My Trip To New York City

My hot favorite among all the remaining New York City tourist attractions is the Central Park in the central Manhattan. Be away from the hustle and bustle of the concrete forest while you stroll in the 840-acre green land welcoming tourists since 150 years. You will come to know why this park is so famous by discovering the theme gardens, tennis courts, baseball ground, lakes, and a zoo amidst joggers, skaters, and other tourists seen mostly in boats. There are two ice-skating rinks that are only accessible in winter out of which the Wollman Rink is among the most scenic ones on Earth amidst trees, hills, and Manhattan’s skyscrapers.

The 7 best attractions in NY:

1. I visited the first museum of the art known as MoMA – Museum of Modern Art since 1929. It is the home to the most spectacular exhibits of modern artistic works in the field of painting, prints sculptures, film, photographs, and architecture. So, no one can ever feel bore here as there is something for each type of tourist. Displays include the art works of Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, Max Beckman, Ansel Adams, and Kiki Smith. Started with only eight prints and one drawing, the museum has not grown to offer diverse 1,50,000 items. Further, the museum’s Library and Archives offer diverse collection of books, historical documents, and photos. Therefore, the aim of the gallery is to just educate the public about the modern art via exhibits, activities, and programs. It is located in Manhattan and its admission fees are $20 for adults. Come on Fridays between 4 to 8 pm for free entry, while on Tuesdays it remains closed.

2. The Ellis Island Immigration Museum is where you will come across some interesting immigrant exhibits. In fact, the immigrants of this island first saw the Statue of Liberty on their way. So, know about their life and experience via the interactive exhibits, walking tours, and movie shows that tell you about the difficulties faced by these people while crossing through Ellis Island.

3. One more fantastic museum is the American Museum of Natural History mesmerizing the public since 150 years. Regarded as the largest of its kind on the planet, the museum is full of over 30 million artifacts spread in its 42 exhibition halls. Check out for the 50 feet skeleton of a barosaurus in the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda, three magnificent dinosaur halls on the fourth floor, the Hall of Biodiversity, the Hall of Ocean Life, the Hall of Human Biology and Evolution, and the marvelous Hayden Planetarium. This planetarium is a broad aluminum sphere that floats in a huge glass cube holding the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Hey! Do not miss the Museum of Television and Radio after a lengthy walk. Opened daily from 10 am to 5.45 pm, the museum fees are $15 (adults), $8.50 (children 2-12); plus Planetarium Space show: $24 (adults), $14 (children 2-12); plus special exhibition or IMAX show: $24 (adults), and $14 (children 2-11).

4. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one more worthy museum with its greatest and largest exhibits of art on the planet. Its permanent display highlights are the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces of Europe of the 19th century. It is the home to over two million works of art ranging from ancient through modern period – of Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, and Cézanne. It is closed on Mondays and its fees are $20 (adults) and free for children under 12 with an adult.

5. After all important museums, I preceded towards a historic site called the Tarrytown in the Hudson Valley and the Catskills located at 40 miles from the New York City. Famous as ‘Sleepy Hollow’ to the Washington Irving aficionados, the town offers the impressive historic residences of Mr. Rockerfeller and Mr. Irving. Do visit the Hyde Park across the east bank of the river to visit the Roosevelt home where he spent his childhood and adult days. The Franklin D Roosevelt Home and Library is full of photos and artifacts. Check out for the car made for him after polio attacked him and the Einstein’s letter resulting into the creation of the atomic bomb. In addition, just 2 miles from the park is the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site that is a magnificent Beaux Arts home.

6. The Catskills region itself is a scenic mountains area holding towns, reservoirs, forests, parks, historic buildings, and resorts. This is the homeland of the famous Jewish comedians – Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, and Joan Rivers. The famous 1969 Woodstock Festival pulled more than five lakhs folks on the Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel to watch some of the best musical shows. Today, you can see the site and a museum with archives educating the public of the festival. Try out canoeing, hiking, and camping along with skiing too.

7. The Finger Lakes are spectacular 11 narrow lakes from north to south below Lake Ontario. The most famous activity here is boating, as fishing is quite boring and not at all exciting. Further, hiking, cycling, and cross-country skiing are all very exciting amidst hills, waterfalls, gorges, and parks.

7 Amusement Park Survival Tips

If you want to spend a fabulous day out with your family, the best way to do this is to go to an amusement park. But if you really want to be able to enjoy it thoroughly, it’s important to be prepared. Here are some Amusement Park Survival Tips that will help you and your family have the best time.

Research and Plan– This is probably one of the most important points. Look over amusement park maps and plan out which rides and attractions to check out first and where they are located. Get to those attractions at the start of your trip so that you get them crossed off your list and if there’s enough time at the end of the day you’ll get an opportunity to enjoy them again. Don’t forget to also find out where food stands and bathrooms are located. And be sure to also check if any special park events are scheduled for that day.

The Right Day– Make sure that you’re not visiting the amusement park on the busiest day of the year unless you have no other option. It’s no fun visiting an overcrowded park because you’ll spend more time waiting on long lines leaving less time to experience all the rides and attractions. So try avoiding holidays and weekends if possible.

Dress Code– Try to pick bright and similar-colored clothing for the entire friends and family event. This way it will be easier to locate each other in crowds. Avoid reds & blues as almost everyone wears them.

Meet-Up Spot– In the event that you get separated, it’s important to have a meet-up spot specified with your family and friends. This will make it much easier for everyone to regroup and enjoy the rest of the day together instead of wasting time and worrying about trying to find each other.

Planning– Think about a worst-case scenario and then plan for it. Tag your children’s belt loops with your name and phone number if you have to. Also instruct them to go directly to an amusement park staff member if they get separated or lost.

Start at the Last Rides– If you get to the park early head straight for the most popular rides at the furthest end of the park, instead of wasting your time at the little shops near the entrance. This will help you minimize wait times for attractions as the park tends to get more crowded as the day goes by.

Bring All the Essentials– Buying supplies at the park can be expensive. It’s best to plan ahead and bring necessities with you to save a few dollars here and there. Also don’t forget the stroller if you have a small child even if he/she thinks they are all grown up. Small children tire out quickly and you don’t want to be carrying them around all day.

Follow these tips and you’ll be sure to have a much more enjoyable summer camp outing at the amusement park with your family and friends.

Best Budgets Hotels In New York

This time it was my second visit to this world-renowned city of U.S.A. I planned this as my first trip was not that big to cover all the major New York City tourist attractions. Apart from the Statue of Liberty, World Trade Centre, and Niagara Falls, there are many other highlights in the city that I could not cover on my first trip. Seriously, your journey of this city is incomplete and insatiable until you do not explore those New York city tourist attractions that I visited this time. Anyways after visiting all the places, you need a place to crash.

Here is my pick on the budget NY hotels:

Red Carpet Inn New York

Red Carpet Inn New York C is located 10 miles from the LaGuardia Airport, other New York landmarks like the Brooklyn Bride is three miles from the hotel; Metropolitan Museum of Art is 1.3 miles from the hotel. Hotel amenities include complimentary coffee, microwave in the lobby, guestrooms have been provided with televisions and air-conditioning.

Chelsea Pines Inn

Although it is only a 3 star hotel, the reviews on some of the travel sites are amazing for this budget hotel. Tripadvisor website ranks it #1 in New York City.

West End Studios & Hostel

This hotel offers affordable accommodation and has been especially favorite amongst students. Hotel is nicely placed surrounded by trees and parks; the neared subway is only two blocks away. Hotel offers amenities like safe deposit boxes, laundry facilities, etc. Hotel does not provide telephones or bathrooms in each room, however sink is provided in each room.

Park Avenue Hotel

A fine hotel to stay; with a rating of 3.7 this midtown New York hotel has all the things your family would love – a fitness center, swimming pool, free Wi-Fi and a mini bar? Who wouldn’t love it?

The Continental Hostel

The Continental Hostel is located two blocks from the Central Park and a mile away from the Columbia University. Subway stops are located two blocks away. Internet can be access at the lounge area, where there are pool tables and video games available too. Hotel has a cinema room where guests can watch movies.

Columbus Studios Hostel

West Side Inn and Hostel is located nine miles from the LaGuardia Airport, this is a budget hotel. Hotel is located seven blocks from Columbia University and four blocks from the Central Park. Hotel has 88 guestrooms, amenities include cable television, and wirelesses Internet in lobby, bathrooms are shared. Community kitchens are also available.

West Side Inn & Hostel

West Side Inn and Hostel is located nine miles from the LaGuardia Airport, this is a budget hotel. Hotel is located seven blocks from Columbia University and four blocks from the Central Park. Hotel has 88 guestrooms, amenities include cable television and wireless Internet in lobby; bathrooms are shared. Community kitchens are also available.

Best Kid Friendly Restaurants in New York

If you have kids then you are surely one of those parents who typically look for a kid-friendly restaurant when going out to eat. Thankfully in New York, there are so many options to choose from that you and your kids can enjoy a hearty meal in an atmosphere where your child will be more than welcome.

Here are a few recommended choices:

  • DBGB Kitchen & Bar– This place is located in Manhattan’s East Village. No restrictions on rolling your kids stroller right up to any one of the booths in the dining room with sausages and burgers for the kids and French Bistro fare for the adults.
  • Prime Meats– Prime Meats located in Carroll Gardens is the recommended place for steak. The Germanic-influenced dishes are delicious and pleases parents and children alike.
  • Max Tribeca– This affordable Italian restaurant is right in the middle of Tribeca. The little ones will love the gnocchi and lasagna and their menu also offers smaller portions for certain dishes.
  • Franny’s– This restaurant in Prospect Heights is the perfect place to spend an evening with family. Kids are the preferred customers here and small plates are standard fare.
  • Minca– This noodle house in the East Village has very roomy space and is definitely a kid-friendly place with 17 Ramen options on the menu.
  • Ganso– Located in Downtown Brooklyn, Ganso calls itself a “Ramen Factory” with high-backed chairs and small servings of food for the tykes.
  • Olio Pizza e Piu– If you want to treat the kids to a Neapolitan-style pie and the best pizzas in town then this is the place to visit when you are in the West Village.
  • Fornino– In the busy Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, Fornino offers more than 2 dozen varieties of pies. It’s the perfect pizza place for kids.
  • Hill Country– This serious barbecue place in the Flatiron district serves Texas-style cooking. It is a boisterous place with cafeteria-style service which works out perfectly for a family event with kids.
  • Adventureland– Imagine having a meal and a shot of fun and excitement too. That’s exactly what you get when you visit Adventureland in Farmingdale, Long Island. The park is packed with fantastic rides and entertainment and when the kids start feeling hungry, all you have to do is head for the air-conditioned comfort of the restaurant at the park. Get your fill of the most delicious hot dogs, pizzas, wraps and hamburgers in a setting that the kids will love to be in.

The variety of dining options you can find in New York can be overwhelming, but these 10 places are a must-visit if you have kids and want to spend time enjoying a meal where kids are always welcome.

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