Let us be your Tour Guide while you are here for your NYC elopement. And a few things to do like us locals like to do…
*It’s worth it! Hop on Hop off Buses to see NYC. It’s a great way to explore this city as it’s so easy and convenient.
Empire State Building – I recommend couples to go see at night. Different experience vs day time. Hours of operation: 8am – 2am. There is a reason it’s open until 2am!
Top of The Rock – Located in Rockefeller Center and next to Radio Music Hall. I recommend couples visit during the daytime. Hours of operation: 8am – 12:30am
Central Park – It’s over 800 acres and there are multiple entrances all throughout the park. I recommend entering at 72nd St and Central Park West. You will pass through Strawberry Fields (The Dakota where John Lennon once lived is located across the street of Central Park West) and stay on the main road where you will see Bethesda Fountain on the left and The Arches. You also have Bow Bridge close by and as well as The Mall. You can rent row boats at this location near The Loeb Boathouse Restaurant. You can stop in for a meal or enjoy a lovely cocktail and just take it all in. Another great restaurant in Central Park that is also a land mark is Tavern on the Green located 62nd and Central Park West.
911 Memorial & Museum – The memorial is next to the museum. If you have the time to visit the museum (a must see) allow yourself a minimum of 2 hours to walk through it. Exceptionally done.
Statue of Liberty – You can purchase tickets for a ferry ride to get up close and personal with Lady Liberty online. You can also buy tickets to go up but these must be purchase months in advance. If you don’t want to spend the money and want a quick peak from afar and ‘wave’ to her, hop on the Stanton Island Ferry its free! It’s a 15 minute ride to Stanton Island and then hop off and transfer to another ferry back to NYC. Lots of tourists do it.
Grand Central Station – If you want live action you have to stop in to see all the commuters coming and going. There are lots of shops to stop into. You can grab a nice lunch at The Oyster Bar, iconic and been there for years. OR grab a cocktail at Campbell Apartment (has lot’s of history) located on 2nd floor. There other restaurants to grab drinks while you sit, relax and people watch.
Times Square – Morning or Night it doesn’t stop. It has it all – Lights, Cameras, Action! The Red Stairs is the center of it all which is located in the heart and center of Times Square. Sit, relax and watch all the excitement coming and going.
Broadway Shows: If you want to see a Broadway show I advise you purchase tickets at the TKTS booth located under the Red Stairs. Tickets are much more affordable and have great deals. You will see queues, can’t miss it. Avoid the box offices as they are much more expensive.
Brooklyn Bridge – 1.1 mile (about 45 min walk) and then when you have walked over the bridge stop in at Grimaldi’s or Juliana (next to one another an related to each other so its a win win!) for NYC’s most famous pizza. Get ready to queue! It’s that good and that worth it.
Little Italy and China town – Connected districts. Chinatown is great to buy souvenirs and faux designer handbags and watches. Fun and inexpensive Chinese restaurants to eat along the way. Little Italy has a handful of Italian restaurants so it’s fun to stop in for lunch or have a gelato and rest your feet.
The Intrepid – The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is an American military and maritime history museum with a collection of museum ships in New York City. It is located at Pier 86. Next to it is the Circle Line for a nice sightseeing cruise and other boat charters for dinner cruises.
Museums
American Museum of Natural History
Metropolitan of Museum of Art
MOMA
Guggenheim
Whitney Museum
Brooklyn – Explore DUMBO. Steps away from the Promenade just right over the bridge is a rustic cool district called DUMBO (close to Grimaldi’s) New shops and lots of amazing restaurants located at The Empire Stores and all around there as well.
Walk in the other direction and steps way is 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. AMAZING views from the rooftop where you can get a drink or 2. This hotel is only 2 years old and its stunning and very hip. You won’t be disappointed! You may even stay here on your next visit to NYC.
Highline Park – Old abandoned railroad that is elevated above ground that has been turned into a park. Begins 14th St and 10th Avenue and ends 34th St and 10th Avenue. Walk along it and if you appreciate architecture and swanky apartments that’s literally in your face. So, you can actually look into people’s apartments while walking it. A lot of us locals walk it to get to point A to point B without the hassle of cars and crowds.
Off Broadway Shows – Blue Man Group. Sleep No More. AMAZING shows! If you’re one not to like Broadway shows these shows are so entertaining. Will be talking about for a very long time.
Seaport – After Hurricane Sandy wiped it out they rebuild it and it has great restaurants and bars along it’s cobble Hill streets. A new mall is being built with high end stores and great restaurants. A music venue was just completed so they can see some incredible bands perform – great venue in the summer.
Battery Park – Great for summer fun if you like eating, drinking shopping. You don’t feel like you are in NYC. Sit by the Marina and enjoy a cocktail while seeing The Statue of Liberty from afar and admiring all the Multi-million dollar Yachts just a few feet away. A nice break from the hustle and bustle.
Greenwich Village – This district are all street names rather than numbers. Lots and lots of restaurants and bars. It’s cool, quaint, charming, and pretty.
