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The Top things to Visit in New York
The Top things to Visit in New York
The city that never sleeps. The capital of the world. The City. The Big Apple.
Whatever you want to call it, New York is one of the few cities in the world whose charming is always intact: the place everyone wants to visit at least once in a lifetime. Being it a romantic journey or a lonely trip, with your family or with friends, New York and its many attractions can always offer a new experience.
Reaching New York is simple, thanks to its 3 enormous airports, JFK Kennedy, Newark and La Guardia, which connect the Big Apple with hundreds of destinations worldwide.
In order to fully enjoy your stay in New York, the best idea is to book a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Our main suggestion goes to the Grand Hyatt Hotel, a stone’s throw from the main destinations and most fashionable districts. We suggest you buy a New York Pass or a City Pass, allowing you to visit several museums and monuments such as the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building at a lower price, sometimes also skipping lines. These 2 passes have a different price and a different validity, so to meet tourists’ needs.
Once in the city, you only have to make up your mind about where to start to discover this multicultural metropolis.
Without a doubt, the first visit must be for her. Outstanding and impassible, the Statue of Liberty is the referring point for those willing to discover the city. A gift from France to celebrate the centenary of the Independence War, the Statue of Liberty became a symbol of democracy and freedom. Located on Liberty Island, it is 93 meters tall. The most courageous ones may climb its 357 steps leading up to its crown and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline. The Statue of Liberty was also the first thing immigrants saw of the American soil. Close to Liberty Island, you can visit Ellis Island, once the checkpoint for immigrants and now the Museum of Immigration holding the old registries of those coming to the United States. You may discover Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro’s ancestors, or your great-grandfather.
Another symbol of New York is the World Trade Center, so sadly famous for September 11th attack in 2001. Ground Zero, the museum and memorial, now stands where the Twin Towers used to be, to remind a day which inevitably left its mark in the entire world.
Another icon of the city is the Empire State Building, which has been the town highest building for a long time. Reaching the 86th floor terrace gives you an incomparable view of Manhattan. Seeing it at night uncovers a world of lights. And talking about lights, you surely cannot miss a visit to Times Square, the neon place we saw in so many movies, with its big animated ads.
Though New York is often considered a cement jungle with its skyscrapers up to the skies, the city is also famous for Central Park, 3-square kilometers green lung. A relaxing afternoon there is absolutely a must. You may jog, rent a bike or take a walk along the many pathways and hung around its small lakes. The continuous transformations of the city give new life to old decaying areas, just like the Meatpacking District, once considered the New York butchery and now home of the High Line, a 2-mile overhead park along an abandoned and still visible railway.
In New York you cannot miss some art and culture! The city is home of some of the most famous museums in the world such as MOMA (Museum of Modern Arts) where you can see paintings like Van Gogh’s The Starry Night or Andy Warhol’s golden Marilyn Monroe.
Always talking about modern art, you should see a museum that was built as an artwork itself: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright as an upside-down Tower of Babel, its circular corridors display artworks of artists like Chagall, Modigliani and Picasso.
For those willing to experience both classical and modern art, your destination is the Metropolitan Museum, also known as The Met.
Last but not least, the American Museum of Natural History is a must for those who like or want to find out about, anthropology, paleontology and zoology.
Discovering New York also means taking a walk around neighbors that made the story of the city, whose charm is still intact. Greenwich Village has been the cradle for many artists. Modern jazz, folk music and new series like Friends and Sex and the City took place there.
To experience the Italian atmosphere, you can stroll around Little Italy, the first quarter that welcomed immigrants from Italy.
Next to Little Italy is Chinatown, home to Chinese New Yorkers, which turns yellow and red for the Chinese New Year’s Day as dragons fill the streets.
Long Island, on the other hand, is home of one of the most populated boroughs of New York: Brooklyn. To get there, you must cross the East River on the world-famous Brooklyn Bridge. We recommend you cross it on foot so you can enjoy the view over Manhattan.
If you feel hungry after so much touring, you can have a hot dog on the go. But if you fancy something sweet, it is time to taste cheesecake, the sweet symbol of New York. We recommend that at Two Little Red Hens, in the Upper Est Side.
What about you? Ready to leave for New York?
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Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar
Find out why Sand boarding, Diving and Safaris through the desert are included in the Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar.
Qatar is a country of reinvention. Shimmering towerblocks rise against a desert horizon, and maze-like souks thrive next to 21st-century shopping palaces. It’s also one of the more accessible countries of the Arab Gulf, with a welcoming reputation towards visitors and plenty of attractions to keep them coming. Some of the best holiday activities you’ll find in Qatar are the adventurous kind. And these are the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar.
Sunset in Qatar – Photo by wj2012
Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar
Diving expeditions
The Gulf Sea is famed for its crystal waters and the exuberant marine life which lurks just beneath the surface. Messaid is a good jumping-off point where you’ll find angelfish and barracuda, while those intrigued by underwater wrecks will love the Hall Island dive site at Al-Sharqi, where bright clownfish circle the abandoned boat.
Sand Adventures
Many of the sports here have been adapted from colder climates, so instead of skiing down a mountain piste, try Khor Al Adaid beach to glide down the impressive dunes on a sand-board. Alternatively, race your blo-kart along the sands of Al Wakrah, south of capital Doha, to experience the thrill of wind-sailing on dry land.
Sand Boarding – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by ground zero
Al Jassasiya
The ancient carvings of Al Jassasiya lie to the north near Al Shamal, amid a truly remote landscape of village ruins and limestone. Hire a 4×4 of your own and make the journey to see the 900 petroglyphs which riddle the rocks here. The carvings denote flowers, animals, fleets of shows, or traditional Arab boats, and to this day, their origins remain a mystery.
Sunset Cruise
When the time comes for a more relaxed excursion, you can do no better than a sunset cruise onboard a wooden dhow as you drift past the super-modern Doha seafront of Al-Corniche and the old harbor at Al Khor. If you’re still hankering after some adventure, rent a smaller vessel and go for a fishing trip the following day.
Desert Safaris
Much of the inland desert in Qatar remains inaccessible on foot, but fortunately, that’s where a 4×4 comes in very handy for a safari trip you won’t easily forget. There are numerous options available from Doha, including day-long excursions, bumping, and rolling to the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid. Or make the trip at dusk for a spot of star-gazing before you settle in Bedouin-style tents for the night.
Desert Safari – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by robertpaulyoung
Most activities can be arranged via a tour company. Although cash has been the predominant payment method in Qatar, this is beginning to change, which is good news for tourists since HSBC offers protection against loss or theft. If you’re planning on taking part in several activities, it can be handy to have some plastic on you to avoid expensive traveler’s cheques, plus credit cards from HSBC and other familiar providers also enable easy access to money at the ATMs. However, it’s wise to exercise caution, using only official bank machines here and sticking with local currency at the market and in smaller shops.
There’s no doubt that Qatar offers some world-class cultural attractions beyond the more energetic highlights, and while you’re in the country, set aside some time for the historic Al Zubarah fort or browse the recreated 19th-century Souk-Waqif, in Doha.
This country has been undervalued in the past but is now coming to the world’s attention. With its desert adventures, ancient sites, and thriving culture, this attention is thoroughly deserved.
This is a travel feature by world traveler, Jose Capelo. He loves exploring the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar and has spent many trips exploring the wild deserts of Qatar.
Bondi is well known for sun, surf, and fun, but what can you do if you find yourself there in the colder months from June to August? Here are a few suggestions for things to do in Sydney’s most popular suburb when the temperature drops.
8 Things to do in Bondi in Winter
1. Go on an art tour
If the weather doesn’t allow for the typical outdoorsy activities Bondi is known for, a tour of some of its first-rate art galleries can be a great way to spend an afternoon. Don’t miss the Cooee Aboriginal Art Gallery, dedicated to promoting Indigenous art, and the Bondi Art Lounge, where you can view works from local artists or even take a beginner class and create a masterpiece of your own.
2. Take a hike
In crisp cool temperatures, a hike along the coastal cliffs with a view of the gorgeous Pacific Ocean below can’t be beaten. One of the most popular hikes is the Bondi to Coogee Walk, which is 6 km and takes you through Sydney’s eastern suburbs and past plenty of cafes, restaurants, and kiosks where you can stop to rest and take in the sights.
3. Head to Bondi Icebergs for some winter swimming
Even during winter, swimming is not entirely out of the question in Bondi. The Oceanside pool at Bondi Icebergs Club is open year-round, and the winter swims every Sunday from May to September have become a time-honored tradition. Although club members must complete at least three winter swims a year to retain their lofty membership title, non-members who are up for the challenge can pay a one-time fee to use the pool and sauna.
4. Strap on your skates and visit the only beachside skating rink in Australia
If winter swimming is a step too far for you, why not skate instead? Bondi has Australia’s only beachside ice rink, and the ocean view in the background makes for a striking contrast. The ice rink is open from June 27 to July 13, and aside from hosting skating sessions that are open to the public, it also features spectacular ice shows from Stars On Ice.
5. Settle in for brunch at one of Bondi’s decadent cafes
Winter wouldn’t be the same without a few indulgences, and after all your skating and hiking, you’ve probably earned a hearty brunch anyway. Fortunately, Bondi is full of great brunch options, from Trio Café with delicacies like poached eggs with truffle oil and char-grilled halloumi; to the rustic Brown Sugar, where you can indulge in classic comfort food like buttermilk pancakes and English muffins with bacon.
6. Join a cooking class, dodge ball game, or salsa lesson
During the winter, it may seem like most people have gone off to hibernate, but if you know where to look, you can still find plenty of social things to do. Start by checking out the Bondi community page on Gumtree. You can find like-minded individuals to explore the area with or even join a group for fun activities like hiking, biking, or cooking.
7. Score some vintage fashion at Bondi Markets
The Bondi Markets, held every Sunday on Bondi Beach, are known in Sydney for being the best place to shop for vintage clothing and accessories and hip new fashions from emerging designers. Aside from style, you can also shop for art, furniture, flowers, books, local produce, and delicious street eats. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a great place to do some people-watching and see the Bondi locals in their element.
8. Stop by the Bondi Pavilion
The Bondi Pavilion is one of the suburb’s oldest landmarks dating back to 1928 when it first opened, featuring grand dining rooms, a lounge, a ballroom, and the Turkish and Hot Sea Water Baths. Today, it’s used as an art and cultural center and is home to a theatre group, recording studio, and art gallery. There’s always something going on here, from pottery classes to festivals to open-air cinemas, so check it out if you have a chance.
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...
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