Read on to find out… JFK to the City AirTrain The JFK AirTrain provides a quick, easy and (largely) free way to navigate the airport’s eight terminals. It operates 24/7 year-round and connects you, the eager new arrival, to hotel shuttle pick-up areas, airport parking lots, and the rental car center. There’s an $8.25 fee if your AirTrain journey starts or ends at Jamaica or Howard Beach stations, which connect to New York’s public transportation network via the NYC subway system, the Long Island Rail Road, and public buses. By Subway Traveling on a budget? The NYC subway is your friend. Take the AirTrain to Jamaica station for subway connections to Brooklyn, Queens, Midtown and Lower Manhattan, or to Howard Beach for connections to Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan and the Rockaways only. The subway takes around 50-60 minutes into Manhattan and costs only around $3 on top of your AirTrain fare. By Train The Long Island Rail Road is a commuter train that links Jamaica station with Midtown Manhattan, Grand Central Terminal, Brooklyn and Long Island. It’s considerably faster than the subway, taking around 30 minutes into Midtown Manhattan. But you’ll pay for the privilege: an extra $5-11 on top of the AirTrain fare, variable depending whether you’re traveling during peak times or not. By Bus There are more regional bus services out of JFK than we could possibly list here, but the majority don’t go right to the heart of New York and require a connection to the subway anyway. There is one Express Bus service that operates from terminals 1, 4 and 8 and will take you all the way to downtown Manhattan. It costs $19 and runs every 30 minutes between 11AM and 7PM. By Cab JFK Airport cabs charge a fixed fare of $70 into Manhattan. That’s per car for up to four passengers. A bargain. Watch out for extra charges though, including the peak period surcharge ($5), the airport pick-up fee ($1.75), the state tax (50 cents), the variable congestion charge, and the 75-cent add-on to rides that pass through Manhattan or end south of 96th street. Oh, and don’t forget to tip, will ya? By Rental Car There are stacks of rental companies operating after arrivals in each terminal: Alamo, Avis, Hertz and Thrifty to name just a few. Book your vehicle then hop on the AirTrain to the Federal Circle Station to pick it up. Be wise to road tolls in and around NYC and be sure to check your individual rental company’s policy regarding how these should be handled to avoid picking up a hefty bill later. Newark Liberty to the City AirTrain Like JFK, Newark Liberty Airport operates an AirTrain network that serves all three terminals, providing free transport to rental cars, hotel shuttles and parking lots. You’ll pay an $8.25 fee for AirTrain journeys that connect to the city via the Newark Liberty International Airport Station. This is included in the price of NJ Transit and Amtrak tickets purchased in the terminal. AirTrain runs every 3-5 minutes between 5AM and 11PM and around every 15 minutes through the wee small hours. By Train Regular Amtrak and NJ Transit trains run direct from Newark Liberty International Airport Station to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan, and beyond to Philadelphia, D.C., and more. Journeys into Manhattan take around 25 minutes and cost from around $20 one way. By Bus NJ Transit runs a regular Express Bus service between Newark Liberty International Airport and major NYC stations including Grand Central, Bryant Park and the Port Authority Bus Terminal. It’s $18 one way or $30 for a return ticket. You can catch the bus at regular intervals between 5AM and 1AM, 365 days a year. By Cab Newark Liberty Airport cabs charge fixed fares that range from $60-80 depending where in New York City you’re going. As with JFK, there are several additional charges to look for, and tipping for good service is expected.  By Rental Car You’ll find all the regular car rental companies at the rental center on levels 1-3 of the Parking A Access Road, which can be reached for free on the AirTrain. Be sure to check about road toll policies with your chosen rental company. LaGuardia to the City Being the smallest of NYC’s ‘big three’ means transport options are slightly more limited from LaGuardia Airport. But getting to the heart of the Big Apple action is still very straightforward. By Bus There are multiple options available via the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bus network. You can go all the way to downtown Manhattan, or hop off en route to connect to the subway and Long Island Rail Road. One-way trips on the MTA network cost a mere $2.90, making bus hands-down the most cost effective method of getting from LaGuardia to Manhattan. By Cab Cabs from LaGuardia to Manhattan range from $30-38 and again, fares are fixed by destination, but with various add-ons including state taxes, peak-time surcharges and airport access fees. Please, as ever, do tip for good service. By Rental Car Car rental agencies including Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Thrifty operate out of all three terminals at LaGuardia and there are free shuttles in front of each terminal to take you to your vehicle. Save on attractions, tours and activities in New York Save on admission to New York attractions with the New York Pass. Check out @NewYorkPass on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak

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