Presented by The James New York
New York for the Untourist
New York City is a magical place filled with beautiful attractions, amazing food and plenty of rich culture. A stay at The James Hotel located in Soho is just as riveting. With 114 rooms, the award-winning David Burke Kitchen, an urban garden and rooftop pool and deck, there’s plenty of reasons to love the four-star property. The hotel also makes it easy to see the city’s sights by offering transportation such as bikes and car service.
With virtually endless things to see and do in NYC, it’s important to be strategic when planning your sightseeing—so many landmarks, so little time. The good news is: swapping out some of the major tourist traps for more local attractions means skipping the massive crowds, long lines and unnecessary stress that goes along with them. Here are five savvy suggestions for having a relaxing and authentic New York City experience:
Skip: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Instead: Head to The Cloisters, an extension of The Met featuring medieval art and architecture set within lush gardens. More than 2,000 pieces of art are on display including tapestries, stained glass, manuscripts, and metalwork from the 12th-15th centuries. The castle-like museum was constructed using parts of European abbeys that were shipped to New York and rebuilt in the hills of Washington Heights. After roaming around the gardens, take a hike around the nearby trails or down to the Hudson River Greenway, a dedicated walking and biking path. Follow the water toward the George Washington Bridge and get ready for even more Kodak moments.
Skip: The Empire State Building
Instead: Go to the Top of the Rock in Rockefeller Center and look out onto The Empire State Building in all its glory—you’ll understand why it’s one of the most photographed buildings in the world. It’s even better lit up at night, especially in festive colors for holidays. The 67th and 69th floors have glass-enclosed areas for viewing, but the 70th floor is where you’ll get completely unobstructed 360-degree views of the stunning skyline as far as the eye can see. It’s not required, but if you purchase and print your tickets in advance, you can bypass the lines to the pre-show exhibit.
Skip: Taxis and Bus Tours
Instead: Take the subway (even celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Mike Tyson, and Kevin Bacon have been spotted riding the rails). While it’s not the most luxurious, it is the quickest and most efficient way to get to as many sites as possible. If the weather permits, forget the subway and take a Citi Bike. Go on your own scenic tour through Central Park, over the Brooklyn Bridge, or along the East River Greenway. With more and more bike stations popping up, it’s easy to hop on and go on a spontaneous adventure. Download the Citi Bike app to quickly find available bikes, nearby docking stations, see your riding stats, and do your own route planning.
Skip: Dominique Ansel Bakery’s Cronuts
Instead: Get an equally delicious, and arguably more inventive, sweet treat at Doughnut Plant; and you don’t have to get up early and wait in line to do it. Just walk right in and peruse their variety of yeast, cake, and filled confections baked into classic round shapes, unique squares, and mini doughnut holes. With locations in Chelsea, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Lower East Side, they make it convenient to satisfy your sugar craving as soon as it hits. While new flavors are concocted daily, you’ll want to taste all the reasons why the crème brûlée remains their signature.
Skip: Times Square
Instead: Enjoy a much more low-key walk around the West Village—one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the city. Historic charm oozes from every corner of this area, known for its tree-lined cobblestone streets, elegant brownstones, chic boutiques, and gourmet restaurants. Sure beats obnoxious flashing lights and costumed street performers. Slip behind the private gates of Washington Mews and go back in time to the horse and carriage days of the 1800s. This quaint Greenwich Village alley is lined with converted 19th-century stables whose ivy façades and rustic painted shutters are nothing if not picture-worthy.
