Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve dreamed visiting New York. I have now made that dream a reality. Overwhelmed with excitement, I didn’know where to start. First-timer Sarah Weeks skims the surface of this energetic and diverse city, which never ceases to amaze.

1. 18 June 2014, Travel Digest
N
ew York City is one of the world’s
most dynamic travel destinations,
welcoming record numbers of
visitors each year, according to NYC
& Company president and chief executive
Fred Dixon. The city continues to evolve,
offering a variety of things to see, do and
experience. Last year, New York welcomed
a record 11.4 million international tourists
and since 2006, their market share of
overseas travel has expanded from 28 to 33
per cent, making it the number one US
city destination.
FLYING IN
JetBlue is New York’s hometown airline and
carries 30 million customers a year to 85
cities with an average of 825 daily flights.
The airline was the first US airline to allow
customers to use personal electronic devices
on domestic flights and earlier this year, was
named Best Low Cost Airline - The Americas,
by Airline Ratings. The airline also offers the
most legroom in coach, based on average
fleet-wide seat pitch for US airlines, making
for a comfortable flight to New York that’s
affordable too.
STAYING
Located in New York’s Upper West Side,
Hotel Beacon NYC provides the perfect base
for sightseeing and is a popular stay for Kiwis
and Aussies. Most people think of New York
accommodation as cramped and small with
limited facilities. But at Hotel Beacon, guests
can stretch out in their spacious suites while
enjoying stunning views of Central Park, the
Hudson River and Midtown Manhattan. The
bustling excitement of New York streets will
seem a world away from the comfort of their
beautifully furnished large guestrooms and
suites. Only a few minutes walk from the
nearest subway station and across the road
from a supermarket, you’ll find everything you
need right at your doorstep.
The hotel’s 260 rooms and suites
are generously sized and feature marble
bathroom, fully-equipped kitchenette with
microwave and complimentary coffee and
tea facilities. You’ll love coming home to
their king or queen one-bedroom suites
which feature a separate living room with
pull-out sofa bed, open plan kitchenette
with fridge / freezer and gas stove and
separate bedroom with plenty of wardrobe
space for all that shopping. Guests can enjoy
complimentary wi-fi, daily newspaper delivery
and dirty dishes collected. Beacon Bar serves
a selection of notable wines, unique beers
and inventive cocktails in a spacious and
relaxing setting and their happy hour is a
great opportunity to meet fellow guests.
Their warm, friendly and knowledgeable
staff can help with all your needs including
directions, taxi bookings, dinner reservations
and recommendations on local tours
and attractions.
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
No visit to New York is complete without
visiting the main tourist attractions. There’s
the classic Empire State Building best
Ever since I was a little
girl, I’ve dreamed of
visiting New York.
I have now made
that dream a reality.
Overwhelmed with
excitement, I didn’t
know where to start.
First-timer SARAH
WEEKS skims the
surface of this
energetic and
diverse city, which
never ceases
to amaze.
NEW
YORK
where dreams
come true
Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension
bridges in the United States.

2. 19Travel Digest, June 2014
enjoyed at night, 360-degree views above
Manhattan’s skyline from Top of the Rock,
witnessing the beautiful Statue of Liberty not
to mention all the museums! Don’t spend a
fortune buying tickets to each attraction
– CityPASS allows you to buy one ticket for
them all, saving you 41 per cent! You’ll also
save time by skipping ticket lines and have
nine days to visit all the attractions.
If you’re looking for a personalised and
unique view of New York, you need to
experience a private tour with The Levys’
Unique New York! This family-run business
digs deep beneath the city’s surface to
get to the real heart and vibe of this
amazing city. Forget the guidebook and
double-deck tour bus – these guys can
create a custom-designed tour itinerary
based on your interests.
From history and architecture to cuisine
and art, they know this city inside out! You’ll
get a one-of-a-kind tour and
recommendations on hotels, transport,
restaurants, museums, attractions and
Broadway tickets. The word boring isn’t in
their vocabulary and after hearing their
colourful stories about this city’s culture,
diversity, energy and strength, you’ll be
longing for more.
After a career working in Wall Street, Max
decided to take a well-earned break in
Europe. It was here he discovered his true
passion in life – sharing travel experiences
with others. When he returned home in
2010, he started CityRover Walks NY, an
off-the-beaten-track tour company that
showcases the hidden gems of this amazing
city. New York is best experienced by foot
and their three-hour Landmark Explorer tour
is an interesting and insightful exploration of
some of the city’s most famous buildings and
landmarks. Even if you’ve visited New York
before, you’ll hear stories most locals don’t
even know. Manhattan is where most tourists
visit, but there’s so much more to New York
than just this island. Cross the Brooklyn
Bridge with their 3.5-hour tour and explore
this unique area. Marvel at the engineering
feat of this 130-year-old bridge and enjoy a
perfect view of Manhattan’s famous skyline
from across the river – spectacular!
New York is a museum mecca and visiting
one is a must. Most tourists speed through
the main highlights but Museum Hack offers
museum tours like no other. Their un-
highlights tour of The Metropolitan Museum
of Art takes you on a journey of discovery,
focusing on the lesser known artefacts and
great finds. Their guides have spent hours
trawling these museums so they know the
best bits that tell fascinating stories. They’re
passionate about what they do and will get
you excited about art and history with a
highly interactive, fun and non-traditional
tour. You’ll learn interesting facts along the
way at a fast pace, with games to play and
fun photos to take home, leaving you viewing
museums in a different light.
The Frick Collection is an impressive
collection of old master paintings, European
sculpture and decorative arts assembled by
Pittsburgh industrialist Henry Clay Frick.
Housed in his former Frick Mansion on Fifth
Avenue, which is now an art museum, visitors
can enjoy masterpieces by artists such as
Bellini, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Gainsborough,
Goya and Whistler. Their free audio guide
provides history and insight into Frick’s world
and his love of art. You can also watch a
short documentary, chronicling his rise to
success in the late 1880s. Both his art
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3. 20 June 2014, Travel Digest
collection and personal story will fascinate
visitors as you take a step back in time.
Speaking of history, this city is full of
fascinating tales including some from
beyond the grave! Boroughs of the Dead tour
guide Andrea brings tales from the past to
life with her engaging and lively storytelling.
Her fascination with all things ghosts,
graveyards and criminology has led her to
research New York’s dark and macabre
history and their Ultimate Greenwich Village
Ghost Tour is exactly that! Meeting outside a
historic church and graveyard at night, this
spooky two-hour walk explores the East
Village and Greenwich Village. Every corner
has its ghost stories and every building has
its haunted spirits. Hear tales of tragedy and
murder, visit a real-life haunted house and
discover what really lies beneath Washington
Square Park. This is perfect for horror fans
and anyone who likes their history weird and
uncanny. Hopefully you’re lucky enough to
experience some paranormal activity!
New York has been the setting for many
famous films and television series. From the
famous landmarks such as Central Park, to
the smaller indoor settings, On Location
Tours will take you up close and behind the
scenes. As a Sex and the City fan, I decide to
do their Hotspots Tour. Winding your way
through the busy streets, you’ll enjoy
following in the footsteps of Carrie,
Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda from the
comfort of their bus. Your tour guide has all
the inside goss and they’ll even play scenes
from the series to keep you guessing the next
location. See where they drank, shopped and
gossiped all in 3.5 hours – this series pays
homage to New York. As well as cupcakes
and cocktails, you’ll also get exclusive
shopping discounts to continue the fun long
after the tour!
New York is a foodie’s heaven and what
better place to discover the flavours of this
delightful city than the famous Chelsea
Market and Meatpacking District. Foods of
New York Tours give food tasting walking
tours through some of this city’s most
delicious and historic neighbourhoods. Their
local guides really know their food including
where it’s sourced, how it’s made and so
much more. Enjoy food tastings from the
best specialty food shops, ethnic eateries
and local restaurants, as well as a glimpse of
life in New York. Their Chelsea Market, The
Highline & The Meatpacking District tour
visits this historic landmark building, elevated
railroad-turned-park and some of the best
local restaurants and food shops. You’ll get a
great insight into the foodie culture of this
multicultural city and your tastebuds will be
left longing for more.
Winner of eight 2012 Tony awards
including best musical, Once is based on the
2006 film of the same name. Featuring an
impressive cast of actor / musicians who play
their own instruments onstage, Once tells the
tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about
to give up on his dream when a beautiful
young woman takes an interest in his
haunting love songs. As their chemistry grows,
his music soars to powerful new heights. The
set includes a bar in centre stage, which is
used before the show and at intermission as a
working bar for theatre patrons – a great way
for the audience to interact with the set.
Emotionally captivating and theatrically
breathtaking, you’re drawn in from the very
first note. It’s a story about going for your
dreams and the power of music to connect us
all – you’ll leave feeling inspired!
EATING OUT
Located in the Theatre District and just
half a block from Times Square, Paramount
Bar & Grill is perfect for a pre-show dinner or
post-show drink. Open daily, this place offers
gourmet comfort food prepared with seasonal
ingredients. Their menu features American
classics such as Atlantic salmon served with
roasted tomato, eggplant and basil and
28-day aged strip with pommes roesti and
caramelised shallots.
The restaurant is welcoming and
lounge-like, with raised banquettes,
theatre-inspired fabrics and leather accents.
Start or end your night with a New York craft
beer, West Coast wine or classic cocktail. You
can also stay next door at The Paramount, a
597-room boutique hotel that dates back to
the 1920s.
Asiate Restaurant at Mandarin Oriental
New York serves contemporary American
cuisine with modern, artistic touches
overlooking stunning Central Park views.
Their tasting menu with wine pairing is
inventive including dishes such as sea scallop
with grapefruit, fennel and tarragon and
Atlantic halibut served with artichoke
barigoule and la quercia ham. The stylish
décor and spectacular views provides the
perfect romantic setting and an unforgettable
experience. The restaurant features an
incredible tree-branch sculpture and huge
wall of wine. The hotel also offers sumptuous
rooms and spacious suites combining style,
comfort and luxury.
A dinner cruise is the perfect way to relax
and dine while enjoying views of the city
skyline from the water at night. Bateaux New
York is an impressive vessel with a unique
curved glass ceiling design offering
360-degree skyline views of the harbour and
Statue of Liberty. Departing from Chelsea
Piers on West 23rd Street, the boat cruises
the Hudson and East Rivers past the
skyscrapers of Manhattan, providing
breathtaking view of New York’s landmarks.
The delicious cuisine served on board is
accompanied by an acoustic trio of a baby
grand piano, bass and jazz guitar; creating a
chic and sophisticated atmosphere.
New York is full of celebrity chef
restaurants and MAZE by Gordon Ramsay
offers a truly unforgettable culinary
experience at The London NYC – a stylish
hotel in the heart of the New York’s Theatre
District. Enjoy sophisticated cuisine served
in this stylish restaurant with a variety of
innovative and French-influenced dishes.
Their grilled watermelon salad with English
cucumber, heirloom tomato, feta cheese,
olives and shallot vinaigrette, provides an
explosion of flavour, as does their lobster
pot pie with baby carrots, celery and
wild mushrooms.
Hotel Beacon NYC
has stunning
views of Central
Park, the Hudson
River and Midtown
Manhattan.
✈
NEW YORK