We packed in heaps on our last few days in NYC. The highline is an historical railway that runs from about 14th to 30th. It has been transformed into a garden and displays artworks all the way along. You can find places to eat from the little street vendors scattered along the way. Best tip get your NYC pretzel from up here, they were the best by far! Starting our Thursday night at 230 fifth rooftop bar. Do it! But get there early it has the best view of the Empire State Building and downtown. It’s not cheap, and gets really crowded around 6:30 pm. By the time we left at around 7:30 the line up was down the street. We caught up with our local friend Amena and headed to the flat iron district to go to ‘No Idea’ a no frills saloon bar where the bear was cheap and you could sit down.
Next on the list The Slipper Room on the lower east side to enjoy some cabaret. But make sure you head there early as there heaps of great food places including a rice pudding bar called Rice to Riches. Not only do they have French toast or rocky road flavoured rice pudding (plus heaps more) but you get this awesome plastic container that you can keep. At $7 for a small (that would feed 2 people a fairly generous serve) its not too bad.
Not too far from there is Orchard street, with heaps of dining options and cute bars. We tried out Le French diner a micro restaurant. Might be micro in size but not in flavour. The muscles are amazing as is the French onion soup. This area was a nice place to wonder with plenty of photo ops. Then head to the Slipper Room. By far one of the best nights out. Tickets cost about $30 for a 7pm show, but you don’t have to leave there’s variety and burlesque shows well into the evening.
And that brings us to the end of our 10 day stint in NYC. Next stop – the Deep South, New Orleans or Nu Orlins if you’re a local. Hot, humid and the foooooooooood! Couple that with some southern hospitality and this place is relaxed as they come, so to are the drinking laws. The drinks are big, many could power a small engine and you can ask for a take away cup! Drinking on the streets is fine! And you can get a Bloody Mary for $5….This place is heaven. Like oysters? This is the place for you. They are huge! Be careful though because you can literally drink your day away (as we discovered).
This is my second visit the New Orleans, I was here about 3 years ago and they were still (fairly obviously) recovering form hurricane Katrina (2005). This time there’s a lot more that’s been fixed up. This place is so pretty and has so much history, many of the buildings date back to the 1800’s and earlier. This time I’ve stayed in Royal Street at the Royal Hotel, it’s a great spot. It runs parallel to Burbon street and is littered with little art galleries and up closer to Canal street places to eat (or drink). So that brings me to Bourbon street… Wow this you must see to believe. I’d suggest coming on a weekend to see it in all its ridiculous glory. There’s no rules, there’s no RSA, sometimes there’s no clothes, there also no ages limits or bias. We saw a great mix of age groups from the Grey nomads to the just of age and well below age. It literally transforms into a street festival every weekend – with the streets being hosed down early morning to flush away the regurgitated contents of revellers stomachs.
Did I mention you can get 1 gallon, approx 5 litres, take away drinks!
Want live music – it’s littered everywhere, remember to tip! But for some great live music Frenchmen Street.
