Explore Manhattan Like A Local: Attractions Not To Miss

Best explored on foot, the convenient grid of streets and logical naming system means you’ll never get lost. Set off from the ideally situated Warwick New York on West 54th Street to explore the greatest city on earth with a list of some of our favourite Manhattan must-sees. 

Central Park 

The green heart of Manhattan is the most filmed location on earth and the most visited urban park in the USA. Central Park has been a New York landmark since the 19th century, with 693 acres of gardens, forests and meadows. In addition to green spaces and winding paths, the park is dotted with fountains, sculptures, playgrounds, bridges, monuments, the zoo and even a castle. 

Park highlights closest to your Manhattan base at Warwick New York include Central Park Zoo, Sheep Meadow and Belvedere Castle. The zoo covers seven acres and is home to everything from Antarctic penguins to tropical birds, snow leopards to grizzly bears and the only cow in Manhattan. Sheep Meadow is a vast expanse of lawn, perfect for a picnic, or simply people watching when the weather is fine and situated next to the movie-famous Tavern on the Green restaurant. Belvedere Castle was built as a Victorian folly and offers picture perfect views of the park- overlooking the Delacorte Theater, the Great Lawn and Turtle Pond. Reserve a horse-drawn carriage or bicycle tour of the park, or one of The Central Park Conservancy tours that focus on among other topics public art and wildlife. 

Times Square

Find the big lights that inspire you in Times Square- a whirlwind of billboards, advertisements and colourful characters and not really a square, but rather the area at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. Described by some as the “crossroads of the world”, a few of the most popular Times Square attractions are shopping and dining, the Madame Tussauds wax museum where visitors can get the ultimate selfie with realistic models of their favourite celebrities, Ripley's Believe It or Not exhibiting the most bizarre and mysterious and the New York Times Tower, covered in electronic billboards and the site of the famous New Year’s Eve ball-drop. Don't miss the many street performers in the  area- including the Naked Cowboy and costumed characters from Elmo to Minnie Mouse. 

A spectacular late-night sight in Times Square is the Midnight Moment- every night from 23:57 to midnight when the electronic billboards in Times Square are synchronized, creating the world’s largest and longest-running digital art exhibition. Whether you’re crazy about Wicked, a Hamilton superfan or want to stay classic with Le Mis, what better way to top off your visit to Times Square by snapping up tickets to your favourite Broadway show? Broadway is scheduled to open later in 2021, and advance tickets for many shows are already on sale. For more last-minute tickets, the TKTS ticket booth is located underneath the striking, and insta-worthy, red steps and offers same-day evening and matinee performance tickets. 

MoMA

The recently expanded (by a massive 30 percent) and reconfigured Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) makes it even more enjoyable to marvel at the greats- including Picasso, Basquiat, Kahlo and Van Gogh. Situated just across West 54th Street from Warwick New York, the Yoshio Taniguchi designed building housing the  MoMA collection of modern and contemporary art is the perfect excursion in the city. 

The 2019 re-opening commemorated the museum’s 90th anniversary and not only increased the physical space of MoMA but also its ideology and curatorial direction. As well as rotating exhibitions, carefully selected art pieces from the almost 200,000 work permanent collection are shown in an innovative way, juxtaposing disciplines and media. A crowd-favourite is the fifth floor, housing Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Monet’s Water Lilies and Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (through Fall 2021) among other world famous works. On the ground floor, the film galleries include Oscar contenders, all-time cinema greats and art-house offerings from around the world. Adjacent to the lobby, the Museum Store features an outstanding collection of books and design objects, from home decor and tech to toys and apparel, the ideal place to pick up a New York souvenir or gift to take home. 

5th Avenue

One of the most iconic retail destinations in the world, New York’s 5th Avenue is what avid shoppers dream of. Lined by department stores, international retailers, the 24-hour flagship Apple Store and Holly Golightly’s favourite- Tiffany & Co, this boulevard of dreams is a short walk from Warwick New York. Even if you’re just a window shopper, the high-end window displays of Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue are worth a visit. Iconic international luxury brands on the avenue are all the greats, including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani and Valentino. As well as paying Tiffany & Co a visit, if you’re looking to add a  little sparkle to your life then Cartier, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels and mainstay of American luxury Harry Winston, are all on 5th Avenue. 

These days, luxury brands don’t only supply  beautiful clothing and accessories but also an upscale dining experience. The Philippe Starck designed L’Avenue on the ninth floor of Saks Fifth Avenue offers a French-Thai inspired taste of Paris. Armani Ristorante brings the brand’s sleek chic to innovative fine dining Italian cuisine in a unique atmosphere and at The Blue Box Cafe, reopening soon, patrons can experience a delightful breakfast or tea surrounded by Tiffany blue walls. 

After a busy day exploring Manhattan, return to the elegant surroundings of Warwick New York for a nightcap of the borough’s namesake cocktail or simply a great night’s sleep. Find out more here  about special offers and the outstanding services and facilities  at Warwick New York.