Samuel Johnson said: “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” The same can easily be said about New York City. It is known as “the city that never sleeps.” If your cruise starts, ends or overnights in New York, it makes sense to consider extending your stay and enjoying everything the city has to offer.
This takes some work because New York is expensive. On a list of the cost of living in 400+ major cities around the world, New York comes in at #7. FYI: All six more expensive cities (per numbeo) are in Switzerland! If you want to enjoy New York for a few days, the first thing you need to do is stay in Manhattan. Unfortunately, the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is not near anything, including public transportation.
Ideally you want to book a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. This is a good time to make use of your accumulated hotel loyalty points.
Here are several ideas for enjoying some of the best New York has to offer:
- Broadway theater. If you feel the Olympics is the peak achievement for an athlete, performing on Broadway is a peak achievement for an actor. Broadway theater tickets are expensive, but there are ways to get a deal. Check out (online) TKTS, the discounted ticket booths for same day performances (Times Square is the major one). Also, check out the Theater Development Fund. It costs to join, but you can buy discounted tickets in advance.
- Restaurant week. New York tends to run it twice a year, January/February and July/August. “Week” is a misnomer. In 2025, the summer dates were July 21st to August 17th. Hundreds of restaurants have price fixed menus at lunch or dinner. This is an opportunity to visit famous places at affordable prices.
- Ride the subway. On your first glance of Manhattan, you will discover traffic is solid and taxis are expensive. New Yorkers know the best way to get around is the subway system. It can get crowded, but the maps and signage are easy to read. It is one of the true New York experiences.
- Have drinks in at least one famous place. You have seen the Plaza Hotel in films. Great news! The Waldorf Astoria hotel has reopened. These are only two of the famous watering holes everyone has heard about. Check them out for yourself.
- Visit the Tiffany flagship store. Located at 5th Avenue and 56th Street, the store was famous long before Audrey Hepburn appeared in “Breakfast at Tiffanys.” It was recently remodeled and like Harrods in London, understands it is a tourist attraction in addition to a store. They welcome visitors.
- The Circle Line. If you are joining or disembarking a cruise, you might wonder why you want to get out on the water again. The Circle Line sightseeing boats started running in 1945. The ideal trip is the one circling Manhattan Island. It takes about three hours as I recall. It is a great way to see Manhattan’s skyline without the crowds.
- Hudson Yards and the Highline. If you watch the CBS series Elsebeth, you might have seen both. The Highline is an elevated pedestrian walkway built on old elevated railroad tracks. Hudson Yards is possibly New York’s most glamorous shopping complex.
- The major auction houses. Christie’s is one example. These places, famous for sales with world record breaking prices, have regular auctions. These usually have viewings, open to the public, several days before the sale. Put another way, it’s like a museum where all the exhibits are for sale.
These are only a few of the attractions New York has to offer. The best part is that most are within walking distance if you are staying in Midtown Manhattan.
Editor’s Notes:
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photos Bryce Sanders
