The Best of The Big Apple

So you’re standing on a busy street in Manhattan and your stomach begins to rumble. What do you do now?? You consult the Travel Oracle, of course! Hold onto your hats. We’ve got the Best of the Big Apple coming up.

Where to stay?

Downtown!

There really isn’t anywhere in Manhattan that is “cheap” to stay, unless you enjoy the comforts of a hostel. So let’s go for reasonable, clean and quiet. You’ll find places like that downtown. We’ve stayed at the DoubleTree and several times at the Holiday Inn Express and really enjoyed the experience of getting away from the crowds, to a place of our own for the night.

Our favorite place to eat?

Grand Banks

It’s a sailboat. It’s an oyster bar. AND it’s absolutely magical as the sunsets on the Hudson. It’s not inexpensive but it’s the sort of place you’ll remember dining at for years to come. By the way, I thought there was NO WAY we would be able to eat all these oysters and still have dinner. Well, the challenge was met to a delicious degree.

Our favorite place to drink?

Fraunces Tavern

One of the oldest bars in USA. Fraunces Tavern is where General Washington held his farewell dinner before leaving to become our first president. Not only are they rich in history, they have a great craft beer selection, a whisky bar, a piano bar and probably the best clam chowder I’ve had anywhere. You know how often we go to Fraunces when we’re in NYC? EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Best thing to do?

Visit the Natural History Museum

Even if you just go for the dinosaurs and the blue whale, the Natural History Museum is SO WORTH your time and the price of admission. You can’t really appreciate how magnificent it all is from the pictures. You really need to go and see for yourself.

Our best cheap travel tip?

Take Public Transportation

If you’re not from a “public transportation” town, we get that it can be a little intimidating at first. But trust us, cab rides and Uber charges will cost you more than a LOT of money. The traffic around town is so heavy that taking the subway is faster and less stressful.

What you should bring

Shoes you can walk miles in

Whether you take the subway or hail a cab, the fact is, you’re going to do A LOT of walking when you’re in NYC. And blisters don’t impress anyone. Be comfortable and enjoy the journey. Walking around New York is my ABSOLUTE most favorite thing to do.

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