On our first trip to New York, my boyfriend and I decided to blow the budget on a yellow cab from the airport. The driver said he normally took the tunnel, but that he would take the bridge so we could get our first view of the skyline as we crossed he Hudson. It was perfect. Manhattan glittered in the sunshine against a bright blue sky, as magical as I had always hoped it would be. I grabbed my boyfriend’s hand and saw that he was feeling the same, and I swear I could hear Gershwin. One view that definitely should be shared, and that I will never forget.

www.iloveny.com/
Google map: bit.ly/yLa0OM

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A Mexican/Asian/American restaurant with the absolutely best view of southern Manhattan, especially after dark. Worth the effort getting to it in Brooklyn. Chances are you'll need a reservation and make sure you eat on the roof terrace!

almarestaurant.com/
187 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
+1 718.643.5400
Google map: bit.ly/w5qIxd

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This museum of early twentieth-century German and Austrian art and design has a fabulous collection of art including many pieces by Egon Schiele and Klimt.
It also has two delightful cafes serving Viennese style food, wonderful cakes and gorgeous breakfasts. It's quite small and a refreshing change from some of the enormous museums in New York that can quickly exhaust you. Also it's not far from the marvellous Frick collection which is also fairly small and "do-able"

www.neuegalerie.org/
1048 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028
+1 (212) 628 6200
Google map: bit.ly/uVgiK6

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Get the bus out of the Port Authority building to Woodbury Mall about an hour out of NYC. All the top stores have outlets and if you thought Barneys, Century City et al were cheap wait till you see the fabulous prices at every store from Banana Republic, Gap, to Samsonite. It's not a cheap trip (probably £20 return) but if you have retail therapy on your mind it's a must do!

www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7
498 Red Apple Court Central Valley, NY 10917, United States
+1 (845) 928-4000
Google map: bit.ly/sBxU1n

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Love going to the movies, but hate the gross concession stand? The new Nitehawk Cinema in Williamsburg, Brooklyn serves dinner and a movie at the same time. There are even specials in different theaters related to whatever movie's being shown. General admission is $11 and food and drinks (yes, they serve alcohol, too!) are extra. Arrive about a half-hour early, so you can find a seat and table and order your meal.

www.nitehawkcinema.com
136 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States
+1 (718) 384 3980
Google map: bit.ly/ow9NVU

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/

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Here's another sweet treat on the Upper West Side. 16 Handles is a frozen yogurt chain that gives the power to the people. Customers get free reign over 16 different flavors of yogurt and myriad toppings to make their own unique dessert combos. You might go a little crazy there, so be ready to eat. The Upper West Side location is at 325 Amsterdam Avenue between 75th and 76th Streets. All locations in the city are open late -- until 11 pm Sunday through Thursday and until midnight on weekends.

www.16handles.com
325 Amsterdam Avenue (Between 75th & 76th Street) New York, NY 10023
+1 646 861 1281
Google map: bit.ly/nhyXer

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/

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Momofuku is one of the "it" Japanese restaurants in NYC, but it also has a sweeter, more accessible offshoot called Momofuku Milk Bar. There are locations around the city, and they specialize in interesting yogurt, pies, and cookies. Two famed desserts are the crack pie, which has an addictive cookie crumb crust, and the compost cookie containing chocolate and butterscotch chips, potato chips, and pretzels. You can also order hot pork buns or pastrami croissants.

www.momofuku.com/restaurants/milk-bar/
The newest Momofuku Milk Bar is:
561 Columbus Avenue, 10024
Google map: bit.ly/r9u7zV

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/

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To promote the new season of Boardwalk Empire, HBO is running a restored 1920s subway train on the 2/3 lines each weekend in September. You can catch the vintage train at the 96th, 72nd, and 42nd streets. I can't wait to check out the rattan seats, ceiling fans, and old-fashioned windows!

www.fastcompany.com/1777858/mta-goes-back-in-time-for-boardwalk-empire-promo

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/

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imes Square isn't the easiest place to meet up with your friends, what with it being the "Crossroads of the World" and all. Until September 16, those quick on their feet can grab a spot in one of the Meeting Bowls at 46th and Broadway. The semi-enclosed bowls accommodate many people and make it possible to sit down while still taking in the view. They're designed to bring locals and tourists together, so don't be afraid to sit with strangers.

www.timessquarenyc.org/about_us/art_ts.html
Google map: bit.ly/oLLkoB

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/

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I don't make it to Brooklyn that often, but I always find something good when I do. One recent discovery: the best sandwich of my life at Smith Canteen. Seriously. The best sandwich. Of my life. It's comprised of buttermilk-brined turkey, sage mayonnaise, bacon, and veggies on an "everything" croissant. (Familiar with the salty, peppery splendor of an "everything" bagel? This is a flakier, buttery take.) I'll probably never buy any other food item at Smith Canteen now that I'm committed to the turkey sandwich, but everything on the menu looks amazing. Smith Canteen is at 343 Smith Street and is open from 7-7 every day. Take the F train to Smith Street and bring your appetite.

smithcanteen.com/
343 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY, United States
+1 718 422 0444
Google map: bit.ly/q7QCdN

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/

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Central Park in Manhattan and Prospect Park in Brooklyn both have small zoos, but the real NYC zoo in wayyy uptown in the Bronx. (And no, you won't get mugged if you visit.) The Bronx Zoo is the largest urban zoo in the U.S. with some 265 sprawling acres. Go on a sunny day when you can take in all the different indoor and outdoor exhibits. If you're up for it, you can ride a camel. There's also a monorail through the park if you're tired of walking. General admission is normally $16 for adults and $12 for children. But if you go on Wednesday, you can pay what you wish. The Bronx Zoo is open weekdays from 10-5 and until 5:30 on weekends. To get there, take the 2 or 5 trains to East Tremont Ave/West Farms Square. Rowr!

www.bronxzoo.com/
2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY, United States
+1 718 220 5103
Google map: bit.ly/ojJNMD

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/

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The Afro-Punk Festival on August 27 and 28 is NYC's last free hurrah this summer. For two days, head to Brooklyn's Commodore Barry Park to take in some free music and/or skateboarding and BMX competition. Saturday's headliners include Gym Class Heroes and Santigold. I'll be there Sunday for R&B singers Janelle Monae and Cee Lo Green. Make sure you've got bottled water, cash, and comfy shoes. To get to the park, take the B, Q, or R trains to DeKalb Avenue.

www.afropunk.com/page/afropunk-festival-11
Commodore Barry Park, Brooklyn
Google map: bit.ly/rrFxUC

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/

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In a city as well-trodden as New York, it's always fun to do something off the beaten path. Hudson Clearwater is a hidden gem of a restaurant at 447 Hudson Street on the corner of Morton Street in the West Village. On the outside, it appears to be an insurance/tax office. But open the unmarked green door and walk straight ahead. You'll know you're in the right place if you find yourself in a garden greeted by attractive waitstaff. And if you don't find that, exit and look for another green door. I hear the traditional fare's so good, that it's worth the hunt.

hudsonclearwater.com/
447 Hudson Street, NYC, 10014
+12129893255
Google map: bit.ly/nrrWBV

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/

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A few years ago, the last rollerskating rink in NYC closed. It was tragic for me, because I'd just received rollerskates for my birthday. Since then, I've nearly killed myself skating in Central Park and have attended a roller disco at a weird hotel. But now rollerskating's back! This week, the High Line Rink opened below the High Line at West 30th and 10th Avenue. The 8,000 square foot outdoor rink is only open until September 26, so get rolling! Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for children under 13. It's open every day - from 11-10 on weekdays and 11-11 on weekends.

thehighline.org/news/2011/07/21/coming-soon-new-outdoor-roller-skating-rink-under-the-high-line
+1 (212) 500-6035
Google map: bit.ly/qw3N8I

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There's not really anything glamorous about Staten Island. It's NYC's bastard borough. But the Staten Island ferry that ushers 60,000 people to and from Manhattan every day offers a beautiful view of the city. And it's free! The ride starts at Whitehall Terminal in downtown Manhattan (take the R, W, or 1 train to Whitehall Street-South Ferry) and then drops you off at St. George Terminal in Staten Island. I'm not recommending you hang out in Staten Island. It's residential and can be hard to navigate on foot. Get off the ferry and board the next one to Manhattan. You can take in the views and even sip wine or beer while you do it. Just don't end up overboard.

www.siferry.com/
1 Bay Street, Staten Island, New York, United States
+1 718-876-8441
Google map: bit.ly/pK9ZFp

Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/

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I went to the MoMA (pronounced Moe-ma) website to try to figure out how to describe its latest exhibition, "Talk to Me," and I can't really figure it out. It's about design and where utility meets personal interaction and communication. It features 194 pieces. Uh, it looks cool? It really does. The museum's open every day in the summer and late on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. You can check out "Tall to Me" until November 7, and if you go to MoMA on a Friday from 4-8:30 you get in free. MoMA's located at 11 West 53rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.

moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2011/talktome/
11 West 53 Street, New York, NY 10019-5497
+1 (212) 708-9400
Google map: bit.ly/p0S27z

Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/

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People argue all the time about which cupcakes are the best in NYC. Let me settle it: Buttercup Bake Shop. It used to have locations on the East and West sides, but sadly, only one remains. You'll have to venture to 973 2nd Avenue (between 51st and 52nd Streets). If you're not into cupcakes, you can also order banana pudding, cake slices, or muffins.

buttercupbakeshop.com/
973 2nd Avenue (Between 51st and 52nd Streets)
New York, NY 10022
+1212 350 4144
Google map: bit.ly/qARNOu

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NYC's in the middle of a heat wave, but New Yorkers still love relaxing outdoors in the summer. The River to River Festival brings free events to local parks every day. Last Friday, I saw dancers and trapeze artists downtown near the World Trade Center site. This Friday, anyone can see "Henry V" at Battery Park or watch dance performances and an exhibit inspired by the iconic artist Jules Feiffer. Check the calendar to see what's going on near you.

www.rivertorivernyc.com/blog/welcome-2011-river-river-festival

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Twelve-year-olds aren't the only ones who giggle when ordering a plate of balls at a restaurant. We can all do it at Meatball Shop, a restaurant devoted to... Meatballs! Diners get a dry erase menu and marker and can pick and choose from an array of meatballs and sauces. I suggest ordering a handful of different meatball sliders -- my favorite are beef with spicy meat sauce. (I'm boring I know.) You can also order sides and desserts with your balls. There are two Meatball Shop locations -- one on the Lower East Side at 84 Stanton Street and another new location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn at 170 Bedford Avenue. Be prepared for a wait. It's worth it.

www.themeatballshop.com
84 Stanton Street 10002-1420
+1212 982-8895
Google map: bit.ly/oRaGpb

170 Bedford Avenue
Google map: bit.ly/oKqH5L

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If you want to cool off like a local -- and aren't a germophone -- take a dip in one of the city's 54 public outdoor swimming pools. They're free and open each day from 11am to 7pm. If you want to stick around before or after your swim, you'll probably be close to a handball court, playground, or at least a nice bench in the shade. Bring sunscreen!

www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/pools

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