It's called The Big Apple and the City that Never Sleeps. Though other cities boast about their endless attractions, it really is true that you'll never run out of things to do in New York, which is why it's a top tourist destination.
From the New York art scene, which is among the best in the world, to family-friendly fun like ice-skating in Rockefeller Center, every minute in New York is an adventure. Famous Manhattan alone is home to many individual neighbourhoods with distinct personalities that have been depicted in books, television shows and movies, which need to be experienced first-hand. The history of New York is the very definition of a melting pot, and one of the best ways to sample its culturally diverse flavour is in New York City restaurants and eating spots. In their thousands, dining options offer the most diverse range of food you can imagine in a single city, from the humble hotdog to the country's most fine-dining five-star restaurants.
New York City is made up of five boroughs - The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island - and each has its own culture and attractions.
Getting in and around New York
New York Airports
Most people fly into one of three New York airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) - all under 30 kilometres from Manhattan. When making the trip from any of these airports to your hotel, most people choose cabs, take public transportation or hire a car.
New York Transport
The subway is a quick, easy and cheap way to navigate the city. There are upwards of 470 stations throughout Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan and Queens. Cabs are also a popular way of getting around. When moving between Manhattan and Staten Island, New York City provides free transportation in the form of the Staten Island Ferry.
New York Car Hire
Car rentals are only recommended if you're very familiar with the city or if you plan to stay outside the city. If possible, avoid renting a car if you plan to stay inside New York City; the streets are very crowded, taxi drivers are aggressive and it's easy to get lost in the huge metropolis. This, added to the fact that street parking is practically non-existent, paid parking ridiculously expensive and gas stations are few and far between, having a car will actually hold you up as a visitor in New York City.
If you do need a car for heading out of town, car rental agencies can, nonetheless, be found throughout the city.
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New York accommodation
Four or five-star hotels in Manhattan, New York
Live it up in the Big Apple with one of these accommodation options.
Luxury
The Waldorf Astoria on ritzy Park Avenue is one of the best and most iconic New York City hotels which caters to the rich and famous.
The Roxy Hotel is located in the area that hosts the Tribeca Film Festival and has hints of Regency and art deco décor.
The Muse is a boutique hotel near Times Square that offers pet friendly rooms, bicycle rentals and has a 24-hour fitness centre. The Waldorf-Astoria on ritzy Park Avenue is one of the best New York City hotels and caters to the rich and famous with boutiques and world-renown restaurants.
Tribeca Grand Hotel, located in the area that hosts the
Tribeca Film Festival, provides a 24-hour fitness centre and in-room dining.
The Muse Hotel is a boutique hotel near Times Square that takes its inspiration from Broadway. It's pet friendly and offers in-room spa services and a 24-hour fitness centre.
Mid-range
Hilton New York Times Square is in the middle of the action and offers stylish rooms with great city views.
The Frederick Hotel, located in the Tribeca neighbourhood, offers modern rooms and has an onsite restaurant and bar.
Hotel 50 Bowery is a boutique hotel in Chinatown that provides modern comfort and a spectacular roof-top bar.The Roosevelt Hotel New York City is a landmark hotel located in Midtown and offers modern amenities, a fitness centre, restaurant, and lounge.
Cosmopolitan Hotel, located in the Tribeca neighbourhood, is quiet and relaxed. It offers a café, spa, and barber shop.
The Bentley Hotel on the fashionable Upper East Side provides modern comfort and a spectacular roof-top bar. Other great Manhattan hotels include
Le Parker Meridien,
W New York and
The Time Hotel New York.
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Economical stays in Manhattan, New York
If you're staying a while or just wanting to stretch out your budget, you can still find a place to lay your head. Competition is fierce for the best cheap beds so be sure to book early.
Budget
The Harlem Flophouse, a charming brownstone celebrating the Harlem Renaissance, offers traditional rooms with quirky names and delightful decor details like claw-foot tubs.
The Sohotel is small, but has a fabulous location - right near SoHo, Chinatown and Little Italy.
Pod Times Square has a convenient location with small, but comfortable, rooms.
Hotel St. James is an affordable boutique hotel in a great location with lots of food options nearby.
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Things to do in New York
It can be overwhelming to try to plan an itinerary for a city like New York. The suggestions below should help you plan your stay.
See the Statue of Liberty. It's a fact that the Statue of Liberty is the ultimate New York City attraction and a symbol of freedom. Most visitors are aware of the history of the Statue of Liberty - that it was a gift from France - but a Statue of Liberty tour can help fill in other details that everyone wants to know: How tall is the Statue of Liberty? How long did it take to assemble? and much more.
Explore Manhattan. The proximity of Manhattan to all the tourist attractions, not to mention some of the city's best-known restaurants, makes Manhattan the perfect base for your stay. Popular landmarks and tourist sites in Manhattan include Times Square, Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue (New York's premier shopping districts), Carnegie Hall, The World Trade Center Site, Madison Square Garden and the Brooklyn Bridge, which you can walk over to get from Manhattan to Brooklyn.
Empire State Building. You can't holiday in New York without visiting the Empire State Building, which you'll recognise from movies including King Kong and Sleepless in Seattle. The building is full of 360° view observatories, enthralling exhibits, restaurants and shopping - plenty to keep you busy for hours.
Take in a Broadway show. Broadway is the ultimate dream of stage actors around the world. From lavish Broadway musicals, to comedies, to serious works, a Broadway play is one of the best ways to enjoy New York.
Survey the architecture. Most New York tours include landmark architectural beauties such as the Chrysler Building, the Woolworth Building and the Guggenheim Museum, all with very interesting histories.
Rockerfeller Center. Go ice skating at the Rockerfeller Center if you're visiting in Winter, or roller skating if visiting in the other seasons.
Try the street food. There's no bagel like a New York bagel, and there's no food item that says "New York" quite like this food item. Other must-do items to include on your lunch menu are the ubiquitous New York hotdogs (with your choice of toppings), the soft New York Pretzel, New York Pizza sold by the slice and the rich, heavy New York Cheesecake.
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Day trips in and around New York
MoMa (The Museum of Modern Art) is famously home to the world's most comprehensive collection of modern and contemporary art. You'll need more than one visit if you want to see it all; the fifth floor is where the well-known works are kept if you're short on time and just want to see the physical versions of favourites like Van Gogh's Starry Night.
Central Park. For a bit of greenery in the middle of the city, head to Central Park and visit the Zoo, take a boat or gondola ride, or try a bicycle tour of Central Park.
Greenwich Village (aka "the Village") in lower Manhattan should be an inclusion in any New York travel experience. Exploring the eclectic shops, creative dining options and abundant nightlife are all terrific things to do in the Village. The birthplace of the Beat Movement and significant in the history of gay rights, it's home to important historical and cultural sites.
Check out the other four boroughs. Even if you don't have much time, you should try to get out of Manhattan and see the rest of New York City: each borough has a culture of its own. Bus tours focusing on the individual boroughs can get you around, and knowledgeable guides can offer a comprehensive overview.
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