Only The Best Travel
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Travel is one of life’s great pleasures, but it can be a very expensive pastime. For those looking to cut expenses on their next trip, without curtailing any of the enjoyment, here are a few simple ideas to make your cash go further. Take the …
Comment on this tale Remark The world’s most populous nation is ultimately commencing to reopen its borders — but overseas vacationers won’t be authorized in just still. Virtually a few many years following shutting down to outsiders, China has started ending its “zero covid” policy. …
Manhattan is often the first destination within New York City that visitors head to—and it’s often the busiest of the city’s five boroughs.
As a major financial and commerce hub, with various neighborhoods and world-famous landmarks, out-of-towners can come across many places in Manhattan for sightseeing, dining, and shopping. Here’s an introductory travel guide to Manhattan.
Some of the best resource guides on Manhattan are local newspapers, video and online blogs, and NYC & Company, the city’s tourism board.
The first thing to know when visiting Manhattan is to understand how to get around. Geographically, much of Manhattan goes by what’s known as the Grid. Established by the Commissioners’ Plan of 1811, in response to the city’s swelling growth of population, the Grid is a layout plan that was developed going northward, from above Houston Street to then 155th Street.
It works like this. Manhattan’s avenues run north (uptown) to south (downtown) and streets run east to west (crosstown). The middle portion of Manhattan is generally referred to as Midtown.
Most of the streets are numbered, with 1st avenue starting on the east side of Manhattan and then ascending as they go to the west side (which ends with 12th avenue) or uptown.
Exceptions include cross streets such as Broadway and Columbus, Lexington, Park and Madison avenues. 6th Avenue is more so referred to as the Avenue of the Americas. Before 14th Street, streets go more by names and can be routed differently.
Autumn is probably one of the most beautiful times to visit Manhattan, as the season ushers in events such as Village Halloween Parade and New York Comic Con and fall foliage. Yet the most famous time to visit Manhattan is around the holiday season, to view the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and other festively decorated venues.
Winter can slow the pace of Manhattan down, where there are various tourism promotions to encourage more foot traffic. However, it’s best to dress in layers as temperatures can vary.
Summer is often a busy season, but the weather gets pretty hot and humid. Crowds can gather for Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular or wait in line for tickets to Shakespeare in the Park at Central Park’s Delacorte Theatre.
Usually, January and February are wintry cold months, but they could be cost-saving. During this time of year, special discount promotions can be offered through NYC & Company, the city’s tourism board, or special rates offered through hotels.
There are a number of ways to get around Manhattan. Walking is often a top option but taxicabs and Uber are other alternatives. Citi Bike, a bike rental share program, is another choice but taking public transit is very common.
Run by MTA, New York City’s subway treks all around Manhattan. This underground transit network encompasses stops at stations placed throughout the borough.
Now through at least 2024, the MTA MetroCard can be used as a tender for entering the subway system, only requiring a single swipe; as of January 2023, the cost is $2.75, but it is subject to increase. If buying a new MetroCard, there is an additional $1 fee on top of the pay-per-ride amount purchased, but the card can be reused and refilled.
The MTA has begun implementing OMNY, a contactless payment system that works by tapping a credit or debit card or smart device with a digital wallet onto a reader. It charges the same current fare price.
Each subway line has a color-coded letter or number with specific routes; some intertwine with others. While their set routes are displayed on maps, they can be altered at times because of required track maintenance, weekend and holiday schedules, or sudden changes.
Use Google Maps and refer to MTA Weekender for mapping out and checking the status of subway routes. MTA also runs the public bus system, which also takes OMNY and MetroCard.
From high-end hotels, to major hotel chains, to boutique properties, Manhattan has many lodging options.
Some visitors may choose to stay in Midtown, due to its proximity to Grand Central Terminal and other major spots, but consider staying in another Manhattan neighborhood to get a different perspective. Here are some of the top-ranked hotels in Manhattan.
The Lexington Hotel, Autograph Collection
A bagel is a famous New York City order.
Dining in Manhattan can please any appetite, with NYC classics, fine dining, cuisines from cultures all over the world, or trendy dishes.
Newcomers and longtime establishments round out this mix. Most may require advanced reservations that can be done via their website or booking services such as OpenTable or Resy.
Start your morning with a bagel with schmear from popular bagel shops such as Ess-a-Bagel, Murray’s Bagels, Black Seed Bagels, and Tompkins Square Bagels.
Pizza is synonymous with NYC with places to order from subject to preference. Depending on where travelers go, they can order slices and/or whole pies. High-ranking spots in Manhattan include Prince Street Pizza, Joe’s Pizza, Rubirosa, Lombardi’s, Pronto’s, and John’s Of Bleecker Street.
Delis are an NYC institution, in serving specialties such as pastrami on rye and egg creams. While Katz’s Delicatessen is on many a visitor’s list, other good Manhattan delis include Sarge’s and 2nd Avenue Deli.
Manhattan has the oldest restaurants in New York City. They include Fraunces Tavern in Lower Manhattan, whose roots go back to the time of the American Revolutionary War; Delmonico’s, within the Financial District and with past customers including Mark Twain; Old Homestead, the longest continuing operating steakhouse in America; and PJ Clarke’s, which was founded in 1884. Also within this list, Keen’s Steakhouse has some interesting decor. Its ceiling is adorned with clay smoking pipes belonging to their club members.
Food halls are also a popular trend. Among them, Chelsea Market is the former location of the Nabisco Cookie Company. This one-time factory now holds various eateries and retail businesses. Other Manhattan food halls include Urban Hawker, Essex Street Market and the Market Line, The Hugh, Urbanspace at 570 Lex, Mott Street Eatery, and Tin Building by Jean-Georges.
While Manhattan has much to offer visitors, here are a few must-dos.
Attending a Broadway show is a must, as many musicals and plays are put on at theaters within or off of Times Square. Hot tickets can extend to “Hamilton,” “Wicked” and “Six: The Musical.”
Learn more about the history of theater in NYC at The Museum of Broadway, also located in Times Square. Then spend some time in Times Square, a major tourist attraction.
The Museum of Broadway tells of the history of theater in New York City through a timeline of events and then rooms full of props, costumes, and other memorabilia from musical and drama productions that were groundbreaking.
Manhattan’s museums center on art, history and other interesting topics. Travelers can spend a whole day at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, whose collection holds over 5,000 years of art from around the world.
It is located along Fifth Avenue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side in “Museum Mile” that includes El Museo del Barrio, the Museum of the City of New York and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
Other noteworthy art museums include the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Modern Art.
The American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side has an incredible dinosaur wing; it’s across the street from the New York Historical Society. On the Lower East Side, the Tenement Museum is inside a real-life tenement that tells the stories of the people who once lived here. The National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum commemorates the attacks on this fateful day in 2001 along with the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Whitney Museum of American Art
American Museum of Natural History
National September 11 Memorial and Museum
See New York City differently from up above. Presently, Manhattan has five year-round observation decks. Each has a different take on the city skyline.
The Empire State Building is the long timer of this bunch, as this landmark NYC skyscraper has both its original 86th-floor observatory and 102nd-floor observatory. The building also has exhibition spaces highlighting different periods of its history since its opening in 1931.
Top of the Rock, which is positioned 70 floors above Rockefeller Center, has three levels of indoor and outdoor observation decks. Beginning in February 2023, the mezzanine level and the observation decks will be under construction, but the venue will remain open.
Located between the 100th and 102nd floors of the One World Trade Center, One World Observatory offers views from an indoor climate-controlled space. There’s also a restaurant, ONE Dine, and bar, ONE Mix, on the 101st floor, with New York-inspired menus.
Located at Hudson Yards, The Edge is said to be the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. It is suspended over 1,100 feet up with 7,500 square feet of outdoor space. Its glass floor has visitors looking 100 stories down, while angled glass walls lean over the city. There’s also the opportunity to scale the outside of this skyscraper, then lean out and look down.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt opened in 2021 and puts a spin on the meaning of an observance deck. Summit One Vanderbilt is described as a three-level multisensory art immersion where, first on the 91st floor, visitors encounter an exhibit called Air by Kenzo Digital that is full of floating balloon-like orbs.
Then on the 92nd floor, there’s a glass-bottom ledge extending 1,100 feet over Madison Avenue. On the 93rd floor, there’s a Nordic-themed café and a glass-bottom exterior elevator.
Empire State Building
Top of the Rock
One World Observatory
The Edge
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Made famous in movies and on TV, Central Park is one of Manhattan’s top attractions. It sits in the middle of the Upper East and Upper West sides and is home to a zoo, various statues and gardens, a castle, bridges, and meadows. While many wander around the park on their own, guided walks led by park staff are held regularly.
Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village is smaller than most NYC parks but it has the famous Washington Square Arch and is based near much of the neighborhood’s activity.
Bryant Park, right behind the New York Public Library, holds events such as an annual holiday market with an ice skating rink and a movie night series in the summer.
The High Line is a public green space on what was once a freight rail line with its direction going to and from the Chelsea/Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards. Riverside Park is on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and had a scene in the film, “You’ve Got Mail.”
Manhattan consists of many neighborhoods varying in what they’re known for. Most can be reached by subway along with a bus, cab and Uber.
Chinatown is a vibrant neighborhood with tea shops, bakeries, grocery markets, and restaurants and eateries reflecting the diversity of Asian cuisines such as Cantonese. Try dumplings, dim sum, Peking duck, steamed rice rolls, congee, and pork buns.
Suggested spots include Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Hop Kee, Mott Street Eatery, and the Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. It’s also the location of a Lunar New Year Parade, which rings in this holiday season.
The Lower East Side was once home to arriving immigrants and has become a trendy neighborhood known for hip restaurants and cool street art.
Much of its history relating to those of the Jewish faith who came to reside in the Lower East Side is still prominent at Russ & Daughters, a Jewish appetizing store that also has a separate café, and Yonah Schimmel’s Knishery, which is known for their knishes. Other places to see include Economy Candy, Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery, Dirty Candy, and Essex Market.
The Apollo Theater
Harlem is rich in Black history, which can be experienced in many ways. Attend a performance at the Apollo Theater or visit the Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture. The Abyssinian Baptist Church permits the public to attend a worship service but note to dress modestly and practice respectful observance.
Try soul food at Sylvia’s Restaurant, Melba’s, Amy Ruth’s, or, for vegans, Seasoned Vegan. Another famous Harlem restaurant is Red Rooster Harlem by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. Jazz clubs are also popular such as Bill’s Place and Minton’s Playhouse.
SoHo is a trendy shopping neighborhood but it also has incredible cast iron buildings and art galleries. The East Village has a gritty legacy but it’s seen as a cool place to be. Popular spots in East Village include McSorley’s Old Ale House, Death & Company, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, and Book Club Bar.
Little Italy gives off a touristy vibe but crowds still come out every September for the Feast of San Gennaro Festival. Travelers can also still find old-school Italian dining at Benito One, Umberto’s Clam House, and Lunella. After dinner, buy a cannoli from Ferrara or Caffe Palermo.
The perfect day in Manhattan comes down to what travelers most enjoy about the city. Heading over to the Empire State Building for a tour is probably a must for most visitors, especially those on their first trip to New York.
But some adventurers may want to spend a meandering afternoon in Central Park, while others will want to sample breakfast, lunch, and dinner at restaurants that can hold their own against Brooklyn’s offerings.
Whatever visitors decide to do, the memories are well worth planning a vacation to Manhattan.
As with any major city, crime can occur. In Manhattan, it’s best to stay aware of one’s surroundings and safeguard valuables. Avoid wearing anything flashy or expensive looking.
In the evening, stay near well-lit areas especially around ones with restaurants and nightspots. Also at night, avoid walking while wearing headphones or along side streets or residential streets as they are usually quieter and darker at night.
The same advice applies to the subway. Usually, it is crowded during rush hour (usually from 8 to 10 am) and then the evening crowd (from 5 to 7 pm). For safety reasons, try to not stand right up against the platform.
Try to avoid taking the subway late at night, as there are fewer people around and trains can run slower. If you still have to go, try to get into a subway car that has other people or is near the onboard subway conductor. Take an Uber or taxi instead. If you’re approached by panhandlers, avoid eye contact and keep walking.
Manhattan can be expensive, but here are some money-saving tips.
Manhattan is known for its culture, entertainment, and art. Highlights include immersive art experiences, great food (including gelato), and dives into history—like the Manhattan Project.
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What should you leave behind before you travel in 2023? Here’s what the experts have to say.
How do you plan a better trip? Being a contrarian, I think an even better question might be: How do you not plan a better trip?
Specifically, what should you leave behind if you want to have a perfect getaway in 2023?
I asked the experts, and as it turns out, there’s a lot — including bulky luggage, too-high expectations, and repeat visits to places you’ve already seen.
Why are people traveling in 2023? A recent survey by World Nomads found the top reason was to explore a new destination.
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“It’s the year to find new favorite cities and experiences,” says Christina Tunnah, the company’s general manager of marketing and brands.
Many experts agree that 2023 is the year to change up some bad habits and start anew.
So here’s the inside scoop on expert travel planning in 2023 — and what to lose:
In 2023, experts advise you to lose your bucket list.
“The thing I never loved about the concept of a bucket list is that it is inexorably linked to death,” says Jayme Simões, a publicist and frequent traveler. “Travel and exploration should be about living.”
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But the bucket list concept is also deeply flawed. Simões says it’s an extraordinarily selfish act to travel just to check places off a list without thinking about the impact of that travel on an environmental or societal level.
“I think we should seek empathy in travel, learn from it, and gain insight into the lives of others — without destroying the very thing we set out to see,” he says.
If you want to travel better in 2023, lose the bulky luggage, say experts.
If you’re traveling for a few days, you can easily fit everything into a carry-on bag. “If you pack smartly with clothes you can wear at least twice, you can travel for five to seven days in just a large duffel bag, weekender bag, or business traveler carry-on,” says Catherine Heald, CEO of Remote Lands, a tour operator.
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Actually, I’ve traveled around the world nonstop for more than a year with just one carry-on bag. I think if I can do it, anyone can do it. But I understand it’s not always possible; some travelers have to carry medical equipment, which makes downsizing difficult. (By the way, if your airline loses your checked bags, here’s my free guide on your consumer rights.)
Want to travel smarter in 2023? Stop pursuing points.
“There is so much stress involved in collecting points and even more redeeming them,” says Mitch Krayton, owner of Krayton Travel in Denver. “It’s best to first know where you want to go, when, and what you want to do once you are there. Folks deserve to travel the way they want instead of being subject to complex rules and the restrictions of points.”
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Some airlines reportedly have frequent flier redemption rates of less than 10{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a}, which means all the effort we put into collecting miles is wasted. Krayton says in 2023, you’re better off booking the trip you want instead of trying to make it work with points.
Krayton is right. Collecting points is not for everyone, as I explain in my guide to loyalty programs.
Your timeshare may be a bad investment in 2023, according to the pros.
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Several experts have also suggested timeshares are a thing to lose in 2023. “Buying a timeshare obligates you to pay for your share of the property,” says Pallavi Sadekar, head of operations at VisitorGuard.com. “This means you will have to make monthly payments until the timeshare is paid for, regardless of whether you visit the property or take a vacation. Even after it is paid for, there are still taxes and maintenance fees.”
Also, don’t feel pressured to buy a timeshare in 2023. “Don’t purchase a timeshare on a whim solely based on what a potentially commissioned salesperson says,” says timeshare expert Lisa Ann Schreier. “A good deal today will be available the following day, week or month. The vast majority of timeshare complaints arise because consumers fail to do even basic research or ask the pertinent questions.”
Here’s my guide on how to get rid of your timeshare now.
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Cruising for the sake of cruising is out in 2023, according to experts.
“Cruises are notoriously expensive, and the traveler doesn’t get to truly experience the culture of the place,” says Shane Mahoney, CEO of Lugo’s Travel.
He says when you’re on a cruise, you’re at the mercy of the ship’s captain. If for whatever reason, the captain decides not to dock at the port that day, you just lost out on lost out on visiting a destination you were probably looking forward to seeing.
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“When you cruise you are primarily spending time on the ship with thousands of people you don’t know. You are not getting the most out of a vacation that should feel like a vacation — which means exploring new places and discovering new cultures,” he adds.
Cruising is not for everyone, but my free guide on cruising will help you figure out if it’s right for you.
Stop trying to get a deal at any cost in 2023, say professionals.
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If there’s one thing the pandemic taught us, it’s that life’s too short. And sometimes, a travel “deal” is just not worth it.
“After two years of lockdown and no travel, I just don’t want to challenge myself as much when I travel,” says Sheila Stafford, CEO of a productivity technology company. “When I was younger, I would have strapped myself to a wing to save money.”
No more. She’s even ruling out red-eye flights and long connections in 2023.
“For my last business trip, I did a red eye from Vegas to New York via Cleveland,” she says. “I have promised myself no more red-eyes.”
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I have more on how to spot a deal in my free guide to travel planning.
Mindless loyalty to a travel company is out in 2023.
“A lot of people are leaving behind their loyalty to a specific airline,” says Gilad Berenstein, a Seattle-based investor in travel startups. “They are not canceling their loyalty account — there is no reason to do that — but they are leaving behind their actual loyalty to an airline.”
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Why? Most airlines still offer fewer routes and time options than before COVID, meaning air travelers still have fewer options. Ultimately, that reduces the incentive to focus on loyalty, and ultimately devalues the travel experience, says Berenstein.
You read it here first — loyalty is out in 2023. Here’s how to determine if you should exit your program now.
No more same-old, same-old in 2023, say people in the know.
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“As a travel agent, I see a lot of people who do the same type of vacation every year,” says Shanna Schultz, a travel agent with Travel with Shanna. “Sometimes, they even go back to the same place, like an all-inclusive resort or cruise line.”
Why? People do this because it becomes easy and familiar, but Shanna wishes travelers would work to get out of this habit for 2023.
“There are just so many places in the world that are worth seeing,” she says. “Try something new for 2023.”
Meaningless — and fast — vacations are no longer in vogue in 2023.
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If there’s one thing the pandemic taught us, it’s that short vacations can be highly ineffective. “Instead of place-to-place, bucket-list-checking road trips that burn gas and often leave you in need of a vacation, 2023’s the year to embed yourself in one location for an extended stay,” says Kim Knox Beckius, the travel editor at Yankee magazine.
Instead, she advises that you take time to get acquainted with and support a community that isn’t necessarily a well-known vacation destination.
“With hybrid and remote work arrangements so common now, and vacation rentals available even in obscure little towns, it’s an ideal time to write a mini chapter of your life in a new setting that just may turn out to be a place you’ll want to live or revisit down the road,” she adds.
It may be time to lower your standards in 2023, according to experts.
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With inflation and the cost of living so high, travelers will be looking for their dream vacation on a budget next year, says Marcus Räder, CEO of the vacation rental management platform Hostaway.
“But prices are unlikely to drop much in 2023 even if demand levels out,” he tells me. “In fact, they may even go up, as we saw with the airfares in 2021.”
Räder says the solution is simple: Travelers must start thinking of making compromises to meet their budgets. That includes driving to a destination rather than flying, or working remotely before and after their trip to make the most of their vacation.
2023 is the year to skip the usual travel destinations, say experts.
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It’s not the thing to do in 2023, according to Charlie Neville, marketing director at JayWay Travel.
“One bad habit that travelers fell back into after years of restricted travel was heading straight to the most popular places on the planet, like Italy’s Amalfi Coast, or the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini,” he says, “Then they’re disappointed that it was crowded.”
Of course it was. But there’s a better way. Neville says instead of zeroing in on the most famous destinations, travelers should consult a travel advisor for help in picking their destinations.
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“Describe the kinds of experiences they want, and memories they want to create, so a knowledgeable expert can guide them to places where they’ll get that vacation they’re dreaming of, and enjoy a far more authentic trip — usually at a better price too,” he says.
Travel influencers are so 2020, say experts.
It’s nonsense, says Avi Silverberg, a frequent traveler who runs a nutrition website. “Stop trying,” he says. “This means being mindful of local norms and traditions and avoiding activities or behaviors that may be offensive or inappropriate, which includes wacky and crazy TikTok videos in front of local landmarks and attractions.”
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That’s solid advice: Travel influencers are so 2020, anyway.
What are you giving up in 2023?
While all these things are worth losing this year, travel is a different experience for everyone. For example, if you’ve always dreamed of becoming a travel influencer, who am I to stop you from doing it this year? Likewise, if you enjoy vacationing in the same place, why would I try to talk you out of that? Go for it, but be prepared for the crowds.
As the latest Expedia Travel Trends Report suggests, travelers are making smaller adjustments to their itineraries — dining in instead of eating out or visiting a big city instead of camping.
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So here’s my small adjustment: I’m trying to lose all the expectations I have for travel in 2023. What will it be like when I get there? How’s the weather? Will I like it?
I’ll try to keep an open mind and avoid reading too many reviews. Let’s see how long that lasts.
