Travelling New York
Before You Travel
New York City is the "Big Apple" or “ The City that never sleeps”
New York City is located on the eastern coast of the United States about 1000 miles north of Florida and 200 miles South of Boston. It is situated at the mouth of the Hudson River, and is divided into five districts called boroughs. Long Island stretches almost 100 miles to the east of New York City and the state of New Jersey lies just across the Hudson River to the west. The "Big Apple", as the city is often called, is the largest city in the US with over 7 million residents. It is filled with a diverse mixture of inhabitants including immigrants from many countries. Some of its many neighborhoods, such as Chinatown, Little Italy, and Spanish Harlem reflect the rich ethnic heritages of the resident's original homelands.
Manhattan borough, the business and commercial center of New York City, is situated on a large island in the middle of the Hudson River. Just south of it, across the main harbor, lies the borough of Staten Island, a large residential community. Across the East River branch of the Hudson, the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens are situated on the western tip of Long Island. The borough of Bronx is on the mainland to the north. New Jersey lies across the Hudson to the west.
New York is the "city that never sleeps"
New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world. It is often called "the city that never sleeps." In fact, Times Square at midnight seems more vibrant and active than most other cities at noon. New York has many tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty, the United Nations headquarters, the Empire State building and over 300 museums. It is renowned for its wide variety of entertainments including the world famous Broadway theaters. There are over 30,000 restaurants in New York City plus countless bars and clubs. If you like big cities and lot.
New York City Attractions:
- Broadway and Times Square
New York is known as the greatest theatre town in the USA. Times Square and Broadway Avenue are at the heart of the New York City Theater District. Visit our Broadway page to learn where to see the shows and how to find the bargain seats!
One of the best-known U.S. landmarks, the Statue of Liberty has welcomed millions of emigrants to the United States. It is located on a small island in the harbor off the southern tip of Manhattan. You can take an excursion boat from Battery Park to see the big lady up close and to visit the immigrantion museum on nearby Ellis Island.
The Staten Island Ferry is the best sightseeing bargain in New York City. The one-hour round-trip ride to Staten Island and back takes you across New York harbor with a great view of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty. The price is absolutely free for all pedestrians!
New York City is one of the most recognizable skylines in the world. The World Trade Center Towers are sadly missing, but the Empire State Building still dominates midtown. The many tall buildings in Manhattan paint an architectural history of the development of this great metropolis.
Hundreds of museums and art galleries are scattered around Manhattan. They include the world famous Metropolitan Museum of Art located in "museum row" along the eastern edge of Central Park and the American Museum of Natural History located on the west side of the park. There are also such diverse offerings as the Jewish Museum, the Fire Museum, the Asia Society Galleries, the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum and the International Center for Photography. There are so many museums that we cannot attempt to name them all on this page.
- United Nations Headquarters
The international headquarters for the United Nations is located between First Avenue and the East River from 42nd Street to 48th Street. This international enclave is actually a self-governing territory with its own security service and post office. It provides guided tours in twenty different languages. Tours are held seven days a week between 9:30 AM and 4:45 PM except in winter when they close on weekends. Call ahead to check for tour times in your native language.
Central Park is a well-known oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the big city. New Yorkers and visitors are drawn to the park to relax, play and take in the landscaped surroundings.
- Bus Tours, Sightseeing Cruises and Helicopter flights
A bus tour through New York City, a Cruise around Manhattan Island or a helicopter fly over are great ways to see all the major sights of the city quickly. There are a number of different options available for either alternative.
It is hard to believe that a world class zoo could exist within the densely populated area of New York City, but the Bronx Zoo, covering 265 acres of woodland and housing over 4000 animals, certainly is impressive by any standard. It is much larger than the Central Park Zoo and contains many endangered species in natural habitats. Their web site contains directions from Manhattan, hours of operation and admission prices. www.bronxzoo.com
Coney Island is a popular amusement park and beach with a long and colorful history. It is a great place to take a break from the big city for a little recreation or relaxation.s of excitement, the Big Apple is a great place to visit.
New York Tours
