Whatever you call it – the Big Apple, the City that Never Sleeps, even the Capital of the World — New York, New York, has drawn Royal Holiday members for decades and other travelers for centuries. As the United States’ biggest city and one of the largest and most dense metropolitan areas in the world, New York City has it all, ranging from theater and the arts to nightlife and culinary extravaganzas, all situated in a sprawling, modern urban landscape that hosts more than 50 million tourists a year, as well as over 8 million people who call it home.
Royal Holiday members who are planning on visiting New York have three excellent options for accommodations, which allows for a customized trip to fit around a businesswoman’s meetings across the city or a family’s first trip to the Big Apple. On the East Side of Manhattan, travelers can opt for the Intercontinental New York Barclay or the famed Roosevelt Hotel, both of which offer a luxury hotel experience in the heart of the city, just minutes from Broadway, Central Park, and Times Square. Other Royal Holiday members can opt for the Hyatt Place Secaucus, located in nearby New Jersey, which provides amenities like 24-hour room service and fitness centers, as well as a convenient shuttle service for the trip into the city.
However, regardless of where one stays, all of New York is easily accessed via its famed yellow taxi cabs or massive subway system. Royal Holiday members who are new to the city would do well to experience the landmarks and sights that have made the city famous, ranging from the observation deck at the Empire State Building, the ferry ride to Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. Times Square remains the heart of New York’s tourism industry, while Central Park serves as its slice of natural beauty.
Beyond its well-known tourist spots, New York offers a wealth of activities and events. Taking in a show is easy: from the big stages strung along Broadway to the smaller off-Broadway theaters where actors and directors stretch their craft to its limits. Royal Holiday members who fancy themselves as music lovers can enjoy a rock concert at the Bowery Ballroom, while those looking for more high-class offerings can buy tickets for the New York Philharmonic or the New York Metropolitan Opera. Regardless of the setting or genre, New York’s music scene ranks among the best in the world. Likewise, the arts have always flourished in New York, and whether one is visiting the famed Museum of Modern Art or one of the many boutique galleries in Chelsea, masterpieces abound.
Naturally, New York also serves as the capital of finance and consumer culture in America, and shopping enthusiasts will find Fifth Avenue to be their mecca. Others looking for a vacation that is easier on their credit cards would do well to take in the city’s many free attractions, from a trip on the Staten Island Ferry to a walk along New York’s relatively new High Line Park, a former elevated railroad track that has been transformed into one of the loveliest pedestrian walkways in the country. Of course, Royal Holiday members may wish to escape the city’s endless bustle, and ducking into a reading room at the New York Public Library will provide the perfect getaway from the energy of the streets.