Fun Things to Do in NYC During the Writers' Strike

I love visiting New York City. When I'm lucky enough to arrange an exchange, I stay at the posh Manhattan Club (below, left) in the pulsing heart of the city. At the Manhattan Club all the delights of the Big Apple are at my fingertips. Carnegie Hall is across the street, Broadway is just around the corner, Fifth Avenue shopping is a quick two-block jaunt (even in heels), and Central Park is a delightful three-block stroll.

Timeshares in Manhattan are at such a premium that you can rarely buy or rent them (you can put your name on a waiting list). But occasionally (not nearly as often as I like), you can arrange a timeshare exchange. Click this article's title for information about other wonderful Manhattan timeshares.

Among my favorite things to do when I'm in Manhattan are visit the Museum of Modern Art, shop at Saks on Fifth Avenue, eat in fabulous restaurants, and, of course, take in a show or two on Broadway. Unfortunately with the writer's strike going on, the only place to catch your favorite stars is on the picket line. There are some excellent shows not affected by the strike, but if you planned on hearing Clay Aiken in Spam-a-lot, you're out of luck.

Fortunately, in New York, the glam and glitter aren't limited to Broadway. The Diamond District sparkles on West 47th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It's near the Theater District and just a block from Rockefeller Center, so check out the stars on strike, then go look for a few glittering gems to tuck into your Christmas stocking. If you're a good haggler, you can save 50% or more on diamond and jewelry purchases. If you're a newbie, a good rule of thumb is to offer 50% of the asking price on the first round and work up slowly from there.

If you're looking for gems of a different type, head for the photo galleries in Chelsea, Greenwich Village and Midtown. Midtown is home to the International Center of Photography located at 1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd Street. Both museum and school, the Center offers exhibits showcasing the works of both historical and working photojournalists. Through January 6, you can view the special exhibit This Is War! Robert Capa at Work. Make sure you visit the gift shop where you'll find all kinds of quirky items to delight photo buffs.

Take a cab to Chelsea to visit the Hasted Hunt Gallery at 529 W. 20th Street for a wide range of photos from classic vintage to contemporary. For fine art photos, stop by Silverstein Photography at 535 W. 24th St., also in Chelsea. If you have a photo buff on your holiday shopping list, you'll want to browse the shelves at Dashwood Books located at 334 Bond St. in Greenwich Village. The independent bookshop is devoted solely to photography.