CENTRAL PARK ZOO

Central Park is just 2 blocks north from the Salisbury Hotel and has so much to offer for families with children, including playgrounds, swimming pool, row boats, turtles in every lake,  Victorian Gardens (summer), Wollman iceskating rink (winter), but one of the most popular attraction is the CentralPark Zoo. The zoo consists of three parts: The main zoo where you can see anything from exotic birds to snow leopards and the always fun California sea lions, the Tisch Children’s Zoo and a 4D Theatre.

The main zoo has several exciting points such as the Tropic Zone which is like entering the rainforest. Viewing platforms at various levels help you discover the animal life in all layers of our walk-through rainforest habitat. Exotic birds fly around freely, you can catch a family of cute mongooses playing or lemurs napping on a tree branch. 

Snow Monkeys

California Sea Lions

In the middle of the central plaza you’ll find seals swimming around in their pool splashing water on to curious onlookers and jumping on the rocks to pose for the audience. They will also do tricks with their trainers throughout the day during feeding times.

Plan your visit at the zoo according to the feeding times. Penguins get fed daily at 10:30 am and 2:20 pm and Sea Lions at 11:30 am, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

If you get hungry there’s The Dancing Crane Café that serves wide variety of meals, snacks and beverages. Cafe is open during zoo hours and can be accessed either from the zoo or the park.

FAMILY FUN IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN

Manhattan is like a big playground for kids. There's many exciting museums, playgrounds, parks, theaters, sightseeing rides and cruises, toy stores like Toys"R"Us and FAO Schwartz, candy stores like M&M World and many fun theme restaurants to suit families with children of all ages. Below we've highlighted few options for a fun family day out right here in Midtown Manhattan, all within walking distance from the Salisbury Hotel.

FAO Schwartz

767 5th Avenue at 58th St.

FAO Schwarz, founded in 1862, is the oldest toy store in the US. Their flagship store is just a couple of blocks away from the Salisbury Hotel and is a must-see destination for all families. At the door you'll be warmly greeted by the store’s real-life Toy Soldiers, an integral part of the iconic brand. Once you enter the store you're surrounded by gigantic fluffy animals and at the end of the store you'll see the inviting FAO Schweetz, a nearly 6,000 square feet candy land. 

Once you get upstairs, kick off your shoes and play some tunes at the iconic Big Piano or head to the "Muppet What-Not Workshop" where you can create your very own Muppet. There's also an entire department dedicated to dolls, including the "Newborn Nursery" where little mommies can experience the thrill of adopting a newborn with life-like dolls.

Ellen's Stardust Diner

1650 Broadway at 51st Street

Its combination of typical diner food and fun retro theme without a ridiculous price tag makes this spot a memorable stop for families with kids of all ages. The outside of the diner looks like an old railroad car and the retro diner theme continues inside. Every now and then the waiters will break out into song, singing old 50s rock tunes and dancing around the room. Their menu is quite expansive and includes a separate section for kids 6 years old and under.

Jekyll & Hyde

216 W 44th St. (between 7th & 8th Avenues)

Located in Times Square, Jekyll & Hyde gets close to an amusement park atmosphere. From the moment you walk in the suspense never lets up. You'll experience live entertainment, funny characters and spooky special effects such as portraits with moving eyes, bathrooms hidden behind bookcases, and talking skulls. 

On the separate kids menu you'll find many favorites such as burgers, spaghetti, mac & cheese, chicken fingers and many delicious desserts. 

Jekyll & Hyde Club. Photo source.

La Bonne Soupe

8 West 55th Street (Between 5th & 6th Avenues)

This family-friendly French bistro serves a reasonably priced, "American classics with French twist" that adults and children will enjoy. Try their Parisian crêpes, specialty soups, omelettes, burgers and delicious salads. There's also a special "Junior Menu" for the little ones that features an entree and dessert for $12.50.

Central Park Zoo and Tisch Children's Zoo

5th Avenue & 65th St.

Central Park Zoo is a great place to visit with children. The Central Park Zoo is home to a variety of animals, including seals, sea lions, penguins, snakes, bugs, monkeys and birds. From a steamy rain forest environment to an icy Antarctic penguin habitat, the zoo offers visitors a chance to see animals from a variety of climates. 

The Tisch Children's Zoo is located a short walk from the Central Park Zoo and offers visitors a variety of interactive activities for children, including a petting zoo, climbing activities and performances. Here you can also see the daily feedings of the sea lions, harbor seals and penguins throughout the day.

Central Park Zoo. Photo source.

FEAST OF SAN GENNARO IN LITTLE ITALY

 New York City's Little Italy celebrates the 87th Annual Feast of San Gennaro for 11 days from Thursday, September 12, through Sunday, September 22. This feast takes place in the lower Manhattan neighborhood which served as the first home in America for hundreds of thousands of Italian immigrants who came here seeking to improve their lives beginning in the early part of the 20th century.

The Feast of San Gennaro will continue to bring people together to empower a neighborhood that's bound to make a comeback. If you are in the New York City area, visit Little Italy to support the old neighborhood and enjoy the delicious food and free musical entertainment that reflects Italian-American culture and heritage.

Where to eat:

Little Italy has a plethora of Italian restaurants to choose from. Walk down Mulberry Street and most all the restaurants have someone trying to lure you inside, some more aggressive than others. Take it as what it is, part of Little Italy's charm. See the list of all restaurants in the area by clicking here. See below two of our recommendations for the best pizza joint and the best 100% authentic Italian eatery.

Lombardi's

Gennario Lombardi opened his shop in Soho in 1905 and is proud to call it the first pizzeria in the U.S. Still, Lombardi’s continues to bake a hot contender for best pie. 

32 Spring St. (between Mott and Mulberry Sts).

Il Cortile

This sprawling eatery can be counted on to deliver a gratifying meal. The neoclassical décor is a bit over the top, but the dishes are 100% Italian and service friendly. Request a table in the glass-enclosed atrium and come hungry: the portions are hearty and huge. 

125 Mulberry Street (at Hester St).

How to get there: 

From Salisbury Hotel take the N or Q subway to Canal St. and walk about two blocks east to Mulberry Street. The Feast runs along Mulberry Street, between Canal Street (on south) and Houston Street (on north).

MEET THE TEAM : KELI

Keli is an experienced guest service professional hailing from Connecticut. She loves the city, especially downtown Brooklyn, fine dining and wining, live music events, and you can even spot her on off-broadway theater stage every now and then since she's also an aspiring actress.

What do you like best about living in NYC?

The convenience of having everything no more than a subway ride away.

Red 58

What places do you frequent for lunch/dinner?

Red 58 is a sleek restaurant, bar and lounge right behind the Salisbury Hotel on 58th St. between 6th and 7th Avenues. I often go there for their $11.98 lunch special. It's usually nice and quiet and they have the friendliest staff. 

Another place I visit frequently for lunch is Fresh & Co. located on 57th Street between 6th and 5th Avenues. They serve fresh, healthy, locally sourced foods that are free from synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and other additives.

Other places worth mentioning are Angelo's just few doors down from the Salisbury (117 W 57th St.) that serves amazing thin crust coal-oven pizza, excellent pastas and salads. Well Green Market just around the corner (6th Avenue between 57th and 58th Street) has great buffet lunch I often go for. Well Green Market is open 24 hours a day and has large selection of groceries, hot food bar, salad bar, soup section and a frozen yogurt and smoothie bar.

Where do you shop?

I like the Herald Square area (intersection of Broadway, Sixth Avenue and 34th Street) for "one stop shop" shopping. There you'll find Macy's, H&M, Forever 21, Zara, Steve Madden and DSW all within steps from one another.

Deli counter at Well Green Market

Itinerary for a day in Brooklyn?

Hop on the subway to Brooklyn Heights (from the Salisbury you can take the F train to York St.), take a stroll through the neighborhood and admire the gorgeous brownstones. Continue north towards the Brooklyn promenade to sit down and take in the beautiful view of city skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge. If you get hungry try Superfine for lunch, brunch or dinner. It's a bar/restaurant in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn, just a few blocks away from the waterfront. They feature organic and local fare as well as art and live music.

THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR DESSERT

We get lots of questions about dessert places near the hotel, usually late at night when people have enjoyed their dinner, taken a little walk around the neighborhood and by the time they are back at the hotel the sweet cravings start. Luckily there are plenty of places within couple of blocks where you can satisfy your sweet tooth. 

For example, right across the street you'll find Morton Williams Supermarket that stays open 24 hours a day and features quite nice dessert counter. Also, Dali Market just couple of doors down from the Salisbury has selection of ice creams, gelato and other desserts. Dali Market stays open 24 hrs a day as well, so whatever time you need something sweet, you don't have to walk too far. Below are couple of more our favorites in the area.

Grom Gelateria

1796 Broadway at 58th St.

High quality ingredients and once monthly changing flavors are what keep people craving for gelato from Grom. Their mission is to make gelato the old-fashioned way, without artificial coloring and preservatives and using only first-rate (mostly Italian) ingredients: Italian licorice, almonds from Avola, and lemons from Sicily. Besides gelato, you can also enjoy granita, seasonal fruit sorbets and frappe here. 

During summer hours they're open until 11.30pm on weekdays and 12.30am on weekends.

Brooklyn Diner

212 W 57th St. (between 7th & Broadway)

Here every part of Brooklyn is represented by Jewish, Italian, Irish & other ethnic favorites. The enormous desserts, all baked fresh on the premises daily, are big enough for an entire family to share.

Mon: 7am – 11pm Tues – Fri: 7am – midnight 

Sat: 8am – 12am, Sun: 8am – 11pm

Junior's Cheesecake

West 45th St. (between Broadway & 8th Ave.)

Junior's is said to make the best cheesecake in New York. It’s so good that when the original Brooklyn establishment caught on fire in 1981 people on the street shouted “Save the cheesecake!”

Mon–Thu: 6:30am–12am Fri & Sat: 6:30am–1am Sun: 6:30am-11pm

Serendipity 3

225 E 60th St. (between 2nd & 3rd Avenues)

This famous eatery is known from many classic movies and their most popular dessert is the divine Frozen Hot Chocolate. Choose from crepes, pies, cakes, amazing selection of sundaes and special frozen dessert drinks.

Sun-Thu 11:30am to midnight Fri-Sat 11:30am to 1:00am. 

Alice's Teacup

156 E 64th St. (at Lexington Avenue)

Come in for a whimsical tea party and delicious food. Their offerings include waffles, pancakes, crepes, cupcakes, tarts, ice cream sandwiches, cakes, cookies and much more.

11am - Close Everyday (call 212-734-4832 for closing hours)

Spot Dessert Bar

13 St Marks Place (between 2nd & 3rd Avenue)

 This place is a subway ride away from the Salisbury hotel, but oh, so worth it. Spot Dessert Bar specializes in serving up desserts and beverages with all natural ingredients while adding exotic, Asian flavors to classic American desserts. Choose from wide variety of dessert tapas, ice creams, sorbet, cupcakes, macarons, bubble teas, homemade sodas, ice cream floats etc.

Open Sun-Wed 12pm-12am, Thu-Sat 12pm-1am. 

From the Salisbury hotel walk to 7th Avenue & 57th St. subway station and take downtown N or R to 8th St.

BREAKFAST AT THE SALISBURY

 After a peaceful night of sleep, get your day started just right: breakfast at The Salisbury is something our regular guests always look forward to. Breakfast is served buffet style from 7 to 11 am in the Vanguard Room on the third floor, overlooking 57th Street. When you catch sight of the lovingly laid-out buffet, your appetite is sure to get the best of you. Whatever you're in the mood for, you'll be sure to find something. Good breakfast helps you get your day started with a delicious treat and giving you the energy you need for your day of sightseeing or business meetings.

To start your morning off sweet enjoy our wide selection of pastries, muffins, doughnuts and scones. We also have delicious croissants, bagels and toast as well as gluten-free bread. You can toast your bagels, toast and waffles at our toasting station.

Hard-boiled eggs, cheese, jelly, syrup and cream cheese

Our Cereal Bar offers also gluten-free cereal.

 Create your own healthy fruit salad from fresh strawberries, kiwi, grapes, pineapple, orange, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, apples and bananas. 

Our pancake machine has seemed to become the favorite of children and adults as well: make your own hot, fresh pancake in a minute and enjoy with syrup, jelly or fruit. 

We warmly welcome you to join us for breakfast!

BEST ASIAN IN MIDTOWN

Chinatown is known as the place where you can buy almost anything under the stars as well as get your belly full of authentic Chinese delicacies. Another, lesser-known ethnic enclave is the tiny Koreatown (West 32nd Street between 5th & 6th Ave), but you really do not have to walk too far from the Salisbury Hotel in order to get some great Asian food. Most of the places below also deliver so if you don't feel like going out, just order in!

Benihana  (Japanese)

47 West 56th Street (between 5th & 6th Ave)

At Benihana you get to experience the teppanyaki table, around which guests gather and enjoy a meal expertly prepared and cooked to perfection on a steel grill, right before your eyes — by a chef who is as much entertainer as culinary master. The chef will have all utensils and ingredients lined on the borders of the grill and will cook several dishes in front of diners with stunning flair and speed. You may also enjoy sushi and appetizers in their downstairs lounge. Great place for lunch, dinner or happy hour!

  Chom Chom (Korean)

40 West 56th Street (between 5th & 6th Ave)

Chom Chom is a casual fine dining restaurant, offering authentic Korean cuisine in a unique and modern atmosphere. Inspired by the traditional culinary techniques of Korean cuisine, they craft all of their dishes using only the freshest ingredients, including homemade tofu and dumplings. 

Try their signature crispy Korean style pancakes or Bibimbap. Chom Chom's specialty is the one-of-a-kind kapas menu, similar to the wildly popular tapas style dining experience featuring small share plates.

 Sushiya  (Japanese)

28 West 56th Street (Between 5th & 6th Ave)

Sushiya is a simple sushi restaurant for those who want to enjoy fresh food in a nice, modern atmosphere without breaking the bank. Try also their tempura and teriyaki dishes. Serving lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and just dinner on Sundays.

  Joe's Shanghai (Chinese)

24 West 56th St. (between 5th & 6th Ave)

Joe's Shanghai is famous for their magnificent soup dumplings and if you've never had soup dumplings before, this is the place to have your first experience. Their dumplings have tender skin and the juicy pork filling is highlighted with a touch of sweetness from little bit of crab meat mixed in. Dumplings are freshly made to order, so don't forget to order yours immediately upon arrival at your table. Otherwise it might be a long wait. Other noteworthy dishes are Shredded Turnip Shortcake and Twin Prawns in Chili.

Tang Pavillion (Chinese)

65 W 55th St. (between 5th & 6th Ave)

Traditional Shanghai cooking has made this sophisticated Midtown Chinese a top choice near Carnegie Hall. Classy decor, polished service, impressively large menu and reasonable prices are what keeps bringing people back. 

Lili's 57 (Asian Fusion & Sushi)

200 West 57th (on 7th Ave)

Lili's offers tasty Chinese, Japanese and Thai dishes in a simple setting. They also have a sushi bar so this really is your one-stop-shop for a variety of Asian cuisines. Service is quick and everything is reasonably priced. Specialty here is their rather large gluten-free menu.

Other great places in the area:

Thai: Topaz Thai 127 W 56th St. (between 6th & 7th Ave)

Vietnamese: Le Colonial 149 E 57th St. (between Lexington & 3rd Ave)

Japanese: Nobu57 40 West 57th Street (between 5th & 6th Ave)