Nobody knows a city like the local concierge team. With the inside track on all the best places to dine, shows to see, and things to do, theyโre a wealth of knowledge for all travelers. We talk with a top local hotel concierge in New York City to get the inside scoop on all their expert tips.
Ashley Schultz, Assistant Director of Front Office at Crowne Plaza HY36
Why do you refer your guests toย The Welcome Guideยฎ, and what makesย itย an important resource for you?
Schultz- Visiting NYC can seem overwhelming, with so many amazing choices of things to do and places to explore.ย The Welcome Guideยฎ is perfectly curated to help you plan a tripโespecially if youโre a first-time visitor to the Big Apple! Plus, it always has the latest happenings and openings, so you can join the locals in exploring things off the beaten path!
What are your best tips for exploring NYC like a local?ย
Schultz- The best way to be like a local is to hang out with them! Find out what FREE events are going on while youโre here.ย In the summertime, Bryant Park features free movies every Monday night.ย They also do aย series called โPicnic Performancesโ that showcase everything from Contemporary Dance to Opera.ย The Little Island in the Hudson River hosts a number of free/low-cost events in โThe Gladeโ and โThe Amphโ as well. You can catch everything from comics to jazz trios to oyster-shucking demonstrations (no, seriously!!) New York doesnโt have to be expensive!
What should be on every visitorโs โbucket listโ when visiting?
Schultz- SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is a MUST-SEE!ย Itโs the tallest commercial skyscraper in Manhattan and is unlike anything of its kind!ย Itโs an immersive experience taking up the top 3 floors of a 93-story building.ย You can do everything from standing on a glass-bottomed ledge overlooking Madison Avenue to exploring a floor filled with 30,000 sq ft of mirrors to grabbing a drink and bite to eat while you take in a one-of-a-kind view from the open-air terrace located on the top floor. PRO TIP: If you love heights, itโs 100% worth adding to the Ascent package, which allows you to take a ride in the worldโs largest glass-bottomed external elevator!
For a guest looking for a night on the town, what would you recommend?
Schultz- One of my favorite nights out in NYC is getting dressed up and catching a show at Dizzyโs Club Coca-Colaโpart of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Dizzyโs is located on top of the Shops at Columbus Circle. If you go to an early show, you can watch the sunset over a panoramic view of Central Park.ย Itโs absolutely breathtaking!

Whatโs an excellent spot to capture a great selfie?
Schultz– My favorite spot for a selfie is along the High Line that starts at Hudson Yards.ย Not only are there amazing art displays on rotation all along the pathway, but you can capture great views of the One World Observatory, Empire State Building, and the Little Island.ย
What is the best suggestion you can give a first-time visitor?ย
Schultz- Wear comfortable shoes!ย Itโs easy to rack up 10-15K steps without noticing as you explore the city.ย
If someone only had 24 hours in NYC, where would you send them?
Schultz– I honestly love the Hop On/Hop Off Bus Tours.ย They are the best way to get an overview of the city and see all the big attractions in a short amount of time.ย Plus, you can stop off anywhere that might seem intriguing to do a little closer exploration or grab a bite to eat!ย
Whereโs the best place to take kids of all ages?ย
Schultz- As touristy as it may sound, Times Square and Rockefeller Center are some of the best places to visit with families.ย The lights of Times Square are impressive to kids of all ages, plus youโll find the iconic FAO Schwarz Toy Store, the Lego Store, and M&M World all within a few blocks.ย Make sure to end with dinner at Ellenโs Stardust Diner.ย The line will most likely be long, but trust meโthe entertainment makes it worth the wait!
Any suggestions for the best under-the-radar sites or uncommon things to do?
Schultz- Governorโs Island is a short ferry ride from Manhattan and is probably one of the most unique spots in the city.ย ย Itโs a completely car-free zone, which makes for fun bike riding and hiking!ย Throughout the year, there are numerous art and cultural events and educational programs that are free to the public.ย If you feel like relaxing a bit while there, head over to the public hammocks in โHammock Groveโ or check out the panoramic views of Manhattan from the pool on top of the QC NY Spa!
What is your expert tip?
Schultz- If youโre coming to NYC, thereโs nothing more iconic than seeing a Broadway show.ย If your schedule is flexible, there are several great ways to see one (or more!) on a budget. Most Broadway shows offer a small number of discounted tickets either through digital lotteries the day before or by in-person โrushโ at the box office when it opens on the day of the performance.ย You may have to put in a little extra effort to get in line early and make sure you can snag a ticket, but itโs well worth it to be able to see a Broadway show for $30-$55.ย You can find the full list of Rush/ Standing Room/ and Lottery guidelines for each show atย Playbill.com.
