Biking in New York
Renting a bike in New York costs under $50 for a day and the feel and experience is unmatched! I suggest New York Cycling tour – upper and lower Manhattan on two days to soak it in. Just rent a cycle and start on your tour to New York. I have listed out places to see. The places are listed in order, so pedal away… it’s really worth the money and more..
Rent a Bike in NYC and off you go.. Biking in New York
This New York biking tour will cover Manhattan.. where all the action is!
NYC Biking Map - Manhattan
This is the route we will follow on our New York Cycling trip. Suggested time: 2 days.
"START @ A" on Map: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Start your Biking in New York here.
Guggenheim Museum, a great collection of modern and contemporary art with over 1700 pieces of art displayed.
The architecture of the museum is very unique. Both the art and architecture are a wonderful experience. Do look out for the nice café and a gift shop.
Book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment and also save time. While in New York, catch up with artists like Picasso, Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Rousseau, Cézanne, Gauguin and many more
Time: 11 a.m.–6 p.m
Tickets Adults: $25
Students (with valid ID)/Seniors (65+): $18
Children (2-12 years): $18
Children under 12: Free
Time required: 3 Hours
B. Central Park- You can find shops that rent a bike in nyc
Central Park, 840 acres !! Right in center of Manhattan lies this huge park. Built in 1876 but even today is one of the greatest show of artificial landscaping.
The park has many entertainments lined up and you could easily spend an entire day here. It has playing fields, zoo, fountains, open air theater, monuments and yes, it has three beautiful lakes too.
Tip : Get your food basket and enjoy a nice picnic
Time required: 3 Hours
Timing 6am–1am
Tickets- Free!
Sometimes a free concert too! Though you have to pay for eating, rides, guides.
C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art– Locals in New York call it “The Met” was founded in 1870. One of the finest collections of painting and sculptures.
Specially liked the Egyptian temple, Chinese courtyard and also check out the fashion display and music exhibition.
A lot of walking and can get very crowded. If possible avoid on holidays. Again, book in advance. A great place to visit.
Time: 10 am– 9 pm
Tickets Adults: $30
Seniors (65+): $22
Students: $17
Children under 12: Free
Time required: 2 Hours
D. St. Patrick's Cathedral
St. Patrick’s Cathedral It is a stunningly huge, breathtaking Cathedral. Big statues, artwork and sculpture along with the peace and silence is quite an experience. If lucky, you can attend a mass or prayer. In all the hustle and bustle of the city you can enjoy some peaceful and quiet time here.
The Cathedral was dedicated on May 25, 1879. The architecture is quite amazing with huge stained glass windows, marble cladding, bronze entrance doors and 100m high towers flanking the entrance.
Time required: 1-2 Hours
Timing 8:30am–6:30 pm
Tickets- Free!
E. Rockefeller Center - Your 5th stop on Biking in New York trip
Right Next to the Cathedral. It has 3 observation deck levels for an amazing view of the New York city. You have to pay for it or even if not going up to the decks it is quite nice and free.
The view from the 67th floor is amazing. You get a birds eye view of landmarks like Central park, One World Trade Center, Empire State Building and many more.
A little pricey at $40 but the “top of the rock” is quite worth the money. There are gardens and also a roller skating arena. A must visit place.
Time: 9 am– 11 pm
Tickets Adults: $40
Seniors (65+): $38
Child: $34
Express Pass: $75
VIP Tour : $110
Time required: 2 Hours
F. Theater District
It gets its name from the numerous theatres here. You are spoiled for choice. Definitely catch up on a “Show on Broadway”. The Broadway runs 29 km through the district.
If a theater or movie buff this is a great place to be in. It also has many recording and televisions studios, record labels. There is also the Museum of Broadway if you are a big fan.
Enjoy some great live theater.
Time required:
Timing:
Tickets: $20 to $145 play
G. Times Square
The busy bustling New York city comes alive here. Shops, Eateries, vendor trucks, street performances, lots of people, great lively place. A night visit is even better. The screens on the buildings and lights is a heady mix. Very busy so plan timing for your visit. May find it a little dirty. Just wander around and soak in the experience.
Timings: 24 hrs
Tickets Adults:
Time required: 2 Hours
H. Empire State Building
One of the most famous skyscrapers, it stands 1250 feet tall with 102 stories. It was built in 1931. The observatory gives a stunning 360 degree view of city, you can even see the Statue of Liberty. Given a choice, go at sunset time on a clear day for the best views.
Psst.. they let you carry food to the top.
Time required: 3hrs
Timing: 10 am- 12 night
Tickets:
86th floor: $44
86th &102nd floor: $77
VIP proposal package: $1000 !
I. East Village
If you want to do an off beat visit to a quieter place, this is the place. Take long walks along the tree lined avenues. There are numerous shops, pubs, bars and restaurants along with old buildings, coffee shops.
The American punk rock was born here.
Timings: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Tickets Adults: _
Time required: Half a day
J. First Street Garden
This is a neighborhood maintained garden is actually a street art park. Very colorful and a bit quirky.
The neighbors took charge of the park in 1999. They were supported by Green thumb. The murals change often, so you can always look forward to great colorful murals every few weeks.
While cycling in new York is a lot of fun, probably you have exhausted your entire day by now. Am sure you enjoyed every bit of it.
Time required: 1 hrs
Timing:
Tickets:
K. Tenement Museum
This museum tells the stories of immigrants to America. And acknowledge the contribution of immigrants mainly from Italy in building of the nation. The guided tour takes about one hour. There is a nice gift shop too. So if interested in immigrants related education and programs this place is a must visit.
A bit underwhelming compared to the other museums in vicinity but good to know a little on history.
Timings: 10 am – 5 pm
Tickets Adults: $30
Time required: 1 hr
L. Chinatown
As the name suggests, a great place to find best Chinese food in New York. If shopping is what you are looking for, look no further. The place is brimming with shops, restaurants and people. You can get lot of inexpensive stuff here. An evening stroll through its markets is nice with friendly people and a buzzing market.
Time required: 3 hrs
Timing:
Tickets:
M. Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn bridge A leisurely walk on the Brooklyn bridge is an unforgettable experience with the magnificent views of New York City.
Nice walk from one end to the other. At start of bridge various mini street traders selling gifts, hats, globes, icons etc all along the bridge. Fantastic view of many sights including Statue of Liberty and sky scrapers beautiful.
This is a great place and many people are strolling across. There is no entrance tickets and the views from here are very nice. A great place to visit. It is easily accessible by rail and road.
Timings: 10 am – 1 am
Tickets Adults:
Time required: 2 hrs
N. Irish Hunger Memorial
The Irish Hunger Memorial is a reminder of those that lost their lives during the Great Irish Famine. It is a half an acre gem of a park, very different from most of the memorials you will come across. There is something beautiful about the grass park and stone cottage in the middle of Lower Manhattan, despite the high rises and the bustle of the neighborhood.
A reminder that famine is rarely caused by a lack of food, but as a result of greed, power, and a lack of empathy.
Time required: 1 hr
Timing:
Tickets:
O. SoHo
Shopping. Restaurants. Galleries
There is nothing more charming in New York than the district of South of Houston known as SoHo. While there is no shortage of trendy shops and restaurants in Soho, it’s the atmospheric cobblestone streets, galleries, sweeping lofts, and cast-iron architecture that truly gives the neighborhood its charms.
In the 1950s, lofts housed factories. They are now used as fashion houses, photo studios and art galleries
Timings:
Tickets:
Time required: 3 hrs
P. Greenwich Village
Artists, peasants, and painters sought refuge in Greenwich Village, one of New York City’s oldest neighborhoods.
Greenwich Village is a neighborhood in NYC’s Manhattan borough, and it’s one of the best places to visit in the city; it’s full of history, culture, and fun things to do.
Locals refer to it as ” the Village” which is because the area is full of community-oriented businesses, from bookstores to corner markets to coffee shops.
Time required: 3 hrs
Timing:
Tickets:
Q. The High Line
The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long (2.33 km) elevated linear park, greenway and rail trail created on a former New York Central Railroad spur on the west side of Manhattan in New York City. A popular walk with many visitors and a great one.
In late October, leaves start to turn yellow or red which is so beautiful. The route is lined with benches along the way, and there are multiple accessible entrances and exits along the way.
Timings: 7 am- 10 pm
Tickets:
Time required: 1 hr
New York Botanical Garden- Optional detour- not in "Biking in New York" map above
Not included in “Biking in New York” map above. It is a little out of the way besides for bike route suggested here, it adds a cool 7-8 miles. Hmm.. should you consider skipping it? I will leave it to you..
New York Botanical Garden is a 250 acre garden! Plant and garden enthusiasts will love NYBG. It is located in the northern part of Manhattan – Bronx.
Just to let you know what you will miss, it has 12000 species of plants and also a zoo.
Time: 10 a.m.–6 p.m
Tickets Adults: $30
Students (with valid ID)/Seniors (65+): $28
Children (2-12 years): $15
Children under 2: Free
Time required: 3 Hours
Finally, The list of places in New York to visit and experience is quite never ending... Flatiron Building, Madison square park .. a few beaches nearby.. and then of course the best of them all.. Statue of Liberty , Ellis Island. Cycling in New York .. Manhattan! 🙂 Have a great time!
Tips for New York vacation
Let's start with ARRIVAL in New York
AIRPORTS
New York offers a choice of 3 major airports
That also gives you an opportunity to check ticket prices, compare flight rates to all three airports and go for the best option
LaGuardia Airport LGA
JFK Airport
Newark Airport EWR
In order of preference- LGA then JFK and last EWR. Choice is based on time and money spent to get to the city, typically Manhattan.
MacArthur Airport , Long Island is also an option but again, You could find a cheaper flight. But also consider the commute cost and time from airport to the city.
For more excellent tips to get low air tickets, click here..
STAY
After arrival, the next big expense in New York is Stay
Various options available:
Hotel / Apartment / Youth Hostel / Guest House
Use search tools TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Agoda, Kayak.com and lastly Groupon too if it suits, can get very good deals
While in New York, the best place to stay is Manhattan central, moreover it is close to tourist spots and where all the action is !
Also Great if you are planning on cycle tour.
- A few suggestions on place to stay.. just for an idea of location and pricing
- All stay indicated is for 2 people inclusive of tax
West Side YMCA – as cheap as $125 but with bunk beds and shared bath. Great location.
Chelsea Inn – for about $200 but with shared bath. Again great location
The Park Ave North – for about #150 with private bath and good location
Stay with breakfast: In New York it is equally important to have breakfast included. It saves money besides the time saved. Also gives you an incentive to start your day early 🙂
Chelsea Room LA – $175 great breakfast, good reviews. Shared bath
Holiday Inn Express – $225
The Wall Street Inn – $240
Some places with breakfast included and at good rates
Check out discounts on NYC entrance pass at park.ny.gov, https://newyorkpass.com/en-us
Contact to rent a bike NYC, Manhattan: bikerentalcentralpark.com, centralparkbikeride.com