Let's hear it for New York

I think New York City is one of those places that you either love or hate. It’s impossible to be indifferent towards this giant of a city with possibly fewer Americans than anywhere else in USA. New York like London epitomises the term melting pot – there are so many diverse cultures living under the New York sky that calling yourself American could not be less chic. Everyone is proud to talk about their country of origin, and unlike so many other parts of the US, few people want to claim the American identity as their own. I guess life is more fun being Afro-Japanese, Senegalese, Trinidadian or Ecuadorian, when you living in New York City anyway.
I first discovered the city as a teenager, so being young and extremely self-confident, I relished its intensity and felt quite comfortable taking in the sights one block at a time. I suspect though that if I’d gone there as an adult, especially as a mother, I may have found it all a little overwhelming. Where do you start? The choices seem so numerous that making a decision about what to do and where to eat can be a day’s task in itself.

For eating out – you can go for Brazilian at Casa in the West Village, French at Chez Oskar in Fort Greene, Soul food at Sylvia’s in Harlem or Indian and Latin American fusion at Vermillion in midtown Manhattan.

For entertainment – do we see Fela on Broadway, The Roots with Talib Kweli on Summer Stage in Prospect Park or The Merchant of Venice as part of Shakespeare in the Park in Central Park?

For the kids – there’s the Imagination Playground at South Street Seaport, the Water park in Chelsea or the Kidflix film Festival in Fulton Park.

If shopping is your thing then head to Soho for a range of high street and designer stores or check out the countless department stores from Bloomingdales to Bloomingdales to Macy’s to Saks Fifth Avenue. And coming away with a light blue box, however little from Tiffany’s is a treat for most women.

Whatever you choose to do there seems to be one guarantee when you visit New York and that is boredom is not part of the itinerary. New York is an intense city with something for everyone, and even the pizzazz of Times Square is not your cup of tea, there is some little corner of the big apple that is sure to appeal whatever your taste.
The Best Things to Do in New York City: 1001 Ideas