Mad about Manhattan – New York City
In the city that never sleeps, there's so much to see and do that sometimes it can be hard to know where to start. Below is a list of five things that really stood out for me during my time in Manhattan.
1. ICE SKATING IN CENTRAL PARK ON A WINTER'S DAY | Embracing the cold, donning a pair of skates and running amok at the Trump Rink would have to be my most memorable experience in The Big Apple. With breathtaking panoramic views of the city skyline, combined with the urban surrounds of Central Park, this picturesque skating rink truly becomes a winter wonderland with an atmosphere that's hard to beat.
The lines to get in can become pretty hectic over the holiday season as tourists and locals wait to get in on the action. For the novice skater, that first step out onto the ice can be daunting at first but once you get your bearings and just go with it, it's a whole lot of fun.
TIP: For those on a budget, this activity can become a bit pricey when you're paying for entry, skates and a locker each time you go, but there are rinks in New York City which offer free admission e.g. Winter Village at Bryant Park.
2. WALKING THE MAGNIFICENT PASSAGEWAYS OF GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL | This historic landmark at East 42nd Street and Park Avenue boasts brilliant architecture and happens to be the busiest railway station in the United States. The ceiling of the Main Concourse (pictured below is a view from the Apple store) features a painted mural of the constellations – in reverse.
Opulent chandeliers shine ambiently in both the walkways and in Vanderbilt Hall, so named in honour of the family who built the terminal just over a century ago.
TIP: To hear the whisphering walls, grab a friend and head to the archways on the Lower Concourse.
A food court can be also found on the lower level of Grand Central Terminal. The restaurant Oyster Bar stands out as the main dine-in attraction for seafood appetisers and cocktails. There's also a Shake Shack for those craving a sneaky burger with a side of crinkle-cut fries. For the more health conscious, Grand Central Market (below) has a great range of fresh produce options.
3. THE VIEW FROM ON HIGH AT THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING | Bear witness to spectacular vistas from one of the tallest buildings in New York. This 103-storey skyscraper looms large over the city. The view from the 86th floor (below) is all-encompassing.
From the Empire State Building Observation Deck, a vast array of apartment blocks and office buildings seem like miniscule dominos. The Chrysler Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Statten Island and the Statue of Liberty can be also seen in the distance.
TIP: It's best you arrive early as the lines can get long and spiral down the street, with some people waiting four hours or more to get in. Security officials will ask for ID so ensure that you bring a driver's licence or passport along.
4. HEAD DOWNTOWN | Once the domain of struggling artists, bohemians and students, Greenwich Village has more recently undergone significant gentrification and is now considered one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in New York City. Its residents include celebrities Sarah Jessica Parker, Edward Norton and Uma Thurman. East of "The Village" you'll find neighbouring NoHo, with its quaint historic charm. South of Greenwich lies SoHo (below), a popular fashion hub known for its designer fashion boutiques and lofty apartment blocks.
LITTLE ITALY | Take a walk along Broome Street and Lafayette. Stop in for some meatball subs at the Italian Food Centre (above) just across from the Italian-American Museum on Mulberry. This area has a fascinating history. It was once considered a slum inhabited by 19th and 20th century emigrants who left Old Europe behind for a chance at a better life in the New World. Thereafter, the place transformed into a thriving ethnic hub, with shopowners and residents claiming Italian ancestry. Today, there's a nostalgia about Little Italy and an unshakeable feeling that tourism and globalisation have comprimised the district's, once authentically Italian, cultural charm.
DID YOU KNOW? The world of the fictional Corleone family (The Godfather) and their Mafia associates centred around Little Italy.
5. STEP INTO TIMES SQUARE | Flashing billboards. Blindingly bright lights. People EVERYWHERE. Times Square is one of those über commercial, must-see entertainment attractions – on steroids. It's larger than life. Over a million people descended on Times Square to watch the ball drop on New Year's Eve!
