escapes
NEW YORK is always a good idea…
WORDS AND SELECTED IMAGES BY LYNSEY RIACH
Capsuled on board an aeroplane for 14 hours with a 7hr time difference upon arrival might seem like a bit of an effort for a City escape, but once you set foot in the concrete jungle where dreams are made of, you’ll know it is the best travel choice you’ve made.
W
ell, I did manage to convince myself of this fact at 2am as I lay wide awake smack back in what felt like the centre of the Universe – Times Square. I can certainly vouch for that whole ‘City that never sleeps thing’; perhaps it was the time difference, the jet lag, the utter excitement to get out and explore this mammoth island, or it was just the sound of emergency sirens all night long and the bright lights of Times Square beaming
through my blackout blinds. Either way, I lay there soaking it all up, as this was an integral part of the New York City experience. Surviving on a few hours’ sleep each night didn’t seem to take its toll as I buzzed about all day and all night taking in a bite of that Big Apple. Staying at my favourite hotel brand, The W (Times Square) it looks, acts and smells just like that of the signature W brand set in an enviable location that leads you
90
ABODE June FINAL.indd 90
26/05/15 14:44
straight out the front door into the heart of it all. Times Square is the heartbeat of Manhattan. Set in the theater district, with many of the City’s renowned museums a few blocks North and downtown just a quick subway ride away, New York is everything you imagine it to be, but the pulse of this City makes you feel alive (even at 2am). With a myriad sights within easy reach of the hotel, you can pop back to your room later in the day to ditch all those shopping bags you’ve accumulated from nearby Macys or Saks Fifth Avenue. The hotel isn’t up there with some of the other properties I’ve stayed at in the same chain, but this newest New York branch (1 of 4 in Manhattan) delivers big on location, along with those small W touches and that signature W bed (and with Hersheys chocolate world right next door, you can guess where the chocolates on your pillow come from..) Taking NYC in mostly on foot, I offer to you some multi-tasking here: active sightseeing, which means you can justify having that extra slice of New York cheesecake! To prove my point, I’ll tell you that each day of my 4 day trip I wore on my wrist, my Fitbit fitness tracker clocking up a staggering 17kms-25kms each day. Stop for a coffee or a bagel from a street vendor, enjoy a pretzel and, if you’re a little daring, maybe a hot dog or two…
But before you get started on this active stay, begin your morning like most Americans do - with Good Morning America filmed at the ABC studios in the heart of Times Square where you can wave to your Mom on camera and perhaps see a celebrity or two. Crowds gather early from 7am but you can pretty much always catch a glimpse of the famous faces that beam into millions of homes in both the States and here in Qatar (available on OSN). After you’ve had your five minutes of fame, get fuelled up for a day of walking and wandering starting with a hearty breakfast bagel from Pick a Bagel (53rd & 54th/8th Ave). Like most popular NYC food institutions, there tends to be a line outside the store. This place has every king of bagel on offer with every kind of filling you’re guaranteed to change your mind 12 times just as you wait to order.
rowboat and row out to the middle of the lake to just stop and take in that skyline all around you.
From there hop back over 2 blocks and stroll up 6th Avenue passing the iconic Radio City for a retro photo opportunity (if you like choreographed dance troupes then visit here later to watch the world famous Rockettes dance their beautiful hearts out). Keep on North until you hit the vast greenery that is, Central Park. This sprawling giant garden is where New Yorkers go to run, walk their dogs and escape the towering skyscrapers overhead. For tourists it provides a little Zen with a leisurely stroll to boot. Skip the horse and carts on offer and head towards the Boat House, where you can hire a
After you’ve treated yourself to something shiny and new, enjoy a traditional afternoon tea at The St. Regis located on 55th & 5th. Set in the King Cole Bar, you can scoff your scones whilst marvelling at the Maxfield Parish Mural of ‘Old King Cole’ that holds a secret only the artist and trusted staff of the hotel know about.
Thanks to the antics of Kevin McAllister in Home Alone 2, The Plaza Hotel is now frequented by tourists due to its location directly across from Central Park. Take a tour, if you like, before heading down the best known shopping district in the world – Fifth Avenue. If you’re into technology, then start with Apple’s giant store (open 24/7, 365 days) that sits next door to another movie-made-famous icon – FAO Schwarz from the movie, Big. And yes the giant keyboard is still there and yes, you can play it like a big kid. But if you prefer more of the shinier, prettier things in life, then a trip to the wonder that is Tiffany & Co. is a must. Beautiful on the outside and the inside, this sprawling store has all the diamonds that Tiffany has to offer.
Heading on back down Fifth Avenue for perhaps that afternoon nap you’ve felt your eyes dream about, you’ll have to put it on hold and gasp at the sheer height of the Rockefeller Center. Buy a ticket and head to Top of the Rock for THE best views
91
ABODE June FINAL.indd 91
26/05/15 14:44
escapes
of Manhattan where you can take in the beauty of The Empire State Building at the same time try to spot Lady Liberty in the distance and the all new One World Trade Center. After a quick turnaround at the hotel, head on out for dinner at Chelsea Markets in the trendy Meatpacking District where you can choose from all kinds of eateries open late, late into the night. So far, I’ve kept you walking the City, but for this next must-see spot, you will need to travel by boat to The Statue of Liberty. A symbol of the American dream, the Island is undoubtedly top of your list, but book your tickets in advance especially if you’d like to hike up to view Manhattan from her crown, because visiting this lovely lady sells out pretty quick. It’s time then, to lace up those comfortable shoes again and make your way back uptown through Wall Street stopping off for a photo op next to the famous Charging Bull right next to the New York Stock Exchange. From there, head North through Little Italy stopping for a delicious slice of pizza pie at Joe’s
Pizza (Carmine St/Bleecker St), and then continue up to Chinatown, SoHo, TriBeCa and Greenwhich Village where quirky cafes and even quirkier stores pull you in for the rest of your day. If you can manage it, indulge in a red velvet cupcake from the ever so cute and homely Magnolia Bakery (11th St/Bleeker St). If your feet can handle the pace, keep on trekking back up to Times Square, stopping off at Bryant Park for a much deserved hot chocolate and people- watching before resting your soles at your hotel. At night, Broadway’s bright lights beckon, and luckily there are a variety of shows on offer to suit both adults and children alike. Again, make sure to book in advance, or if you want a cheaper ticket you can line up at the TKTS booth in Times Square to grab a last minute bargain. Of course, there is always food on offer no matter where you are in the City with myriad ethnic foods.
cap and lose yourself in the game that Americans have loved since Babe Ruth took the World Series. As NYC is constantly beamed into our TV’s and Cinemas, it can easily feel that it all happens on these streets but you too can find yourself in the thick of the TV action as part of a live television audience, for FREE. Some of America’s most well known entertainment shows are filmed in town, so take your pick from Dr.Oz, The Late Show, The View and Saturday Night Live. Go to www.nytix.com for a list of shows and film dates available. The Big Apple delivers big with a juicy bite, a non-stop city that will leave you feeling exhausted yet rejuvenated, intrigued yet a little sceptical. It’s the perfect melting pot of culture, history and modernity, and it all awaits just a flightand-a-half-a-day away.
During summer, NYC sure heats up. It’s a beautiful City to explore with the sun on your skin, and late light nights make it perfect for Baseball season! Take a trip to the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx where you can eat hot dogs, wear a Yankee
92
ABODE June FINAL.indd 92
26/05/15 14:44