PayPal Stories Archive

There’s a reason New York City is one of the most beloved and most visited cities in the world. No matter what your passions or interests – or food preferences – you can find it in New York. The city has a vibrant mélange of culture, food, fashion, cinema, music, art and even outdoor spaces – from Central Park to Washington Square Park to the High Line.

 

But it’s not just the main attractions that you shouldn’t miss. New York is home to distinct neighborhoods, from the edgy and hipster East Village, to the posh, cobble-stoned streets of the West Village to the trendy Meatpacking District.

 

It’s an impossible feat to try to narrow down all of the must-see sites and neighborhoods in New York into a list of just 10. Below, PayPal partnered with Lonely Planet to create a guide of 10 of the top things to do for visitors (or stay-cationers) in New York City.

 

 

Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, Washington Square Park is home to street performers, magicians, speed-chess professionals, sunbathers, students and tourists snapping pics of everything from the iconic Washington Square Arch -- which stands 72-feet-high and lines up with Fifth Ave. -- to the Washington Square fountain. The nearly 10-acre park has been a public park since the 1820s, and is a great place to sit down and take in the views and entertainment. Get a bite to eat – Macdougal Street nearby has some amazing falafel shops and pizza stands -- and come back to the park to eat, drink and people watch. And if you’re lucky, you may get a chance to listen to Colin Huggins – also known as The Piano Man – play classical piano on the east end of the park. When you’re done visiting Washington Square Park, head east to the East Village. Known for its hipster community, vibrant nightlife and wealth of food options – from late night pizza hole-in-the-walls to famous ice cream shops – the East Village is home to an eclectic art and music scene. And don’t forget to stop by St. Marks Place, a one-mile stretch down 8th street, where you can grab a drink at one of the local pubs, pick up a bite to eat and shop at dozens of open front markets selling everything sunglasses to hats to scarves.

 

 

Located between 59th and 110th streets between Central Park West and Fifth Ave., Central Park is one of the most iconic parks in the world. The park, which spans 843-acres, is home to gardens, bridges, lakes, tree-lined walkways, iconic statues, the Central Park Zoo as well as street musicians and artists. The park was created in the 1860s and 1870s and offers New Yorkers an escape from the concrete jungle New York is often known for. In the summer, the park hosts many free concerts in the Great Lawn and plays in the outdoor Delacorte Theater. You can also rent boats and row across the lake between April and October. And on the weekends between April and October, you can see the talented members of the Central Park Dance Skaters Association doing twirls and spins on their roller-skates and roller-blades at The Skate Circle while DJs mix beats in the background. If you’re visiting in the winter, you can watch or join locals and visitors ice skating at Central Park’s Wollman Rink each year. Looking for something romantic to do? You can take a horse and carriage ride through Central Park at sunset. And if you want to pick up some trinkets and souvenirs, or get a caricature drawn, the southeastern end of the park has plenty of options to choose from.

 

 

Built during the Great Depression, this iconic building stands over 100-stories-high. The 145-foot-high skyscraper, located at 350 Fifth Ave. on the site of the original Waldorf-Astoria, has 360-degree views of the city. Since the mid 1970s, the top 30 floors of the building are lit up in various colors to celebrate holidays from Christmas to St. Patrick’s Day. If you want to go to the top, make sure you arrive early (operating hours are between 8 am – 2 am with the last elevators going up at 1:15 am) to avoid long lines. You can also buy your tickets online and avoid standing in line for tickets the day of. Don’t forget to bring your camera so you can capture the stunning views. If you’re looking for a new camera or lens, you can find great deals on cameras on the Canon website -- and if you pay with PayPal between June 16 and June 23, you can get $10 off your purchase of $100 or more. Just use code PAL10. Terms apply.

 

 

The Brooklyn Bridge, which connects lower Manhattan with Brooklyn, was the world’s first steel-wire suspension bridge when it opened in 1883. Spanning 1,596-feet, the bridge rises 135-feet above the East River and is accessible by car, foot or bike. The bridge was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and continues to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York.

 

 

Whether you’re visiting The Big Apple in the sweltering summer months or the freezing winter months, Rockefeller Center has plenty to do. Located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and from 48th to 51st streets, Rockefeller Center spans 22 -acres and is home to plenty of shops and cafes. In the winter, locals and tourists amass at the Rockefeller ice skating rink or take photos of New York’s most popular Christmas Tree and holiday decorations, which go up just after Thanksgiving. During the summer months, shop at dozens of stores, or grab a bite to eat in the sunken plaza. When you’ve had your fill of Rockefeller Center, cross the street to Fifth Ave. between 50th and 51st streets to visit Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. The beautiful Neo-Gothic-style Roman Catholic church is one of the most visited cathedrals in New York and is free to visit. When you’re done visiting the church, you can continue down Fifth Ave. for some of the best shopping in New York. Stores like the iconic Tiffany & Co. and Bergdorf Goodman make for great window shopping, but there are plenty of other great stores to shop at as well.

 

 

Ellis Island was once America’s most trafficked immigration center. Between the late 1800s and the early 1900s, more than 12 million migrants passed through Ellis Island in the hopes of settling in America. Migrants couldn’t pass before going through both health evaluations – to find out if they were healthy or physically or mentally ill, and legal evaluations – to get information on everything from where they were born to whether or not they were married. The island, which is now an immigration museum, pays tribute to the immigrant experience and features stories, photos, official documents and film footage from first hand sources, including many of the immigrants themselves. There are several different tours and exhibits you can choose from, including: Journeys: The People of America 1550-1890; Through America’s Gate and Peak Immigration Years; and Restoring a Landmark. You can read more about the history of the island here. Pro tip: Make sure you buy your tickets ahead of time online to avoid waiting in line.

 

 

The High Line, located in the heart of the Meatpacking district, was once a rail line that ended up in the district that use to be known for its slaughterhouses. Today, the High Line is an elevated park, standing 30-feet-high and overlooking the Hudson River. The High Line includes art installations, food vendors, chairs to watch the sunset from as well as various overlooks. After an evening stroll, walk down to the Meatpacking District where you’ll find a range of popular restaurants and hotel bars. Make sure to make reservations well before hand, as most restaurants tend to book up early. If you can’t get a reservation, or just want to spend the night in, don’t fret. Services like Munchery will deliver amazing meals straight to your door.

 

 

Whether you’re looking for a fun night out at the clubs, a romantic dinner or want to do some high end shopping, the cobblestone streets of the Meatpacking District have lots of options. The Meatpacking District is now a posh area that buts up against the Hudson River. After a day in the Meatpacking, make sure to walk around the tree-lined streets of the West Village. Snap photos of the picturesque streets and apartments, shop at the boutiques, and then stop into one of the many local restaurants, bars and cafes for a pick-me-up. And make sure not to miss the cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery, which are well worth the wait.

 

 

Open seven days a week, Chelsea Market – located near the Hudson River on Ninth Ave. between 15th and 16th streets – is an indoor food hall with more than thirty vendors selling everything from artisan coffee and local wines to ramen and crepes. The market hall also hosts events, from art shows to sample sales.

 

 

Aside from Fifth Ave, SoHo -- which stands for South of Houston (pronounced “House-ton”) – is a great place to get in some shopping. Head south on Broadway and once you cross Houston you’ll be in SoHo. From REI to Bloomingdales, SoHo has it all. While you’re there, be sure to walk down Prince and Spring streets, which cross Broadway and are home to some amazing boutiques.

 

New York is a very walkable city, but after a full day of shopping and site seeing, you may want to jump in a Lyft for door-to-door service back to your hotel. You can get to where you're going and take $10 off each of your first two Lyft rides. See terms. Terms of service*. Make sure to book your accommodations early, as hotels and apartment rentals book up quickly. If you’re looking for last minute hotel deals, be sure to check out Hotels.com. Looking to stay in a neighborhood -- like the East Village, West Village or Chelsea -- check out Airbnb for some more local options.

 

And remember, the attractions above are just a few spots not to miss in New York City. For a full, in-depth guide of the city, check out Lonely Planet’s Guide to New York City. Terms apply. And during the month of June, when you use the code PAYPAL5 you can get $5 off of your purchase of $15 or more from Lonely Planet. If you’re traveling from out of town, make sure you book your tickets early, as plane tickets and accommodations can get pricey.

 

Finally, don’t miss the chance to enter to win a $10,000 getaway. Enter here and pay with PayPal in June for more chances to win the adventure of a lifetime. Official rules can be found here.