New York, as seen from Iowa

Filed in archive Destination: US on May 31, 2006

There are three kinds of tourist suggestions in the world. There are those written by natives of the city in question, who tend to be old school and may be jaded by some of their city's more innocent charms. There are those written by transplants, who moved to the city as adults and have a tourist's appreciation for the city's face value, but also have a bit of an inside track. And then there are those written by visitors, who are prone to Bright Lights, Big City syndrome and are all about the stuff the natives gag over.

Fodor's list of Top 25 Free NYC Experiences was, I suspect, written by a visitor for the sole reason that their number one suggestion is "walk across the Brooklyn Bridge."

The only time anyone ever walks across the Brooklyn Bridge is when a) you can't get a cab to take you to Brooklyn; b) the MTA is on strike; and c) the city is shut down by disaster. The bridge is both smoggy and long, and on a windy day that .3 miles feels like 30 miles. It also begins and ends in less than salubrious neighbourhoods - but the view from the middle is indeed rather spendid, as is the bridge itself.

(Actually, "marvel at the bustle in Grand Central Station" and "visit famous film sites" also smack of "Look, ma! Escalators!" but then I fall into the Jaded Native category.)

My favourite suggestions off the list:

• Kayak on the Hudson at the Downtown Boathouse


• Head to Brooklyn for the thrills of coney island's Astroland


• Listen in on a choir rehearsal at St. Thomas Church

Although I would suggest dropping in on the choir at the Cathedral of St John the Divine instead - the Cathedral is stunning and they have peacocks on their grounds. You can't beat peacocks.

[Via: Reise]