Prepare for New York!

One of my favorite things about New York is that every trip is different because there are so many amazing places to check out.  However chances are the cool places to see, visit and eat that are on your wish list are probably on many other visitors or locals as well.  This last trip earlier this month was all about the travel show and catching up with friends over a good meal.

So my biggest advice for New York is prepare your “must have” list in advance and make a booking.  One of my long time friends this week was looking for advice on a special birthday gift while visiting New York. I personally think spending your birthday traveling is the best idea ever!    So if you are looking for gift ideas for me or anyone else who loves travel there are many options including airline gift certificates, hotel gift certificates, or Viator offers day tours in many global locations. “Actually the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures…”  Lewis Carroll

Right,  so back to preparing for New York.  I historically have organized tickets in advance for the following type of events which can be pre-purchased with an electronic ticket.  You will need to check the details about who needs to be present if you are going to buy for a gift.

1. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are part of the National Park Service but you need to purchase a ferry ticket for the transport.  In the summer time lines can be hours long so definitely book ahead!

2. September 11th Memorial & Museum you can purchase tickets up to 3 months in advance.  While they were building the museum I had registered for free tickets to visit the Memorial park which was worth it.  Access to the park is now accessible to anyone without a ticket but the museum on weekends can still be a hot ticket.

3. Empire State Building is infamous for having a very long wait.  It was not until October of last year that I finally made it to the top of Empire State Building because there was no line dragging around the outside of the building.  There are options to purchase advance tickets including a VIP tickets that allows to you go straight to the elevators with no waiting.

4. There are many city bus tours that offer hop-on and hop-off service ticket valid for multiple days and routes.  Check out the options in advance and when I booked in advance there was a significant savings.  Just google it and you will find many options to choose from.

5. Friday night and Saturday night dinner – New York restaurants are generally very small so seating capacity for one evening is limited.  Sure there is always another restaurant you could go to but if you are only in New York for a few days make sure you go where you want to go!  I usually start by googling “best New York Indian restaurants”  or any cuisine.  It will come up with a number of articles and I read the reviews to narrow my choices.  Look at the restaurant website and menu.  Then search opentable.com or email/call the restaurant directly to see if there are any free tables.   My last visit we had an amazing Italian dinner Friday night at Tavola and then Saturday night we had an incredible Indian dinner at Dhaba.

One last tip for today.  You don’t have to plan ahead for this one other than perhaps a short wait in line.  On my last visit my favorite bagel place has gotten crazy busy with a line almost out the door.  I highly recommend a small shop called Best Bagel & Coffee on 35th between 7th and 8th.   There are only about 10 seats in the place so you will probably need to take it to go but it is so worth it!

By the way, if you have never heard me say it before “I love New York” just ask my 5 year old niece.  She has heard me say it so many times she declared me Queen of New York : )

Seek your adventure!