Travel Guide for your New York Holiday

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

The Statue of Liberty is one of the world's most recognisable icons. Given to the USA by France, she stands tall as a symbol of international freedom and no trip to New York would be complete without a visit to this world famous statue. If you were hoping to climb inside the crown, you may be disappointed as due to new security policies, visitors can no longer ascend inside the statue. However you can walk out onto the stone pedestal which offers a fantastic panoramic view of the New York City skyline and the harbour and is highly recommended. Elsewhere on Ellis Island, the Immigration Museum exhibits photographs, videos, prints, and interactive displays, all documenting the immigration history of America, some from a personal experiences. The museum is also famed for its Wall of Honour - honouring America's immigrants. At present there are some 700,000 names inscribed on the wall, and a new chapter of names will be added soon.

Central Park

Central Park covers some 6% of all Manhattan, and when you consider the great size of this city, you'll come to realise just how huge Central Park is. A park of contrast, a visit here in the summer is completely different to a visit in the winter, but no matter what time of year, this spacious park is the heart of New York and a haven for those who wish to retreat from the bustle of the city for a few hours. The park covers more than 850 acres, and there are plenty of attractions to keep you and the kids entertained: so much in fact that you could spend a few days exploring! Choose from year-round attractions such as the Zoo and Wildlife Park, the restaurant on the lake, Belvedere Castle, Shakespeare Garden, Summit Rock (the highest point in Central Park), the Discovery Centre, the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, the Obelisk monument, and much more.

In summer choose to laze on the grass, swim in the Lasker Pool, play in the Tennis Centre, watch the famous Roller Bladers, or enjoy the performances on the Summer Stage, while in winter you can enjoy the magic of ice skating on the famous rinks, or, if you visit at Christmas, seek out Santa Claus who wanders Central Park wishing visitors the seasons greetings.  

Times Square

A worldwide icon, Times Square is a vibrant and busy New York intersection, famed for its 24/7 activity that has helped New York to earn its reputation as "the city that never sleeps". Huge electronic advertisements light up the skies, hundreds of people crowd the sidewalks, and different radio shows boom from speakers, all in competition with each other. Team this with the infamous New York taxis which line up besides plush limousines, and Times Square creates a feeling like no other. You really need no other reason to visit Times Square than to gaze up at the impressive lights, and take in the buzz of the New Yorkers. However, as a home to New York's theatre district, shops such as Disney Store and Virgin Records, and a number of famous restaurants, Times Square is certainly an area that will keep you entertained for hours. A particularly exciting time to visit is at New Year when the square's energy increases as the world-famous celebrations commence - people from around the globe watch as the countdown to midnight begins, the New Years Eve Ball drops, tickertape is confettied over the crowds and fireworks shoot into the night sky.   

Rockefeller Centre

The Rockefeller Centre is a complex of 19 interconnected Art Deco buildings, home to the world-famous Radio City, NBC Studios, and Top of the Rock, an observation deck. Each building offers a large number of shops and restaurants: you can browse through Russian art, Japanese books or Swiss chocolate stores, and dine at New York joints, seafood grills, or the world-famous Rainbow Room - with its revolving dance floor and panoramic view over New York. In winter, the area outside the Rockefeller Centre transforms into a winter wonderland and a huge Christmas Tree towers over the ice-rink, creating a wonderful experience for anyone who decides to brave the queues. Located on 47th-51st Street between 5th-6th Avenue.   

NBA Basketball Match

Madison Square Gardens is the oldest stadium in the NBA division and the proud home of the New York Knicks. A trip to one of their home games will doubtless prove a memorable experience for all: sit and join in with the chanting crowds, gorge on nachos, and drink a mammoth Coca-Cola whilst watching as the players compete in this captivating, end-to-end sport. Tickets aren't cheap so you may choose to sit near the back, but don't worry: due to the huge screens relaying all the action, you wont miss a thing. Tickets can be brought from Madison Square Gardens, or at a variety of locations around the city. Madison Square Gardens is located on 7th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Street.   

World Trade Centre Site - Ground Zero

Ground Zero is where the World Trade centres once stood, and the area today represents  a memorial ground for those who died in the September 11th terror attacks of 2001. A place to pay respects to those involved in and affected by the attacks, and a way in which to show support for New York in its efforts to restore the area. Looking forward to the future, New Yorkers have decided to ensure that a part of this site will always remain a memorial ground, while huge rebuild effort will see the construction of several new buildings known as Memory Foundations. Most notable is Freedom Tower, which will stand tall in the former World Trade Centre site as a symbol of freedom. The developments are due to be completed in 2012.

Guggenheim Museum

Situated on the east side of Central Park, the impressive Guggenheim Museum spirals into the New York sky and is the home to some of the world's most renowned artists. Picasso, Kandinsky and Pissarro are all represented, and the intriguing gallery layout is a marvel in itself: a lift will take you to the top of the museum, from where you circle down the inside of the museum until reaching the ground floor. The building's design is as eye-catching as its exhibitions, in fact, the building often impresses visitors more than the collections inside! Situated at 1071 5th Avenue, at 89th Street.

Boat Tour

Arguably the best way to see all of New York in a day, a boat trip will take you from the New York harbour, pasing famous landmarks on its journey. Boats pass the Empire State Building, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, the Chrysler Building, the United Nations Building, Brooklyn Bridge, and much more - what you see is up to you. Boat tours leave regularly from New York harbour.

Shopping

Truly a shopper's paradise, what you can't buy in New York, you'll be hard pushed to find elsewhere. With so many malls, department stores, designer stores, high street stores and independent retailers, you'd probably need over a year to visit everywhere, but here's a start:

• Famous department stores e.g. Macy's, Barneys, Bloomingdale's or Saks.
• Exclusive jewellers e.g. Tiffany & Co., Cartier or Tourneau.
• Popular high street stores e.g. GAP, H&M and Old Navy 
• Designer clothes at discount prices e.g. Century 21 (between Church Street and Broadway).
• Flea Markets e.g. Twinoaks Family in Middletown, or the Riverview Flea Market on 75th Street.

Chinatown

Visit the biggest Chinatown in all of Northern America for an array of Chinese jewellery stores, clothing stores and Asian food markets. As both a tourist attraction and a home to many of New York's Chinese population, this area also boasts many operational temples that are accessible to visitors. If it's a taste of China you're after, you won't be disappointed - literally hundreds of restaurants line the streets offering a huge range of Chinese, Vietnamese and Malaysian cuisine, plus much more besides. Located on the Lower East Side, in the region between Broadway and Allen Street.    

Little Italy

Famed primarily for its mouthwatering restaurants, Little Italy is the place to head for fine Italian cuisine. Choose not only from a wide range of pizzas and pastas, but also from lobster, lamb, pastries and more. Specialist food shops, cafés and patisseries are also plentiful, allowing you to wander as you eat, and be sure to browse the ceramics, cigars and clothing stores that are dotted around the area. Little Italy is located in Lower Manhattan.  

Greenwich Village

For a new perspective on New York life, head to the leafy Greenwich, where the small streets and tall town houses will make you feel like you've stepped into a different city - comparable to London's Notting Hill. New York's grid system disappears in this part of town and is replaced by winding streets lined with vibrant cafés, jazz clubs, restaurants and theatres. A Greenwich 'must-see' is the Magnolia Bakery which, due to recent Sex and the City fame, has become perhaps the hottest cupcake shop in all of New York!   

Eating Out

With literally thousands of restaurants all over Manhattan, you're bound to find somewhere to suit your tastebuds. Choose from a wide range of cuisines representing most, if not all, of the countries of the world. Some favourite eateries include The View, New York's only revolving restaurant; The Hard Rock Café, for large portions with film and music memorabilia; and a McDonald's with the stylish twist of doormen, grand piano players and silver trays.