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Weekend Getaways
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New York City, NY
New York City may be the city that never sleeps, but for first time visitors the Big Apple can be a bit overwhelming with all the options of things to see, places to eat, and spots to check out the night life. However, with all these options New York City has something to offer everyone, no matter what budget you are working with. Most importantly, New York is easy to access. You can drive in, but we recommend taking the Metro North Train which leaves from just about every town west of New Haven along the shoreline. Your best bet is to find a station that offers free parking (such as) hop the train, and you'll arrive in Grand Central Station in less than two hours! For more information check out www.mta.info/mnr
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Things To Do:
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Shopping
You can't come to New York City without checking out some of the shops. In New York you can find just about anything you want that you can't find in your local mall. The best part about it is that you can find what you are looking for at all price points. If you are looking for designer knockoffs, head down to Canal Street where you find everything from imitation Louis Vuitton Wallets to David Yurman jewelry (take the A, C or E train, the blue line, from Grand Central). If the real deal is what you are looking for, or you just want to do some people watching, head over to Madison or Fifth Avenues. Here you will find everything from Puma to Prada and if you're lucky, a celebrity sighting (walk two streets west of Grand Central Station and head north). Perhaps the hippest shopping district in Manhattan is Soho. Soho refers to the area South of Houston Street. Here you will find all the latest and greatest trendy shops such as Shabby Chic (for the home), Ben Sherman (for the men) and Dolce and Gabanna (for a full listing of stores check out newyork.citysearch.com).
 Central Park
Did you know that Central Park was the first landscaped park in the United States? Covering over 840 acres New York City's Central Park is not your average city park. Here you will find an array of fun and exciting activities such as a zoo, rowboats for rent, carriage rides, luscious gardens and pools, summer concerts and plays, a skating rink and a public swimming pool. Not to mention Central Park is home to one of New York's oldest and most well known restaurant, Tavern on the Green. For more information on all the park has to offer, visit centralpark.com, tavernonthegreen.com.
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 Chelsea Piers
Did you know you could actually play golf in New York City? Well you can, but it's just a bit different than your typical round on the greens. To see how New York City does golf, head over to Chelsea Piers where you can take golf lessons, enroll in a camp, or just hit a few buckets of balls out over the Hudson River! If you have some time, be sure to check out everything else the Piers has to offer from Ice Skating to bowling and even a full service luxury spa (Pier 61, 23rd Street and the Hudson River. 212-336-6100. www.chelseapiers.com
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Where to Stay:
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There are endless possibilities of where to lay your head at night, and while you won't be spending much time in your room, you will still want to know how to avoid the many flea bag New York hotels. We promise you that you can find a chic, one of a kind hotel in New York for under $300 a night, you just have to know where to look. Here are a few of our favorite places.
 $$$$-Hotel Gansevoort
One of the newer and perhaps hippest hotels right now in New York is the Hotel Gansevoort. This celebrity hangout has a rooftop lounge that is sure to wow you with a glassed in heated pool that plays your favorite tunes underwater! This spectacular hotel is also home to the top notch restaurant Ono, one of Jeffrey Chodorow's latest and greatest endeavors (some of his other New York restaurants include: China Grill, Asia de Cuba and Mix). To learn more about this chic hotel visit hotelgansevoort.com or call 877.426.7386 (Room Reservations Only) or email: res@hotelgansevoort.co. Rooms range from $400 and up. Located at 18 9th Ave (at 13th Street) New York, NY 10014. For reservations at Ono, call 212.660.6766.
 $$$-Bryant Park Hotel
Just steps from Grand Central Station and Bryant Park where fashionistas attend each season's designer runway shows. This hotel is a New York City staple and offers an excellent location, upscale rooms and service and has a popular bar, Cellar Bar, in its basement. Rooms range from $250 and up and we think for the price, you can't go wrong! Be sure to make a reservation at Koi, the sleek, modern, Japenese inspired restaurant housed in the Bryant Park Hotel! For more information check out bryantparkhotel.com or call 877-888-9095. 40 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018. For reservations at Koi, call 212-921-3330.
 $$-The Hudson Hotel
Yet another fabulously chic and swanky hotel that offers visitors a more affordable stay in New York. Designed by world renowned designer Philippe Stark, the hotel is close to Central Park and the theater district. This hotel offers a swanky roof top hangout, a sexy, modern bottom lit bar and the quirky and playful restaurant Hudson Cafeteria. This place is not to be missed and with your extra cash you can go check out a Broadway show! Rooms range from $200 and up. For more information or to make a reservation check out hudsonhotel.com or call 212-554-6000. 356 West 58th Street New York, NY 10019. For the Hudson Cafeteria call 212-554-6500.
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Where to Eat:
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Like everything else, New York has an abundance of places to eat delicious food.
Here are some of our recommendations in every price range:
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Ono-$$$$
The meatpacking district is the place to be nowadays in New York City, and nothing is hotter the Ono at the Hotel Gansevoort. If you want to brush elbows with who's who in Hollywood and fashion be sure to check out this spot. We love the large outdoor seating area that allows you to enjoy an incredible meal and people watch at the same time (18 9th Ave. 212-660-6766. Chinagrillmgt.com).
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 Tavern on the Green
Perhaps one of the most well known establishments in the city, this Central Park eatery is an experience everyone must have in this lifetime. If you really want to do the tourist thing, take a horse drawn carriage right through the park to the front door of the restaurant. With tons of outdoor seating that provides an excellent view of the park you will forget you're in one of the world's largest cities. If you are lucky enough to visit the restaurant at night, you will truly be mesmerized by the thousands of glimmering lights both inside and out (Tavernonthegreen.com. Central Park West (212) 873-3200).
 Pastis
Another meatpacking favorite is Pastis. While this spot is hip and delicious any time of day, we particularly love meeting up with some friends here for brunch after a long night out in the city. The French bistro serves delicious Provencal dishes at a relatively reasonable price. We love their traditional eggs Benedict paired with a spicy Bloody "Marie", or on the healthier side Irish oatmeal served with sweet sauteed bananas. If you're not up in time for brunch, no worries, they have a delicious lunch and dinner menu as well (212-929-4844, 9th ave, Meatpacking district, Pastisny.com).
Best Cheap Eats
 Mamouns
This little hole in the wall near NYU has some of the most delicious falafel we have ever tasted! There's nothing fancy about this place, but that's what makes it so fun. Our suggestion, walk one block and take it to Washington Square Park and enjoy! (119 Macdougal Street. Mamounsfalafel.com)!
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Serendipity
This fun and colorful restaurant is best known for its famous frozen hot chocolate (even Oprah's a huge fan!), so if you are just in the mood for something sweet this is your spot. But if you are in the mood for a little substance before your desert, take a look at their playful menu with items such their Shake, Batter and Bowl or Sensual Burger (Serendipity3.com. 225 E. 60th street. 212-838-3531).
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