See DUMBO and other New York City, NY Things to Do Tips

No, I'm not talking about the Disney movie, I'm talking about Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. This is Brooklyn's newest trendy neighborhood, which used to be comprised of empty warehouses. Artists and shop owners have now gentrified the neighborhood, and it's fun to browse and stroll.

Of course, make sure you see the obvious, such as the killer view of the Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Have lunch at Grimaldi's Pizza (some say the best pizza in New York) or splurge at the River Cafe, floating on a barge just below the Brooklyn Bridge. Walk along the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, which gives you a fabulous view of lower Manhattan.

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Directions: Take the 2 or 3 train to the Clark Street Station.

DO NOT take the F train to York Street as some guides advise; this is a very sketchy area to be walking around in.
Website: http://www.bigapplegreeter.org/images/Bk_Dumbo_Feb04.pdf

Taking 16 years to build, the Brooklyn Bridge was completed in 1883. John A. Roebling, the engineer, dreamed up the bridge one day while icebound on a ferry to Brooklyn.

The bridge was built not without tragedy; Roebling himself died from complications of a crushed foot, and his son became paralyzed from the "bends" during construction of the bridge. Roebling's daughter-in-law then studied advanced math to help complete the bridge.

It is still a marvel to walk across, especially the views as you cross from the Brooklyn side towards Manhattan. I found it interesting that while reading a large plaque commemorating the completion of the bridge, Roebling and his son's name was on the plaque, but not his daughter-in-law's.

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Directions: Take the subway A, C High St. - Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn side) or 4,5,6 to City Hall (Manhattan side).

Nope, not your Uncle Les, I mean The Lower East Side. This area is extremely interesting to wander through as this is where many immigrants coming to the United States first settled. It also does give you a convenient perspective on multicultural New York without going to Queens. Strap on your best walking shoes and take a day to tour the Lower East Side and the Tenement museum, and head into Little Italy and Chinatown, while you're at it. We found L.E.S. very safe during the daylight hours; it did start getting a little creepy as evening wore on.

One piece of advice I can give is to make note of any Jewish holidays, besides the Sabbath, as Jewish businesses and synagogues will be closed. This is important if you plan to visit Gus the Pickle Man.

The Lower East Side Visitor's Centre is located at 261 Broome St (between Orchard and Allen Sts) You can make a stop here first to get historical info on the area, plus a shopping guide as well; they are open usually 10 am to 4 pm.

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Website: http://www.lowereastsideny.com/

Central Park, an oasis of green and a New York City landmark, was built between 1859 - 1870, and provided employment during a depression at that time. It's hard to believe that originally, this site consisted of pig farms, quarries, shacks, and swampland. The designers, Fredrick Law Omstead and Calvert Vaux seemed to have foresight about the growth of New York, as even today the heavy traffic of midtown Manhattan is largely hidden from sight by transverse roads.

Come here and walk the various pathways, and you really do escape the hustle and bustle of the city -- don't miss out on the charming building known as "The Dairy", where years ago, children could get fresh milk and refreshments. It was restored in 1979, after falling into disrepair while being used as a shed. You can get park information here, maps and even rent chess and checker sets.

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Directions: Central Park stretches from Fifth to Eight Avenues (also known as Central Park West) and from 59th to 110th Streets.
Website: http://www.centralpark.org/

We would often use this distinctive building as our landmark that we were heading out the right way from our hotel in midtown.

At 77 stories and 1046 feet, the Chrysler Building was at one time the tallest building in the world, until 1930 when the Empire State Building was completed. As Walter P. Chrysler wished, the steel spire of the building was designed to resemble a car radiator grill. The lobby was completely restored in 1978, where Chrysler cars were once displayed.

If you are an Art Deco fan, this building is a total must-see. Don't miss out on the gorgeous exotic wood inlayed elevator doors. You can't get right up to them due to security gates, but you can get close enough for a good look.

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Address: 45 Lexington Ave (at E 42 Street)

The largest Catholic cathedral in the United States was completed in 1878, and is truly impressive to look at, inside and out. The front altar came from Tiffany and Co. on 5th Avenue. The breathtaking Rose Window is built above the organ, which has more than 7,000 pipes.

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Phone: (212) 753-2261
Directions: on the corner of 5th Ave. and W 50th St.
Website: http://www.ny-archdiocese.org/pastoral/cathedral_about.html

Construction began on the Empire State Building in 1930, soon after the stock market crash, and by 1931 was nicknamed "The Empty State Building" as space was extremely difficult to rent out. It's only saving grace were the observatories that financially carried the building for many years.

Now, line-ups for the 86th floor observatory can be endless, and nearly 110 million visitors have been to the building to see breathtaking views of Manhattan. There are usually shorter waits in the late afternoon, around 5 pm, and then you can stay to see Manhattan light up the night sky. Make your wait go even faster by purchasing the City Pass; you can bypass the line-up to get tickets and go straight to the elevator waiting line.

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Phone: 212-736-3100
Address: 350 5th Avenue (at E 34 St.)
Website: http://www.esbnyc.com/

Times Square does have "tourist trap" written all over it, but it is a must-see at least once, to take in all it's neon glory at night. Times Square has been the heart of the theatre district since 1899, but started a decline in the 1930's as many sex shows started taking over the old theatres. Rejuvination started in the 1990's, and when we visited late one night, was extremely safe, if not for the crowds, for the many police officers on duty.

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Directions: W 42 St. to W 48 St., along Broadway and 7 Ave.

Built by John D. Rockefeller Jr., Rockefeller Centre provided jobs for 225,000 during the depression, and comprised of 14 buildings by 1940. By 1973, there were 19 buildings on site. Radio City Music Hall was completed by 1932.

If you don't have time to explore the complex, at least take a look at the Promenade, othewise known as the Channel Gardens and let it lead you down to the Lower Plaza and world-famous skating rink watched over by Prometheus. There are many shops and a food court here as well.

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Directions: Between 48th and 50th Sts., from 5th to 6th Aves.
Website: www.rockerfellercenter.com

The Top of the Rock observation deck at Rockefeller Centre is located on top of the GE building, and recently renovated in 2005. It occupies the 67-70th floors and instead of viewing through a wire fence, like the Empire State Building, you get to see the NYC skyline through plexiglass.

I was told this would be better than the Empire State building, but I was a bit disappointed. Having done both, I feel the Empire State Building, though not that much higher, gives more dramatic views. You only get an obstructed view of the Chrysler building, where you can see it in all it's glory from the Empire State Building

The only advantages I can see is that you do get a nice photo of the Empire State Building, plus there are literally no crowds. We were practically the only ones lined up to get into the elevator for the ride to the top. I would say do Top of the Rock instead of the Empire State Building if you are strapped for time. Having been once, I would probably not return, but I would return to the Empire State Building.

Top of the Rock is open from 8 am until midnight and when we visited, it was $17.50 US for an adult admission.

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Phone: 212-698-2000
Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza
Directions: Top of the Rock has an exclusive entrance on West 50th Street, between fifth and 6th Avenues, which leads directly to the ticket counter.
Website: http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/splash.aspx