A TRAVEL GUIDE TO NEW YORK
PART 1
BY KEVIN BILL
To begin with, I am a fraud - at least in the sense that I am
no travel writer, yet I have the chutzpah to write an article
about travelling to New York City. What I am is just an
ordinary American who's lived in Manhattan on and off for
the last thirty-some years and who cannot and hopefully
will not ever get New York City out of his system, and who
loves to share what I've experienced there with anyone kind
enough to listen.
Disclaimer aside, the question in writing about New York City
is "Where to begin?" Everyone has their own impression of
New York, ranging from the "I'd love to go there someday" to
"I've lived here all my life and have the all-black wardrobe to
prove it." And each person's impressions is correct and every
variation valid, because New York is ever-changing and, to a
great extent, exactly what you make of it. It’s a Rorschach test
for reinvention. I can suggest what to do and where to go, but
I know that each person needs to discover New York City for
themselves. So as for telling you "what" and "where", I'll do my
best, though not today, as this is the first in a series of articles
(hopefully). For now, I'll just focus on the "when”, and the
best way to understand the "when" is to understand the city's
climate.
I like to think of New York City's weather as having
Goldilocks syndrome, because like the bears’ porridge it
comes three different ways: too hot, too cold, and just right,
sometimes within the same week or even the same day. One
of your best bets for "just right" begins in late April to early
May as everything blossoms and blooms. Every green space
from Central Park to the smallest neighbourhood "pocket
park" becomes a festival of tulips second only to Holland.
It's a short window of opportunity for the blossoms, but well
worth your time. Your other best bet for "just right" is early
September through mid-November when the weather tends to
be clear and sunny, the leaves change colour, and the air takes
on a crispness that's perfect for a stroll in a warm woollen
sweater (pardon me, jumper).
If you don't mind things a bit chilly, then consider
Christmastime. New York City is magical in December, and
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my favourite time of the year to be there. There's nothing quite
like it. The biggest travel holiday in the States is Thanksgiving,
which is the fourth Thursday in November, so keep that in
mind when booking travel as flights will be crowded and fares
at a premium.
After Thanksgiving, though, there's a window of opportunity
for the first half of December when Americans have returned
home from Thanksgiving, exhausted and overfed, to take
a breather, shop incessantly, and prepare for the holidays.
Hotels fill up quickly in December, so book well in advance.
After New Year's, New York City can be cold, blustery and
wet in winter, so for those of us who have grown soft after too
many California winters, New York City can seem "too cold"
during the winter months. Don't let a bit of chill dissuade
you, though, as crowds are light and it can be a great time to
visit, especially if you're interested in all the indoor activities
New York City has to offer. There are museums for days,
indoor sports (sorry guys, no football/soccer), music and
theatre of every type, and a mind-boggling number of superb
restaurants. (Note: avoid the Times Square chain restaurants
and head to Restaurant Row on West 46th Street instead.)
Summers in New York tend to be sunny and warm. Very
warm. Even sauna-like. I generally refer to July and August as
the "swamp months.” Before the advent of air conditioning,
anyone who could would flee the city during summer for the
cooler climates of New England. The summer months are
high tourist season as well, so expect all things touristy to
have long lines. Most of the arts are quiet during the summer
months as performers head for summer arts festivals in
woodsy locations.
Whenever you may choose to visit, just know that you'll never
see and do everything the city has to offer in one trip. Just pick
a time of year to go, explore, and make a memory. The city
will always be there when you want more, waiting for you to
return.