Welcome to the Elegant Resorts Destination Guide for New York, created to help make your choice of luxury holiday as easy as possible. Here, you will find more detailed factual information about the destination you have selected.
The ‘Big Apple’ awaits. Whether this is your first time visiting or you feel like a local yourself, there is always something new to see, do or experience. Take in the sights and sounds with a private tour to discover your own NYC and get to know the unique character of every neighbourhood, street and avenue. You won’t be able to resist the array of shopping opportunities, from the grand department stores to cutting-edge boutiques, while the fantastically diverse array of museums and art galleries can be browsed for days, bringing to life almost every aspect of life, culture and history. Of course, you will never cease to be amazed by some of the world’s most iconic landmarks – you’ll run into one around almost every corner. Welcome to New York!
New York City is a shopaholic’s dream, with shops in Times Square open until the early hours of the morning for late-night splurges. The one and only Bergdorf Goodman, a super-chic department store housed in a former Vanderbilt mansion, is the place to come for couture and fresh-off-the-runway style, while the Meatpacking District and SoHo are the places to be for boutiques and one-of-a-kind delights. Next, make a stop at the one of the most famous diamond shops in the world, Tiffany & Co. – even if you aren’t in the mood to buy, go to marvel at the spectacular yellow-hued Tiffany Diamond, unearthed in 1877 by the company’s founder, Charles Louis Tiffany.
The Met Fifth Avenue is the largest museum in the United States and one of the most frequently visited in the world, ‘The Met’ houses a collection of more than two-million works, spanning over five-thousand years. Exhibitions change regularly, but each one offers a fascinating insight into culture, history and religion across the world in the form of beautifully preserved artworks and artefacts. On Fridays, the museum is open until 9pm for concerts, tours, discussions and wine-tastings, while EmptyMet Tours can be arranged before the museum opens its doors to the public for an intimate tour through the galleries. If your passion is fashion, the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art has a dedicated display of costume through the ages, while The American Museum of Natural History offers an interesting journey into the marvels of nature, our planet and conservation.
Despite being a veritable concrete jungle, New York City has plenty of oases to seek out. Central Park needs no introduction, with countless events and activities held over summer, whether rowing around the lake, catching an outdoor concert, taking a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride or dining at the renowned Tavern on the Green Restaurant. In the Bronx, you will also find the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden. Located adjacent to each other, families will love the ‘Treetop Adventure Climb and Zipline’, meeting wild animals and trekking through the trees, while the botanical garden takes on a spectacular appearance across the seasons with colourful plants, petals and Victorian glasshouse making for very pretty pictures.
New York City features some of the United States’ most impressive arenas and stadiums. Sports fans will rejoice here, with two major league baseball teams – the New York Yankees and the New York Mets – basing their home grounds in the city. See the Americana in action at the Yankee Stadium, with games typically running from April to September. You can also catch a game of basketball from the New York Knicks or ice hockey from the New York Rangers at Madison Square Gardens, along with New York’s biggest music events in the mammoth-sized arena.
Comprising 41 professional theatres, the Broadway district is considered the jackpot for the United States’ aspiring performers and a hallmark of quality for those looking to enjoy the finest of the American stage. There are long-standing favourites, Tony Award-winners,musicals and quirky comedies to take your pick from on any given week, making for a perfect way to spend the evening in New York City. Allow us to arrange your tickets in advance and prepare your pre-show dinner reservations to enjoy Broadway at its best.
The Rockefeller Center is one of the most popular stops for visitors to New York City. The plaza is home to one of the world’s most famous public ice rinks, NBC television studios and a number of shops and restaurants, plus Radio City Music Hall is just around the corner. The Rockefeller Observation Deck is, perhaps, the best place to see the city if you want a view of the Empire State Building and VIP tickets can be purchased. Make sure you also stop for a drink at Bar 65, an iconic institution opened at the end of the Prohibition era, where top mixologists shake and stir up phenomenal cocktails.
The beacon of American freedom, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is the fascinating centre of New York’s history, as the world’s cultural melting pot. From Battery Park, take a ferry to visit the iconic ‘Lady Liberty’, who welcomed millions of hopeful immigrants over the centuries, before your second stop at Ellis Island, where the moving Immigration Museum allows you to walk in the footsteps of those who arrived for a new life a century ago, including Bob Hope and Albert Einstein.
Once the tallest skyscraper in the world, the Empire State Building is the most characteristic figure in the NYC skyline. Open from dawn until the early hours of the morning, you can watch the sun both rise and set over this magical city. It’s not just about the views, though – take the time to appreciate the magnificent Art Deco lobby and learn about its fascinating history or head out to the sidewalk and admire the spectacular illuminations from below.
At Mandarin Oriental, New York you can take a dip in the pool where there are floor-to-ceiling windows offering amazing views over New York.
The Carlyle's Cafe in The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel is unequalled for its cabaret – performers have included Woody Allen, Eartha Kitt and Elaine Stritch.
Generally, May to June and mid-September to mid-October are particularly pleasant times to visit. July and August can be humid, while snow is common in winter. However, this north east region can experience changeable weather and moderate rainfall at any time of the year. Summer can see heat waves which can feel uncomfortable in the city, but your luxury hotel will provide the comforts of air-conditioning and stylish bars to enjoy a cooling cocktail. Salon de Ning at The Peninsula New York offers outdoor seating on its rooftop terrace where you can enjoy a refreshing drink and sharing plates such as mixed olives, cheeses and charcuterie, and tuna sashimi, while looking down on the hustle and bustle of Fifth Avenue.
These figures show monthly average maximum temperatures and monthly average rainfall for New York.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic direct from London Heathrow to JFK International. American Airways direct from London Heathrow and Manchester to JFK International. British Airways direct from London Heathrow to Newark International. United Airlines direct from London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast to Newark International.
From London Heathrow to JFK International: 7 hours, 40 minutes. London Heathrow to Newark International: 7 hours, 45 minutes.
Our dedicated Americas Experts are ready to help you design your luxury holiday to New York. Furthermore, we have 13 Travel Consultants who have personally visited New York and can offer you their first-hand knowledge and experience.