Have a short layover in New York and looking for a luggage storage spot that will allow you to check out the big city luggage-free? Park your bags in any one of the five Vertoe’s storage locations and head out and experience NYC’s many wonders. Here’s a list of the top five things to do within a 2-mile radius of Vertoe’s luggage drop spots that make for a perfect date with the city.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The MET presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world and it would probably take a whole week to see everything here. Visiting the MET is an aesthetic delight. Channel your inner zen at a Chinese Garden Court, visit a villa bedroom that was swallowed by volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., or get your fashion fix at the museum’s Costume Institute, which displays over 35,000 historic, and contemporary, pieces of stunning designs.

New Yorkers might avoid this place, but for the first-time traveler, Times Square is a definite must-visit. The Square is bursting with energy even at 3 am on a weekday and this is where you’ll realize why New York is called the city that never sleeps. This sensory overload, half-naked cowboys, neon-colored billboards, myriad stores, and live television feeds is the stuff New York moments are made of.

One of the most recognizable buildings in the world, the Empire State Building symbolizes man’s ambition to build towers that reach for the skies. It held the honor of being the tallest building in the world from 1931 to 1971 and believe it or not was constructed in less than 14 months to construct. The views from the 86th floor will give you a 360-degree view of the city.

The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh, the Girl Before a Mirror, by Pablo Picasso, and The Gold Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol are just some of the iconic modern paintings that you will see at the Museum of Modern Art or MoMA. Plan a trip to MoMA on Friday, and you won’t have to pay the $25 fee. If you are feeling hungry then check out Cafe 2 — the food is made from fresh ingredients small plates can be had for a few dollars each.

Created as a green breather in the concrete jungle that is Manhattan, Central Park with its 21 playgrounds is a great spot for anyone looking to take a break. Take advantage of the great weather and check out some of the performances here. The SummerStage features the Barenaked Ladies; the New York Philharmonic’s FREE Concerts in the Parks on June 15 and 16; and The Metropolitan Opera’s Summer Recital Series. Planning a date? Take a romantic paddle around the Lake at or let someone else do the work, with a Venetian gondola ride.

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