Michelangelo's NYC
Published 05/17/2017
Food and fun are the buzzwords on this five-borough foray, as you take on some of the City’s most beloved institutions: pizza, the zoo and a free ferry ride.
1
Statue of Liberty
1
Liberty Island
The Statue of Liberty is a must-see New York City attraction, a ferry ride away from Lower Manhattan. Climb the stairs up to the pedestal level or go all the way to the crown (you’ll have to book tickets well in advance for both), which offers panoramic harbor views. If heights aren’t your thing, stick to a self-guided audio or a ranger tour, or visit the museum.
2
Bronx Zoo
2
2300 Southern Blvd.
The City’s most famous zoo is home to more than 6,000 animals, spread across 256 acres and all kinds of habitats. What to see? For a start, try the denizens of the Congo Gorilla Forest, the snout-nosed Indian gharials in JungleWorld and the baby bison on the bison range, followed by a thrill ride in Wild Asia—by monorail or camel.
3
Lombardi’s
3
32 Spring St
Pizza devotees should make a pilgrimage to where it all began in the City. Lombardi’s is the first pizzeria in America and one of the last remaining coal-oven pizzerias around these parts; its clam pie is a perennial favorite. Need more pizza recommendations? See our complete guide.
4
L&B Spumoni Gardens
4
2725 86th St
We do have one more recommendation here. Out in Brooklyn, L&B is known for it’s sauce-on-top Sicilian slices, plus its spumoni ice cream. In the summer, cars routinely double park and people line up at the takeout window for this delicious experience. For more on NYC’s top slices, check out our rundown.
5
Harlem Shake
5
100 W. 124th St.
What’s pizza without a milkshake (at least to the Turtles)? This old-school diner, which pays homage to the 1940s diner that used to be open on the site, has an undeniable charm—and delicious hand-spun shakes. The rest of its tasty, affordable treats—griddle-cooked burgers, New York hot dogs—will leave your belly and wallet full.
6
Central Park
6
Between Fifth Ave. and Central Park West
The 843-acre green space needs no introduction, but you might need some help deciding what to see and do once there. It’s got music and theater venues, a zoo, an ancient Egyptian obelisk, restaurants, running paths, open fields, wildlife, even a place for fishing. Or just wander around and think about how frequently you’ve seen the park as a backdrop in television shows and movies.
7
Staten Island Ferry
7
St. George Terminal
For commuters, the Staten Island Ferry is a means of transportation. For others, it’s an attraction in and of itself. The no-cost 25-minute trip transports riders from Staten Island’s St. George Ferry Terminal to Lower Manhattan, and vice versa. Along the way, enjoy amazing vistas of New York Harbor, the Lower Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.