5 Alternative New York Adventures
Everyone loves the Big Apple but why not see the side the locals see, you will have seen all the famous landmarks on TV and movies hundreds of times so let’s see what alternative adventures can be enjoyed in the City.
Staten Island Ferry
A great way to see the views of the Statue of Liberty and the lower Manhattan skyline, all for FREE. In comparision to the typical tourist ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island which is cramped with tourists and space is limited; whilst there can also be jostles for the best view. Avoid the elbows in the face and trampling on your feet, relax on the Staten Island ferry, which outside rush hour is much quieter and take in the view on the 25 minute crossing. Or why not add a little adventure to your evening and take the ferry on a Saturday night, the city looks fantasic lit up from the water, also snacks and beers are sold on board perfect way to start a night out.
The ferry departs Manhattan from the Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal at South Ferry, at the southernmost tip of Manhattan near the Battery. The ferry arrives and departs from the St. George Ferry Terminal on Richmond Terrace, near Richmond County's Borough Hall and Supreme Court. the Ferry is free and departs regular 24 hours a day.
Top of the Rock
Everyone wants the best view for their holiday pictures, well tourists generally head for the top of the Empire State Building, which is understandable as it is one of the most recognisable buildings in the world. One less crowded alternative is Top of The Rockefeller Center, don’t expect to be the only one at the top but the queues are shorter than at the Empire State Building. The big bonus here is you actually get to see and take pictures of the Empire State Building whilst the views of lower Manhattan are still just as great.
Walk the High Line
One of my favourites spaces in the city and once you have visited it is sure to be one of your's too; the High Line is a re-imagined urban park. This is a park above the ground running along an old train line, with a diverse amount of shrubbery and some pleasant views this is well worth a visit. Enjoy a leisurely stroll ideal if you have just arrived in the City after being cramped on a plane.
The High Line runs along the former West Side Train Line running to the Lower West Side of Manhattan. It runs from Gansevoort Street – three blocks below 14th Street – in the Meatpacking District, through Chelsea, to the northern edge of the West Side Yard on 34th Street near the Javits Convention Center.
Shopping
Love it or hate it shopping is one of the highlights of visiting NY but the sky high prices and crowds of 5th Avenue can make it less enjoyable. My advice, take a trip to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets. A purpose built out of town shopping centre with a host of premium designer brands at discount prices. Think Prada, Gucci and Ralp Lauren, the complex is really huge and you can easily take a whole day to shop, refuel with a variety of good eating places.
The outlet runs a shuttle bus only on weekends to the nearby Harriman station on Metro North's Port Jervis Line, which has regular trains from Hoboken Terminal.
Brooklyn
An excellent place to stay when visiting New York with a whole host of accommodation to suit everyone’s tastes, take an afternoon to cross the Brooklyn Bridge on foot and enjoy views of the City and appreciate one of New York’s famous landmarks.
After this head to DUMBO, an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass which is a neighbourhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. This place is very hip with a vast array of quirky shops and eateries plenty of upscale bars to sip cocktails at with some of the best food in New York.
For an extra special touch visit during sunrise or sunset for some exceptional pictures along the waterfront with the bridge as the foreground and Manhattan as the back drop.
