New York

New York is the most populous city in the United States, and the center of the New York metropolitan area, which is one of the most populous urban areas in the world. A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, fashion and entertainment. As host of the United Nations headquarters, it is also an important center for international affairs. The city is often referred to as New York City to differentiate it from the state of New York, of which it is a part.

Located on a large natural harbor on the Atlantic coast of the Northeastern United States, the city consists of five boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. Many districts and landmarks in the city have become well-known to outsiders. The Statue of Liberty greeted millions of immigrants as they came to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Wall Street, in Lower Manhattan, has been a dominant global financial center since World War II and is home to the New York Stock Exchange. The city has been home to several of the tallest buildings in the world, including the Empire State Building and the twin towers of the former World Trade Center.

The City is the birthplace of many cultural movements, including the Harlem Renaissance in literature and visual art; abstract expressionism (also known as the New York School) in painting; hip hop, punk, salsa, disco and Tin Pan Alley in music; and is the home of Broadway theater. New York is notable among American cities for its high use of mass transit, most of which runs 24 hours per day, and for the overall density and diversity of its population. In 2005, nearly 170 languages were spoken in the city and 36% of its population was born outside the United States. Sometimes referred to as "The City that Never Sleeps", other nicknames include the Capital of the world, Gotham, and the Big Apple.

April to September

Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Central Park, United Nations, Metropolitan Museum, FAO Schwarz, Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Rose Center for Earth and Space, Intrepid Museum, South Street Seaport, Ellis Island

Central Park: Central Park, located in central Manhattan in New York City, is a magnificent 843-acre oasis offering NYC residents, visitors and tourists a refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life. From Sheep Meadow to the Great Lawn there is so much to see and do inside one our country's most pastoral landmarks. Popular Central Park activities include a stroll along the Mall, carriage ride in a traditional hansom cab, intimate rickshaw ride, rowboat ride on the Lake, walk around Strawberry Fields, time in the Children's Zoo with the kids or a game of softball are just a taste of what you'll find in Central Park.

Empire State Building: The Cathedral of the Skies," as it has been called, identifies New York City more than any other feature in this landmark filled city. Since its opening in 1931, the 1,453 foot skyscraper has attracted 120 million people to its observatories. 3.6 million a year! What would romantic NYC be without going to the top of the Empire State Building? Seen in movies from Affair to Remember to Sleepless in Seattle...even King Kong brought a date up here!

Top of the Rock: The view itself is unique and astonishing. Unobstructed for 360 degrees from the 70th floor, the breathtaking landscape stretches for miles in every direction from Central Park and the northern half of Manhattan to New York City's other landmarks including the Chrysler Building, Times Square, the Hudson River, the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty!

United Nations: Behind the 192 waving flags representing the member countries stands a 39 story monolith known as the Secretariat Building. Along with the General Assembly Building, conference buildings and Dag Hammarskjold Library, the United Nations attempts to maintain peace, protect human rights and promote development throughout the world on a 6 block stretch of land along the East River.

Metropolitan Museum: New York City's grand museum! Journeying through the art of mankind can be a overwhelming yet joyous experience. From Ancient Egypt through the Renaissance to American masters, try and take your time going through each section. You won't get to see everything but what you do see will be memorable.

FAO Schwarz: The Taj Mahal of toys, FAO Schwarz - famous for its life-sized stuffed animals and kid-sized sportscars, will bring hours of fun for shoppers young and old.

Ground Zero: It's a name and place we are all familiar with just as we are the events that took place on September 11, 2001 - a day that will forever be remembered in the hearts of all Americans.

Statue of Liberty: Next to the flag, it's America's most famous symbol for freedom - an icon for the immigrant, Liberty Enlightening the World as it is officially titled is familiarly the Statue of Liberty. Standing 151 feet above New York Harbor since 1886, the ferry brings you to her feet on Liberty Island. If you want to climb the 354 step narrow winding staircase inside the Statue, get there early, long lines can mean a 3-hour ascent.

Rockefeller Center: Having been built to meet the needs of the people, Rockefeller Center has been a favorite spot for both New Yorkers and tourists. Visit the outdoor cafe, site of the ice skating rink, or Radio City Music Hall, the 6,000 seat former movie palace. Head underground through the labyrinth of passages connecting 14 of the 19 buildings or rise 65 stories to the Rainbow Room. If you've come to NYC to shop, Rockefeller Center has some great stores including H & M the hip clothing store. Whatever it is, Rockefeller Center is sure to have it.

Times Square: When visiting Times Square, stop by the neighborhood's most informative location - the Times Square Information Center. Located in the newly renovated Embassy Movie Theatre on 7th Avenue, between 46th and 47th Streets, The center is open daily from 8am to 8pm. Times Square has it all. You can find first class lodging, all varieties of dining, entertainment, as well as tours of all parts of the city, shopping and nightlife in this exciting, vibrant and historic landmark in New York City.

Rose Center for Earth and Space: The brand new, state-of-the-art center will take you to from the inner workings of our planet to the outer limits of the galaxy. The 87-foot sphere which appears to float in a glass-walled cube houses the new Hayden Planetarium, featuring the most technologically advanced Space Theater in the world, in which visitors can experience Space Shows of incredible realism.

Intrepid Museum: Perched on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Intrepid, a fighter jet looks ready to take off! The monstrous aircraft carrier now houses the largest museum devoted to the armed forces and the space program. Since 1982, the Intrepid has become a national icon. More than 750,000 people visit each year.

South Street Seaport: Along the bumpy cobblestone streets toward Pier 17 you'll find restaurants and shops galore, but this is also a historic district and a living museum. Inside, you can see ship models, prints and paintings. Outside, tour the boat building shop or take a tour of the 4-masted, 347-foot cargo vessel Peking, one of 6 historic ships, and take home a bit of knowledge as a souvenir.

Ellis Island: This restored landmark re-opened in 1990 saving the memories and heritage of over 100 million Americans who can trace their immigrant roots here. Between 1892 and 1954, 12 million immigrants entered the United States from this island in New York Harbor, greeted by the Statue of Liberty "next door" on Liberty Island.

New York City transportation constitutes of one of the most elaborate and one of the oldest transportation infrastructures in United States. John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, La Guardia Airport, and Teterboro Airport are the four main airports of the city. The city has the largest chain of public transports. New York City subway is the most preferred mode of transportation to reach the tourist destinations of the city.

Inn At Irving Place, Amsterdam Inn, Chelsea Inn, Murray Hill Inn, Chelsea Pines Inn , 1871 House, Midwood Suites Bed and Breakfast, Holiday Inn Midtown, Metro Hotel

Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Central Park, United Nations, Metropolitan Museum, FAO Schwarz, Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Rose Center for Earth and Space, Intrepid Museum, South Street Seaport, Ellis Island