New York City

New York City is such a romantic place and is where my fiancé and I have decided to take our honeymoon. If you have ever visited Manhattan, no doubt you fell in love with this amazing city. 

No matter what time of the year you visit, New York has something for everyone and can be a relaxed or an action packed destination. No matter what you are looking for, I am sure you can find it here.

From Sunday strolls in SOHO, great cuisine in Greenwich Village, tantalizing cocktails in Times Square to cuddles in Central Park. New York City is the perfect honeymoon destination. 

Here are a few New York City basics. New York City is made up of five boroughs – Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. Each borough offers its own appeal.

Brooklyn Brownstones 

Brooklyn is New Yorks most populated borough with 2.5 million residents. Brooklyn lies across the Hudson River from Manhattan. Brooklyn has a wonderful community feel and is famous for it's beautiful brownstone buildings. A great day can be spent wandering through Brooklyn, admiring the beautiful architecture, visiting the Botanical Gardens and visiting Juniors for world famous cheesecake - Trust me it's amazing!!

Yankee Stadium 

The Bronx home to the New York Yankee's baseball team. Yankee stadium lights up on game night and the atmosphere is electric. If you are visiting New York catching a baseball game is a must!

Queens is more of a residential area, it also has some great cafe's and resturants that should not be overlooked.

Staten Island Ferry

To get to Staten Island, there is a free ferry from Manhattan. Staten Island is full of things to do, cafe's, resturants, museums, gardens and even a zoo.  

Manhattan Skyline 
 

Manhattan is the most popular of the boroughs and as such is also the most expensive. If you want to visit New York but are on a budget, try looking outside of Manhattan. Even staying in Jersey City, New Jersey will save you more then half on accommodation. Jersey City is on the other side of the Hudson River and is connected to Manhattan by the PATH – subway. The PATH is cheap and very safe to ride. However if you have a larger budget there are many hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts in Manhattan. Using a website like Trip Advisor http://www.tripadvisor.com will help you find real reviews and advice from people who have stayed in the place you are looking at.

  Carriage Ride in Central Park

New York offers so many romantic activities for you to create wonderful honeymoon memories. Picture carriage rides in Central Park, choose a carriage stationed outside the former Plaza Hotel and take a 30 minute ride through the beautiful park. If visiting in the warmer moths see the beautiful gardens and warm sun on your skin and if you are visiting in the colder months snuggle under a blanket and feel the chill on your skin as you are taken on a majestic ride through the park.

  Washington Square Park

After your carriage ride, stroll hand in hand through the park and visit many of the attractions including Belvedere Castle, Central Park Zoo, Strawberry Fields (created by Yoko Ono in memory of the late John Lennon), hire a row boat from the boathouse or in winter go ice skating at the skating rink tucked away at the northern end of the park. Don’t forget the other beautiful parks located around the city, to mention a few - Battery Park and Washington Square Park.  

Spending a day wandering down 5^th Avenue can be fun for everyone even if you are on a tight budget. With so many boutiques including the famous Tiffany & Co even window shopping can be a fun romantic experience.

  Statue of Liberty

Take a ferry boat to the Statue of Liberty and take a tour to the observation deck. Book early as they do book out fast. If you want a great view of Lady Liberty, take the free ferry boat to Staten Island for a wonderful view as the passes Liberty Island.

  Times Square

A beautiful romantic night in Manhattan can start with a romantic candle light dinner at the Ritz Carlton Central Park, followed by a stage show on Broadway and drinks at one of the many bars in Manhattan.

New York is a food lover’s paradise, with such a culturally diverse population New York offers so many eateries for all budgets. Some of the best culinary delights are often the most inexpensive! Here are some of my favourites – Joe’s Pizza on Bleaker Street in Greenwich Village, City Bakery – West 18^th Street between 5^th and 6^th Avenue and TGI Fridays located all across the city – my favourite is in Times Square.

No matter what you are after in a destination, New York is a romantic and fun!

Recommended Hotels

Luxury 

* Hilton Times Square - 234 West 42nd Street New York, New York. http://www.hilton.com This great hotel offers awesome views of Times Square. Stay right in the middle of the action and enjoy the city that never sleeps.

* Ritz Carlton Battery Park - Two West Stree, New York, New York. http://www.ritzcarlton.com This hotel has amazing views of the Harbour and the Statue of Liberty.

* Ritz Carlton Central Park - 50 Central Park South, New York, New York. http://www.ritzcarlton.com This classic hotel is located directly opposite Central Park. Every Park View room has a telescope for bird watching. This hotel is great for dinner or evening drinks.

* Waldorf Astoria - 301 Park Avenu, New York, New York. http://www.waldorfastoria.com A New York icon! The Waldorf Astoria has a strong history in New York and has an amazing reputation for class and style.

Budget

*  Double Tree Hotel Jersey City - 455 Washington Boulevard Jersey City, New Jersey http://www.doubletree.com - Save money by staying at this great hotel in Jersey City, just a 10 minute train ride on the PATH and you're in the centre of Manhattan. This hotel also offers great views of the Manhattan skyline. Tip: When you are flying in, fly to Newark Airport not JFK. It is closer to the hotel and will save on cab fare.