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What's it really like? Location: They say New York is the city that never sleeps - open your hotel window at 3 in the morning and you'll hear why it earned its nickname. Look down on the sidewalk in the middle of the night and it often still resembles rush-hour anywhere else. The buzz, excitement and noise continues round-the-clock emanating from Manhattan which is the epicentre of this amazing city and home to most of its major sights and landmarks. The best way to get around is either on the tube or on foot as New York is flat and good for walking. Almost everything in New York is 'famous' for something whether it's the Art Deco architecture, or had a song sung about it, or been the star of a movie. Tip: Consider purchasing a 'New York Pass' which gives you free entry to the most popular attractions and can save you hundreds of dollars. Days out: The Empire State Building is one of the most popular attractions New York has to offer and in many minds the building is the symbol of the Big Apple. The two observatory platforms offer spectacular views of Manhattan and by afternoon the queues get longer. Even when the crowds are thinner in the morning it can still take several hours to reach the top. But it's worth it!. Tip: The Skyride attraction in the Empire State Building has, in our view become a little dated and in need of an upgrade. Passengers are taken on a 15 minute simulated ride through the sights of the city but if the queues are long you can give it a miss. Top of the Rock is New York's other tall building observation platform which provides more spectacular views and it's a great place to see the skyline with the Empire State Building towering above it. The Statue of Liberty ferry trip is one of the most popular visitor attractions and the queues can be lengthy but its worth the wait. When the statue is open (check locally) it's possible to spend hours touring the site and catching up on its history. Tickets are sold separately for the various viewing platforms on the statue itself and only a limited number of passes are available to climb up inside to the 'crown'. Helicopter tours give passengers breathtaking views of the city although they're not for the faint-hearted. Madame Tussauds is a chance to be seen and photographed rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. Take your camera to pose up-close and personal with the exhibits. Browsing around 5th Avenue, Macy's and Bloomingdales is the stuff of dreams for shop-a-holics. Free guided walking tours of Central Park are available taking in the history and beauty of its gardens, woodland and lakes. The zoo is extremely popular and is home to polar bears, penguins, monkeys, sea lions, and more. There's a basic restaurant selling snacks and food to go. Bikes or horse drawn carriages can be hired to get around the acres of pathways. Strawberry Fields is a section of the park dedicated to the late John Lennon. If you visit in the winter, Christmas in New York is spectacular so find time to go to the skating rink in central park. Equipment can be hired The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum is located on a real aircraft carrier in the nearby harbor and offers a fascinating chance to see the workings or the ship and many military aircraft onboard. Nights out: Broadway shows can be booked in advance before you travel or you can join the long line of people hoping for cheap deals and last minute availability at the ticket office on Times Square The sightseeing continues in the evening for a different perspective of the city in the dark. Some of the finest restaurants in the world offer top notch cuisine or there are plenty of mid-range eateries and delis to choose from. The level of service in bars and restaurants certainly exceeds anything you would find in most other cities. Children: Don't presume youngsters will be as enthusiastic about sight-seeing as grown-ups. New York is an exhausting place especially for little feet. However, there are plenty of attractions to amuse the children such as Madame Tussauds, Central Park Zoo and a huge 'Toys R Us' megastore in Times Square. |
