Welcome to New York City – arguably the most exciting city in the United States and just the spot for a honeymoon or romantic getaway in the USA.
The city that never sleeps dazzles at every turn with countless places to enjoy a romantic moment.
Explore the must-see attractions of New York City set in a patchwork of neighbourhoods located on Manhattan Island that run the gamut from high finance to romantic old world charm and trendy cool.
For stunning city views climb to the top of the Empire State Building or the Rockefeller Center. And for a free cruise, hop onto the Staten Island Ferry for a harbour trip past the iconic 92m tall Statute of Liberty.
Visit Ellis Island, once America’s immigration gateway or explore Chinatown, mingling with the 150,000 Chinese people who live within its five square kilometres) and discovering restaurants and colourful emporiums.
Ride a horse-drawn carriage and enjoy a picnic for two in Central Park, stroll along the side streets of SoHo and celebrate life with an indulgent lunch in upscale TriBeCa or relax on the green lawn of Bryant Park amid the skyscrapers of Midtown.
Take in a high-voltage Broadway musical, go shopping along Fifth and Madison avenues and watch (or go) ice-skating at the Rockefeller Centre.
Be sure to check out the Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) on 5th Ave and the priceless art collections at MoMa (Museum of Modern Art) on 53rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.
Later enjoy a cocktail in trendy Soho or Trebeca while a jazz trio plays in the background then dine in cute ethnic restaurants where you can order just about anything.
Guide to must-see attractions in New York…
Offering a breadth and variety of stores rarely found elsewhere in the world, New York is truly a shopper's paradise.
To fully explore one of the world's best shopping destinations, start at Central Park and work your way down Fifth Avenue, past famous stores such as Tiffany, Brooks Brothers, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy's.
Then continue downtown to the neighbourhoods of Soho and Nolita to track down the newest and trendiest boutiques.
For most visitors, Manhattan is New York. The island is divided into three areas: Downtown (south of 14th Street), Midtown (from 14th Street to Central Park/59th Street) and Uptown (north of 59th Street).
Fifth Avenue, which runs the length of Manhattan, south to north, divides ‘the east side’ from ‘the west side’.
Guide to shopping in New York…
New York theatre is traditionally considered the pinnacle of live theatrical entertainment.
For more than a century Broadway theatre has been home to America’s greatest playwrights, composers, and lyricists, as well as the people who bring great plays and musicals to life – the actors, singers, dancers, directors, designers and choreographers.
Savour the Big Apple’s diverse theatre scene: from popular high-voltage musical entertainment on Broadway, considered the best theatre district in America, to less commercial but highly innovative plays and shows on Off Broadway.
Guide to entertainment in New York…
New York City offers newlyweds a huge and excellent choice of accommodation options for every taste and budget, from luxurious hotels housed in historic buildings to comfortable options in the heart of Midtown.
But for that special romantic occasion check in to the Four Seasons Hotel New York – a sleek monument to New York sophistication, with walls of French limestone, pierced by elegant paned windows, and the perfect position for you to enjoy the sunset over Central Park from your terrace.
To get you started, here's a selection of New York City's finest 5-star hotels…
Crosby Street Hotel
Location: 79 Crosby Street, SoHo, New York City
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD4,142 per suite
Description: Located on a cobbled street in the SoHo neighborhood, this contemporary design hotel features a beautiful inner courtyard and an on-site terrace restaurant. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. The Crosby Street Hotel offers bright, modern rooms with high ceilings and full-length windows. Each is equipped with flat-screen cable TV, DVD player and iPod docking station. Guests of Crosby Street are welcome to work out in the 24-hour gym or relax in front of the fireplace in the plush drawing room. Films are shown in the hotel’s private theater each Sunday. The Crosby Bar and Terrace serves gourmet items including breakfast and brunch. An afternoon tea with pastries and sandwiches is offered daily. The Crosby Street Hotel is adjacent to the Museum of Modern Art Design and 1 block from the Spring Street subway station.
Baccarat Hotel and Residences New York
Location: 28 West 53rd Street, New York City
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD1,735 per room
Description: Featuring Baccarat crystals in every room, the Baccarat Hotel and Residences is located in New York. Guests can relish in the intricate architecture and design features while enjoying the indoor pool, fitness centre and on-site French restaurant. Free WiFi access is available. Each room at the hotel is furnished with contemporary Parisian décor and offers a flat-screen TV, sofa and desk. Private bathrooms include a hairdryer, free toiletries, slippers and a bathrobe. An iron, coffee machine and safety deposit box are also provided. A 24-hour front desk welcomes guests to New York’s Baccarat Hotel and Residences, which provides a personal host with every reservation. Additional amenities offered at the hotel include a spa and wellness centre, laundry and concierge services. The hotel is 100 m from Museum of Modern Art, 200 m from St Patrick's Cathedral and 200 m from Radio City Music Hall. Newark Liberty International Airport is 19 km away.
Four Seasons Hotel New York
Location: 57 East 57th Street, Midtown East, New York City
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD1,501 per room
Description: Experience 5-star New York hotel living at Four Seasons. A modern-deco exterior, designed by architect I.M Pei greets you at this hotel. Located on Billionaire’s Row, at one of the city’s most prestigious addresses, between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue, guests at Four Seasons will be 483 m from Central Park and will have easy access to shopping on 5th and Madison Avenues. All rooms and suites at Four Seasons New York offer views of the park or the city. Complimentary coffee services are provided to all guests between 5:00 and 8:00 in the morning. Twice-daily housekeeping includes evening turn-down services. Complimentary newspaper and on-demand shoe-shine services are also provided. Unlimited access to the health club including the sauna is also available. With a forest-inspired décor scheme, The Garden restaurant gives guests a chance to enjoy a meal amidst the twisting trunks of African Acacia trees. Oversize windows allow natural light to filter in, and the breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch menus at The Garden feature local ingredients. TY Bar has an art-deco inspired décor and the cocktail list is reminiscent of the 1920s and ‘30s. They also serve craft beers. Seating options at TY Bar include seating next to the window, the fireplace or overlooking the Grand Lobby. A seasonal dining menu is also available. L. Raphael Beauty Spa, the Swiss skincare brand, opened their first location in North America at the Four Seasons New York. The 3,800 square foot space boasts ten treatment rooms, a full-service hair salon, 2 nail stations, saunas and whirlpools along with a retail boutique. Times Square is 1.7 km from the Four Seasons and Rockefeller Center is 966 m away.
The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York
Location: Two East 61st Street at 5th Avenue, Upper East Side, New York City
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD932 per room
Description: The Pierre, A Taj Hotel is located across from Central Park at 61st Street. A part of the New York City skyline with its copper mansard roof, The Pierre offers guests white glove luxury service. The hotel is close to high-end shopping destinations and is only steps away from Barneys New York. The boutiques of Fifth & Madison Avenues are in close proximity. The Pierre has played host to many society events since opening in 1930. The newly-opened restaurant, Perrine, offers seasonal French-American cuisine with daily specials inspired by Pierre culinary classics. The hotel also offers a bar/lounge, Two E, with traditional afternoon tea by day and live jazz by night every Thursday through Saturday. Located at the intersection of Midtown and the Upper East Side, white gloved elevator attendants, a Les Clefs d'Or concierge team, trained housekeepers and more work to maintain the quality of service. The Pierre also has Forbes Five Star & AAA Five Diamond to their name. The Pierre offers a variety of exclusive experiences for young travelers as well. A host of child-friendly amenities await - from special treats to movies, toys and special museum passes on demand. The Museum Mile is 2.8 km away. The Central Park Zoo is a short walk from the hotel, and the Concierge team can work with their partners at the Central Park Conservancy to organize special experiences for children.
The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel
Location: 123 Nassau Street, Tribeca, New York City
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD472 per room
Description: Within the majestic walls of one of New York’s most exceptional landmarks, a new paradigm for Lower Manhattan is emerging. An architectural gem, hailed for its iconic nine-story atrium and pyramidal skylight, The Beekman unites some of the world’s greatest talent, including the sophisticated design of Martin Brudnizki and the culinary cachet of restaurateur and chef Tom Colicchio. The hotel will also feature a restaurant by Keith McNally, his first in the neighborhood. Located within the center of Lower Manhattan’s thriving New Downtown, and nestled between both the East and Hudson Rivers, The Beekman is surrounded by some of Manhattan’s most cherished attractions, including the Brooklyn Bridge and the World Trade Center.
The best time to visit New York City is in spring or autumn, thereby avoiding the winter cold and summer heat.
The month of May, and from mid-September to mid-October is particular good. Early summer, from mid-June to mid-July offers pleasant warm weather.
Summer in New York is usually hot and humid. The summer average temperature is 29°C (84°F), while winter averages 2°C (35°F).
New York experiences a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers, with rainfall in all months. It is frequently windy.
For more climate info: New York Weather Guide…
New York is located on the northeastern United States, in southeastern New York State, approximately halfway between Washington, D.C. and Boston.
New York City consists of five boroughs — The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island — each of which is a county of New York State.
By air, New York Kennedy Airport receives daily direct flights from the major cities of North American and Europe, with connecting flights via Los Angeles from Asia and the Pacific.
More on how to get to New York City…
Walking is the best way to explore New York City, and in Central Park you can stroll trails to discover wooded sections where you hardly even see or hear the city.
The New York subway is often the fastest and most reliable way to get around the city, and both the bus and subway system offer an inexpensive way of crossing town on longer sightseeing trips.
Taxis can be hailed anywhere… although don't expect to catch a cab during the morning and evening rush hours, and always make sure the meter is turned on at the start of the ride.
NYC is also a bike-friendly city: the popular bike-share program, Citi Bike, offers excellent access to get around Manhattan.
More on how to get to New York City…
Latest update: New York City Honeymoon: 23 August, 2022
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