http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25986
Since it was only across the road from the Twin Towers, this chapel was used by the rescue workers as a place of respite. A lot of displays relate to the 9/11 period and are moving reminders of what happened that day. This was the church on whose railings people pinned photos of loved ones missing in the days following the terrorist attack.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25986 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25985 The archway outside the Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant creates a neat trick with sound. Simply stand in one corner of arch and whisper something into the wall. A friend who is standing diagonally across from you in the other corner will hear you as if you were standing next to them.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25985 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25984 Perfect to get away from the hustle and bustle of 5th Avenue. Seen famous funerals in past such as Robert Kennedy's.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25984 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21184 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21184 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18990 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18990 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17847
1. Lay out a blanket in Central Park (picnic optional) and soak up the atmosphere. The huge expanse of grass at the Great Lawn is a favourite spot and great for games too.

2. Visit Belvedere Castle in the middle of Central Park at 79th Street. It is the highest point of the park with great views, a visitor centre, walking tours and free educational programs.

3. Attend Saturday morning story time for children of all ages in Central Park at the Hans Christian Anderson Memorial (mid-park from East 73rd entrance. Check for times at www.centralparknyc.org).

4. Visit one of the spectacular toy shops: Toys-R-Us in Times Square or FAO Schwartz (the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South) which has a giant electronic keyboard built into the floor upstairs that children can play with their feet. You can easily spend an hour or more exploring and trying out the display toys without buying a thing.

5. Take the Staten Island ferry. Day or night this is one of the best free (or paid for) boat rides in the world. It takes about half an hour each way. You can get straight off and back on again or spend time on the dockside at Staten Island looking at the distant Manhattan skyline. The ride gives spectacular views of the downtown skyline and the Statue of Liberty, all lit-up to magical effect at night.

6. If it’s a quiet stroll you’re after and you find yourself in Brooklyn, take a walk along the Brooklyn Seafront for a great view of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. (And if you do want to spend a few dollars there is a great ice-cream parlour there too.)

7. Stand in the middle of Times Square for ten minutes and don’t forget to look up.

8. Stand just about anywhere and play how many yellow cabs can you count in a minute?
And if it’s summer…

9. Summerstage (held at Rumsey Playfield near 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue) and Shakespeare in the Park (at the open-air Delacorte Theater near the W81st Street entrance to the park) are two of the most popular summertime programs and both are free. Top-shelf acts and great performances.

10. Fancy a dip? There are 14 miles of public beaches in four of NY’s boroughs: Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. Contact General Parks and Recreation Department Information at www.nycparks.completeinet.net for more info.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17847 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16986 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16986 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16985
To save $20 admission go after 4pm (up to 8pm) on Fridays when it's free - although it gets busy, it's a great way of seeing some of the best displays of modern art you can ever see.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16985 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16969
No worries about muggers - forget those scenes from Death Wish - you'll always have the company of other runners, even in the snow.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16969 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13335 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13335 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11542
My bag started off at $30, I soon whittled her down. She wasn't happy but these people make a fortune. I also found fake Tiffany copies which were really good as I was wearing the genuine article and was able to compare.

Don't believe everything they tell you. I can only wear real silver and on various stalls they were telling me their jewellery was real silver and it wasn't, so you need to keep your wits about you. Great bargains to be had!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11542 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6231
Likewise the free (yes, free) Staten Island Ferry will delight with this cityscape.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6231 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1323 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1323 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1215 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1215 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1208
I got an amazing silver necklace for $25 a few years ago, and there's always a few oddments that are good for people back home who hate tacky souvenirs but expect a gift.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1208 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/339 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/339 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8071 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8071 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1445 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1445