Ian Thorpe visits NYC, USA
Airing Date: Jun 10th, 2002
Every street in New York literally buzzes with energy and an infectious enthusiasm for life.
New Yorkers are a friendly lot and are urging tourists to come back to the place where the fun never ends.
First on the itinerary is a trip to Fifth Avenue where there are so many famous buildings and stores it is like stepping onto a movie set.
Then for an awe-inspiring view that stretches all the way down to lower Manhattan head to the observatory deck of the Empire State Building.
With over 18,000 restaurants, cafes and delis in the city there is an absolute abundance of food on offer.
For a mid morning snack Ian can't go past a pretzel, but for lunch Japanese food from Nobu in Tribeca, a Robert DeNiro-owned restaurant, is top of the list. DeNiro regularly eats at the restaurant so you may just see a famous face or two here.
For a bit of reminiscing Ian visits Central Park it was here that he slipped on the blades and learnt to ice skate. While he's no slouch in the pool he admits water of the frozen kind seems to be a bit of a different story.
Another place holding sentimental value for New Yorkers and worth a visit is Battery Park. It is now home to The Sphere; the damaged sculpture that was once part of the World Trade Centre fountain.
While it may sound sombre most people who come to New York do visit Ground Zero. To cope with the crowds a special viewing platform has been set up to look over the area where the tallest buildings in New York once stood.
At night the Manhattan sky comes alive with a spectacular array of lights. One of the best ways to see the city at night is to jump aboard a Circle Line twilight cruise, you are sure to be captivated by the breathtaking display of lights.
For a night on the town head to Times Square in the heart of Broadway. With around 40 theatres on Broadway there's bound to be something here to please everybody.
The facts
Qantas flies to New York three times a week. Prices start from $2537 from the east coast and $3176 from the west coast. Price includes charges and taxes.
Qantas
Tel: 13 13 13
The Great Outdoors team stayed at the Mayflower Hotel on the Park where rooms start from $280 per night.
Mayflower Hotel on the Park
Tel: 0011 1 212 265 0060 (international)
Nobu Restaurant
Tel: 0011 1 212 219 0500 (international)
Entry to Wollman Rink costs around $14 for adults and $7 for kids.
A twilight cruise with Circle Line Cruises costs around $15.
A trip to the observatory deck of the Empire State Building costs around $17.
Empire State Building
Times Square Visitor Information
