Manhattan Island, New York, USA, is all about colorful streets filled with neon lights and fashion ads. Some people walk around, while others get into yellow cabs or go underground to take the subway. In the background, jazz music plays softly, filling the air with a unique energy that will stay with you even after you leave. The skyline is made of different architectural wonders; museums, theaters, bars, and restaurants that are also important for this cosmopolitan city.
New York, the city that never sleeps, has gotten into our consciousness through time. The long list of images, films, and series that protray New York makes us feel strangely familiar with it; even if we have never visited the city.
Activity/Place Highlights
New York is located on the mouth of the Hudson River, and consists of five boroughs. Manhattan, besides being the heart of the city, is also a small island that possesses the most important attractions. In fact, people usually think of it as a big place given what they have seen before. But the truth is that you can circle Manhattan in just a couple of hours with the famous Circle Line boat trip.
Four destinations in one
Each borough is made up of neighborhoods. A diversity of immigrant communities have embedded their own culture and feeling of homeland into these neighborhoods. Therefore you can have China, Italy, and Korea in the same place, but separated by just a street. If you want to know a little bit about them, then you should definitely visit Chinatown, Koreatown, and Little Italy. There, you can experience what it’s like to be in those communities without leaving the United States.
Source by Francisco Daum on Flickr – Under Creative Commons license
Source by Jeffrey Zeldman on Flickr – Under Creative Commons license
Source by Karen Blaha on Flickr – Under Creative Commons license
The Empire State Building
Then, if you want to truly admire Manhattan’s landscapes, visit the famous Empire State Building. The observatory on the 86th floor is surely a must-visit while on Manhattan. On one hand, you will admire one of the most breathtaking views of the whole city. On the other hand, you can appreciate this building from the inside; its Art Deco lobby and murals, and the “Dare to Dream” exhibit.
Central Park
Of course, we can’t leave behind Central Park, one of New York’s landmarks. Central Park appears or is mentioned in almost every TV show or movie related to this city. New York is well known for being a noisy place; therefore, this park is so special for being a haven from the traffic noise and commotion. Additionally, Central Park takes 6% of Manhattan, creating a beautiful contrast between astonishing green spaces and the towering buildings.
How to get there
Over 100 airlines fly to New York City from the United States and all over the world. You can fly to John F. Kennedy International Airport, or to LaGuardia Airport for national flights, both in Queens. Besides, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey is another great option to get to New York.
Planning
There’s a huge variety of hotels in Manhattan and you should decide first in which area you want to stay. Then you can pick a hotel that suits you, according to what you want and your budget. It’s important for you to know that tipping is mandatory in New York, and you should expect to add at least 15% to the bills you receive for getting a service.
Inside Information
Getting around the city is not as complicated as it may seem. The subway is easy to use; in order to have access to it, you just need to buy a MetroCard on the vending machine and know which lines you need to take. But at the beginning, you should keep a subway map at hand so that you don’t get lost between the lines. Likewise, taxis are cheap in contrast to other cities and they are part of the experience of being in New York. Walking is also an option; keep in mind that the length of a block between two streets is shorter than between two avenues.
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