After getting rid of our bags at our hotel, we went for a walk around Manhattan and the whole atmosphere is indescribable. I have never been anywhere where you can feel the atmosphere so strongly.
We had to wait for three hours at the Rockefeller Center for the huge tree's lights to be switched on and it was freezing! Anyone thinking of going should wrap up warm, get there early for a good view of the entertainment, and maybe take a blanket or something to sit on. Several people had and we were envious! Security is tight and once in it is very difficult to get out so anyone who might need a trip to the toilet should go on the way!
There was a good line-up of musical entertainment before the lights were switched on, and it was all relayed on huge screens, ensuring that people everywhere could see. It was a lovely thing to be part of, although I probably wouldn’t do it again because it was so cold I could hardly bend my legs!! But it was fun nevertheless!
After seeing the lights we walked back to the hotel taking in the likes of the Empire State Building (the top of which is lit up red and green for Christmas) and the Chrysler building on the way.
The next morning we decided to buy tickets for the Grayline red tourist bus. It had been snowing heavily, so when we bought our tickets (from a man opposite Macy’s) we were given free ponchos. The tickets cost $49 and were valid for two days. A bit of persuasion got him to throw in an extra day, so for three days it was quite a good price.
If there has been snow I would be wary of sitting upstairs on the open-top buses because, as pretty as it may be, it gets quite scary when blocks of ice fall from the skyscrapers--trust me!
A look around Chinatown is a must, and if it is a romantic meal in a beautiful setting you want, then Little Italy is for you. Beautiful Italian restaurants line the streets, and people stand in their doorways politely trying to entice you in and handing out business cards.
Times Square at night is bustling and it is well worth spending an evening there. We went to Planet Hollywood for a meal one night and when we came out a lot of people were waiting around. It turned out they were waiting to see Britney Spears who, low and behold, turned up about 10 minutes later and we caught a glimpse of her getting out of her car and posing for waiting photographers before going inside. It was certainly an unexpected highlight.
A policeman dealing with the crowds told us that further down the same road filming was taking place for Julia Roberts’ new movie Mona Lisa’s Smile. We took a walk down and took photos of a building that had been turned into an old-style theatre and old-fashioned taxis lined the street. We are just waiting for the film now so we can spot it!
There are plenty of places to eat in the city, as you would expect, and prices vary. One thing you can be sure of though is that there is something to suit all tastes!
We also visited Ground Zero to pay respects to the victims of September 11 and, although it was over a year later, hundreds of tributes remained pinned to the fences surrounding St Paul’s Chapel opposite the site.
We also visited the Fire Museum on Spring Street, which was very interesting and a step away from the main tourist attractions of the city.
An afternoon was also spent in Greenwich Village, where we were given a tour by a friend of my boyfriend’s, who moved to Manhattan a couple of years ago. It seemed like a different place seeing it through the eyes of a local.
One place that we never planned to go but which was among the most interesting was the United Nations building. The tour is very interesting and the guides are extremely knowledgable. Even if you do not have a thirst for politics, you will enjoy it and walk away knowing a few memorable facts.
We only had four days in New York and wanted to make the most of the trip so we took along the Inside Out travel guide.
It is pocket-sized and only £6.99/$9.95 (ISBN 1-84139-851-9). It has a fold-out map which was invaluable and an information section offering tips on places to see, places to shop, entertainment, places to eat, hotels and space for notes.
It is a great book and contains everything you need to know- even a slide out pen and flip-out compass to make sure you don’t get lost!
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