Following up on last week’s post about a much needed vacay (without the kids), I have to say that I absolutely love NYC! How could you not at least love to visit? The energized feeling you get from the hustle and bustle of the people around you in big cities…. and since the city has pretty much has everything to offer, you have your choice of all the sights, scenes and things.

Below are my five things if you’re visiting a new city (along with a few highlights from New York worth mentioning).

1. Choose accommodations that you are comfortable with in terms of location and reputation – There are a number of great places to stay in New York close to Broadway, Wall Street, museums, shopping and other destinations.
2. Visit a place that the city is known for – Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History, Guggenheim and the Met are all amazing. Whether you’re looking for something classical, brilliant or hilarious, there’s a Broadway show for you in NYC.
3. Check out a hot new restaurant as well as a mom and pop shop – New York offers a variety of cuisine and has some of the best food in the world.
4. Be a local for a day – Walk around the neighbourhoods of SoHo, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, Midtown, the East and West Villages and Chinatown (just to name a few, the list goes on). There are some great playgrounds in and around these areas for kids, and sitting at a coffee shop or pub to people watch almost never gets old!
5. Do something you will never forget – Interests vary, and New York has many options, including helicopter tours, comedy clubs, live music and iconic locales.

While it’s nice to get away without the kids sometimes, these ideas can be helpful regardless of who you are travelling with.