18 June 2014, Travel DigesT

New York City is one of the world’s

most dynamic travel destinations,

welcoming record numbers of

visitors each year, according to NYC

& Company president and chief executive

Fred Dixon. The city continues to evolve,

offering a variety of things to see, do and

experience. Last year, New York welcomed

a record 11.4 million international tourists

and since 2006, their market share of

overseas travel has expanded from 28 to 33

per cent, making it the number one US

city destination.

FlYiNg iN

JetBlue is New York’s hometown airline and

carries 30 million customers a year to 85

cities with an average of 825 daily flights.

The airline was the first US airline to allow

customers to use personal electronic devices

on domestic flights and earlier this year, was

named Best Low Cost Airline - The Americas,

by Airline Ratings. The airline also offers the

most legroom in coach, based on average

fleet-wide seat pitch for US airlines, making

for a comfortable flight to New York that’s

affordable too.

sTaYiNgLocated in New York’s Upper West Side,

Hotel Beacon NYC provides the perfect base

for sightseeing and is a popular stay for Kiwis

and Aussies. Most people think of New York

accommodation as cramped and small with

limited facilities. But at Hotel Beacon, guests

can stretch out in their spacious suites while

enjoying stunning views of Central Park, the

Hudson River and Midtown Manhattan. The

bustling excitement of New York streets will

seem a world away from the comfort of their

beautifully furnished large guestrooms and

suites. Only a few minutes walk from the

nearest subway station and across the road

from a supermarket, you’ll find everything you

need right at your doorstep.

The hotel’s 260 rooms and suites

are generously sized and feature marble

bathroom, fully-equipped kitchenette with

microwave and complimentary coffee and

tea facilities. You’ll love coming home to

their king or queen one-bedroom suites

which feature a separate living room with

pull-out sofa bed, open plan kitchenette

with fridge / freezer and gas stove and

separate bedroom with plenty of wardrobe

space for all that shopping. Guests can enjoy

complimentary wi-fi, daily newspaper delivery

and dirty dishes collected. Beacon Bar serves

a selection of notable wines, unique beers

and inventive cocktails in a spacious and

relaxing setting and their happy hour is a

great opportunity to meet fellow guests.

Their warm, friendly and knowledgeable

staff can help with all your needs including

directions, taxi bookings, dinner reservations

and recommendations on local tours

and attractions.

sigHTs aND sOUNDsNo visit to New York is complete without

visiting the main tourist attractions. There’s

the classic Empire State Building best

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve dreamed of

visiting New York. I have now made

that dream a reality. Overwhelmed with excitement, I didn’t know where to start.

First-timer saraH WeeKs skims the

surface of this energetic and

diverse city, which never ceases

to amaze.

NeW YOrK

where dreams come true

Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States.

19Travel DigesT, June 2014

enjoyed at night, 360-degree views above

Manhattan’s skyline from Top of the Rock,

witnessing the beautiful Statue of Liberty not

to mention all the museums! Don’t spend a

fortune buying tickets to each attraction

– CityPASS allows you to buy one ticket for

them all, saving you 41 per cent! You’ll also

save time by skipping ticket lines and have

nine days to visit all the attractions.

If you’re looking for a personalised and

unique view of New York, you need to

experience a private tour with The Levys’ Unique New York! This family-run business

digs deep beneath the city’s surface to

get to the real heart and vibe of this

amazing city. Forget the guidebook and

double-deck tour bus – these guys can

create a custom-designed tour itinerary

based on your interests.

From history and architecture to cuisine

and art, they know this city inside out! You’ll

get a one-of-a-kind tour and

recommendations on hotels, transport,

restaurants, museums, attractions and

Broadway tickets. The word boring isn’t in

their vocabulary and after hearing their

colourful stories about this city’s culture,

diversity, energy and strength, you’ll be

longing for more.

After a career working in Wall Street, Max

decided to take a well-earned break in

Europe. It was here he discovered his true

passion in life – sharing travel experiences

with others. When he returned home in

2010, he started CityRover Walks NY, an

off-the-beaten-track tour company that

showcases the hidden gems of this amazing

city. New York is best experienced by foot

and their three-hour Landmark Explorer tour

is an interesting and insightful exploration of

some of the city’s most famous buildings and

landmarks. Even if you’ve visited New York

before, you’ll hear stories most locals don’t

even know. Manhattan is where most tourists

visit, but there’s so much more to New York

than just this island. Cross the Brooklyn

Bridge with their 3.5-hour tour and explore

this unique area. Marvel at the engineering

feat of this 130-year-old bridge and enjoy a

perfect view of Manhattan’s famous skyline

from across the river – spectacular!

New York is a museum mecca and visiting

one is a must. Most tourists speed through

the main highlights but Museum Hack offers

museum tours like no other. Their un-

highlights tour of The Metropolitan Museum

of Art takes you on a journey of discovery,

focusing on the lesser known artefacts and

great finds. Their guides have spent hours

trawling these museums so they know the

best bits that tell fascinating stories. They’re

passionate about what they do and will get

you excited about art and history with a

highly interactive, fun and non-traditional

tour. You’ll learn interesting facts along the

way at a fast pace, with games to play and

fun photos to take home, leaving you viewing

museums in a different light.

The Frick Collection is an impressive

collection of old master paintings, European

sculpture and decorative arts assembled by

Pittsburgh industrialist Henry Clay Frick.

Housed in his former Frick Mansion on Fifth

Avenue, which is now an art museum, visitors

can enjoy masterpieces by artists such as

Bellini, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Gainsborough,

Goya and Whistler. Their free audio guide

provides history and insight into Frick’s world

and his love of art. You can also watch a

short documentary, chronicling his rise to

success in the late 1880s. Both his art

NEW YORK

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collection and personal story will fascinate

visitors as you take a step back in time.

Speaking of history, this city is full of

fascinating tales including some from

beyond the grave! Boroughs of the Dead tour

guide Andrea brings tales from the past to

life with her engaging and lively storytelling.

Her fascination with all things ghosts,

graveyards and criminology has led her to

research New York’s dark and macabre

history and their Ultimate Greenwich Village

Ghost Tour is exactly that! Meeting outside a

historic church and graveyard at night, this

spooky two-hour walk explores the East

Village and Greenwich Village. Every corner

has its ghost stories and every building has

its haunted spirits. Hear tales of tragedy and

murder, visit a real-life haunted house and

discover what really lies beneath Washington

Square Park. This is perfect for horror fans

and anyone who likes their history weird and

uncanny. Hopefully you’re lucky enough to

experience some paranormal activity!

New York has been the setting for many

famous films and television series. From the

famous landmarks such as Central Park, to

the smaller indoor settings, On Location

Tours will take you up close and behind the

scenes. As a Sex and the City fan, I decide to

do their Hotspots Tour. Winding your way

through the busy streets, you’ll enjoy

following in the footsteps of Carrie,

Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda from the

comfort of their bus. Your tour guide has all

the inside goss and they’ll even play scenes

from the series to keep you guessing the next

location. See where they drank, shopped and

gossiped all in 3.5 hours – this series pays

homage to New York. As well as cupcakes

and cocktails, you’ll also get exclusive

shopping discounts to continue the fun long

after the tour!

New York is a foodie’s heaven and what

better place to discover the flavours of this

delightful city than the famous Chelsea

Market and Meatpacking District. Foods of

New York Tours give food tasting walking

tours through some of this city’s most

delicious and historic neighbourhoods. Their

local guides really know their food including

where it’s sourced, how it’s made and so

much more. Enjoy food tastings from the

best specialty food shops, ethnic eateries

and local restaurants, as well as a glimpse of

life in New York. Their Chelsea Market, The

Highline & The Meatpacking District tour

visits this historic landmark building, elevated

railroad-turned-park and some of the best

local restaurants and food shops. You’ll get a

great insight into the foodie culture of this

multicultural city and your tastebuds will be

left longing for more.

Winner of eight 2012 Tony awards

including best musical, Once is based on the

2006 film of the same name. Featuring an

impressive cast of actor / musicians who play

their own instruments onstage, Once tells the

tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about

to give up on his dream when a beautiful

young woman takes an interest in his

haunting love songs. As their chemistry grows,

his music soars to powerful new heights. The

set includes a bar in centre stage, which is

used before the show and at intermission as a

working bar for theatre patrons – a great way

for the audience to interact with the set.

Emotionally captivating and theatrically

breathtaking, you’re drawn in from the very

first note. It’s a story about going for your

dreams and the power of music to connect us

all – you’ll leave feeling inspired!

eaTiNg OUTLocated in the Theatre District and just

half a block from Times Square, Paramount

Bar & Grill is perfect for a pre-show dinner or

post-show drink. Open daily, this place offers

gourmet comfort food prepared with seasonal

ingredients. Their menu features American

classics such as Atlantic salmon served with

roasted tomato, eggplant and basil and

28-day aged strip with pommes roesti and

caramelised shallots.

The restaurant is welcoming and

lounge-like, with raised banquettes,

theatre-inspired fabrics and leather accents.

Start or end your night with a New York craft

beer, West Coast wine or classic cocktail. You

can also stay next door at The Paramount, a

597-room boutique hotel that dates back to

the 1920s.

Asiate Restaurant at Mandarin Oriental

New York serves contemporary American

cuisine with modern, artistic touches

overlooking stunning Central Park views.

Their tasting menu with wine pairing is

inventive including dishes such as sea scallop

with grapefruit, fennel and tarragon and

Atlantic halibut served with artichoke

barigoule and la quercia ham. The stylish

décor and spectacular views provides the

perfect romantic setting and an unforgettable

experience. The restaurant features an

incredible tree-branch sculpture and huge

wall of wine. The hotel also offers sumptuous

rooms and spacious suites combining style,

comfort and luxury.

A dinner cruise is the perfect way to relax

and dine while enjoying views of the city

skyline from the water at night. Bateaux New

York is an impressive vessel with a unique

curved glass ceiling design offering

360-degree skyline views of the harbour and

Statue of Liberty. Departing from Chelsea

Piers on West 23rd Street, the boat cruises

the Hudson and East Rivers past the

skyscrapers of Manhattan, providing

breathtaking view of New York’s landmarks.

The delicious cuisine served on board is

accompanied by an acoustic trio of a baby

grand piano, bass and jazz guitar; creating a

chic and sophisticated atmosphere.

New York is full of celebrity chef

restaurants and MAZE by Gordon Ramsay offers a truly unforgettable culinary

experience at The London NYC – a stylish

hotel in the heart of the New York’s Theatre

District. Enjoy sophisticated cuisine served

in this stylish restaurant with a variety of

innovative and French-influenced dishes.

Their grilled watermelon salad with English

cucumber, heirloom tomato, feta cheese,

olives and shallot vinaigrette, provides an

explosion of flavour, as does their lobster

pot pie with baby carrots, celery and

wild mushrooms.

Hotel Beacon NYC has stunning views of Central Park, the Hudson River and Midtown Manhattan.

✈

NEW YORK