What to Do in New York City

New York City is called many things from Gotham, The City that Never Sleeps, The Big Apple, and the Empire City, but is best known for being the biggest entertainment and tourist attraction location in the world. From ice skating at Rockefeller Center to stellar Broadway shows, New York City has something to see and do for all age groups.

Significance

Visiting New York City will allow the tourist to visit popular attractions, see the cityscape, visit popular landmarks and indulge in local restaurants that are exclusive to the area. Visitors will also be able to experience the vast methods of transportation that the city offers such as the subway, taxi service, double decker buses and the pedicab, which is a man powered bicycle that can hold up to three or four passengers at a time. Walking tours are popular in New York city and exploring areas such as Broadway, Central Park and China Town are popular sights to see on foot. One of the most popular sightseeing tourist attractions in New York City is Ground Zero; the memorial grounds for those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

Features

Visiting Ellis and Liberty Island allows tourists to explore a huge part of America's history as it is home to the Statue of Liberty. Daily escorted tours of Ellis Island are open to the public and will allow tourists to share in how Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty serve as a reminder of international freedom and hope. Art is prevalent in New York City so a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art which houses prized art and literature from historically famed artists is a great way to see world renowned art up close. Tours are available daily or general admission is also permitted during operating hours. New York City is home to one of the most famous parks in the world, Central Park. Central Park is the most visited park in the United States attracting twenty five million visitors each year. The famed carriage ride through the park is a popular attraction that operates daily and gives guests a first hand look at the beauty the park has to offer. If one is looking to do some shopping while visiting the city, Madison and Fifth avenues are home to some of the most luxurious shopping meccas in the world such as Louis Vuitton and Prada. When visiting, feel free to indulge in restaurants that are popular in the area, such as the Tavern on the Green, Pizza Suprema, and Grand Central Oyster Bar.

Identification

When visiting New York City it can be easy to identify certain landmarks and attractions that one wants to visit. The Empire State Building can be identified as being the tallest building in the city. The Empire State Building attracts thousands of visitors each year and has an observation deck on the 86th floor for views of the city. The Brooklyn Bridge is the tallest bridge in New York City and connects New York City to Brooklyn. Tourists can walk the length of bridge and see the skyline of the city as well as views of the East River. The bright lights and advertisements of Broadway shows can be seen for several blocks and are a great way to see plays, such as the longest running Broadway show; The Phantom Of the Opera. The Central Park Conservatory Garden is a great place to visit during spring time months when bulbs and flowering plants begin to bloom and offers a nice place to stroll and relax away from the bustle of downtown.

Time Frame

The time frame to complete tours and visit sights depends on the location and the time of visitation. Most scheduled tours and tour dates stick to a specified time frame which can be obtained at nyctrip.com, which will inform guests how long the tour will last. For outdoor activities such as Central Park tours and Rockefeller Plaza Ice Skating Events, these businesses rely greatly on weather conditions and can be delayed or canceled due to inclement weather. To visit main attractions and sight seeing events in New York City independently without a tour guide can take some time and one should allow up to three hours for each attraction. A stay of three to five days will allow most people to see the top tourist destinations and highlights.

Considerations

When planning a visit to New York City one should take into consideration the time of year they are traveling there due to overcrowding and booked tour events. Many city streets are also blocked off which may cause some attractions to be closed or have a delayed opening time. Some of the most busiest times to visit the city are Thanksgiving Day due to the Macy's Parade event, September 11; due to the memorial ceremonies, and New Year's Eve celebrations at Times Square.

Resources

• New York City Travel Tours
• New York City Walking Tours
• New York Attractions