New York City is largest city and financial capital for United States. Also known as Big Apple, New York is the most popular US city among the tourists. Over the years New York has welcomed immigrants with open heart. Its quite visible thanks to Chinatown and large number of Indians and people from other parts of the world. It is believed that you can see people from all parts of the world standing at the Times Square. This is the reason why this wonderful city is often referred as "Second Home of the World". New York is not just friendly with immigrants but Gay community as well. Over the years, New York has been voted one of the most gay friendly destination in the world. The passing of Gay Marriage law has restrengthen this belief
There is plenty to do and see in New York City. Whether you are traveling individually, with friends, family or on romantic gateway. The star studded lineup of attractions in New York are lead by Statue of Liberty and recently built 9/11 Memorial. These days thanks to Occupy Wall Street Movement, even Wall Street has become a popular tourist attraction.
There is no shortage of entertainment for people who travel to New York City. There are plenty of concerts taking place throughout the year. Popular venue include Madison Square Garden. Theatre is the soul of entertainment in the city. Broadway in New York City is great source of entertainment.
Big Apple also have strong sporting roots. The city is home to 2 Major League Baseball teams; New York Yankees and the Mets. The last grand slam of tennis, US Open also takes place at Flushing Meadows in NYC. Being fashion capital of world, NYC offers great shopping experience especially in Fifth Avenue with flagship stores like Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier, Tiffany's.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Statue of Liberty - The Statue of Liberty proudly stands on the Liberty Island in New York Harbour. The statue was given by France as the gift of friendship. The wonderful design of the statue has made it the most visited attraction in New York. The 151 feet high Statue of Liberty can be seen by taking a ferry from Battery Park. Liberty Island and Ellis Island remains open for the tourists from 9AM to 5PM. Due to renovations the interior of the statue has been closed for tourists for 1 year starting October 29, 2011. The Statue of Liberty can been seen from outside. You can also visit National Immigration Museum at Ellis Island.
Brooklyn Bridge - The historic Brooklyn Bridge is one of the first steel wire suspension bridges in the world. The bridge connects Lower Manhattan to Brooklyn. Tourists usually hire a bike to take cross the bridge while doing so, take photographs of breathtaking views of Manhattan.
Empire State Building - The 102 floors, Empire State Building once held the title of tallest building in the world. The wonderful art-deco design of the building along with 2 observatories to see New York from the sky makes this building still very popular among the tourists. Since the destruction of World Trade Center in 2011, Empire State Building has retained the title of tallest building in New York City.
Rockefeller Center - Located between between 48th and 51st streets in Manhattan, Rockefeller Center is the complex of 19 commercial buildings that houses NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center. Top of the Rock observation deck is the most popular tourist attraction at the Top Rockefeller Center.
Times Square - Times Square is a intersection in Manhattan filled with video screens and LED signs. In past few years, Times Square has become postcard picture for New York City. The square got its name from the Times Building. There are several Broadway theatres, hotels, cinemas and restaurants located at the Times Square.
Grand Central Terminal - Grand Central Terminal or the Grand Central Station is the busiest and largest train station in the world. However that is not what makes Grand Central a must visit tourist attraction. The Beaux-Arts design of the building with vaulted ceiling, zodiac constellations designs and statues of Minerva, Mercury and Hercules makes Grand Central a wonderful building to visit.
Central Park - The Central Park is a oasis in crowded skyscrapers forest we call New York City. The beautiful laws, lakes and trees of Central Park has made it popular picnic spot for people of New York. The main attractions of the park are Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park Zoo, Central Park Conservatory Garden and the Museum of Natural History. The park is ideal place for bike tours or jogging thanks to numerous trails.
New York Stock Exchange - Located on the Wall Street, NYSE is the most important stock exchange in the world. NYSE is the indicator of world economy. However in recent months due to the global economic recession, New York Stock Exchange has become a despised place. The Wall Street is often site of protests against the large corporates and financial banks, a movement popularly known as Occupy Wall Street.
Trinity Church - The church was first built by the King William III in 1697. The present structure designed in Neo-Gothic style dates back to 1846. Today Trinity Church is one of the most important landmark of Downtown Manhattan. The church has memorials of Alexander Hamilton, William Bradford, Robert Fulton, and Albert Gallatin.
St Paul's Chapel - St Paul's Chapel is the only remaining colonial churches in New York City. The first president of United States, George Washington used to worship. The chapel is located near the Ground Zero and remarkably came out unscathed following the attack on the Twin Towers.
National September 11 Memorial & Museum - 9/11 Memorial consists 2 large waterfalls and reflecting pools on the site of World Trade Center also known as Ground Zero. The 9/11 Memorial was opened on the 10th anniversary of horrific attack on New York City. The names of all 3000 victims are inscribed on the bronze panels. The museum is currently under construction.
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum - Guggenheim Museum is as famous for its design as the collection of art it displays. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Guggenheim Museum is a masterpiece of art and perhaps most deserving structure to showcase fine art by great talents like Braque, Calder, Cézanne, Picasso, Renoir and Van Gogh, and many others.
The American Museum of Natural History - It is the largest museum of natural history in the world that showcase, dinosaur fossils and other other vertebrate fossils reconstructions. The main highlight of the museum are Rose Center for Earth and Space, the Big Bang Theatre, the Hall of Planet Earth and the Hayden Planetarium.
Haunted Places - There are several haunted places in New York City. Here are must visit Haunted Places in New York City for people with brave hearts.
WHEN TO VISIT
Spring is the good time of the year to travel New York City. During the months of March to May, NYC looks most beautiful. There are several events that take place during this period like St. Patrick's Day Parade and Easter Parade.
The months of September to November are best to visit New York. Despite nice temperature, less tourists visit Big Apple during September. So if you like less crowd at tourist attractions, this is the perfect time to visit. However things change during October and November. Popular events like Haunted Halloween Carnival and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade attracts millions of tourists to travel New York City.
For people who love shopping and parties, December is the ideal time to visit New York. Several spectacular parties take place in New York from early December till New Year. December is also the time for Windows Shopping in New York. Lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree and Times Square New Years Eve are must visit events during December.
HOTELS IN NEW YORK CITY
New York has plenty of hotels ranging from luxury, mid range to budget categories. Some finest hotels in New York City are Sofitel New York, Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, New York Marriott Marquis, Hilton Times Square, The Empire Hotel New York City, Jumeirah Essex House etc.
You can check our article on Best Business Hotels in New York City. The hotels in New York could be very expensive during busy tourist season like Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year etc. It is advised to book hotel in advance. You can use our price comparison tool to check our 30 services for best possible hotels deal for New York City. You can also check this article for tips to choose hotel in New York.
HOW TO REACH
By Plane - New York City is well connected to every single country in the world. There are daily flights to New York from London, Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Delhi etc. There are 3 important airports in the city John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and LaGuardia Airport. JFK and Newark airports are the 2 international airports in the city. LaGuardia is the busy domestic airport that serves millions of tourists from within United States.
During the winter season, heavy snowfall often force airports to shut down in New York City. Please check the airport's official website or our check flight status page for more information about your flight.
By Train - Amtrak which operates from New York Penn Station has dozens of daily trains from New York to major East Coast cities like Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago etc.
There are also trains to Canadian cities like Toronto and Montreal. There are also services to California but it takes more than 3 days and travelers are required to change train at Chicago.
By bus - Greyhound operates from Manhattan's Port Authority Bus Terminal and connects New York City to major hubs at East Coast like Washington, Boston as well other parts of the country
Peter Pan Bus Company also has 24 hours schedule and dominates routes to Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. There are regular buses to practically every city in United States like Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago as well Canadian Cities like Montreal and Toronto.
Tourists should keep in mind that United States is a big country and traveling to some cities by Bus could be very lengthy.
