Things to Do in New York City

The Whitney (as it’s locally known) was established in 1931 by sculptor and arts patron Getrude Vanderbilt Whitney when the Metropolitan Museum of Art rejected her personal collection of 600 avant-garde works of art. The museum houses over 19,000 unique, modern and sometimes controversial works from the 20th and 21st centuries, many by still-living artists.

Especially renowned for its Whitney Biennial exhibition, which highlights the work of young and emerging artists, the museum is devoted to connecting under-the-radar artists with New York’s wealthiest and most influential art collectors. Held every two years in the spring, the Biennial often features huge sculpture displays that are mounted in nearby Central Park.

At present, architect Renzo Piano has created a new home for the Whitney, on Gansevoort Street in the Lower West Side’s Meatpacking District. This new version of the museum, which has just recently opened, also marks the entrance to the High Line, a mile-long elevated greenway that repurposes an old stretch of the New York Central Railroad.

Located all over Manhattan, Tiffany & Co. is a high-end shop selling jewelry, watches and housewares. Their flagship store and most popular location is at 727 Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, and has been open since October 21, 1940. Specifically, Tiffany & Co. is well-known for its rare and magnificent diamond collection, like their iconic Tiffany Diamond, one of the world’s largest and fanciest yellow diamonds. It was the Tiffany Diamond, mounted in a Jean Schlumberger necklace, that Audrey Hepburn wore in promotional photographs for “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Visitors can see the 128-karat diamond up-close on the store’s Main Floor. And for those who want a VIP shopping example, Tiffany & Co. offers personal shopping assistance and in-store diamond consultation. You can make an appointment for these services by calling 800-518-5555.

Even if you can’t afford to purchase anything, it is still worth stopping by the shop to simply peruse the merchandise and view their carefully decorated window displays, which are especially ornate during the winter holidays. To get to Tiffany & Co. on the subway, take the N, Q, R to 59th Street-Fifth Avenue; E, M to 53rd Street-Fifth Avenue; F to 57th Street.

Located between Central Park and the Hudson River and West 59th Street and West 110th Street, the Upper West Side is known for being one of Manhattan’s more upscale residential neighborhoods, with beautiful brownstones and a generally safe atmosphere. For those looking to experience some of New York’s best cultural sites, the Upper West Side has plenty. For example, Lincoln Center is an important cultural institution in the neighborhood, as the center puts on an array of topnotch music, dance and theater performances. In fact, it is home to some of the world’s most elite performing arts groups like The Juilliard School, The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet and the New York Philharmonic.

There is also the American Museum of Natural History, American Folk Art Museum, The Cloisters Museum and Gardens, The Children’s Museum, Museum of Arts & Design, Nicholas Roerich Museum and New York’s oldest museum founded in 1804, the New-York Historical Society. Outdoor beauty also abounds in the Upper West Side between two parks, the iconic Central Park as well as the tranquil Riverside Park which runs along the Hudson River from 58th to 156th streets.

To get to the Upper West Side by subway, you can take the 1 to 66th Street-Lincoln Center; 1, 2, 3, B, C to 72nd Street or 96th Street; 1 to 79th Street; B, C to 81st Street; 1, B, C to 86th Street; 1, B, C to 103rd Street or 110th Street.

An Episcopal Church located in Lower Manhattan at the intersection of Wall Street and Broadway, Trinity Church is one of the oldest churches in the United States. In 1696, a small group of Anglicans were granted approval from Governor Benjamin Fletcher to purchase land for a new church. The next year, Trinity Church received a charter from King William III of England. Today, the Trinity Church you see is the third building in the same location, built in 1846 in a Neo-Gothic style. Until 1890 when the New York World Building was completed, its 281-foot spire and cross was the highest point in the city. Along with the building’s impressive architecture -- including intricate stained-glass windows, sandstone facade, Gothic spires, dramatic pointed arches and heavy bronze doors depicting bible scenes -- Trinity is known for its vibrant music program and dedication to outreach. Visitors can attend service at 11:15am on Sunday, take in a live music choir concert, stroll through the lush green courtyard admiring trees as well as the Soldier’s Monument or tour the inside of the church. There is also a cemetery with many famous graves like Alexander Hamilton, Richarch Churcher and Charlotte Temple.

Located in lower Manhattan, TriBeCa, or “Triangle Below Canal,” is known for its cobblestone streets, low crime rate, trendy restaurants and high-quality boutiques. Enjoy sashimi tacos, lobster ceviche and tuna tataki at Nobu, an upscale Japanese restaurant, or for something more budget-friendly, Tamarind Tribeca, which offers delicious chicken tikka masala, punjabi mutton and lobster masala. If you’re sightseeing, visit the Hudson River Park, featuring 550 acres of green along the Hudson River, or the Skyscaper Museum, which offers a look into the history of New York City skyscrapers and introduces visitors to important industry people. If you’re visiting in the spring, check out the Tribeca Film Festival to see inspiring independent and family-friendly films.