No one is ever disappointed in New York. Whatever you want
it to be, it is: I’ve never known anyone visit and come back sad that they
went. In the nearly 20 years I have going to the city, each time I arrive, it
dazzles me anew. No wonder I decided to set a book there! So here are just some
of my favourite places – why not check them out?
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| Sign at the High Line |
One of the things I love most about New York is it’s a
walking city – you get the most out of it from simply walking around. And while
there’s plenty to see just talking a meander round whatever neighbourhood you
are staying in, and Central Park is a must-visit, if the weather is halfway
decent you can’t beat a visit to the High Line – a former elevated railway line
that has been turned, with no little thought and care, into a public park that
gives you an elevated view of the city.
Although it gets very crammed and touristy, I will always
American women worship Sephora, and it’s not hard to see
why. If you are remotely interested in skincare or cosmetics, you can spend
hours browsing one of the many stores that litter the city, and you’re
guaranteed to come out with something! Pro-tip: Get a loyalty card, even if
you’re only visiting. It’s really easy to rack up enough points to get a
freebie.
Cocktails
They take their cocktails seriously in New York (and pour them
with a liberal hand – consume with caution!) so there are great bars all over
the city, with new ones popping up every day. My current favourites are Death & Company, Raines Law Room (where a birthday
night out inspired my story A Vampire in
New York), and the Up & Up.
Theatre
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| Library at the Public, New York |
A Broadway show will stretch the budget of most travellers,
but there’s a wealth of great theatre in New York if you are willing to look
beyond the big shows. Check out the Public
Theater for talent on the rise (Hamilton
made its debut here!) – and, bonus, they have a great bar, The Library.
Don’t stick to the
city
If you have time, it’s worth heading across the bridge to
Brooklyn (if for no other reason than crossing that iconic bridge!): whether
it’s the hipster delights of Williamsburg or the galleries in Dumbo, there’s
plenty to enjoy. My favourite discovery last year was Fort Greene’s Greenlight Bookstore, a gorgeous
little bookshop set amidst enough coffee shops to keep you happily caffeinated!
Read all about it
There are probably more books on New York than there are
actual New Yorkers, so there’s no dearth of reading material about the city. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of the
most famous – and though it has less charm than the film, it’s worth a read. You
might also like Fifth Avenue, Five AM,
Sam Wasson’s fascinating story of how the film got made, or Melanie Benjamin’s The Swans of Fifth Avenue, which is a
fictional account of Truman Capote and the women who inspired his writing.
However, if you want a ‘life is stranger than art’ story which revolves around
the world Swans is set in, I
recommend Daniel Okrent’s fascinating GreatFortune: The Epic of the Rockefeller Center, which shows the forces and
personalities that literally shaped New York.Tips for travellers
Take comfy shoes:
you get so much out of the city if you are able to walk around it.
Take photo ID:
most standard bars and restaurants will serve you alcohol if you look over 21,
but lots of cocktail bars, particularly those with a ‘speakeasy’ vibe or a
doorman, won’t let you in unless you have ID – no matter how old you are!
Tipping is not
optional: If you’re not used to it, the amount of money you are expected to
tip at restaurants can seem extortionate, but just think of it as part of the
bill. Luckily, most places now will state on the bill suggested tips, to save
you having to do the maths, but you can find a decent guide
to tipping etiquette here.
Don’t over-schedule:
It’s great to do research to narrow down your options, and some things will
need advance planning and booking, but you’ll really get more out of the city
if you allow yourself time to wander and discover. Your best meal will be that
little neighbourhood Mexican place that you just happened to walk past; you’ll
find that cute little shop you would never have thought to look for. But remember:
New York is like London. Don’t walk too slowly on a city sidewalk, or a native
might just mow you down…
About the Author
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| Tracey Sinclair, Author |
Tracey Sinclair is an author and freelance editor and writer. Her
books include the romcom The Bridesmaid
Blues and the Dark Dates/Cassandra Bick series, the latest of which, Angel
Falls, is out now. She wrote A Vampire in New York after a very boozy birthday night out in the city.
@thriftygal
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