New York is a very exciting place. It appeals to all the senses. There is so much to see, hear, taste, do/shop for, travel to, touch and admire that a visitor can spend the whole year just having fun. Still he/she would find that it is not enough time to see and participate in the monuments, restaurants, museums and special events, shopping and transportation tours of subways etc.
I went to New York this past Summer from Boston, Massachussets. What is clear is that New York is a diverse place. Its diversity is unmatched. From the people and the communities to the accommodations and attractions, there is nothing like the Big Apple. I traveled to New York by Bus. I took a bus from Boston Port Authority to New York Port Authority. If you are not careful, you can get lost right there. The first thing you will notice as you step out of the Port is the sea of people who are going up, across and down. Food, traffic, skycraper and neons are everywhere. On every corner you turn, you will find a restaurant. Sometimes, you will run into various ethnic cuisines. After all, ethnic groups make New York what it is today. Officially, the City has nearly 18,00 restaurants. I do not think anybody will ever know how many eateries that exist there. Some of the big-named restaurants are Tavern on the Green, 21 Club, Four Seasons and Broadway-favorite Sardi's. You will find a lot of foodies in what New Yorkers are calling "restaurant row." Since it was my first trip to New York, I somewhat lucked out because I sat next to a young CBS technician from Boston. He started giving me a tour of the city from the bus. We talked about some of the common things we have interests in. The love of music and adventure traveling existed for both of us. The native Bostonian who went to school and is working in New York did not hesitate to show me around after we got off the bus at the Port Authority. He made sure to take me to some of the hottest restaurants in town. He said they are located above the popular Meatpacking District.
What else can one do in New York?
Vibrand and bright, Broadway is all I have read about. Some of the hit shows that draw a lot of people are: The Producers, The Lion King, Hairspray, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Disney's Tarzan, the Odd Couple, Jersey Boys, Musicals such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang etc. I had the chance to visit the Metropolitan Museum of ARt, The Guggeheim, The Whitney and the Museum of Modern Art, the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. I also attended some concerts in the park and in Washington Square. You can shop until you drop. New York was made for shoppers. It is the best and most expensive place to shop too. Shopping at New York's Macy's, Tiffany's, Bloomindale's and Saks Fifth Avenue is a common thing to do for every vacationer. If you want to buy great souvenirs, you want to go to these places. If you want to save, you want to shop at the curb shops. There are as many shopping options as there are people to think and create them in New York. Each shop owner is more determined than the last one to prevent you from leaving his/her store without having a good deal or closing the deal. Go to Soho to shop at these original boutiques of mega fashion designers. If you want to shop in New York and have the time to go with it, you can find anything from anywhere in the world. My friend took me to Henri Bendel's and Barney's. Then we visited the Rockerfeller building where NBC studios are headquartered. I visited the NBC shop to buy some souvenirs and ended up chatting with the clerks who commented about my California accent. They do have a New York accent. I could not leave for the day without visiting one of the newest shopping destinations in New York. The Shops at Columbus Circle in the Time Warner Center has more than 40 shops and restaurants.
How do you get around in New York? No Worry, Be Happy!
Keep in mind that things appear to be very close in New York. If you are healthy, you can walk your way around. If you do not want to walk, you can always take a cab. New York is famous for its taxi drivers. Soon, you will be comfortable with the Subway system. That is the easiest way to travel in the city. You will notice that everybody rides the subway. It is the most efficient and fastest way of traveling in New York. No matter what you do, make sure to visit these classic centers of attraction. Keep in mind that New York is a city that has many landmarks. Visit the Empire State Building which is one of the most prominent monuments in the city. Ferry trips to the Statue of Liberty Island have been running. You can visit Liberty Island and the museum inside the base of the statue. A trip to Liberty Island will take you to Ellis Island which is a monument to all immigrants seeking freedom and rights. Do not leave New York without visiting Manhattan's Times Square which will stimulate all your senses. It is a marvel of neon and lights that all living creatures like. Visit the jungle in the heart of the city, Central Park with its acres of grass, trees and other greenery. It is the favorite recreation and relaxation areas in the city. Finally, the site where the World Trade Center stood is being redesigned as a memorial park as well as a proposed Freedom Tower skyscraper that will replace the fallen twin towers. There was not much to see when I visited New York. So my friend said it was better to come back when all the redesigns are over.
