New York, New York!

​By Deborah Adler

New York, New York, it’s a heck of a town!
The Bronx is up and the Battery’s down.
New York, New York. It’s a heck of a town!

No matter what part of the world you live in, New York is on everybody’s bucket list of destinations that are a must.

As a transplanted Yankee, living in Macon for the past 46 years, I know a thing or two
about my hometown. I visit every year at Christmas time and if you are in the position to go any time you can, Christmas in New York is pure magic. The tree at Rockefeller Center is decorated from the first week in December and stays there until after the New Year. And while you are there, take in the Rockettes, a New York institution at Radio City Music Hall. But New York is an arm’s length list of sites to explore, shows to watch, gourmet treats to taste and people to watch while you are sitting in one of a thousand coffee shops or wine bars all over the city.

One important thing to know is that New York is a city of neighborhoods. And one
neighborhood is not like the other. Most people want to stay in the Times Square area, which is fine if you are planning to go to lots of Broadway shows. But while Times Square is in the middle of Manhattan, you will need to get on some kind of
transportation (Subway, bus, or taxi) to see all the fabulous sites the city has to offer.
There is Chinatown, where Canal Street offers tons of shopping and great Chinese
food, from Dim Sum to Peking Duck. Next door is Little Italy for the BEST pizza this side of the Atlantic (I’m talking Lombardy’s, the oldest pizzeria in America, established in 1905) and gelato and pastries at Ferraro’s, Famous Italian Bakery since 1892. Moving right along to the Lower East Side is Katz’s Deli. Don’t let the long lines discourage you. The hot pastrami and matzo ball soup is worth the wait. (Be prepared to share, they pile the pastrami 3 inches high). You might remember Katz’s from that memorable scene in the film When Harry Met Sally; “I’ll have what she’s having.” New York is famous for the best bagels, and you do not want to miss breakfast at one of New York’s excellent bagel restaurants. My personal favorite is Ess a Bagel, multiple locations or Russ and Daughters in the Lower East Side.

Now that we have the “where to eat” covered, let’s go over the “must see” portion of
your trip. Not to be missed is the 9/11 Museum and Memorial. It is a tribute to the first responders who gave the full measure of the lives to rescue as many people as they could on that horrific day. In the same area is Battery Park where you can board the ferry that will take you to Liberty and Ellis Islands. You can choose to just sail along Lady Liberty or get off to walk around the island. Stop at the Ellis Island Museum where you can learn about the roots of our diverse population and the contributions the immigrants made in building our nation. The Empire State Building (86th floor) is a wonderful way to take in the majesty of New York’s skyline. In the Financial District you can visit the Federal Building where George Washington was inaugurated as our first president. Just down the street is Trinity Church where Washington went to pray after the inauguration. New York is a walker’s paradise, from the High Line to Central Park with its many trails, bridges, a huge lake and a delightful carriage ride around the park. Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge on a beautiful, crisp day is a great way to venture into one of the best outer boroughs with tons of restaurants, bakeries, shops and parks. Don’t forget Harlem with its rich history of music, literature and jazz clubs.

If you can fit it into your schedule, New York has museums galore – The Met, Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim, Broadway Museum. It even has a shop dedicated to M&M’s.

This is a bucket list trip that I would be glad to help you put together. It’s one heck of a town!!!