Tips

The Secret New York

The Fifth Avenue is a great place to shop and so is Barney’s but for a quirky turn try the Steve Alan Store on Elizabeth Street for “the shirt that ate Manhattan” – Designer Alan was credited by New York Magazine for having designed ‘the perfect shirt’! The accessories and the new age dresses are to die for

Take the free ferry to Staten Island one morning and visit the Staten Island Botanical Garden on Richmond Terrace. It is a visual treat and a surprise among all the steel and concrete madness that is New York

Hunt for La Esquina on Kenmare Street – a basement taqueria that is one of the most talked about secret restaurants of New York

On 140 W 4th Street lies a quiet little ice cream parlor called Red Bamboo. It is a regular ice cream place except that it stocks only Non Dairy Ice cream!

If you are in New York during the sweltering summers, go to 113 N 3rd Street in Brooklyn for a treat of a life time in the open air Beer hall – Radegast – the roof is retractable.

The NYC Tipster

General

If you plan to drive around the city, be very mindful of the traffic laws as they are strictly enforced and not following rules can be vey expensive

Tipping is an expensive affair in New York with the minimum expected tip running close to 20%. There is no upper limit but sometimes a Service Charge is included in the bill, so check it carefully before paying up

Dressing in New York is usually casual for small restaurants, cafes and fast food joints. But as you go up the price range, more formal dressing may be required

NYC is a very friendly place for vegetarians and Vegans

Hotel room rates are usually quoted without the tax and if you don’t get the skinny on this beforehand, you may be in for a shock later

Families

NY is a very kid friendly place and there are a lot of entertainment options for children. For starters try the children's Theater - Paper Bag Players. For children ages 4 to 9, this group performs in the winter and offers tales told in imaginative and original ways.

For just a Mom And Dad Night Out employ the thoughtful services of The Baby Sitters’ Guild that charges a mere $ 20 per hour

Spend a day out on the beaches at Long Island

Although New York is not a very unsafe city and muggings are far less common than bag snatching, it is advisable for family vacationers to stay out of less crowded areas at night and keep passports, cash etc. safely squirreled away in the hotel safe

Couples

Go to the Shakespeare in the Park do in Central Park

Stay safe by not carrying a lot of stuff with you and by keeping your baggage close, even in outdoor bars and cafes

Take a day off to explore the beaches at Long Island

Catch a Broadway Show together – they are fun, not too expensive and better than screaming sweet nothings into each other’s ears at a noisy bar

Take a carriage ride á la “Kate & Leopold” through Central Park – hansom cabs are available near Plaza Hotel

Visit the Central Park Boathouse Café on a good weather day

The Expert Opinions

The Guardian recommends shopping at ‘I Heart’ - an unpresuming little place hidden behind regular looking mannequins and pink neon signs that will rock your socks with indie designs

The Gridskipper suggests getting brunched at Relish – the best kept secret in Williamsburg

Urbandaddy.com strongly suggests spending a summer Friday evening at the Highbar – a rooftop lounge in midtown (251 48th Street, between Broadway and 8th Ave.)

New York virtual Tour

If you want to explore New York from your computer, you can do this downloading this files to use with Google Earth software:

New York virtual tour (kmz file)