ESCAPE TO NEW YORK
Take a bite out of the Big Apple with this
three-tiered guide to the best of New York City
WHAT TO SEE
For a taste of city life that doesn’t cost a dime, take a stroll through Central Park. This 3.4 square kilometer urban park receives 40 million visitors a year, who can ice skate in the winter, swim in the summer, and visit the park’s zoo all year around. From the park it’s easy to reach the renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art, located on 5th Avenue. Although the suggested contribution is USD 25, every day is “pay what you wish,” so a donation of any size will earn you entrance to one of the world’s finest collections of art. There are several other museums in the city offering free or discounted entrance—check out nyc-arts.org for a complete listing.
Allow half a day to make the trek to the tip of Manhattan, and catch a ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island. Ferry tickets are USD 18, and it’s just a few dollars more to climb the 377 steps to the crown of Lady Liberty. Visits to the United Nations include a guided tour to the newly renovated General Assembly Hall and other chambers in the renovated Conference Building, while guides explain how the United Nations addresses issues from disarmament to human rights. Tours are USD 22 and available in multiple languages, including Arabic and French. Money can’t buy everything, but it can buy you a guided visit without lines to one of New York’s most iconic sights, the Empire State Building. “Premium Experience” tickets (USD 175) include a 90-minute, guided tour, VIP priority access to both the 86th and 102nd floors, and a commemorative souvenir photograph. esbnyc.com. Tickets to any Broadway show are available on ticketmaster.com, including the highly sought-after seats for Hamilton. Tickets for this Tony-award-winning show, which has seen the likes of the Obamas and Mike Pence in the audience, are available through resale starting at USD 700 apiece.
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STAYManhattan’s best budget-friendly hotels are the minimalist Pod Hotels on East 51st and East 39th. Tiny rooms with two bunk beds start at USD 104/night; queen beds are available for USD 35 more. |
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EAT & DRINKPizza is a quintessential New York cheap eat, and Lombardi’s is the place to try it. Lombardi’s in Little Italy has been firing pizzas since 1905, serving up a slice of history alongside pizza, meatballs and calzone. |
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STAYThe Roger is a boutique hotel conveniently located in Murray Hill, a five-minute walk from the Empire State Building, in Midtown East. A 1930s brick exterior conceals chic, modern rooms outfitted with Egyptian linens and a few of the rooms have terraces. Rooms start at around USD 330 per night, although in the winter rates can dip as low as USD 160. |
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EAT & DRINKBalthazar in SoHo is New York’s best brasserie, outfitted with brass fixtures, burnished mirrors and red leather banquettes that transport diners to Paris. Staples such as steak frites, roast chicken and salade nicoise are served alongside creative twists on bistro fare, such as wild boar pappardelle. The raw bar seafood platters are a worthy indulgence. |
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STAYFor a truly impeccable stay, the Lotte New York Palace on Madison and 50th reigns supreme. Built in 1882 for original use as a spectacular private residence, the Palace opened as a hotel in 1980. The top 14 floors of the adjacent 55-story tower house The Towers, a “hotel within a hotel,” whose 176 rooms and suites boast exceptional views and service, a dedicated concierge, marble baths, nightly turndown service, and exclusive maître d’etage butlers. Doubles from USD 475. |
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EAT & DRINKIn a city renowned for its global cuisine, Sushi Yasuda stands out. The setting may be spare, but the sushi is nothing short of sumptuous. To maximize the experience, take a seat at the bar and order omakase – a sequence of sushi and sashimi “selected by the chef,” who will take into consideration not only the preferences of the customer, but even the shape and size of the diner’s mouth. |
