Things to do in New York Part III

For the last part of my posts about New York, I've decided to write about shopping and attractions. In the USA there is always a way to spend a lot and there is always a way to make a good deal and enjoy the trip even if you don't have much to spend… I just want to show the options for both pockets

Places I doubt you won’t spend anything

Me&Carol at the M&M Store

The M&M Store –  It’s really awesome , whether you are a chocolate lover or not, you gotta go there. You will see   big M&M’s and you will have the chance of buying not only M&M’s in bulks but also a variety of products.

Magnolia Bakery -    As I wrote last week there’s a tiny one on Grand Central , actually there are seven locations in the USA and 12 outside,  but the famous attraction is located on Bleecker Street  where the  character of Sarah Jessica Parker  (Carrie from Sex and the City ) went .No matter which one you choose I am sure you won’t resist the famous cupcakes

Carlos Bakery- On air for seven seasons the Cake Boss is very popular around the world, if you want to try the famous Canoles or want to see how the best cakes are baked, don’t miss the chance. There is one on Times Square and many others in the USA, but if you are a huge fan and really want to know the first one go to Hoboken, a beautiful city in New Jersey, not very far from New York.

Enough of Free let’s go Shopping

At Century 21 carrying a J&R bag

If you like shopping that’s the best place in the World. In New York you can find almost everything you want, there is a store for every taste and every pocket, from Century 21^st to Prada. 

Madison Avenue:  Is the place to go if you really have a lot to spend, there you’ll find the latest collections of Prada, Emporio Armani, Dolce  & Gabbana, Cartier, Louboutin , Calvin Klein ,Chloe, Cavalli, Gucci, Carolina Herrera to name a few . One of the times I was window shopping in the area I saw a huge line of Limos and the drivers all watching TV each one inside his own car. It is really unusual for my Brazilian eyes.

If you are just a regular human being who loves shopping but doesn’t have thousands of dollars to spend on clothes,  there’s hope . If you go south, close to the World Trade Center Memorial you will find Century 21, there, you can buy almost everything, clothes, accessories, home utilities, with really… I said really good prices, and now Century 21 has a J&R express, the best store for electronics is temporarily closed but you can find their products inside the Century at the J&R Express

If you are so crazy for saving on shopping that don’t mind taking a bus , a taxi , a train, or renting a car, you can go to:

Woodbury Commons -   Although I’ve never been there, people like it a lot and always recommend it. It’s a Premium outlet, so you can expect the best brands for the best prices.It’s located in Central Valley,1 hour North of NYC. If you are staying in Manhattan there are regular buses  leaving Port Authorites and shuttles from many hotels.

 Jersey Gardens–    If you are lazy to go to Woodbury Commons, Jersey Gardens the Outlet Mall  is a good option, there you will find , good prices lots  of cool stores and it is tax-free for shoes and clothes. The Disney outlet store is a must go, you can find tons of good deals at the Jersey Gardens. That’s the mall I shop when in New York. It is located in Elizabeth, a city in New Jersey, very close to Manhattan. There are regular  buses to the mall,  leaving from Port Authority Manhattan.

The Famous Attractions

Rockefeller Center

There are many amazing Musicals on Broadway, you definitely need to see at least one or two.The Phantom of the Opera , is my favorite  and I don’t know anybody who hasn’t fallen in Love the first time they saw it. I have seen the show three times but I hope see it more. Stay closer to the Stage so you get to see the Chandelier falling . 

You can find discount coupons to the Musicals on Times Square or at the Visitor’s Center or if you prefer find your tickets online.

Don’t forget to go up the Empire State building ( be prepared to go Upstairs the Elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top. I remember taking the stairs at some point). There are options to go to the Observatory at 86th floor and also to go to the top at 102nd. If you have time don't forget to go to Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, Madame Tussauds, Metropolitan Museum, the Museum of Natural History and many others art Exhibits literally everywhere.

My last advice... if you want to go to many or all of the attractions,  and still save some money for the shopping days:  Buy passes!

Metro cards   This is good if you want to take trains up and down and get to know the underground of the city. Subways in New York are not clean, you will see lots of rats and mice, the trains are crowded … not fancy at all, but one of the fastest ways to get anywhere you want (except during the weekends, when you have to wait for a long time to see a single train and that usually is not the one you need )

NYC Pass   This is the one I will test next time I visit the Big Apple.It  gives you access for  80 attractions+ the Hop On Hop Off bus for a bargain .

NYC it all Tour  For a really good price you get to take a tour on the Hop on Hop off bus ( you get to pick uptown or downtown), Metropolitan Museum ( reserve the whole day to the museum ), visit the Empire State building  and take one of the cruises. The voucher lasts up to 14 days.

Well time to go now next week I will write about Westchester

See You...

I Luv NY