10 places to visit in New York City

A sailing trip on the Adirondack

If you don't have much time available and also want to see many other sights in the fascinating city, then I recommend a two-hour sailing trip on the Adirondack. This beautiful wooden two-master departs from Chelsea Pier in Midtown Manhattan and sails up the Hudson towards Battery Park, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. You can see Manhattan's famous skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge from the water, while enjoying the silence on the water. It seems as if the hustle and bustle and noise of the city are part of another world.

Did you know that...?

• The Statue of Liberty is a gift from the French people to the United States, a symbol of friendship between the two countries.
• The Statue of Liberty is made entirely of copper. That explains the statue's green color.
• The sculptor Bartholdi used his mother as a model for the head of the Statue of Liberty.
• The iron frame inside the Statue of Liberty was designed by Gustave Eiffel. In addition to the Eiffel Tower, he also built the magnificent Garabit Bridge, the red-colored railroad arch bridge over the Truyère River in southern France.

2. A walk in the park

Nothing is more pleasant than a leisurely stroll on a sunny day through Central Park. This immense 340-acre park is the playground of all New Yorkers, young and old. You will find lawns, woods, ponds, fountains, monuments and sculptures. Enjoy a picnic on a beautiful day in spring on the Great Lawn and meet friends and loved ones at the Bethesda Fountain. From the Belvedere Castle you'll have a beautiful panoramic view of Central Park, and in the peaceful Strawberry Fields-garden you can listen to the nostalgic music of John Lennon. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride, attend an outdoor yoga class or enjoy the numerous concerts and festivals. Central Park is a unique masterpiece of landscaping and an oasis of calm in the bustling metropolis.

3. Top museums in New York

New York, with its more than 150 museums scattered throughout the city, offers a dizzying variety and choice of art and culture. I love modern art and visit 2 top museums in this genre.

MoMA

The Museum of Modern Art, abbreviated and best known as MoMA, is undoubtedly one of the world's most important and leading museums of modern and contemporary art. You will see works by Van Gogh, Monet, Gauguin, Cézanne, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko, Frida Kahlo and Dali, among others. There are both changing exhibitions and permanent collections. The highlight is undoubtedly the fifth floor dedicated to Monet's Water Lilies and Vincent Van Gogh's The Starry Night. Be sure to visit the museum's beautiful souvenir store.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim Museum is known both for its architecture and its unique art collection. The iconic, circular building was designed by the father of architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright. Inside, a spiral ramp leads to the various floors and a central dome provides an abundance of light. Inside this museum you will behold the modern and contemporary art collection of Solomon R. Guggenheim. There are more than 7,000 works of art on display including an impressive collection by Kandinsky as well as paintings by Picasso, Karel Appel, Modigliani and Miró.

4. One day in SoHo

Are designer stores, hip restaurants and high-end art galleries your thing? Then don’t hesitate to spend a day in SoHo. Located south of Houston Street, hence its name, this neighborhood is part of Lower Manhattan. I recommend taking the subway to Canal Street or Spring Street. From there, stroll through the cobblestone streets and admire the typical facades with balconies and cast-iron staircases. Go for coffee and pastries at Dominique Ansel Bakery (button) and watch the fashionistas in the cozy streets. From Spring Street, you have a great view of One World Trade Center. SoHo is also the gateway to Chinatown. Getting hungry from all that shopping? Then enjoy a delicious lunch at Piccola Cucina by Philip Guardione (button).

5. 9/11 Memorial and Museum

Somehow everyone remembers what they were doing at the moment the Twin Towers collapsed. I saw the event on TV and being in this place, more than 20 years later, still evokes the bewilderment of this tragic event. The imprints of the two skyscrapers are filled in by two pools, the North Pool and the South Pool. Both have a seemingly bottomless central pit and are surrounded by waterfalls. The names of the victims are engraved on the monuments stone. The sound of the water muffles the noise of the city.  An atmosphere of reverence and somberness is palpable. This place will not leave you unmoved. In the museum you will learn all about the attack in words and images.

6. A walk across the Brooklyn Bridge

A walk across the Brooklyn Bridge should be on the top of your New York bucket list. This suspension bridge over the East River connects Lower Manhattan to Brooklyn and is one of the most photographed landmarks in NYC. The bridge offers breathtaking views of the river, the skyscrapers of Downtown Manhattan, Brooklyn, Governors Island and the Statue of Liberty, way in the distance.

Some facts about the Brooklyn Bridge

• The Brooklyn Bridge is the first steel suspension bridge in the world. It is also known for its typical stone arches.
• It took 14 years to build the bridge. The work was finally completed in 1883.
• The Brooklyn Bridge has a somber history. The engineer Roebling, designer of this masterpiece, died of tetanus before work began. His son took over supervision and he too fell victim to the bridge. He suffered from decompression sickness from diving in the East River. A total of 20 workers died during the construction.
• Every day, trains and vehicles as well as bicyclists and pedestrians make the crossing between Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. Six lanes are provided for this purpose with a separate promenade for cyclists and pedestrians.
• Allow plenty of time for this walk of just over a mile and a half. It can get quite crowded on the bridge, and cyclists and pedestrians should each respect their specific path.
• Dress according to the weather. In summer, it can get very hot in the bright sun. Bring a sun hat and plenty of water. In winter, on the other hand, icy winds cut right through you.
• The best walking direction is from Brooklyn to Manhattan.

7. The High Line, a unique park in West Manhattan

Tired of the posh neighborhoods of Upper and East Manhattan? Then explore colorful Manhattan West via a walk on the High Line.

What is the High Line?

The High Line is a public park in the form of a walkway built on an abandoned, elevated train track. The train track was used for freight and fell into disuse in 1980. The abandoned High Line was an eyesore for New Yorkers, and the city developed plans to transform this abandoned industrial zone into a dynamic public space.

Where exactly is the High Line?

The High Line stretches for a length of just over 2 km. Take the stairs up at W 34th Street and 12th Avenue. The terminus is at Gansevoort Street and Washington Street, in the Meatpackers District. The walking trail is the best way to get a view of Manhattan West. When walking the High Line, keep in mind that you can't just get off at any point to the streets below.

What's so special about the High Line.

The High Line is an extraordinary park where nature, art and design go hand in hand. All along the way, you'll enjoy wildflowers and plants, works of art and city views. There are murals on the surrounding buildings as well as bronze sculptures and inspirational texts on the walkway itself. At the level of 16th and 17th Street, a viewing platform has been built above 10th Avenue. There you can sit quietly and watch the traffic pass beneath you. There are also sitting and reclining benches that allow you to quietly enjoy views across the Hudson. Note that it can get very crowded on the High Line.

8. Meatpacking District

We strolled from the Chelsea Market to Gansevoort Street and into the heart of the Meatpacking District. This area on the banks of the Hudson used to be the historic center of meat processing in New York. The weather is nice and street musicians create the right vibe. The atmosphere is very pleasant.

On the steps to a historic building sits a man overlooking it all. He introduces himself as the mayor of the Meatpacking District and he tells us the story of his struggle to save this historic part of the city. After 8 lawsuits and thanks to the support of Mayor Bloomberg, he managed to stop the construction of 11 modern skyscrapers. The Meatpacking District had to be demolished for this purpose. Thanks to his dedication and victory at trial, it is now pleasant walking in this beautiful, hip neighborhood with boutiques, galleries, bars and restaurants. From there, explore West Village and enjoy the Hudson River-Park at Pier 51.

In my previous blog, I told you all about the Chelsea Market, one of the largest culinary halls in the world.

A culinary exploration through New York (button)

9. Visit an observation deck

New York has some dizzyingly tall observation platforms, each of which is a unique experience in itself and offers breathtaking views of the city. Here are the main ones listed.

Empire State Building

Built in 1931, the Empire State Building was the first building to have more than 100 floors at the time. The Art Deco-style building has a magnificent lobby and two observation decks. The first is on the 86th floor and is open-air. The highest platform is on the 102nd floor and is indoors. With its more than 4 million visitors a year, the Empire State Building is one of the most popular attractions in the United States. From the observation decks you have a great view of the city, especially at sunset.

Top of the Rock

Top of the Rock is the name of the observation deck of the 70-story Rockefeller Center. Here you have access to several vantage points, both inside and outside, spread over the top 3 floors. From Top of the Rock, you have an unobstructed view of the Empire State Building, Central Park, the beautiful Chrysler Building and the rest of Manhattan. An absolute must-see!

The Edge

The Edge is New York's newest observation deck, located at Hudson Yards. At 335 meters, it is the tallest outdoor observation platform in the Western Hemisphere. The triangular, protruding terrace with its glass floor seems to float in the air. Sensational views from Midtown to Downtown Manhattan are guaranteed. You can see the building with its unique sky deck very well from the High Line. Oh, and did I mention that The Edge has a champagne bar?

One World Observatory

Step into a Sky Pod and skyrocket 381 meters up in 47 seconds. Welcome to the 102nd floor of the One World Trade Center. New York's highest observation deck offers a stunning panorama of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan with the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.

10. Times Square

Times Square, the commercial intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue, is the beating heart of New York and the epitome of The City That Never Sleeps. The place is as loud and busy at midnight as it is at noon. The square takes its name from The New York Times newspaper, which was headquartered here in the 20th century. The more than 50 giant, electronic billboards compete for your attention 24/7 with their relentless colorful neon advertisements. In Times Square, all your senses go into overdrive. There is always something going on here. In the morning, attend a live breakfast TV show, or, during the day, visit Madame Tussauds or Ripley's Believe It or Not. There is an abundance of restaurants and souvenir stores to explore, but nothing is more unique than attending a Broadway musical or show. You can't leave New York without seeing Times Square.