TravelSkoot

• Sep 21, 2008
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Whether you're entertaining college roommates or the in-laws are visiting for a weekend and are relying on you to show them around, these are the can't miss New York locations. You want to give them a taste of the real Big Apple but also satisfy their taste for the tourist traps. Here's a skoot that will satisfy even the most city-phobic visitors!

Places on this Skoot

• Central Park, New York, NY

  Central Park, New York, NY ,

  No trip to NY is complete without spending some time in Central Park. The Sheep's Meadow is at the lower end of the Park, and in the summer, serves as the mecca for 20-somethings New Yorkers who want to sun themselves or play frisbee and football. The Great Lawn is the site of many famous concerts. A walk through the Central Park Zoo is delightful even without tickets. But in the end, you can't go wrong anywhere in the Park!

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• Metropolitan Museum of Art

  1000 5th Avenue, 83rd & 84th , New York, NY

  Perfect for visitors of all ages, art lovers and novices alike. Spend an hour or spend a day, the Met has everything from an ancient temple transported from Egypt to the dresses worn by Jackie O. to the works of all the great masters. West of the Louvre, nothing compares.

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• MoMa

  11 W 53rd St , New York, NY

  If you're more into modernism than ancient Egypt, MoMa is a must. Recently renovated, the space itself is almost as magnificent as the artwork. The restaurant, The Modern, is a four-star gourmand's dream. Have a drink or a small (but expensive) bite in The Modern Bar.

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• Saks Fifth Avenue

  12 E 49th St , New York, NY

  A stop perhaps more for the ladies, for some shopping with the top brands and an experience in and of itself, definitely make a stop at the original Saks Fifth Avenue. Particularly beautiful around Christmas, Saks boasts a new shoe department that has its own zip code!

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• Rockefeller Center Ice Skating

  600 5th Ave , New York, NY

  The Rink at Rockefeller Center is a classic spot. While best known for the Christmas tree and skating rink, the Rink at Rock Center is still fun in the sun, with cafe tables and a bar with a buzz, especially for the after-work set.

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• Top of the Rock

  30 Rockefeller Plz , New York, NY

  Most tourists will wait in line for hours and spend too much money on the Empire State Building. Check out the observation deck at the Top of the Rock instead. It's cheaper, the lines are minimal or non-existent, and the view is better than the Empire State Building. Even local New Yorkers head up to the Top of the Rock for the unparalleled view without the crowds.

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• Times Square

  Times Square , New York, NY

  Between the Broadway theaters, the neon lights, street performers, and the mega-stores and restaurants, Times Square is a tourist-haven. It can be frustrating to maneuver but many visitors to NY feel they've missed out if they don't walk along 42nd Street. Try to drive through (ideally with a sun roof) or walk around at night.

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• Soho, New York, NY

  Soho, New York, NY ,

  Soho is the hottest neighborhood in NY, with hip celebrity sightings on a daily basis. Small boutiques mix with art galleries mix with the highest end designers. NY University is nearby and adds an artistic flavor to what is becoming a bit of a white-washed neighborhood. Wander the streets of Soho, go in and out of stores, and peruse the street stands and markets, which often have some of the best artisan crafts in the area.

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• Prada

  575 Broadway , New York, N.Y.

  Whether you want to shop or not, the Prada flagship store is worth a visit if only to see the spectacular Rem Koolhaas-designed, $40M, 23 thousand square-foot space. Let your fingers skip over the incredible fabrics and take in the store, which is a work of art.

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• Little Italy, New York, NY

  Little Italy, New York, NY ,

  Little Italy's cobblestoned streets aren't the only features that transport you into a new world. In September, the San Gennaro festival brings out carts and carts of authentic Italian food and musicians that make you feel like you're walking the streets of a small (but crowded) Italian village. At any time of year, sample a sausage or the delicious Italian fare at any one of the many incredible restaurants.

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• Benito's 1 the Original

  174 Mulberry St , New York, NY

  Often considered one of the best, and most authentic, restaurants in Little Italy. You can't really go wrong in Little Italy, but don't let the hint of tourist-trap deter you from this gem.

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• Chinatown, New York, NY

  Chinatown, New York, NY , New York, NY

  Talk about feeling transported! Canal Street is lined with exotic Chinese vegetables and ingredients that you won't see anywhere else in the city. New Yorkers flock to Chinatown for cheap - but believable - rip-offs of designer duds and authentic acupuncture, reflexology, and shiatsu masters. Have the patience to really explore the stalls because there are incredible, unique treasures.

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• Oriental Garden

  14 Elizabeth St , New York, NY

  Specializing in seafood, Oriental Garden doesn't boast the sweeping, ballroom space that other Chinatown dim sum destinations offer, but certainly provides an authentic experience. Brunch is the traditional time to venture into the world of dim sum meals. If you don't want to order off the menu, waiters at brunch time will bring around traditional dishes for family style dining.

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• Seaport, New York, NY

  Seaport, New York, NY ,

  The South Street Seaport is a great area to wander around and experience the piers without the crowds. The Seaport is chock full of restaurants and stores and particularly in the warm weather, there are often fun and free cultural events.

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• Battery Park

  Battery Park , New York, NY

  Battery Park is a less-visited but still worthwhile downtown destination. Perhaps the best thing about Battery Park is the view of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. If you can't make it out to either landmark, the Park provides a clear line to these beautiful historical monuments.

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• World Trade Center, New York, NY

  World Trade Center, New York, NY ,

  While not as light-hearted or fun as other NYC destinations, Ground Zero provides an incredibly moving memorial for those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks.

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