New York City – The Big Apple

Everyone falls in love with New York City. It’s the city of arrivals and beginners and of never leaving. Each of its boroughs has a distinct character and the sum total of them all cannot be described by just one definition. While Manhattan is the central borough and, to many, New York, the neighbouring islands of Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island all have their own flavour.

Manhattan houses the trendy SoHo, the famous Village and the Chinatown too. Walk the streets and explore the city’s numerous fabulous monuments, admire the old world architecture, enjoy the fabulous food available in any cuisine from the world and drink a variety if drinks in hole in the wall bars to snazzy cocktail places. New York has it all, and how.

PLACES to VISIT

• Central Park: A New York City landmark, Central Park was the first landscaped urban park in the United States. The park is home to numerous restaurants, playgrounds, the Metropolitan Museum, the Central Park Zoo and Wollman Rink.
• Statue of Liberty : This lady has welcomed millions of foreigners coming to seek opportunity and make a new life for themselves in the United States. A from France to the US, the statue stands at Liberty Island and you can go across on a ferry. The ride for which takes 15 minutes. (The round trip fare is 8 dollars for adults, 6 dollars for senior citizens, 3 dollars for children 3-17 years old, and free to children under three years of age. Ferries operate 7 days a week.)

TRAVEL TIPS

• New York is a fast paced city and so are its people. While walking around New York, walk to the right of the side walk. If you're in a large group, don't walk abreast of each other.
• Check the visitor's section of www.nyc.gov – New York City's official website – for information on events around town.
• Cabs are a good (although expensive) way to get around the city. Before hailing a cab, check if its numbered light on the roof is lit. This means it's for hire.

BEST TIME to visit

New York City has something to offer no matter when you visit it. Are you a theatre freak? Visit during fall, winter and early spring when the theatre and performing arts season is at its peak. Summer time is good if you wish to see New York less crowded, as most locals usually leave the city during summer weekends. Or if you don't mind paying sky high hotel prices, go during the months of December to early January and enjoy the festivities.

BEST WAY to reach

All major airlines fly from India to all three of New York's major airports - La Guardia, Kennedy and Newark. A number of domestic airlines connect New York City to the rest of the country.

ACCOMMODATION

Book hotels before you land in New York, especially at around Christmas time. Accommodation in New York City is expensive, usually at around 100 dollars per night. If you’re lucky, you can get a room at about 75 dollars.