Best Family Activities in New York City

The city of New York ranks among the most populous urban areas in the world. And with in mind it should not be surprising that New York City offers a wide range of family activities, no matter what time of the year it is. Whether you are in the mood for learning, exploring, or just having fun – you will not run out of things to do with the kids while in this metropolitan city. Below are the ten best family activities in New York City:

1. Central Park

212-310-6600
59th Street & Central Park South
New York, NY 10022

This park is a peaceful oasis in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of the city. New Yorkers and visitors from around the world come to enjoy the beauty and nature of Central Park. Kids young and old will also enjoy the attractions in the park like Wollman Rink, the Zoo, Friedsam Memorial Carousel among many more.

2.  The Lion King

212-307-4747
Minskoff Theatre
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036

You can not go to New York with your family and not see at least one Broadway play, and what better to see then the Disney classic “The Lion King”. From the ambiance of the theater to the costumes and music this show will be a fantastic family memory.

3. Metropolitan Museum of Art

212-879-5500
1000 5th Ave
New York, NY 10028

Some know this museum as simply The Met and is one of the world’s largest art galleries. It hold works of art from an expansive amount of different cultures and different times in history.

4. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

212-423-3500
1071 5th Ave
New York, NY 10128

This unique and innovative building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is home to an acclaimed collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early Modern, and Contemporary art. They also feature special exhibits throughout the year.

5. Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

212-363-3200
National Park Services Liberty Island
New York, NY 10004

If you are in the Big Apple you can not pass up the opportunity to see two of the most pronounced symbols of American freedom.  If you do not already know, the Statue of Liberty is a monument that was presented by the people of France to the United States of America in 1886 to celebrate the centennial of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence. And Ellis Island was the main entry facility for immigrants entering the United States.

6. Time Square

The junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets. The Times Square area consists of the blocks between Sixth and Eighth Avenues from east to west, and West 40th and West 53rd Streets from south to north, making up the western part of the commercial area of Midtown Manhattan.

In Frank Sinatra’s famous song “New York, New York” it says ” I wanna wake up in a city, that doesn’t sleep, although most of New York City is a very active place, Time Square out shines them all with neon signs and digital billboards. In Time Square  you will find restaurants, Broadway shows, shopping, art exhibits, and attractions like Ripley’s Believe It of Not! Odditorium.

7. United Nations Headquarters

212-963-8687
E 46th St
New York, NY 10017

The UN building in New York is the oldest and most well-know of the 4 United Nations Headquarters around the world. Guided Tours are conducted daily by an international staff that explains the work of the United Nations and its related organizations, while taking visitors to some of the main Council Chambers and the General Assembly Hall. The tour also emphasizes art and other objects of interest donated by Member States.

8. Sports Museum of America

212-747-0900
26 Broadway
New York, NY 10004

If you are a sports fanatic do not miss the nation’s first and only interactive, multi-media, all-sports museum adventure. This museum does an amazing job of showcasing the history, glory and importance of sports in American culture.

9. Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum

212-245-0072
166 W 46th St
New York, NY 10036

The Museum is centered on the aircraft carrier Intrepid (CVS-11), one of the most successful ships in US history, and now a national historic landmark. At this unique attraction you and your family will learn about the history of the Intrepid and the role it has played through interactive exhibits and historical re-creations.

10. Empire State Building

212-736-3100
350 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10118

This National Historic Landmark is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper and is the world’s tallest building. The American Society of Civil Engineers has named the Empire State Building as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. People from around the world come to see the view from the 86th floor where the  Observatory offers panoramic views from within a glass enclosed pavilion and from the surrounding open-air promenade.

Best Gyms & Health Clubs in New York City

Staying in shape in this fast moving city is a priority for many, and the myriad of gyms and health clubs match the same passion felt on the Wall Street trading floor.  There is tough competition on this list, however I decided to go with the Equinox Health Club located in the Upper East Side.  I chose this particular gym not only due to the facilities, but also the community feeling you get when working out there consistently.  It’s a great place to meet friends and establish business relationships.

1. Equinox Health Club

212-566-6555
50 Murray St
New York, NY 10007

2. The Sports Club LA

212- 218-8600
45 Rockefeller Plz
New York, NY 10111

3. Center for Movement

212-734-2277
1460 2nd Ave Fl 2
New York, NY 10075

4. West River Health & Racquetball

212-799-3300
424 West End Avenue
New York, NY   10024

5. TIMELABS ™ Personal Training

212-971-3232
409 West 39th Street
New York City, NY   10018

6. ARC Athletics

212-281-6412
646 W. 131st St
New York, NY 10027

7. Physiqology, Inc.

917-806-7674
139 E 57th St., 7th flr
New York, NY   10022

8. V Fitness

347-610-5106
124 East 40th
New York City, NY   10016

9. Bally Total Fitness – Sixth Avenue

212-645-4565
641 Avenue Of The Americas Frnt 2
New York, NY   10011

10. Gold’s Gym – Manhattan – Wall Street

212-227-0005
90 John Street
New York, NY   10038

Best Restaurants in New York City

Italian, Sushi, Steakhouses… These are simply a few of the dining choices you have when living in or visiting New York.  The Big Apple not only has one of the widest varieties of dining choices, each of the fine dining establishments seems to offer a unique option for your night out.

1. Daniel

212-288-0033
60 E. 65th St
New York, NY 10065

Daniel is one of seven award winning restaurants owned by Chef Daniel Boulud. This restaurant offers a dinning experience that excites the senses with a vibrant ambiance, gracious service and delectable menu in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Here you will enjoy contemporary French cuisine that is inspired by the rhythm of the seasons and is accompanied by rare  world class vintages.

2. Eleven Madison Park

212-889-0918
11 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10010

This elegant restaurant is set in a magnificent art deco dining room with soaring ceilings and lush views of historic Madison Square Park. Executive Chef Daniel Humm takes a modern approach to classic flavor combinations, creating sophisticated dishes that emphasize purity, simplicity, and seasonal flavors. And make sure and complete your dining experience with one of their delectable desserts.

3. Jean Georges

212-299-3900
1 Central Park W
New York, NY 10023

In 1997, Jean-Georges opened this fantastic French restaurant, earning a four-star review from the New York Times less than three months after opening. He is now known for skills extending beyond the kitchen, and owns 17 restaurants worldwide.  I especially enjoy reading his blog at jeangeorges.blogspot.com

4. Le Bernardin

212-554-1515
155 W 51st St
New York, NY 10019

With a rich history of fine dining success, this New York restaurant draws in the best food from around the world and combines them to create a masterful culinary experience.  The winner of multiple awards for service and cuisine, a night out at Le Bernardin will certainly lead to an unforgettable experience.

5. Le Cirque

212-303-7788
455 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10022

This dining establishment was one of the most anticipated restaurant openings in the past few years, serving the citizens of New York with some of the finest French cuisine on the East Coast.  Le Cirque embraces the French circus heritage and even features an all glass bar, which appears and disappears like a magic circus box.

6. Masa

212-823-9800
Time Warner Center
10 Columbus Circle 4th floor
New York, NY 10019

If you are searching for one of the most extravagant Japanese restaurants in Manhattan, then look no further than Masa.  This dining establishment can trace its roots back to its founder, Chef Masa.  A Tokyo native, this cuisine specialist has worked at some of the finest Japanese restaurants in the world, his reputation has been reinforced by numerous recognitions, including a Mobil 5-star award, New York Times 4-star review, and Michelin 3-star award.

7. The Modern

212-333-1220
9 W 53rd St
New York, NY 10019

Taking Museum dining to sophisticated new heights, The Modern is a fine dining restaurant located at the Museum of Modern Art featuring the original French-American cuisine of Chef Gabriel Kreuther, with desserts by Marc Aumont. They offer two distinct dining experiences, The Dining Room & The Bar Room, both offer creative French cuisine.

8. Per Se

212-823-9335
Time Warner Center
10 Columbus Circle 4th floor
New York, NY 10019

Per Se is the urban interpretation of its sister restaurant The French Laundry. You will see the connection in symbols, the blue door, the fireplace, and the garden also in the earthy materials like wood, marble, granite and the rough cooper floor tiles. Per se will not only serve you a great meal but will take your palette on a journey you have never been on before.

9. Abboccato

212-265-4000
136 W. 55th St
New York, NY 10019

In order to gain a genuine sense of what Italians eat, Abboccato’s founders engaged Fred Plotkin, the noted Italian food and wine expert, to guide them through Italy, one morsel and glass at a time.  This strategy resulted in a discovery of rare menu options previously only found in the heart of Italy that can be tasted daily at this Manhattan dining destination.

10. Babbo

212-777-0303
110 Waverly Pl.
New York, NY 10011

Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, opened by Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich in June 1998, is an exuberant celebration of the best of Italian food, wine and lifestyle.  The menu is a roster of Chef Mario Batali’s lusty creations, incorporating the best and freshest seasonal produce, Italian cheeses, meat, game and seafood, accented with fine Italian olive oils and many unusual ingredients that will surprise and delight any Italian cuisine fan.

Best Boutique, Antique & Specialty Stores in New York City

New York has some of the top shopping destinations of anywhere in world.  With globally renowned communities such as Soho and Park Avenue, the Big Apple ranks among the top cities to fill your home.  This was a difficult list to create since it could easily become a list of 100 specialty stores, however I think you will enjoy the following ten shops, I think they are some of the hidden gems in the city.

1. Le Decor Francais

212-734-0032
1006 Lexington Ave at 72nd St
New York, NY 10021

2. Prague Kolektiv

718-260-8013
143 B Front St
Brooklyn, NY 11201

3. Domus

212-581-8099
413 W 44th St
New York, NY 10036

4. Adrien Linford

212-426-1500
1339 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10128

5. Nancy Koltes Fine Linens

212-219-2271
31 Spring St
New York, NY 10012

6. Hip and Humble Home

212-675-1527
143 W 19th St
New York, NY 10011

7. The Terence Conran Shop

212-755-9079
407 E 59th St
New York, NY 10022

8. Tepper (Auction House, please check schedule)

212-677-5300
110 East 25th St
New York, NY 10010

9. Auto

212-229-2292
805 Washington St
New York, NY 10014

10. Espasso

212-219-0017
38 N Moore St
New York, NY 10013

Best Sushi Bars in New York City

Mmmmm, NYC has the best eating establishments of any city I’ve been to, and when it comes to Sushi, New York has no rival.  Since I began traveling to the City regularly several years ago, I’ve made it a point each time to check out a new Sushi hotspot.  The top destination may not be a surprise with the globally renowned Nobu taking the honor. I chose Nobu due to the modern atmosphere, excellent menu selections, vibrant bar, first class service.  Be ready to pay a pretty penny for a night out at Nobu, however I guarantee you that it will be a night to remember.

1. Nobu

212-219-0500
105 Hudson St.
New York, NY 10013

2. Masa

212-823-9800
Time Warner Center
10 Columbus Cir.
New York, NY 10019

3. 15 East

212-647-0015
15 E. 15th St
New York, NY 10003

4. Morimoto

212-989-8883
88 Tenth Ave
New York, NY 10011

5. Le Miu

212-473-3100
107 Ave. A
New York, NY 10009

6. Sushi Zen

212-302-0707
108 W. 44th St
New York, NY 10036

7. Kuruma Zushi

212-317- 2802
7 E. 47th St. 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10017

8. Bond St

212-777-2500
6 Bond St.
New York, NY 10012

9.  Sushi Yasuda

212-972-1001
204 E. 43rd St
New York, NY 10017

10. Geisha

212-813-1113
33 E. 61st St.
New York, NY 10021

Top Manhattan Neighborhoods

Countless films and TV shows have featured New York City and the wide variety of residences.  Being the fan of timeless quality that I am, I’ve selected the Upper East Side as the best place to live in Manhattan.  However all ten neighborhoods listed below are world class communities.

1. Upper East Side

Stretches from 59th to 96th Streets, between Central Park and the East River.

2. Meatpacking District or Gansevoort Market

Roughly stretching from 11th Ave to Hudson, from W 15th St to Gansevoort

3. Hell’s Kitchen and Midtown West

Roughly 59th to 40th Streets, and bounded by the Hudson River and Fifth Avenue; Eighth Avenue demarcates the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood and the impersonal, tourist-heavy Midtown West.

4. Midtown East and Sutton Place

From 42nd Street to 59th Street, from Fifth Ave to the East River.

5. SoHo

Roughly stretching from Houston to Canal Streets, between the Hudson River and Lafayette Street.

6. Gramercy Park

17th St. to 22nd St., Park Ave. South to Second Ave.

7. Greenwich and West Village

Stretching roughly from 14th to Houston Streets, between the Hudson River and Broadway. Sixth Avenue demarcates the two neighborhoods.

8. Chelsea

Roughly from 39th to 15th Streets, between the Hudson River and Fifth Avenue.

9. Upper West Side

Extends north from Columbus Circle at 59th Street up to 110th Street, and is bordered by Central Park West and Riverside Park.

10. Morningside Heights

The area from about 106th Street to about 123rd Street between Morningside Park and Riverside Park on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.