NEW
YORK: THE EMPIRE STATE
BY Clay Larroy
Regardless
of whether you are
traveling to a nearby location for the weekend or
taking a week-long destination vacation, you are always going to benefit from
some tips and ideas on how to make the whole process, more fun and less
stressful. Take time each day to alleviate stress while traveling or
vacationing and you will thank yourself for it when you get back home. With all
the chaos, jet-lag, partying and other excitement of travel comes a whole lot
of stress on your mind and body. By the time most vacations are over, another
one is needed to recover so taking a few minutes each day to rejuvenate will
make it easier for you to resume your normal life when it's all over. When you want
to plan a vacation contact me!
Read the article below for a remarkable
perspective on New York city.
New York City by City Escapes
Renowned
for its frenetic pace, ever on the edge of invention, New York City’s
creativity includes amazing restaurants, chic nightclubs, cutting-edge theater
and architectural masterpieces. Combine this with the fact that New York City
is also a global financial capital, and you can understand why it is considered
the greatest city in America.
The
epicenter of New York City life has always been the island (borough) of
Manhattan, surrounded by four other distinct city boroughs – the Bronx,
Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island – all of which have their own character and
attractions.
New
York City is the largest city in the United States and has a population of over
eight million, which, as people continue to flock to New York City, is likely
to grow even larger. This is Broadway, this is Wall Street, this is a city of
history and legends, and who wouldn’t want to visit it at least once -even if
it is just to say they’d been there.
Sightseeing
and Events
New
York’s famous Empire State Building, a New York City Landmark and a
National Historic Landmark, soars more than a quarter of a mile into the
atmosphere above the heart of Manhattan. Located on the 86th floor, 1,050 feet
(320 meters) above the city’s bustling streets, the Observatory offers
panoramic views from within a glass enclosed pavilion and from the surrounding
open-air promenade. Since the Observatory opened to the public in 1931,
hundreds of millions of visitors have thrilled to the awe-inspiring vision of
the city beneath them.
Located
on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty was
a gift of international friendship from the people of France to the people of
the United States and is one of the most recognized symbols of political
freedom and democracy. Liberty Island is accessible by Circle Line-Statue of
Liberty Ferry, Inc. ferries only. One round-trip ferry ticket includes visits
to Liberty and Ellis Islands.
Legendary Times Square, the
heart of Broadway and of countless huge New York gatherings, recently
celebrated its 100-year anniversary. Filled with its neon signs, screaming ads,
giant screens, Times Square “the crossroads of the world” is more than ever a
sight that overwhelms, its flashing lights reaching to the sky. The main
attractions in Times Square include ABC Studios, WWE Store and Toys”R”Us.. At
the Times Square Visitors Center you can get free citywide information from
multilingual tourist counselors, get free maps and brochures, purchase tickets
to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows from the Broadway Ticket Center & more.
The
world-famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a holiday
tradition in New York City since 1924. Musical and dancing performances paired
with cartoons turned skyscraper-height balloons make this a once-in-a-lifetime
event for all ages. Classics like Mickey Mouse, Kermit the Frog and Ronald
McDonald meet new favorites such as Buzz Lightyear, Spongebob Squarepants and
Kung Fu Panda for a day guaranteed to please all generations.
The United Nations Headquarters building in New
York City is the home of the international organization and one of the
most-visited sites in the city. Guided tours are conducted seven days a week
(Monday to Friday only during January and February). Tours are conducted from
9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday to Friday; Saturday and Sundays from 10:00 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. Tours in English normally leave every half hour and last for
approximately 45 minutes to one hour.
At Madame Tussaud’s New York, you will be
able to mingle with nearly 200 amazingly life-like wax figures, including Brad
Pitt, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Jackson, Madonna and even Elvis Presley and
Marilyn Monroe. Open 365 days a year from 10:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday,
last ticket sold at 8:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday, last ticket sold at 10:00
p.m.
One
of the most successful ships in US history is now one of the most unique
attractions in New York City. Berthed on the mighty Hudson River in
Manhattan, the Intrepid Air & Sea Museum boasts
educational exhibits and exciting events. After being closed for a lengthy
renovation, the museum reopened to the public on Nov 8th 2008.
Central
Park extends from 59th to 110th streets and 5th
Avenue to 8th Avenue. It is home to a zoo, playgrounds, skating rinks and a lot
more. One of the most romantic and popular ways to see Central Park is from a
horse-drawn carriage. Rides cost $34 for the first 20 minutes and $54 for a 45
to 50 minute tour. For more information, call 212-246-0520. These carriages
line up at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue across from the Plaza Hotel.
The
Rockefeller Center is a place for exquisite shopping, fine dining
and great entertainment. It also houses the NBC studios and the Rockefeller
Center ice skating rink. During Christmas time, the whole place turns into a
Winter Wonderland with the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and
beautiful lights and decorations everywhere. Tours are available of the
Rockefeller Center as well as NBC studios.
The
Metropolitan Museum of Art has specimens of different categories of art
from all over the world during every epoch of recorded time . Going through the
entire Met is a full day affair. Within are more than two million works of art
including arts of Africa, Asia, Europe, Egypt, Greece, Rome, medieval art,
musical instruments, photographs, and 20th-century art.
The
Madison Square Garden or as it is popularly known, “The World’s Most
Famous Arena” is a must see for all sports fans. Be sure to take an All Access
Tour of the Garden and visit the Knicks, Rangers and Liberty locker rooms; tour
backstage of the Theater at Madison Square Garden; go inside the Star dressing
rooms; see players practicing, performers in rehearsal or crews staging events!
You’ll never know what you’ll see on the All Access Tour.
A
list is not complete with a trip to the Bronx and Yankee Stadium.
Love or hate the team, the greatness of those who have played for this team
cannot be discounted. The new stadium is a masterpiece and a shrine to the
sport, second only to Cooperstown.
Dining
New
York City is one of the gastronomy capitals of the world. Whether it’s street
food, world-famous pizza, ethnic delicacies or five-star dining, every palate
will be excited and challenged with a visit to the island.
Ray’s and Patsy’s are two iconic pizza
joints in the city that have been feuding over the title for “Best Pizza” for
decades. While any native New Yorker will tell you to head one way or the
other, why not decide for yourself and try a slice from both? If getting in the
middle of a grudge match is not your idea of a good time, any pizza you find is
sure to satisfy as legend has it that the water in the city is the reason any
bread product just tastes better in the Big Apple.
Fine
dining has been perfected in Manhattan, with as many upscale restaurants as
there are people to frequent them. The Russian Tea Room is
famous for its gorgeous atmosphere and breathtaking culinary offerings. Guests
can choose from attending High Tea, any number of brunches/lunches, dinner,
caviar and dessert or just enjoy a cocktail at the bar. It is important to
remember that (as with most New York City restaurants) that reservations are
absolutely necessary.
We
could spend all day recommending restaurants, but to really experience New York
City, just walk around and see what strikes your fancy. There are plenty of
establishments to choose from and you’ll have a hard time finding something you
don’t like.
Transportation
Manhattan
and the outer boroughs are wired with efficient and affordable transportation.
The subway is fairly simple to navigate and extremely cost-effective. Taxis are
plentiful and, especially if the fare is being split between multiple
passengers, will not put much strain on the wallet. Taxis can add up, however,
so be mindful of other ways to get around. Since the island is so small,
walking around not only saves money but allows for more sightseeing and taking
notice of smaller venues one may not catch if traveling by car.
New
York City is a bustling, entertaining and awe-inspiring city that every person
should visit at least once. The cultural and social benefits of such a diverse
destination will never fade.
REFERENCE SITES:
“The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge is always the city
seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and the
beauty in the world.”
―
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