NEW YORK: If your idea of a holiday is serenity and relaxation, then New York City is not for you. But if you’re looking for a trip that leaves you wanting more even as it exhausts every last reserve? Everything they say about the energy of this place is true.
The question when visiting New York is never what to do. It’s what not to do. Or, at least, what to save for next time — because there will be one. Prioritizing is difficult — even on a walk between destinations there is always something vying for your attention, whether it’s a quirky store, a street performer or a building that stops you in your tracks.
People often mention how expensive New York is, but the city is more accessible than its reputation suggests. And many of its most iconic sights — the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty — are best appreciated from a distance anyway.
One free treasure is The New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue: a breathtaking haven of literature, architecture and quiet grandeur — and, it turns out, a favorite backdrop for newlywed photoshoots.
Soho is one of NYC's best shopping districts. (Shutterstock)
Grand Central Terminal, first opened in 1913, is another stop that rewards the unhurried visitor. Beneath the main concourse lies the newer Grand Central Madison reached via what the longest escalator ride in New York City. The journey down is worth it for the murals alone, with works by artists including Yayoi Kusama and Kiki Smith lining the walls.
No visit to New York is complete without a stop at Times Square, particularly at night. For three minutes, from 11:57pm to midnight, the billboards cut away the barrage of advertisements and shift into something else entirely: a choreographed display of art and light that transforms one of the world’s most commercial corners into something genuinely beautiful.
When it comes to culture, New York spoils visitors: the Met, MoMA and the Guggenheim are obvious starting points. Less heralded, but equally worthwhile, are the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side — which preserves the homes of immigrants, migrants and refugees and tells their stories with remarkable care — and the American Museum of Natural History.
Central Park is on most visitors’ to-do lists, but be warned: at 843 acres, it’s less a park than a small city. Renting a bike is advisable. Bryant Park, though far smaller, offers its own distinct charm and hosts outdoor markets and events throughout the year.
Off the tourist trail, the Ford Foundation Public Atrium Garden is free to enter — though visitors must register online. The 160-foot atrium contains nearly 40 species of trees, vines and shrubs, as well as a sensory garden. It’s a quiet treasure.
Fifth Avenue is the renowned shopping hub, but SoHo is equally worth the trip. The neighborhood’s cobblestone streets are home to a mix of streetwear brands and luxury boutiques in a setting that feels less overwhelming than midtown’s retail corridors.
The contrast, however, is striking: those same SoHo streets are also lined with vendors selling decidedly unofficial merchandise. It took us a moment to realize that the throng of people on the street were not queuing for a restaurant but shopping. Even more entertaining was the frantic packing up when the distant wail of a siren was heard. It felt quintessentially New York: high life and street hustle, side by side.
The Tenement Museum in New York. (Shutterstock)
When hunger strikes, the city’s pizza is as good as the hype suggests. Any slice will do, but the ones from Bleecker Street Pizza, Joe’s Pizza and L’Industrie are worth seeking out. New York is also famous for its halal carts, which often open well past midnight. Adel’s Famous Halal Food on Sixth Avenue is almost always busy. Pro tip: order through a food delivery app for pickup if you'd rather skip the wait.
Note that Manhattan, in particular, is simply not built for driving. The streets are dense, the traffic unforgiving and parking can run anywhere from $14 to $23 for half an hour. Walking and public transit are not just the cheaper options; they will make your experience much better.
When it comes to packing, prepare for everything. On my recent four-day trip, temperatures swung from a sunny 23°C to a bitter 1°C with heavy rain and fog thrown in.
New York does not welcome you gently. It pushes, surprises and shifts something in you — whether through culture, art, history or simply people-watching. You’ll leave tired, but more alive than when you arrived.
