By Sharon Penn
A visit to the
New York area can be magical in the fall when leaves are turning color, during the winter holiday season and in the spring when the city surges with renewed energy. From the bustle of Times Square to the attractions along the majestic Hudson River, New York is a destination not to be missed. Plan to explore beyond the usual tourist attractions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Empire State Building, and you will create a unique and exciting memory.
Manhattan
Manhattan is surrounded by water, so start your visit by appreciating spectacular views of the city from a cruise line. Take a daytime sightseeing cruise or opt for a romantic ride with dinner and dancing. A ferry connects historic Ellis Island to Liberty Island, where you will see Lady Liberty herself up close and personal. Back on land, you may find yourself on television when you visit Rockefeller Plaza during a live broadcast. Start the day with a jazz brunch in Greenwich Village, and then try ice skating at the Wollman Rink in Central Park or at Chelsea Piers, a 30-acre sports facility overlooking the Hudson River. Board a real battleship when you visit the Intrepid, now an educational museum. Lunch is a unique experience at one of the dim sum restaurants in Chinatown, where you are served a variety of small portions of delicious and authentic Chinese delicacies from a cart wheeled right to your table. For an interesting casual dinner, try one of the restaurants at the trendy Chelsea Market downtown.
The Outer Boroughs
New York City comprises five boroughs; Manhattan, the most famous, is one of them. The Bronx is a subway ride away, where you can attend a Yankee baseball game in state-of-the-art Yankee Stadium or take the children to visit the Bronx Zoo. Also in the Bronx is historic Wave Hill, a 26-acre cultural center and garden overlooking the Palisades, former home of such legendary figures as Theodore Roosevelt and Mark Twain. Visit the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens in springtime when you can practice the Japanese tradition of appreciating cherry blossoms that bloom during the month of April and the beginning of May. In Queens, tennis stars shine at the US Open tennis tournament, which takes place at the end of summer on the site of the World's Fair. A Staten Island Ferry trip will take you to wonderful Italian restaurants tucked away in this little known borough.
Beyond New York City
When you want to venture out of New York City, visit Kykuit, the magnificent Rockefeller Estate on the Hudson River. If you love the shore, the beaches on the north or south shore of Long Island are within easy reach, and the Hamptons, playground of the rich and famous, are a few hours out east. Farther afield is the breathtaking beauty of the Catskill Mountains and Lake George to the north, perfect areas for viewing the explosion of color that comes with fall foliage. Enjoy the fare at the Hyde Park branch of the Culinary Institute of New York, located approximately 2 hours north of New York City. Saratoga in the Adirondack Mountains, known for its famous racetrack, hotels and restaurants, is another wonderful excursion in the New York area you will remember for years to come.
About the Author:
Sharon Penn is a writer based in South Florida. A professional writer since 1981, she has created numerous materials for a Princeton advertising agency. Her articles have appeared in "Golf Journal" and on industry blogs. Penn has traveled extensively, is an avid golfer and is eager to share her interests with her readers. She holds a Master of Science in Education.
