What should you see and do on a New York city break beyond the obvious landmarks? Malcolm and David are joined by Izzy to explore Brooklyn's DUMBO neighborhood, the High Line, Ellis Island, classic American diners and Broadway—with some strong disagreements about tipping, musicals and jazz.
In the second of our three New York episodes, we welcome David's partner Izzy, who has visited the city regularly while accompanying groups of sixth-form students. Her experiences bring a different perspective to Malcolm's recent holiday and David's memories of New York.
Exploring New York: DUMBO, the High Line and Greenwich Village
New York has an extraordinary variety of neighborhoods, attractions and experiences, and it's impossible to see everything in one visit.
We discuss some of the city's most memorable places:
We also compare experiences of New York's safety, weather and public transport—including Izzy's ingenious system for keeping track of 30 teenagers on the subway.
New York food, diners and the great tipping debate
American food turns out to be a pleasant surprise.
Malcolm discovers excellent international cuisine and surprisingly good food shopping, while Izzy makes a convincing case for the traditional New York diner breakfast: pancakes, bacon, maple syrup and portions that could feed a small family.
But there's a serious difference of opinion about American tipping culture.
Izzy considers a 20% tip an essential part of eating out. Malcolm takes a rather different approach, while David is more interested in why restaurant prices don't include the full cost of service.
It's probably fortunate they're not all sharing the same restaurant bill.
Broadway, The Book of Mormon and New York music
Can someone who absolutely hates musicals enjoy a Broadway show?
Malcolm discovers that The Book of Mormon, from the creators of South Park, might be the exception to his long-standing dislike of musical theatre.
We also discuss New York's jazz and blues scene, street musicians and the city's remarkable musical heritage. Malcolm's opinion of jazz is unlikely to please its enthusiasts.
And, inevitably, the conversation wanders into some of the more surprising differences between everyday life in New York and Britain.
More New York travel experiences
From the Staten Island Ferry and views of the Statue of Liberty to memorable museums and the challenges of exploring a vast city, this episode combines practical observations with personal experiences and the usual irreverent conversation.
Whether you're planning your first New York holiday, returning for another visit or simply curious about the Big Apple, join Malcolm, David and Izzy for an entertaining look at the city.
This is Part 2 of our three-part New York series. Part 1 covers first impressions, Brooklyn and getting around, while Part 3 explores more of the city's art, museums, food and neighbourhoods.
Follow Unravel Travel for weekly travel stories, destination inspiration and conversations from Malcolm and David.
If you have a story to share or some feedback to give just contact us at contact.unraveltravel@gmail.com
Our theme music is Traveler's Blues by Jerzy Gorecki from Pixabay (with licence)
https://pixabay.com/users/jerzyg%C3%B3recki-2233926/
