The Empire State Building, Ellis Island, Rockefeller Center, The Brooklyn Bridge.....all New York City icons and all must-sees. But what if you've already checked them off your list? Where do you go when you want to dig deeper and go far from the madding crowd, to see the city the natives love? While it would take weeks, if not months or even years, to truly see the "real" New York, I've devised an itinerary that can easily be done in a few days, with just a MetroCard and a good pair of walking shoes. There's one location for each of the 5 boroughs, including Staten Island.
Yes, it technically is part of Manhattan. Take the aerial tram over--a unique experience for the price of a subway ride--and visit the new FDR memorial and a Colonial farmhouse, or just traverse the shoreline and take in the views.
The Little Italy of Mulberry Street is but a shadow now; this is the real thing. Take the MetroNorth train to Fordham--a quick trip from Grand Central Station--and visit stores specializing in cheese, handmade pasta, fresh roasted coffee, warm bread, and so much more. Take a breather and have an espresso and a real Italian pastry.
Sure, everyone knows Coney Island, but it's too crowded in the summer and nearly dead in winter. Why not get off the train a couple of stops early and visit Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Uzbekistan?
The Museum of the Moving Image, Queens. On the grounds of the Kaufman Astoria Studios, where movies and TV shows are filmed to this day, this museum off the M & R trains has a wide range of permanent exhibits and special attractions, featuring everything from the Muppets to video games. The recently renovated theater is one of the best places to watch a movie in the whole city, and there are screenings every weekend.
A cultural oasis just minutes from the Staten Island Ferry, featuring a beautiful botanic garden. And it's worth going to for just the trip on the ferry!
I've been a licensed NYC tour guide since 1998. (Believe it or not, you do need to have a sightseeing guide's license to give tours here.) I'm a Brooklyn native who grew up in the New Jersey diaspora and moved back soon after college. I was inspired to start giving tours so that I could fully share my love of one of the greatest cities in the world. I'm one of those people who love it when I'm ... Read More
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