New York City Breaks

New York at a glance

The irrepressible spirit of New York Cty is infectious, with a city pulse that is both inviting and awe-inspiring. Offering a dazzling array of things to do and see, this iconic city has it all, from art galleries and museums, to shopping, theatre performances, and fine dining. With five distinct boroughs to explore, you’ll never run out of things to do in ‘The Big Apple’.

From its founding as a Dutch trading post in 1624, New York City has played a dominate role in American history. In the late 1700’s the city acted as the US capital and has been the largest populated city in the US ever since. Millions of immigrants were welcomed into the country through its harbour, creating a culturally diverse populous with as many as 800 languages spoken in the city today. 

Known for its towering skyscrapers, enormous parks and iconic sights such as Times Square and Broadway, New York is home to a rich fusion of art, theatre and fashion. World renowned exhibits and performances call New York City home, while the diverse ethnic heritage of the city can be explored in its unique communities, each with their own fascinating cultural sights.

Perfect if you’re looking for:

• Bustling city break
• Iconic sites
• Vibrant nightlife

Getting around

New York City’s streets are laid out in a grid pattern. The street numbers go up as you travel from south to north and from east to west, with 20 north/south blocks representing one mile.

The city has a bus and subway network that operates on a MetroCard which can be purchased online or at vending machines in the subway stations. Cards vary from single ride up to unlimited ride within a 7 day period. 

Taxi’s are also numerous in the city, giving visitors a quick and easy way to get from one part of the city to another.

Shopping in New York

Known as the fashion headquarters of the United States, New York offers an incredible range of department stores, boutiques and speciality shops, with each district housing its own unique style. 

Outlets, street vendors and souvenir shops sell everything from art prints and discounted clothes to antiques, books and furniture while the more elite flagship districts offer top designer labels, jewellery and be-spoke services for a wide range of items.

Nightlife

With a wide spectrum of shows, nightclubs, piano bars, and jazz lounges to choose from, it’s easy to see why New York City never sleeps.  Looking for something a bit different? Why not try your hand at bowling, prepare to be amazed at a magic show or track down your favourite whisky at one of the city’s popular whisky bars. 

Dining in New York

The cuisine of New York is a fascinating mix of international cuisine reflective of an immigrant city housing many different gastronomic backgrounds.  Popular restaurants, street vendors, diners and coffee shops offer a vast array of food options ranging from the famous New York style pizza, bagels and cheesecake to Middle Eastern, Asian, Mexican, Caribbean and European cuisine. 

Must-try local dishes

• Hot dogs – popular with street vendors, hot dogs are usually served with a choice of sauerkraut, sweet relish or onions
• New York style pastrami – a popular delicatessen meat usually made from brine beef and seasoned with various spices
• Waldorf salad – a salad made with fresh apples, celery and walnuts with a mayonnaise dressing

Osprey Holidays top tips

On a Sunday enjoy a hearty brunch in an Eastside café then head for Central Park. The place is a hive of activity with the native New Yorkers out jogging or on their bikes and roller blades. It is great fun just to watch everybody from the safety of a park bench.

Get your tailor-made city break itinerary

Osprey Holidays can create a fabulous short break to New York designed completely around your needs. We can arrange whatever you need, including:

• All travel and transfers on days of your choice
• Accommodation from our handpicked range of New York hotels, to suit your budget and requirements

Our award-winning team can provide expert advice and recommendations, from general questions to tiny details. Contact us now for your tailor-made itinerary.