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Central Park
1
Between Fifth Ave. and Central Park West
Central Park is the largest park in Manhattan and without a doubt the most famous in all of NYC. Established in 1857, the 843-acre oasis has served as the scenic backdrop in countless movies and TV shows and functions as a kind of all-encompassing public recreation area. Its many attractions include a zoo, an ice-skating rink, a concert venue and several restaurants—not to mention its open fields, woodlands, running paths and various bodies of water. Located in the middle of Manhattan, the park, as its name suggests, is at the center of it all.
2
The Met
2
Fifth Ave. at 82nd St.
Located on the border of Central Park on Museum Mile, the Metropolitan Museum is one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the world. With over two million works of art spanning 5,000 years, the Met presents the best of human creativity from around the globe. From the splendors of ancient Egypt, to the spectacular New American Wing, to the Met’s beloved Impressionist paintings, a world of great art awaits you at NYC’s most-visited attraction. The collection and exhibitions are free with Museum admission. Plus, enjoy dining, the Audio Guide, and shopping at the Met Store.
3
Carnegie Hall
3
57th St. and Seventh Ave.
This world-famous concert venue is a New York City landmark and must-see music attraction. Carnegie Hall presents classical, jazz, folk, world and popular music with breakthrough and veteran performers. Since opening in 1891, this concert hall has become the emblem of musical achievement around the world, and has showcased the world’s finest artists—from Tchaikovsky to Mahler, Horowitz to Callas to Bernstein, even Judy Garland and the Beatles. Experience a concert, take the tour or visit the Rose Museum—all at Carnegie Hall.
4
Hudson River Park
4
Hudson River Waterfront
Covering 550 riverside acres along the western edge of Manhattan, Hudson River Park runs from West 59th Street in Midtown all the way down to Battery Park in the Financial District. Along the way, New Yorkers and visitors can enjoy a jogging and biking path, waterfront benches and tables, snack stands and free entertainment all summer long, like film screenings and live music.
5
Absolute Bagels
5
2788 Broadway
Some say Absolute Bagels are, ahem, absolutely the best. Indeed, fresh from the oven they're hard to beat: the egg version—as golden as a yolk—is a must, and the glossy, perfectly textured bagels are big, but not oversize. For those with smaller appetites, the 60-cent snack version is a popular draw, luring Columbia students into lines that wrap out the door on weekends. The storefront space is a bit shabby, with just a few tables and tinny pop music playing on the stereo. Kids love the sweet, fruity spreads like strawberry, blueberry and apple, while adults lean more toward standard schmears and Nova salmon. There's also olive and pimento Tofutti for the lactose intolerant.
6
Tosca
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Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center
Puccini’s operatic thriller, set in Rome against the backdrop of a Napoleonic incursion, is a tale of love, betrayal, mistaken identity and sacrifice. The title character, well-known singer Tosca, suspects her lover, the artist Cavaradossi, of an affair. Cavaradossi has, in fact, been helping to harbor a political refugee, Angelotti, while working on a portrait of Mary Magdalene. Meanwhile, the nefarious police chief Scarpia has all three of them in his sights. As with many an Italian opera, things do not end well. The resplendent production comes courtesy of Sir David McVicar; sopranos Sondra Radvanovsky, Elena Stikhina and Aleksandra Kurzak alternate in the title role.
7
Cinderella—Holiday Presentation
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Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center
Isabel Leonard stars as the fairytale princess in an adaptation of the beloved tale. This abridged version of Jules Massanet’s opera is performed in English and clocks in at 90 minutes, perfect for families. Note that children must be fully vaccinated to attend. For more information, visit metopera.org.
8
Big Gay Ice Cream – Upper West Side
8
516 Columbus Ave.
Big Gay Ice Cream is known for its soft serve and design flair. They serve standard flavors, like vanilla and chocolate, with whimsical names like the Dorothy (named after a certain Golden Girl) or the Salty Pimp, as well as seasonal favorites such as pumpkin or peppermint. Other treats include ice-cream cakes and pies, while in the morning they serve up pastries and coffee.