As promised, the second in a list of clichéd New York sights. Are they worth seeing? That’s entirely up to you of course, but maybe this will help you make up your mind …
New York Cliché No. 7: Wall Street & the Stock Exchange
You certainly don’t need an interest in world markets to enjoy Wall Street. My knowledge of them is nil, and I loved it. Tickets to the Stock Exchange are free (get in early, though) and highly recommended. Don’t even try to understand what’s happening in the melee on the trading floor – just look down from the visitors’ gallery and marvel. When you leave, watch out for the historic graveyard at Trinity Church across the road – a tiny pocket of peace in the midst of all the commerce. The city’s oldest tombstone (1681) is here: sadly, it’s that of a little boy. There are other historic attractions in this area, including City Hall and the Gothic-looking Woolworth Building. Ground Zero is also nearby. There are walking tours available which take in all these places and more.
Photo by Hibino
New York Cliché No. 8: Central Park
Just gorgeous. Just go there. It’s vast, varied and very beautiful, but safest during daylight (obviously). Swat up on the various attractions (including the free summer concerts) before your visit; you’ll be astonished at the different landscapes and features it contains. The park is two and a half miles long, and that’s something like four kilometres, so wear your walking shoes.
New York Cliché No. 9: Circular boat trip around Manhattan
Absolutely worthwhile. Do it. You’ll get a whole new perspective on Manhattan. You’ll also see some astonishing roof gardens, all those famous bridges and buildings and, inevitably, homes of the rich and famous. Three hours well spent.
New York Cliché No. 10: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Essential. But whatever you do, do NOT go here if you’re in any kind of a hurry. Allow yourself ages: there are 250 rooms, and treasures of every conceivable kind. In fact, allow yourself days, if you have the luxury of time. Really not to be missed.
New York Cliché No. 11: 42nd Street
I once asked a living, breathing New York City cliché, a member of the NYPD, how to get to 42nd Street. After staring at me for a moment he said, “You can’t go there, lady,” and stalked off. Unnerved by the emphasis on “you”, I obeyed him. But fabulous and formerly infamous 42nd Street has now been cleaned up big-time, and is worth a look. It bisects Times Square, so in theory you can’t miss it. Its sights include historic theatres, the very interesting Humanities and Social Studies Research Library (don’t be put off by the off-putting name!), shops, galleries, museums, the Chrysler Building and, just across the road, the one and only Grand Central Station.
New York Cliché No. 12: All New Yorkers are rude and unfriendly
Are they? Not the ones I met. No doubt there are plenty of rude New Yorkers, but there are also plenty of helpful, friendly, funny ones - as there are in every city of the world.
More clichés coming soon … destination as yet undisclosed! Meanwhile, go and make your New York bookings, and be generous with your time. You won’t regret it. Clichéd those sights may be, but boring they are not.
Photo by Dano