Experience the Sites and Sounds of New York City by The Westin Times Square

Start your New York escape with a power breakfast at The Westin Times Square's wonderful Shula's Steak House. The menu features Superfood Starters to get you energized for your exciting day. After breakfast, turn right out of our revolving door and in 3/4 of a block, you'll find yourself in the always electric Times Square, which is encompassed by the famous Theater District (featuring most of our city's Broadway theaters). The dazzling lights and billboards of Times Square, combined with area attractions like the flagship Toys "R" Us Store, the Times Square studios for Good Morning America, NASDAQ MarketSite, TKTS Discount Booth (for discount same-day theater tickets), Discovery Times Square Exposition (featuring enlightening and educational exhibits) and several varied restaurants and shops offer a little something for everyone.

After your Times Square exploration, we recommend heading over to Rockefeller Center. On the way, take a peek at the Diamond District located on 47th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. Upon arriving at Rockefeller Center, you'll find the famous Radio City Music Hall, the Today Show's Studio 1A and NBC's Studio Experience Store (where the NBC Studio Tour begins). Take in the ice rink and amazing and various shops of Rockefeller Center. Before leaving, head up to the Top of the Rock Observatory, which offers breathtaking views of New York from its 67th, 69th, and 70th floor observation decks. The experience begins in the lobby with the Swarovski waterfall chandelier. On the 67th floor, don't miss the Swarovski geode wall of custom glass and crystal panels - it's quite amazing! We recommend taking a moment to search for tiny treasures, as there are miniature crystal animals hidden in the wall. Next move towards the 5th Avenue side of Rockefeller Center and take in St. Patrick's Cathedral and the fabulous 5th Avenue shops (featuring luxury retail stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier, Harry Winston, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Bergdorf Goodman, and Louis Vuitton, just to name a few).  As you near the end of 5th Avenue shopping, stop into FAO Schwartz (remembered often for its large floor piano in the film "Big") and the Apple Store (open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year).


Step across 5th Avenue into Central Park, an awe-inspiring urban retreat into nature, and take some time out to unwind. Stroll in and watch the skaters at the picturesque Wollman Rink. Feel free to explore the Park's many treasures like the Delacorte Music Clock, Strawberry Fields, Bethesda Fountain, the Lake, Bow Bridge and beyond. Depending on your passion, you can depart the park and experience the history, art and culture that await you. Exit the park into the Upper West Side and take in the famed American Museum of Natural History or, via the park's east side, the famed Museum Mile beckons (featuring the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Neue Galerie, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of the City of New York and more). It might be time, at this point, to enjoy some of our city's amazing cuisine. Both neighborhoods (the Upper West Side or the Upper East Side) offer excellent dining opportunities featuring culinary styles ranging from neighborhood delis to cuisines of the world. To top off the day, head back to the Theater District and take in one of our amazing shows. This Broadway season offers something for everyone with performances that are sure to delight and create memories for years to come.

Get an early start and head down to Battery Park to ferry out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Please note: if you're interested in experiencing the interior areas of the Statue of Liberty, it's essential to reserve either special ticket (the Crown or the Pedestal / Museum ticket) in advance through Statue Cruises. Dedicate a good five hours to fully enjoy these national treasures.




Upon your return to Manhattan, depart Battery Park and see the "Charging Bull" at Bowling Green Park, our city's oldest public park (located just a short walk north of Battery Park). Grab a bite to eat at the historic Fraunces Tavern, where George Washington gave his farewell address to his officers, and continue on with a stroll through Lower Manhattan.  The area is rich with history and architecture, featuring an interesting mix of modern and colonial styles. Make sure to pass by the New York Stock Exchange, the Federal Hall National Memorial and the Federal Reserve, take in the South Street Seaport and its tall ships, shops and attractions as well as a lesser-known TKTS Discount Booth. The Pier 17 area of the South Street Seaport offers a great place to take a break and rejuvenate while gazing out at our city's bridges to Brooklyn. Next, head west to Trinity Church / St. Paul's Chapel and then, for a New York bargain or two, stop into the designer discount store, Century 21. While there, if you'd wish to pay your respects, the World Trade Center Site and the Tribute WTC Visitor Center are just steps away.


Finally, make your way north to the fabulous neighborhood of TriBeCa (the Triangle Below Canal). Here you can find quite a few of our city's most popular and happening dining destinations. Don't leave the neighborhood without one of the delicious creations of Bouley Bakery for a little delightful decadence created by one of our city's top chefs, Chef David Bouley, or a cupcake from the delectable Billy's Bakery. Return to the hotel and relax by unwinding in our chic Bar 10 lounge.

Make your way downtown to West 20th Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues) and experience our new High Line. The High Line is a public park built on an elevated rail structure. The High Line was once used as a freight rail line to carry meat to the Meatpacking District, agricultural goods to our West Side factories and warehouses and mail to the post office. It now integrates an exciting new design with naturalistic landscaping in an industrial infrastructure. Stop in and see the food and gift stores of Chelsea Market (located between 9th and 10th Avenues and 15th and 16th Streets), which was once the New York Biscuit Company where Saltines, Oreos, Animal Crackers and more were made in the late 1800s through the early 1900s. Stroll into the Meatpacking District and enjoy this very happening, 24-hour neighborhood known for its restaurants, boutiques and nightlife venues. Next, enjoy the quaint Bleecker Street. Take in the lovely shops of Bleecker Street, both new and old. Make sure to stop into neighborhood favorites, such as Porto Rico Importing Co. (known for its great coffees and teas) or Murray's Cheese Shop (New York's oldest cheese shop). Head over to Washington Square Park, a hub to New York University, steeped in history and musical, artistic and political culture through the years.



Make your way over to SoHo for trendy shopping, art, dining and nightlife and, while there, warm up with a cup of decadent hot chocolate in Jacques Torres' Chocolate Haven (try the chocolate-covered corn flakes, too) and explore Dean and Deluca for epicurean delights and gifts. Continue east to the oh-so-happening Nolita neighborhood rich with cutting-edge designers, bars and restaurants. Stop by Rice to Riches and explore their amazing varieties of rice puddings or Lombardi's (known as "America's First Pizzeria"). Move a bit further east into the Lower East Side, a great mix of old (as it was home to many of America's first immigrants) and new New York. Explore neighborhood gems like the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, Katz's Deli (as seen in "When Harry Met Sally"), Russ & Daughters (one of the last remaining appetizing shops), Guss' Pickles, the Doughnut Plant, Economy Candy (for old time candy favorites), the Roasting Plant (known for their wonderfully fresh coffee) and Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery (a true must for cupcake fans). The neighborhood also features emerging cutting-edge designers, the New Museum, nightlife venues and exciting culinary dining experiences by some of our city's top chefs.



End the outing with a walk through Chinatown (via the bustling Canal Street and onwards to Mott Street) and don't miss Little Italy's Mulberry Street. Return to our hotel and step into tranquility at our Westin Spa and relax into one of our soothing spa services topped off by a delicious dinner at our world-famous restaurant, Shula's Steak House.