Mrs. Murfreesboro: Here’s a guide for those who get chance at The Big Apple on The Murfreesboro Post

Welcome Visitor, 532 members online.

Date: Tue, Mar 16, 2010

My Account

Search:

advanced

Sidebar Ads

Mrs. Murfreesboro: Here’s a guide for those who get chance at The Big Apple

Related Articles

Read all about it: Uncle Sid Goes HD

Mrs. 'Boro: Time to dump stuff

Dr. Kestner: Save up your change, be glad that you did

Mike Pirtle: People suffer enough without politics

H-Haid: Dang, why did he get rid of that truck?

Stephen Lewis: Mourning a dear, dear friend

The Edge: Businesses come, go on 'Boro's Public Square

H-Haid & Pa journeys out for a Gator Burger

Dr. Kestner: Spring ... can your ol’ bod handle it?

Mayor Westbrooks remains a legend

View All

By: JEANNE BRAGG, Post Columnist

Posted: Sunday, November 30, 2008 7:19 am

It’s that time of year again when people head to The Big Apple (New York City). Because I visit there frequently I get numerous requests on what to do. So here is Mrs. Murfreesboro’s guide to visit NYC at Christmas time.

When people say they’re going to New York, they mean Manhattan, an island that is one of five boroughs that comprise New York City.

Get a tour book with a good Manhattan map or find one online to personalize. Familiarize yourself the island and you’ll be10 steps ahead. The southern tip is home to the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street and the Financial District. The World Trade towers were there.

Times Square is the area with bright lights you see on TV. Broadway is the Theatre District (where plays are). Central Park is a huge oasis that most Manhattaners visit weekly. It starts at 59th Street and goes up 60-plus blocks to Harlem.

Fifth Avenue is a dividing line that divides the city into the East Side (east of Fifth) and the West Side (west of Fifth). From 14th street north the streets are numbered and increase as you go up. The area west of Central Park is Central Park West (CPW) and to the east is … ??? You got it – CPE (Central Park East).

Do your homework to know where things are in advance. Knowing which way the traffic flows can help you get your bearings (i.e., 5th Ave, Broadway and Lexington go south; 6th Ave and Madison go north). Park Avenue is a boulevard that goes both ways. Midtown is where most hotels are, and it is easy to navigate but I get a little confused when I go south to Greenwich Village and SoHo.

Have a written itinerary and plot every single day out on paper before you go. If I go with a group or take my children, I ask each person to name three things they want to do and try to include at least their top two.

Google the names of points of interest (Statue of Liberty, Bloomingdale’s). There’s a 90 percent chance the Google search will offer a map of the location. Pinpoint it on your map. Also record on your itinerary addresses of everything, because some cab drivers go by exact addresses only. When you exit a taxi, get a receipt. If you’ve left anything behind (your purse or a cell phone), you’ll have the cab number.

A good place to start is the New York Public Library at 42nd and Fifth. Behind it is Bryant Park, which has an ice-skating rink and specialty shops at Christmas. Grand Central’s Main Terminal is at 42nd and Park Avenue. Start walking north to 49th (there’s not much in between).

The American Girl Store is at 49th and Fifth. Proceed up Fifth Avenue to Saks Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Plaza (Today Show and Christmas tree). Then walk north up Fifth to Central Park. Don’t miss the windows at Saks. You’ll pass St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Build a Bear Store, Trump Tower, Henri Bendel, Tiffany’s, the Apple Store (open 24/7), FAO Schwarz and end at the Plaza Hotel and Central Park. If you’re so inclined, have a drink at the King Cole Bar, one of the most beautiful bars anywhere (55th, right off Fifth).

Another secret is Menu Pages.com, which lists menus of almost any restaurants in New York. You can get an idea of the prices BEFORE you get shell-shocked. Type in the name of a restaurant and follow the prompts.

Use the subways. Maps for the subway are available everywhere, and it is easy to navigate if you know this: for every subway station, there is an uptown side and a downtown side. Determine which way you want to go (up or down), enter the proper side, and take the color train you need. Although taking a taxi costs about the same if you have four people, subways always move. If you’re in a hurry and it’s theater time or raining, it’s very difficult to find an empty cab. So learn the subways as a backup. You can buy subway tickets in the stations and that same magnetic ticket serves as a bus ticket as well. Use the bus maps and any bus driver will help you.

Don’t miss Macy’s (the world’s largest store). Be sure to visit the Cellar and the 8th floor with the exquisitely decorated trees. Teenagers love Urban Outfitters, which are in obscure locations but if you’re accompanied by a teenager and see one, go in.

When you come home email me at jbragg@murfreesboropost.com and tell me what the best part of your trip was. I wish I could be in your suitcase, but I’m there with you in spirit!

‘Til next week.

Share:

Tags: VOICES

Member Opinions:

By: ItsGood on 12/1/08
Shop local, not in NYC.

By: Flo on 12/2/08
And while you are in Macys - go first to the Cellar where there is a FREE coat and package check so you can shop there without lugging coats and such!

615-869-0800 | online@murfreesboropost.com | 630 Broadmor Blvd. Suite 140, P.O. 10008, Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Copyright Statement | Privacy Statement | Terms of Service

Making Web Design Easy Since 2001

Websites for Newspapers, Magazines, HOAs, Trade Associations & Online Communities | Email Marketing, E-Commerce