2013 – USA – “New York Subway”

Visits to America’s greatest city

Ever since my first time in 1986 I have loved visiting New York. I have been fortunate to travel to the city many times over the years and I have never ever grown tired of it. Whatever time of year I go, whatever time of day it is, however tired I am, the city never ceases to grab hold of me.

As with London, just walking around is a great way to see things. I like nothing better to wander around the streets getting lost and discovering new things. A good walking guide book is also a good idea. I have been lucky enough to find several great ones over the years. “Inside the Apple” by Michelle Nevius and James Nevius is one of the best I have used.

Here are 13 randomly selected things that I like to do in New York.

1 – Visit Chelsea Market for an amazing selection of food stalls.

2 – Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and visit Brooklyn Heights, the first commuter suburb in the world, on the other side.

3 – Get a view from a high place.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — The new Freedom tower

2015-06 Bedwyn, New York and Others 041 — The Roosevelt Island cable car

4 – Eat street food & eat outside.

Sample a knish from the Yonah Shimmel Bakery on the Lower East Side or a hot dog from a vendor’s cart or get dinner at a kerbside restaurant.

5 – Visit a world class museum.

You are spoilt for choice.

6 – Walk along the High Line, a park built on an old elevated railway, the city’s new urban space.

7 – Listen to jazz at the Village Vanguard or Birdland

8 – Sample New York in the snow at least once.

9 – Drink

Get a beer at the Dead Rabbit Bar (often voted one of the best) or a cocktail at the Carlyle Hotel..

10 – Walk around quirky Williamsburg and get a meal at Marlow & Sons or an amazing steak at Peter Luger’s.

11 – Take the “A” train to Harlem, discover the history and culture of the neighbourhood and eat soul food at Sylvia’s restaurant.

12 – Just keep walking around and keep looking up.

13 – Ride the iconic Subway. Appreciate the mosaic patterns of the early stations, take a ride out to the “real” Chinatown at Flushing on, ancient and mostly elevated, Line 7 and visit the subway museum in the centre of Brooklyn.