New York City Getaway—An Insider's Guide

By Brenda Fine

New York City’s the place to be—a fun-filled oasis where you can join the throngs, locals and visitors alike, who celebrate the return of warm sunny days by taking to the streets and waterways of this great island city.

Around Town

Even for a native New Yorker, it’s always a thrill to leave the predictable grid of midtown streets and avenues and meander through the downtown maze of neighborhoods with quirky nicknames like SoHo, NoHo and NoLita. Paved roadways give way to cobblestones, wide avenues twist into tiny winding lanes, and sidewalks are crammed with entrepreneurs selling everything from faux designer fashions to original art. This is one New York adventure that never fails to challenge and delight.

The timing’s perfect for a visit to NYC because there are loads of special events in the Big Apple this spring and summer. We’ve even sprouted gigantic waterfalls in the East River, huge-scale installations by artist Olafur Eliasson. You can get up close and personal with all four of these impressive cascades, plus learn their fascinating stories as you cruise the river aboard a Circle Line tour boat. 

Prefer to combine some star-gazing with your cruise? Then you won’t want to miss the trendy Water Taxi TV and Movie Tour cruise that visits NYC locations made famous by such screen favorites as Wall Street, The Bourne Ultimatum, Working Girl, Superman and X-Men. An added perk is that both of these water tours depart from the South Street Seaport, which just happens to be such an essential waterfront entertainment and shopping site that you probably already have it on your must-see list.

The Grass is Greener

Central Park is one of our city’s crown jewels. We New Yorkers are addicted to it, and you’re sure to love it, too. Designed by acclaimed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted back in 1858, this 843-acre leafy oasis is where everyone heads for some urban R&R. There’s a bit of everything: hilly acres of green lawns and forests, ponds and lakes for boating, 58 miles of tree-shaded paths that pulse with city scenes ranging from in-line skaters to nannies pushing strollers, a zoo, an old-fashioned carousel and, of course, an events schedule crammed with outdoor entertainment. During many summer evenings you can stretch out on the grass on the Great Lawn and bask in the beauty of free outdoor performances by the Metropolitan Opera or the New York Philharmonic, and don’t forget the famous Shakespeare in the Park.

A Little Culture, Anyone?

Speaking of New York’s famous cultural scene, you won’t want to miss Lincoln Center’s outdoor funfests that include “Midsummer Night Swing” where everyone comes to dance (or learn) everything from salsa to swing to disco (July 8-26). Throughout the month of August, Lincoln Center presents more than 100 free live performances, all on its outdoor plaza.

And of course you’ll want to see at least one Broadway show while you’re in town; New York just isn’t New York without some theater glitter. The best way is obviously to think ahead and purchase your tickets through your travel consultant as you plan your getaway package. But if you find yourself in the city and feeling spontaneous, in New York, there’s always a way!

One solution is TKTS, the discount ticket booths that sell same-day tickets to both Broadway and off-Broadway productions. One booth is in Times Square, the other at the South Street Seaport. (Note: TKTS does not accept plastic; pay in cash or travelers checks only). Of course, you can wait outside the theater and hope for last-minute tickets to go on sale. Or try for standing-room tickets.

Retail Therapy

But wait! What about the shopping! You’ll definitely want to check out the designer boutiques on upper Madison Avenue (north of 57th Street) plus that dazzling parade of world-class names (Gucci, Versace, Cartier, etc.) that line both sides of classy Fifth Avenue. But then, let’s get serious: It’s time to score some of those legendary New York bargains everyone always raves about.

Time to join the savvy ladies of “Shop Gotham” who will take you on an “insider’s tour” behind the scenes at six to eight different wholesale showrooms where you can count on finding (and snapping up) huge bargains on overstock fashions usually sold at Barney’s, Bergdorf’s, Bloomingdale’s and other high-end shops. You’ll also gain admittance to at least one sample sale, a bargain fest where current-stock gems go for rock-bottom prices. As you walk from one fashion building to another through the famous 7th Avenue Garment Center, be sure to stick close to the guide, because she’ll be sharing some wonderful insider gossip and insight about the area.

You Gotta Eat

Everyone who has ever visited New York is bound to have a favorite restaurant. It may be iconic, like the Second Avenue Deli (which recently re-located to 33rd Street between Lexington and Third avenues), famous for such classics as the towering pastrami-on-rye sandwich. Or it may be haute, like the lofty Daniel, which is renowned for its rarified setting and classically elegant French cuisine. Expensive restaurants are a dime a dozen in this town; take your pick and you really can’t go wrong. More challenging, perhaps, is being able to find credibly good food for realistic prices. Hint: Try ethnic. One great example is Ipanema, a Brazilian restaurant near the theater district that serves hearty and yummy fare at amazingly affordable prices. (13 W. 46th St., west of Fifth).

At Day’s End

As you probably already know, New York has an overload of hotel rooms. They come in every imaginable size, rate and location. But in honor of glorious weather, why not opt for the top—as in hotels with open-air rooftop terraces where you can gaze out over the city, sip a Cosmo or two, and maybe even take a dip while all of New York sparkles far below. Downtown, the Gansevoort’s “Plunge” is the coolest pool and rooftop bar in town. The Parker Meridien’s rooftop pool and outdoor sundeck give you sweeping views of Central Park. And in midtown, The Library Hotel has an elegant rooftop lounge. There are dozens of bars and lounges with al fresco rooftops, too. Check online to see if your hotel is in the rooftop groove. GP

For more suggestions on creating your NYC weekend, call your local AAA Travel Consultant and check out AAA.com/NewYork.

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