Welcome to DesBNet - New York

No. of Visits 2 - Last Visited 2001

General

A cacophony of Noise awaits you in this city of Towering Skyscrapers, Colourful Characters, Spectacular Views, and Non-Stop Entertainment. Shopaholics will feel well at home here too !  New York has something for everyone. N.B. Tipping is considered Compulsory for Everything, you should allow approx. 15% of your bill (before State Taxes) to cover the Gratuity.

Geography

Situated on the East Coast of the United States of America, New York City comprises not only of Manhattan Island - there are 4 other Boroughs too - The Bronx, Staten Island, Queens, & Brooklyn. Manhattan Island splits the East  & the Hudson Rivers, and is, to most travellers, the place where it all happens. Manhattan itself, is sub-divided in to a number of Districts, and orientation is made easy due to the Grid style road plan of numbered Avenues & Streets. A general rule of thumb, is the Avenues run along the length of the Island, whereas the Streets run across the breadth. Uptown is related to the Higher Street numbers and Downtown is related to the Lower street numbers.

Climate

New York is famed for its Hot, Humid Summer, and Freezing Cold Winter extremes, so it is best take these factors in to account before planning your trip.

History

Manhattan was originally a forest of oak, maple, chestnut, and pine trees inhabited by Native Indians. Giovanni da Verrazano, an Italian Explorer, was first white man to see Manhattan. Prevented from landing by a heavy storm, da Verrazano turned back. The first landing on Manhattan was in September 1609 by Henry Hudson, an English navigator, who was employed by the Dutch East India Company. In 1610, a thriving trade began between the Indians and the Dutch. The first settlers to arrive in Manhattan were Dutch emigrants-May 1623, and Manhattan became a large fur trading post. Manhattan Island was later purchased from the Indians. Peter Stuyvesant was one of the earlier Director-Generals of New Amsterdam. His legacies include the construction of the first hospital and the first lottery! In 1653 there was a tobacco plantation on the present site of the United Nations complex (1st Avenue). 1664 saw the English Duke of York, James Stuart. send an expedition to Coney Island. The leader of this expedition, Colonel Nicolls, who asked for the surrender of New Amsterdam. Stuyvesant resentfully capitulated, and the area became known as New York in honour of the English Duke. A pact between the Kings of England and France (cousins) set out to obliterate the successful Dutch trade routes. The Dutch government sent troop ships to New York and successfully regained control of the city in 1673. New York was renamed New Orange. The Dutch reluctantly handed New Orange back to the English in 1674. Four geographical regions of New York were established in 1683. The fifth region, the Bronx, was established in the 20th century. George Washington unsuccessfully led his soldiers into New York city during April 1776. A huge fire of unknown origin decimated New York city. The city was rebuilt and the British culture was established in Manhattan. 1781 saw the transfer of the colony to back to American hands.
The 11th September 2001 will doubtless live in everybody's memory as the day when hijackers callously slammed 2 passenger airliners slammed in to the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in Downtown Manhattan, killing many thousands of people, and reducing both of the 110 storey buildings to a pile of rubble. This calculated act of terrorism sent shivers throughout the world. 

Language & Culture

English is universally spoken, however, due to New York's Multi-Cultural nature, many other languages are apparent in the pockets of immigrants scattered around the City.

Accommodation

The range of accommodation here is, as you would expect, extremely wide. Top Class Hotels can be found on almost every street corner, though generally, the prices are very high. Having said that, these Hotels provide a service second to none, and if there is ANYTHING that you want to see or do, the Concierge Desks will take care of it for you.  Mid-Priced Hotels are just as abundant, and you would do well to consider one of these for your visit. At the lower end of the spectrum, some of the more Budget conscious hotels seem very good value for money compared with the prices being charged at the upper end, though just remember, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!. Bed & Breakfast / Guest Houses are readily available & some of these are of an extremely high standard. The Mid-town district is a good place to stay for a first visit to New York, as many of the popular sight-seeing attractions are located nearby, or are easily approached via Public Transport.

Sight Seeing

There are a great many things to see & do in this wonderful City. To list all of them would be a never-ending task, so here is just a few of the most popular activities available.

The Empire State Building

Situated on 34th Street, this icon of New York provides fantastic views over the city. It is best to visit either first thing in the morning, or late evening, to avoid the huge queues. There are 2 viewing platforms, the lower one being on the 86th floor !

Times Square & Broadway

This area really comes alive at night, with it's vast array of Theatres, Restaurants, & dazzling Neon billboards. There are many shows on offer, and it is wise to book your tickets well in advance, though if you don't mind which show you see, visit the ½ price ticket booths in Times Square, or the World Trade Centre for a last minute bargain.

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

Along with the Empire State Building, this is one of the images that immediately springs to peoples mind when you mention the words "New York". A present from the nation of France, The Statue stands resplendent on Liberty Island, and a terrific view can be had from Battery Park in the Downtown district. Indeed, this is where the FREE Ferry crossings depart from. Liberty Island which stands nearby, officially opened its doors to the world on Friday, January 1, 1892, and was the main immigration station for the hundreds of thousands of settlers looking for a new beginning in "The New World".

Central Park

An Oasis of calm & tranquillity, this area of trees, shrubs & open space is a magnet for the City's population. There is a small Zoo (which is very well organised, & a real Bargain @ $3.50 per adult!), Boating Lakes, & Cycle Hire available. FREE concerts are organized during the summer months, with a wide range of famous artists & bands participating. It should be remembered that the park can attract some unsavoury characters - especially after dark, and you should be vigilant!  During Winter months, Central park transforms in to a Winter Wonderland - Skateboards are replaced with Snowboards, Roller Skates with Ice Skates, as the locals take full advantage of the conditions.

Boat Trip

Apart from the Staten Island Ferry, there are boat trips available that will cruise around the whole island, and they also provide a commentary. Circle Line cruises also have a program of Jazz / Blues cruises during the summer months (with a impressive cast). Check out the listings on their website (link on this page).

The Arts

Cultural Arts are very well represented in the shape of the many impressive museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Frank Lloyd Wright designed Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, The Museum of Modern Art, and a host of others. The Lincoln Centre hosts a variety of events specialising in Concerts, Ballet & Opera.

Apart from the Shopping (which is covered later on this page), a stroll around Chinatown, Little Italy, & Greenwich Village is a great way to spend a day out. If you are thinking of visiting New York, a good way to plan your sight-seeing is to visit the New York Convention & Visitors Bureau website (NYCVISIT- see link on this page) where a host of up to date activities, shows & concerts are listed.

Beaches

None

Local Transport

The New York Metro, contrary to popular belief, is generally very clean, safe & efficient, though it is best not to travel too late in the evening, when there are not too many people around! You can buy a 1 day "Fun Pass" Metro card for $4.00, which offers unlimited Metro & Bus Rides from many different locations. Local busses are an extremely good alternative. Taxis - well a visit would not be complete without a trip in a Yellow Cab, would it? The Taxis are not overly expensive, and are undoubtedly the safest way to travel at night. Travelling to the outlying boroughs is easily accomplished via the AMTRAK services from either Grand Central, or Penn Street stations.

Night Life

Whatever your preferences are, they can be accommodated for in the "City that Never Sleeps". As previously mentioned, Broadway shows are very popular - so book early! If you are looking to go to one of the many Bars or Night-clubs, your Hotel Concierge should be able to find the ones most suited to your particular tastes.

Restaurants

Café's

New York is peppered with Coffee Bars, with a fascinating selection of beverages,
"I'll have the Decaff-Choca-Mocha-Latte-Espresso-Chino please"

Bars

Hotel Bars are generally the height of fashion, and charge accordingly! There are many cheaper & livelier Bars around the Seaport, and  other areas.

Restaurants

There are Hundreds of eateries covering almost every cuisine known to man-kind in New York! Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Kosher, Italian, French, Vegan, etc. are all easily found. Try Carnegies Deli (7th Avenue) for a wide range of HUGE sandwiches. Good Quality Restaurants can be vary expensive though, and some require advance booking. There are also a wide range of Fast Food & Take-away outlets, as well as the "Eat-all-you-can for $?" variety.

Fast Food

Macdonald's is King here - If you like that sort of thing! There are many excellent alternatives though. Why not try a Hot Salt Beef Sandwich from one of the Kosher Deli's scattered around, or equally as tasty, a 'Wrap' from one of the oriental Deli's. Aside from these, Good Quality Pizza's are readily available for a tasty lunch.

Shopping

Department Stores

Bloomingdale's & Macy's are world renowned, though if you want the best, try Bergdorf-Goodman, or SAKS on Fifth Avenue. Lord & Taylor is also a very well respected store, and probably more suited to the average pocket!

Designer Shops

Designer marques are abundant in this Fashion Conscious playground. All of the 'Big Names' have outlets here, supplying beautifully crafted wares. The prices match the quality of the goods, so just think "The nicer it looks, the more it will cost!

Discount Stores

There are a great many Discount Stores & Factory Outlets supplying the masses with their craving for Chic Labels at affordable prices. Century 21 & Daffy's (2 locations) are a good place to start your search for a bargain. Further afield, the Woodbury Common Shopping Complex is feted as being the best place to pick up a wide variety of goods, though it will take the best part of a day to get there, 'Shop-till-you-Drop' & then get back again.

Markets

The markets around Delancy Street & Chinatown are very popular, and you can get almost anything there at unbelievable prices - however, most of the goods on sale are obviously fakes, or Copyright infringed, so buy at your own peril.

Car Hire

Forget it! New York's streets are easy enough to navigate, but parking is a real headache, and the traffic is a nightmare! Best to Walk, or use Public Transport.

Getting There

3 major international Airports serve New York - John F. Kennedy, Newark (New Jersey) & La Guardia. Transport from these airports to the City is well established, but beware the Hotel to Airport Shuttle Busses - they can take a VERY long time to pick up all of the passengers, and a it is advisable to allow AT LEAST 2½ HOURS for the journey to JFK, even at a quiet time. Express Busses run from Grand Central & Penn Street stations, and are much quicker & Cheaper than the Shuttle Busses. Taxis charge a fixed rate from all of the airports to Manhattan, though the return leg is metered, but you may be able to negotiate a deal with your driver.