Family Places to Eat by Rockefeller Center

By Go City Expert

Before or after your visit to the Top of the Rock in the middle of Manhattan, odds are you are or someone in your family is going to want to eat. Sometimes it’s fine to just grab a hot dog, pretzel or some mystery street meat, but if you would rather have a nice family meal at a sit-down restaurant there are certainly tons of nearby options. These are just a few of the fun, family places to eat near Rockefeller Center. Located at 37 West 48th Street, Mendy's Restaurant is a great option if you are looking to grab a late breakfast, brunch or late lunch. With five locations in the city (and one in Brooklyn) Mendy's Restaurant is an upscale kosher delicatessen that has been serving New Yorkers for over 25 years. Besides boasting a wide variety of finger foods that the kids will just love, Mendy’s also has classic kosher deli fare like juicy roast beef, homemade fries and freshly cut corned beef. Fans of “Seinfeld” also might enjoy a trip to the restaurant because Jerry once went there to eat...just remember that soup doesn’t count as a meal! If your family wants to try some world-famous New York City pizza (they say the secret ingredient is the water) then head to 30 Rockefeller Center Concourse and grab a slice or an entire pie at Harry’s Italian Pizza Parlor. After having years of success at two downtown locations, restaurateurs Peter and Harry Poulakakos and the team from Nick's Pizza decided to open a branch of Harry’s Italian Pizza Parlor uptown. The menu at Harry’s Italian Pizza Parlor is fairly basic, but when there are great Italian favorites like old-fashioned square pizzas, fresh salads, cold hero sandwiches and Italian ices, no one is going to leave hungry. Sushi is delicious and tapas are can be exciting, but sometimes there’s nothing quite like an American classic. If your family is in the mood to taste a little Americana, head to 16 West 51st Street and grab a seat at Bill’s Bar & Burger. Before Bill’s opened its doors, the chefs conducted 100 tastings of different burger recipes. After all that research, the crew at Bill’s Bar & Burger decided to serve the “Bill's Classic” a throwback diner burger cooked on a flattop and served in an all-American seeded bun. With 400 seats, Bill’s Bar & Burger is the biggest standalone burger joint in the country - but that doesn’t mean the quality suffers. There are dozens of shakes, fries and burgers combos to choose from and they are all made fresh daily. Critics have called Bill’s “the best thing to happen to freshly ground beef since the Kraft single.” Stop in and see if you agree! Save on admission to Top of the Rock and other top New York City attractions like the Museum of Natural History and Ripley’s Believe It or Not NYC with a discount New York Explorer Pass. Save money and skip lines!

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Top Places to Go for New York City Skyline Views

We're obsessed with city skylines and finding the best vantage points to capture them. Naturally, when we sent one of our very own to NYC to scope out the sites, she came back with a list of her top Manhattan skyline viewing areas to share. They are as follows: 3. The Roof of The Met After browsing through the exhibits, take a break (and sip some vino) atop The Met. Follow signs to The Roof Garden Café and Martini Bar, there might be a bit of a wait to get up there, but the views are worth it. The Met regularly commissions artists to create installation artwork to be displayed on the roof to be enjoyed by visitors, you can check their website in advance to see which artist is currently being featured. 2. Brooklyn, New York I ran down my phone battery in record time from stopping to take pictures every few seconds during my bike ride around DUMBO and the Brooklyn Heights Promenade because the views are THAT GOOD. Rent a bike for the day and explore DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass), you'll get great views around the bridge and from the piers on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. 1. Top of the Rock Perhaps we're stating the obvious but no "views of New York City" list would be complete without including the unbeatable views from the Top of the Rock. Want more amazing view? Compare the difference between Top of the Rock vs Empire State Building for yourself. Insider tip: Get your ticket to head up an hour before sunset for the best photo opportunities. You'll get to see the skyline in daylight and stay for the post-sunset views when all the lights come on and the buildings light up. (Quick photography lesson: the hour before sunset is called "the golden hour" because it's the most flattering natural light of the day, so your selfies will look extra good.) Do you have any New York City vantage points that you think should have made the list of Top 3? Let us know in the comments below.
Casey Makovich
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Best NYC Attractions for Girlfriend Getaways

Planning a great weekend getaway with the girls? Whether you're going all out for a bacherlorette party or just escaping for the weekend, we’ve got a whole itinerary of New York City attractions that are perfect for you and your girlfriends to enjoy a little bonding time. Travel smart and save money (for shopping and wine!) with a New York City Explorer Pass®. Save up to 50% on combined admission to great tours, cruises, and more. Or, build your own pass and save a guaranteed 15-25%. Get Glamorous with the Sex and The City or Gossip Girl Tour New York City is the setting for more than a few hit television series, and now you can live vicariously through your favorite characters—whether you’re a Carrie fan or a Serena girl. There’s no better way to do Manhattan than the 3.5 hour Sex and the City Tour, which takes you to 40 locations made famous from the show, including Magnolia Bakery (where you can grab a delicious cupcake for yourself) and the charming boutiques on Bleecker Street. If you’re more of an Upper East Sider, the Gossip Girl Tour is just as in depth, and of course, steeped with secrets! Visit the hotel that the Bass and Van der Woodsen families call home and stop by Constance Billard & St. Jude’s before gazing in the windows of Henri Bendel, where Blair and Serena shop. Shop ‘til You Drop at Woodbury Common New York City is the fashion capital of the world, so what’s a NYC getaway without a little shopping time squeezed in? Of course, just because you’re in New York doesn’t mean you want to spend an arm and a leg on the hottest fashions. The Woodbury Common Outlet Trip solves that problem with a shoppers’ haven of 220 premium outlet stores, including Burberry, Crate & Barrel, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Prada, and so much more. With round trip transportation provided, the Woodbury Common Outlets are the ideal day trip for girlfriends who love to shop till they drop. Get Artsy at the MoMA or The Met The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh is one of many masterpieces you'll find at the MoMA. The Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Fine Art are among the top New York City attractions for visitors from all over the globe. At the MoMa, you’ll find revolutionary pieces from modern masters like Jackson Pollack, Salvador Dali, and Vincent Van Gogh—you’ll even see Van Gogh’s original The Starry Night. A trip to the Met is imbued in culture and class. With more than two million pieces from around the globe, this famous art museum features rare collections and incredible temporary exhibitions. With so much to explore, no trip to the Met is ever the same, so even if you’ve already experienced it, bring your girlfriends by for a second visit. Enjoy the View from the Top at the Empire State Building It's pretty impressive from the ground, too! If you want to feel like you’re on top of the world, the Empire State Building is the place to be. The world’s most famous skyscraper stands over 1000 feet high, and from the Observatory you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of one of the most impressive cities on earth. The thrilling ride to the top and the awe-inspiring view will bring any friend group closer together. Check out our insiders guide to visiting the Empire State Building for discount tickets, tips, and more. Delight in Food Tours My mouth is watering just looking at this picture. Whether your girlfriends are high-class foodies or the burger and fries type, New York City’s diverse culinary scene offers something for everyone. Now, you can enjoy a guilt-free feast with one of the Food on Foot Tours, a unique walking tour through New York City’s diverse neighborhoods and ethnic enclaves for a dining experience unlike any other! Tour options include International Express, Midtown Mix, East Village Variety, World Famous Sweet Tooth, and NY Over Noodles. Dance the Night Away Get your groove on with NYC's top DJs. Of course, when it comes to the best New York City attractions, we can’t leave out the nightlife! If you like to dance, you’ve come to the right city—NYC is home to some of the hottest dance clubs in the nation. Enjoy the crystal-clear sound system at Cielo, take in the techno beats in the unpretentious atmosphere at the Sullivan Room, or get glammed up for Pacha. Whatever your scene, no New York City girlfriend getaway is complete until you dance the night away. Save on Admission And remember, you can save up to 50% on your attraction visits with the New York City Explorer Pass. Pick one up today!
Katie Sagal
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Things to do in Chelsea 

Creative and diverse, Chelsea is one of New York’s best not so hidden treasures. Located on the West Side of Manhattan, the area boasts some of the city’s top cultural attractions, dining spots and nightlife destinations. From the fabulous repositories of The Whitney and Rubin to the buzzing kiosks at Chelsea Market, you'll find much to experience in this vibrant and trendy neighborhood. So, if you’re planning to explore Chelsea, use our list as a starting block. Whatever you choose to do, we promise you won’t be disappointed! Explore the Area Is there any better way to explore the culture of an area than by hitting up the local market? We think not. Housed in the former National Biscuit Company factory building (where the Oreo cookie was created), Chelsea Market is worth visiting if nothing else than for its food hall alone. A total treat for the senses, the market features over 30 vendors serving up culinary delights across a broad spectrum of cuisines. From tacos and bagels to donuts and currywurst hot off the grill, there’s a little something for everybody here. In addition to its delicious dining options, the market also presents an eclectic assortment of stores which are well worth checking out. Dive into the crowds, browse the stalls, and soak up the incredible atmosphere. Hey, what’s not to love? Chelsea has always been a neighborhood dedicated to artistry and culture, so it only makes sense that the area presents some of the best flea markets in New York. Bringing together the best vendors and tastemakers from across the city, the Artists and Fleas Market is an absolute dream for bargain shoppers. From reconstructed vintage and rare collectibles and to original artwork and handmade homeware, this place has it all. We especially love this market for its cool, laid-back atmosphere and one-of-a-kind offerings. If it’s luxury and escapism that you’re after, then look no further. As part of Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex, the golf club is recognized as the city’s most popular driving range and teaching academy. Overlooking the Hudson River, this dreamy retreat from the city is the stuff dreams are made of. Welcoming avid golfers and casual players alike, the academy offers practice sessions, private lessons and full-swing simulators. Chill, chip and putt in a beautiful outdoor space. We couldn’t think of a better way to spend a sunny New York’s afternoon! See the Sites Scaredy-cats, look away! For thrill-seekers and risk-takers only, the Edge provides an exhilarating experience to remember. Floating way above the city, this attraction is recognized as the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. Peer 100 stories down through the glass floor, sip champagne in the sky, and catch remarkable views of the urban landscape as you’ve never seen it before. If the Vessel didn’t do it for you, then this place sure will! When we think of New York, its world-renowned architecture is one of the first things that springs to mind. For enthusiastic Instagrammers and architecture geeks alike, the Vessel is most certainly a sight to behold. Standing at a whopping 150 feet, the striking public art piece offers new perspectives of the city, the river and beyond. We suggest wearing your comfiest shoes, since it’s quite the climb! Though New York City is mostly known for its towering skyscrapers and modern structures, it’s also home to many beautiful green spaces. Sitting high above the Hudson River, Little Island serves as a prime destination of leisure and entertainment. Strolling through the park, you’ll be able to enjoy dazzling views of the cityscape, as well as flowers, trees and shrubs of all kinds. In addition, there is a 700-seat amphitheater facing the Hudson, where you can catch music, theater and dance performances. Spanning 2.4 acres and offering a broad range of programs to get involved in, it’s impossible to be bored here. Get Creative Art plays a fundamental role in Chelsea’s vibrant and unrivalled culture scene. There are over 200 art galleries in the area, but our top pick is unwaveringly The Whitney Museum for its outstanding permanent collection and unique exhibitions. Since its founding in 1930, The Whitney has become recognized as one of the leading modern art institutions in the United States. Amongst its expansive collection, you’ll find paintings by Jean-Michel Basquiat, films by Andy Warhol, photographs by Richard Avedon... the list goes on. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply just a curious explorer, this place is sure to take your breath away. A well-recognized cultural hub and trendy hipster hotspot, Chelsea is one of the best spots in Manhattan for creative types. Combining art with history, the Rubin Museum of Art specializes in displaying works from the Himalayas, Central Asia, and Tibet. The museum’s impressive repository is comprised of over 38,000 pieces, and dates way back to the 15th century. Thoroughly fascinating and undoubtably unique, this one should be at the top of everybody’s itinerary! Teeming with creative energy and bursting with culture, Chelsea hardly falls short in the museum department. Thoroughly enthralling (and entirely admission free!), the Museum at FIT is recognized as the only gallery in New York dedicated exclusively to the art of fashion. Upon entrance, visitors can enjoy an expansive collection of over 50, 000 pieces dating way back to the 5th century. Those who are especially interested in fashion can also attend special programs, talks, and book signings with leading designers here. Perpetually cool and buzzing with life, Chelsea has everything to offer for the passionate traveler. The area is primarily known for its art galleries and famous landmarks. But it also attracts many visitors for its quirky markets and trendy restaurants. View world-class art at The Whitney, shop ‘til you drop at the Artists and Fleas Market, and view the city from up high on the Edge - the world’s your oyster! To get the most out of your visit, check out our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris

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