NEW YORK CITY MAY 27 – 31, 2019 /
WASHINGTON, D.C. May 31 – June 3, 2019
There’s a reason why New York is known as a global shopping capital. Stores across the five boroughs carry the best in luxury apparel, plus gourmet goods, books, tech, gear and so much more! Whatever your retail preference, you’re sure to find it in NYC.
You can’t go to New York without walking along 5th Avenue. Fifth Avenue runs from north to south all through Manhattan, and the main shopping area can be found from 14th Street up to 59th Street. Fifth Avenue is best known for its luxury boutiques and big department stores. You can find an Apple Store, Bergdorf Goodman, Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Gucci, H&M, Michael Kors, Prada, Victoria’s Secret, Tiffany & Co, and many more shops.
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. The copper statue, a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States, was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel. If you're ambitious enough to want to visit the Statue's Crown, there are 363 steps in each direction.
There are lots of great ways to see the Statue of Liberty. Staten Island Ferry seems to be one of the most popular choices, mainly because of the great views it offers, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s free!
This is one of New York's most visited attractions; an oasis of green in the middle of the city. Central Park was designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux and opened in 1857. Central Park is 840 acres, including a lake, right in the middle of Manhattan! It is a National Landmark welcoming approximately 35 million visitors each year. This is one of the city's biggest attractions and greatest assets, enjoyed by tourists and used by locals year-round. Countless scenes from movies and TV shows have been filmed here over the years.
The park encompasses scenic hills, meadows, playgrounds, skating rinks, ball fields, and many well-known attractions, including Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields, and the Central Park Zoo. Be warned; the park is huge. The best way to explore it is to stop by the visitor center, pick up a map showing the various attractions and things to do, and then plan out a walking route or take a tour.
The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, and one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. It was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon and completed in 1931. As of 2017 the building is the 5th-tallest completed skyscraper in the United States and the 28th-tallest in the world.
Once you enter the building, you’ll be impressed by the recently restored Historic Landmark Lobby, featuring a magnificent chandelier. From there you can either enter the ultra-fast elevator or climb the 1,050 feet to the glass-enclosed Pavilion on 86th Floor, which offers incredible 360-degree views of the city. There is also the Observation Deck on the 86th Floor, which is one of tallest open-air observatories in the world. Witness the sunrise over Lady Liberty or bask in the sunset over Times Square.
Have you ever heard of the Great White Way? It is actually the nickname for a section of Broadway in the Theatre District that is located in the Midtown section of New York City. There are about 40 different Broadway venues in the district, offering up a variety of shows to over 12 million people a year! Taking in one of the great Broadway shows, like Wicked, Pretty Woman, or Kinky Boots, is sure to be one of the top highlights of your stay in New York.
If you’re looking to catch one of the more popular Broadway shows, it’s recommended to book tickets a few weeks in advance. However, TKTS Ticket booth at Times Square does offer last minute tickets at 20 to 50 percent discount. There are also many restaurants in theatre district, so you can grab a meal before the show.
The Brooklyn Bridge arises majestically over New York City’s East River, and links the two boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Since 1883, its granite towers and steel cables have offered a safe and scenic passage to millions of commuters and tourists, trains and bicycles, pushcarts and cars.
With 24-hour access and a dedicated pedestrian walkway, a visit to the Brooklyn Bridge is a tourist must. Take in stunning views of both Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. During sunset can be a particularly great time for a visit, as there is still light out to capture some unique views, and then you’ll get to watch as all the sights come into electric wonder!
As stated on the museum’s website, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History is devoted to the scientific, cultural, social, technological, and political development of the United States. The museum traces the American experience from colonial times to the present and contains a collection of more than three million historical objects—including the famed Star-Spangled Banner—and documents that explore the evolution of the American identity.
This is a mall of different sorts. Located south of downtown and the White House, the National Mall is one the most prestigious and well known national parks in the United States. Spanning over 146 acres in the middle of the city, this park welcomes more than 24 million visitors from around the globe every year. The park is home to numerous monuments, memorials, sculptures and attractions, honoring the history and legacy of the United States including, the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the U.S. Capitol Building and many more.
This is definitely one of the “must visit” sites in Washington D.C. The Lincoln Memorial stands at the west end of the National Mall, and is a monument honoring America’s 16th president. A 19 foot statue of Abraham Lincoln sits overlooking the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument. The site has been home to many defining moments in American History, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a Dream Speech”, which he delivered from the steps below to an audience of over 250,000 people.
Across from the Lincoln Memorial at the end of the Reflecting Pool stands the iconic Washington Memorial, a monumental obelisk honoring George Washington. When it was completed in 1884, it was the tallest structure in the world. Nowadays you can take one of the Monuments glass-encased elevators to the top, where there is an observation deck offering amazing 360-degree views of the city, including the White House. If you do plan to go inside the Washington Monument, it is recommended to get ticket in advance, as the number of people allowed per day is limited.
Georgetown is a charming locale with everything from great shopping and tasty dining, to historic 18th and 19th century mansions, as well as the one-time homes of JFK and Julia Child! The Georgetown Waterfront Park is also a great place to go for a jog or cycle. In the evening, check out Pinstripes, a 32,000 square foot indoor/outdoor venue which includes 14 bowling lanes, 6 bocce courts, a curated wine cellar and an outdoor patio and fireplace. There are also a number of waterfront bars on the harbor, or take in a live jazz show at Blues Alley.
Photo by Macfulty
Opened to the public in 2016 as the 19th and newest museum of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Museum of African American History and Culture shines a light on the richness and diversity of the African American experience and its impact on the life, history, and culture of the United States. This dynamic museum is housed in a striking, award-winning building that incorporates a variety of distinctive elements from Africa and the Americas into its design and structure. Enjoy exploring its collections that span topics from slavery and civil rights to music, photography and athletics.