As The Quin Central Park by Hilton Club prepares for opening,
discover how to see New York City like a local
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New York’s Must-See Places:
A Local’s Perspective
The Quin Central Park by Hilton Club is located in an iconic building in Midtown Manhattan
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eClub Travelr is published monthly by Hilton Grand Vacations Club, LLC, and distributed exclusively to Club Members. All rights reserved. The publisher is not responsible for omissions or errors. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents of this publication in any format or medium without written permission from Hilton Grand Vacations is prohibited.
Hilton Grand Vacations disclaims all liability for any and all advertisements, promotions, articles and other affiliated content contained within this publication. The opinions expressed in each article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hilton Grand Vacations. Hilton Grand Vacations does not make any representation regarding the availability of or endorse any of the products or services provided by third parties.
Hilton Grand Vacations® is a registered trademark of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. or its subsidiaries and licensed to Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. Hilton Grand Vacations and its properties and programs operate under the Hilton Grand Vacations name pursuant to a license agreement with Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
© 2020 Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.
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eClub Traveler
With West 57th Street by Hilton Club open for booking for 2021 stays and The Quin Central Park by Hilton Club opening soon, now’s the time to plan next year’s summer break. Book a stay at West 57th Street and get ready to experience the property’s reassuringly comfortable studio rooms and one-bedroom suites, located right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Or, watch for booking opportunities at The Quin Central Park and look forward to experiencing stylish rooms, elegant furnishings and stellar views all the way to Central Park.
Vacation planning always goes best with some insider information. And for this article, we’ve found the ultimate source: New York-based photographer Ricky Rhodes. Fresh off his Midtown Manhattan photo shoot for the Spring 2020 issue of Club Traveler magazine, Ricky shares his favorite places to see, eat and drink in the city.
For Ricky, seeing a new city is about slowing down to take in your surroundings. “The best part of being in a new city is there are many amazing attractions for you to see but, as a photographer, what I like is finding the unknown,” says Ricky. “So, leave space between point A and point B to find things that aren’t on your agenda.”
His biggest tip? Look for the light. “As a photographer in New York, I’m hyper-aware of everything around me: How the light is moving in the city, how it plays off all the skyscrapers and the way it shines down the avenues. Light really changes the way the city feels, and it’s something to keep an eye out for as you walk around — in comfortable shoes, of course!”
BOOKING TIP: Use the Book Now search functionality on the Club website to find inventory availability in 2020 and 2021 at West 57th Street by Hilton Club or The Quin Central Park by Hilton Club.
*In light of COVID-19, please check each location’s hours of operations before finalizing your travel plans. Don’t forget to visit our Travel Updates webpage for the latest government alerts and news from HGV, including travel requirements to HGV destinations such as Barbados, Florida, Hawaii, Las Vegas and New York.
When visiting a new city, leave time to discover places that aren’t on your initial agenda
Image by Ricky Rhodes
Japanese coffee house Hi-Collar is a calming space offering excellent coffee and light bites
Where to Get a Caffeine Hit
For mindfully prepared coffee, head to Hi-Collar in the East Village, says Ricky. An easy subway ride on the 6 Train from Midtown, this stylish, compact cafe is inspired by Japan’s Jazz Age. The menu spans everything from sandwiches to sake, but it’s the coffee that has created a loyal following. Drinks are made to order, so grab a cup to go as you take a walking tour of the East Village.
For a pour-over made from freshly roasted Nicaraguan coffee beans, Ricky heads to Cafe Integral, run by barista and owner, Cesar Vega. “I photographed Cesar for a magazine story years ago and really liked the place,” says Ricky. “It’s an authentic coffee shop on a quiet street.” While there are loads of places in New York doing pour-over coffee — a technique that involves pouring a slow, steady stream of hot water over coffee grounds — Ricky says Cesar’s shop is “unique because it’s based around heritage, and he runs it himself.”
Head to Scarr’s Pizza for New York-style pizza that is made from natural ingredients
Image by Shaiain Ramesht/unsplash
Where to Eat
There’s plenty of pizza parlors in New York, but for a slice of authentic New York-style pie, Ricky heads to Scarr’s Pizza on the Lower East Side. Outside, the decor is decidedly low-key, but don’t be fooled by appearances: This is one carefully thought out eatery, with organic wines served by the glass, pizzas made from all-natural ingredients and takeaway boxes made of 100% recycled materials. Owner Scarr Pimentel mills his own flour, packing the pizzas with as many nutrients as possible in the process.
“The pizzas are made from quality, well-sourced ingredients, and the ambiance is really cool — an old school pizza parlor of the kind you don’t see much of anymore,” says Ricky. And if you’re wondering which flavor combination to choose, Ricky recommends the traditional pepperoni New York slice. “It’s nice and simple, and just overall delicious,” he adds.
Enjoy a Stop for a Sweet Treat
Sightseeing in New York can involve a lot of walking. Why not reward yourself for the calories you’ve burned and stop for a sweet treat?
For creative flavors and a daily changing menu, head to OddFellows, says Ricky. This ice-creamery on the Lower East Side is just a 20-minute subway ride from Midtown, and serves over 100 (unconventional) flavors made fresh on-site every day, including Vegan Chocolate Chunk, Miso Cherry and Guinness Chip.
“It’s a really fun little shop, beautifully outfitted,” says Ricky. “It’s run by a guy from Brooklyn who used to be a pastry chef until he branched out to open his own ice cream company. When I go in, I just ask for a recommendation on flavors: the weirder, the better.”
End your day with a sweet treat like this PB&J soft serve at OddFellow's, which has served over 500 flavors since opening
in 2013
Tips for a First-Time Visitor
There’s so much to do in New York that it can be hard to know where to begin. To see the city like a real New Yorker, head to the East River Ferry, recommends Ricky.
“There are a lot of boat rides for tourists, but the East River Ferry offers the best views in all of New York City,” he says.
“It costs $2.75 and you can take it from Wall Street all the way to Dumbo in Brooklyn. It’s also more frequent than a lot of public transportation and the same price as taking the subway. In summer, there’s an open-air deck so you really feel like you’re on vacation, sitting outside under the sunshine.”
“Once you disembark in Brooklyn, walk through Brooklyn Bridge Park, which has amazing landscaping designed by famous architect Michael van Valkenburgh. You can grab a seat on the granite steps found at Granite Prospect and enjoy amazing views of the city,” he concludes.
See New York like a local by taking the ferry from Wall Street to Brooklyn
Image by Carson Vara/Unsplash
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eClub Travelr is published monthly by Hilton Grand Vacations Club, LLC, and distributed exclusively to Club Members. All rights reserved. The publisher is not responsible for omissions or errors. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents of this publication in any format or medium without written permission from Hilton Grand Vacations is prohibited.
Hilton Grand Vacations disclaims all liability for any and all advertisements, promotions, articles and other affiliated content contained within this publication. The opinions expressed in each article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hilton Grand Vacations. Hilton Grand Vacations does not make any representation regarding the availability of or endorse any of the products or services provided by third parties.
Hilton Grand Vacations® is a registered trademark of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. or its subsidiaries and licensed to Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. Hilton Grand Vacations and its properties and programs operate under the Hilton Grand Vacations name pursuant to a license agreement with Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
© 2020 Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.
Global Privacy Policy Updated | Cookie Statement | Site Usage Agreement
eClub Traveler