Make the most of New York

New York City is one of the world’s most exciting destinations, but when you consider that you could enjoy free arts, theatre, music and dance around the Manhattan streets whilst you’re there, are you tempted to make your trip of a lifetime coincide with the celebrated River to River Festival? This is the American East Coast’s answer to the Edinburgh festival and it’s taking place this June.

You could experience over 100 world-class art performances and events, completely free and open to the public during one week in mid June 2017, whilst also taking the time to explore and enjoy the infamous other attractions of the Big Apple.

Here at Aspen Travel we work closely with a number of leading luxury brand tour operators, who can guide you around New York City, accommodate you in opulent North American style and treat you to some of the most mouth-watering bites to be had downtown, all as part of your all-inclusive package.

Let’s take a look at what you can discover in New York, at the River to River Festival and in the wider area as part of two of our recommended tour extensions. After all, if you have the opportunity to maximise your holiday of a lifetime, why not go for it!

Top New York Attractions

Immortalised in films, TV shows, songs and computer games, few of us won’t recognise the truly iconic landmarks of New York. Who, for instance, would find the Statue of Liberty unfamiliar, or the Empire State Building? Here are a few of the must-see sights every visitor to New York should experience.

The New York skyline is an image adorning many an interior wall, but when you see it up close, it will still take your breath way. The best way to begin your exploration of the city is to take to the streets. There are so many buildings that you’ll recognise! The Empire State Building is one of the tallest skyscrapers in Manhattan and the view from the top is impressive to say the least.

Other notable (and tall) buildings include The Chrysler Building, Grand Central Station, the Rockefeller Center and Madison Square Gardens; the huge sports complex, where many a famous ball game has been played and broadcast.

As for exciting outdoor spaces, Times Square has to be seen to be believed by any first-time visitor to New York. This concrete, neon jungle, with its rolling news on display from every angle, has been used in many adverts and will probably seem familiar. Central Park, the huge green space in the centre of town, is a quiet haven away from the crowds; a great picnic and jogging spot, with a large zoo at its centre.

Fans of art and culture will positively delight in the many museums and art galleries you can visit here. There’s the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Modern Art Museum and the Guggenheim, but that’s just for starters. Smaller galleries are dotted about all over the place and if it’s theatre you enjoy, why not check out a Broadway show. Broadway is New York’s answer to London’s Leicester Square!

Of course, if you’re in New York for the shopping, you won’t be disappointed. Once you’ve made your way through the boutiques, couture shops and designer brands on 5th Avenue (including a trip to New York’s most famous high end store; Saks), you might want to head over to well-known department stores; Bloomingdales and Macy’s. There are also plenty of shopping malls and fleamarkets, where you can buy clothes at a cheaper price.

New York’s River to River Festival

Taking place in 2017 from 14th June to the 25th, this is your chance to see some extraordinary performances, meet the artists and find out more about their creative processes behind the River to River Festival. This year the festival celebrates a leading light in choreography; Trisha Brown and the founder of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council who put on the event, David Rockefeller.

The River to River Festival is about creating public art in the public sphere and inviting the public to come and watch it. Expect singers and musicians to give groundbreaking live performances and to see many astonishing expressions of international art and culture in a huge variety of mediums. There’s plenty of Middle Eastern jazz on the bill this year, but should you want to relax to a free, live DJ set, you can do that too. Gain behind the scenes access to artists and performers, who are often perceived to be unapproachable. This unique summer festival will amaze and inspire you.

Maximise your trip to New York

If you’re planning to take a trip to New York, why not dovetail it in with an escorted tour, festival experience or cruise to truly make the most of your holiday. We’ve already talked about just one of New York City’s exciting festivals, but of course, there are many. Additionally, you might also want to visit some of the other amazing cities on the East Coast of America while you’re relatively nearby. Insight Vacations is a top all-inclusive tour provider, who will handle your journey transfers, luxury overnight stays, excursions and nourishment.

With their East Coast Tour, you won’t just be guided around New York, but also Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC. You’ll visit Rhode Island, see the summer cottages of Newport and gain an insight into USA colonial history in Boston, where you’ll also enjoy a tour of that famous ivy league institution, Harvard. In Philadelphia you’ll find out more about the founding fathers and see the famous cracked Liberty Bell. The foodie tour of Washington DC is a popular highlight and concludes in one of the city’s top Italian restaurants.

If travelling the world via the ocean is more your thing, you might prefer Kuoni’s exciting package, which not only includes a short stay and full guided tour around New York City, but also involves a week aboard the Queen Mary 2. This upmarket cruise boat harks back to the golden age of cruising. Amongst the state of the art facilities, you’ll also discover unique experiences that will appeal to your sense of glamour.

Every meal will feel like an occasion, with course upon course served formally or via a buffet, and every minute of every day there will be an activity available to thrill or entertain you. There are also plenty of classes of take part in. Ever secretly wanted to learn how to act? You could join an acting course on board that is approved by RADA! Ever wanted to know what you’re talking about when you choose wine. The wine tasting seminars will help you distinguish far more than just whether or not a wine is simply red or white! There are dance classes and fitness classes, as well as an impressive spa suite for afterwards, when you need to soothe those aching muscles.

Your evenings on the Queen Mary 2 will be filled with as much or as little entertainment as you want. There will be cabaret spectaculars and music concerts, or if you prefer, you can watch a film on the ship’s 3D cinema screen. You might also enjoy looking at the stars in the ship’s planetarium. However, don’t forget that you can see the stars with the naked eye as soon as you step out on deck too.

There’s nothing like having no city glow for miles around to give you the chance to see stars in their billions, like you’ve never seen them before. Regardless of how much the ships cabaret shows have been rehearsed, or how many records have been sold by a particular artist, there’s no denying the fact that nature’s own night-sky from the middle of the ocean is the greatest show on Earth!

Want to feel romantic on the Queen Mary 2 as you settle into your cruise and reflect on your memorable trip to New York? Perhaps you want to take in as many cities on the East Coast as you can? We can make those both possible. If you’re interested in making the most out of your trip to New York and booking your holiday during the River to River Festival 2017, we can make that happen too.

As a respected booking associate of Insight Vacations, Kuoni and a large number of other tour operators that provide trips to New York, Aspen Travel can help you make holiday decisions to suit your budget, dates and requirements. Why not let us take the hassle out of making your travel arrangements? We’re only a call away and we can help you get the best package for the dates you want to travel, as well as the price you want to pay.

We’ll be happy to make travel suggestions and begin the booking process. All you need to worry about is what you’re going to see first as soon as you hit the New York streets! For our best New York deals please get in touch below.