I ♥ NY. A lot.

• Posted on: 23 February 2017
• By : Anna 
• Categories : City breaks, Favourite hotels, Favourite restaurants, Holiday in the USA, New York, New York 
• Comments : 2

Top of the list, Head of the heap, King of the hill…… New York, Neeeeeeeew Yooooooork…..

I love New York. I can’t think of any other big city that I’d choose to travel to if I could choose…
It has everything that you can wish for and then it’s like walking around in a movie….the
different areas of Manhattan, the different people, the different smells, the pulse….

 

HOW TO GET THERE?

There are numerous ways to go to New York.
However, my favourite way is direct by SAS .

Last year, they introduced their new cabin on intercontinental routes and I must admit that I do love the new SAS PLUS travel class. The airline choose to call it “for a little more comfort onboard“, I’d definitely like to call it “for a lot more comfort onboard“.
Seats are a lot wider than in economy class, lots of legspace with a footrest, bigger screen, free drinks, priority check-in, free wi-fi, fast track in Scandinavia, lounge access (the lounge at Newark is great!), 2 x 23 kgs (great for shopping…) just to mention a few of the extra perks .

 

Meals are also really good and I loved the beef stew that was served on our latest trip back from New York.
About 1,5 hour before landing, you’ll get a light meal served and meal type depends on what time of the day you arrive.

So, if you’re like me and prefer to travel more often and spend more money on the destination instead of SAS BUSINESS (which is by the way excellent!), then SAS PLUS is a great option with extra comfort at a very reasonable price.

 

I can also highly recommend British Airways via London or Delta’s non-stop service to JFK from Copenhagen (summer time only) and Delta business class is really good.

Immigration procedures upon arrival can take time so always make sure you have a bottle of water at hand, some sort of snack as well as a book or a magazine. If you’re unlucky, you can risk standing in line for more than an hour before reaching the counter. However, now there are immigration-automats/kiosks as well, which is a lot faster.

Getting from JFK to Manhattan is easy via taxi, there’s a flat rate to Manhattan hotels (about 55-65 usd.) and it takes about 30 min. – traffic depending.

Taxidrivers don’t cheat you, at least, I’ve never met one of those and I’ve been using taxis a lot in NY.

WHERE TO STAY?

Where to stay can be tricky. However, I do prefer Midtown Manhattan, around 40-45th Street. It’s very central and you can easily walk Downtown or Uptown.
However, areas like Tribeca and Greenwich Village both are in a lot more quiet surroundings, almost village like…

The Sofitel New York though, is my favourite hotel after staying there during my last 3 visits in New York city.
It is truly amazing with outstanding service from very friendly staff and the rooms are lovely! Spotless clean, beds extremely comfortable and the room is quite spacious as well. The bathroom……soooo nice with fresh flowers….

I also love the way they combine the interior with a French/New York twist – very elegant, yet cosy….
Great location as well, a quiet part of 44th. street, just around the corner from Times Square and 5th. Ave. Despite the very central location, there is no noise to be heard from the rooms.
Can’t wait to return!

Oh well, what can I say other than most of the bags were inside the suitcases….

The Bowery Hotel is another favourite place if you prefer to stay in the lower part of Manhattan in East Village/Nolita.

This is probably one of the most charming boutique hotels there is in New York and rooms are so cosy, stylish, luxurious with stunning views!
We loved the Double kingsize standard room and service at the hotel is also outstanding!
Breakfast at “Gemma” is great as well, with tables outside during summertime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO GET AROUND TOWN

When in New York, the best way to experience the city (like any other city) is to walk around. New York is a very safe place to walk (at least up to 120th. Street). If you do need a rest, take the underground, it’s very easy as it goes either uptown (North bound) or Downtown (southbound).
The subway is fast and cheap. The easiest way to get around is to buy a prepaid MetroCard, that way you don’t have to buy single ticket rides every time and you can add any amount you wish to the card at any station.

It’s also possible to buy a 7-day pass if you’re visiting for more than just a few days.

THE SIGHTSEEING

Don’t miss Tribeca, Ground Zero, Central Park (don’t miss the H.C Andersen statue!), Meatpacking district, Brooklyn Bridge (MUST!), Soho, Noho…

Greenwich Village, aka “The Village”, is a great area and one of my favourite New York street is located here, Bleecker Street.
If you’re, like me, a Sex&TheCity fan….you’ll also feel at home in The Village 🙂 And yes, Carries apartment is just around the corner in Perry Street.

Take a boat trip as well and see the Statue of Liberty – Everything always looks nicer from the waterside…
If you’re visiting town for the first time, I can highly recommend a guided CityTour, one that includes both a bus ride and a boat trip. This way, you’ll learn how to orientate yourself and see most top sights as well.
I can recommend this guided tour, organised by Viator.com .

Yeah….was kind of a windy day 🙂

 

YES, you’re right, this is where Mr. Big left Carrie on their Big Day. How could he???!!!

The Dakota building. Famous people lived/live here. Period.

Some tourist

Washington Square Arch – down in the village

 

Time Square – it just never gets dark here…

Strawberry fields in Central Park

Lower Manhattan, close to Pier 17

THAT VIEW over New York is best seen from the Rockefeller Centre, “Top of the rock”.
Best time of the day is just an hour and a half Before sunset to get that magic, beautiful light over Manhattan…
From here, you “look down” on the Empire state building. Tickets can be purchased on-line.
http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/

 

THE SEX & THE CITY HOTSPOTS TOUR

If you looooove SATC and are in New York you must do this tour!
It’s really, really entertaining and we had a great guide, who took us around various locations from the series and the movies.
It was like a pilgrimage and a lot of fun. Along the way, you see various clips from the series and get to taste yummy cupcakes and a cocktail 🙂
You can easily book the tour on the “On Location Tours'” website
Next time….. Gossip Girl Sites tour……

Sipping Cosmos at Steve’s bar

 

CARRIE’S HOUSE!!!!!!

THE NEW YORK HIGH LINE is also well worth a visit.
Old railway line that has been transformed into a lovely garden area, you walk above the city and enjoy the view and the lush area at the same time.
http://www.thehighline.org/
I was highly positively surprised and am sure you will enjoy it too!

THE 9/11 MEMORIAL 

This museum is built at the twin tower site and definitely a place worth visit.
http://www.911memorial.org
I don’t think I actually fully understood the 9/11 event until after having visited this museum.
It touches you and you can’t imagine just how New Yorkers struggled this day.
My Swedish friend, who visited the museum with us wrote a great blogpost in Swedish about the museum and you can read it here, should you wish to do so.

 

 

 

ONE WORLD OBSERVATORY was opened for visitor in 2015 and this is definitely another MUST-DO when visiting New York.
The building is currently the tallest in the Western Hemisphere, standing 546 metres tall.
It’s very popular so booking tickets on their website is highly recommended.
Being afraid og heights, I was a bit worried to go up there at first. However, all my concerns disappeared immediately once I got inside the building.
The elevator ride up to the 102nd. floor took less than a minute. During the ride, an impressive LED technology picture-show is visualising the history and development of Manhattan from the 1500’s until today. This is extremely well documented and all I can say is WOW. WOW!
The view from the 102nd. floor is something else as you can see very far from all the way up there on a clear day. Since you’re in south Manhattan, you get to see the whole of it, as well as the rest of surrounding areas.
If you only have time to visit one view point during your stay – this should definitely be The One.

 

 

WALK FROM BATTERY PARK TO HIGHLINE along the Hudson River is a lovely 4 km walk.
I kan highly recommend this and you’ll see lots of “local life” along your way

THE SHOPPING

SHOPPING is obviously a MUST and my favourites are:

-Woodbury common outlet
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7 , cheap and a huge selection of  shops.
Located in New Jersey and the busride takes about an hour. Public busses from Port Authority Busterminal (42nd. Street) or private busses (more convenient)  http://www.expresstrails.com/ – When at Woodbury, don’t miss the cinnabon sticks….www.cinnabon.com/ – delicious!!! Maaaaany great shops!

Shop like a Pro…….

-Jersey Gardens http://www.jerseygardens.com/ Located next to Newark Airport.
If you’re flying out to Newark, then I’d recommend that you spend the 1st. night at an airport hotel close to Jersey Gardens, do all your outletshopping there and then go to Manhattan.
To get to Jersey Gardens from Manhattan, take the public bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal (42nd. Str.). Very convenient and only takes about 25 minutes. Bus 111 and 115 and, as of Feb. 2017, they depart from gate C223 on 2nd. floor, and a return ticket (5 zones) can be purchased in the machines and is only 14,- usd.
Have used the bus twice and first time we had to line up and wait for about half an hour when returning to Manhattan but the second time there was no waiting time at all.
Great shopping!

-Macy’s isn’t too bad either (34th. Str.)….(remember to go to the Visitor Centre  with your passport to get a 10% discount card). The store i huge though….

-Abercrombie & Fitch flagship store on 5th. Ave. is good – as well as their smaller shop on 199 Water Str. (less people, more bargains).

 

Receipts from Nordstrom Rack are hilarious….

 

–Uncle Jacks (Midtown branch) has great burgers and meat – and deliiiiiiciooouuus sweet potato fries…And oh yes, the tuna steak is to die for…. http://www.unclejacks.com/new-york-steakhouse-locations.php