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Gene Kelly sang of this "wonderful town" and Frank Sinatra himself claimed " if you can make it there you'll make it anywhere", and indeed New York lives up to all expectation, its vibrancy affecting even the most slothful visitor. From the first moment you see the Manhattan skyline silhouetted against the harbour you're hooked; an adrenaline junkie's paradise. But the sheer scale of the city can be daunting. Although it covers 4 other boroughs (Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staen Island) New York for the first-time visitor is Manhattan. How do you gain an authentic flavour of this cosmopolitan city?
There are other places that will offer a snapshot of the city before embarking on detailed sightseeing. Bus tours run from the junction of 42nd St and Times Square, giving a comprehensive insight into the city's delights, encompassing both familiar landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the less obvious but equally appealing sights. The once bohemian quarter of Greenwich Village and Soho are a must for those who like to browse and enjoy a less hectic pace. Cafe culture reigns supreme and a visit here perfectly complements the intensity of central Manhattan.
If a more unusual tour appeals, take the Circle Line Fery that runs daily cruises around the harbour plus a memorable sunset tour that has to be experienced to be believed. For those feeling flush- or merely impetuous- the Island Helicopter firm operates regular trips around the harbour, too. A basic eight minute flight will set you back somewhere in the region of $50, but it's worth every cent for the stunning views.
So, you're starting to feel at home, where next? As you'd expect in the USA's largest city there's a wealth of possibilities, the only limit being dictated by your preferences and, of course, your wallet! But like all great cities much can be sampled for free. Catch the Staten Island ferry absolutely gratis- get a boat with outside deck so that you can see Liberty in all her majesty and Ellis Island, too. The latter for so long a gateway for immigrants intent on beginning a new life in the land of opportunity. The subway is safe in the daytime and miss no chance to hail one of the yellow cabs that screech to a halt within inches and then discharge you with a pre-recorded message delievered by a celebrity voice. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge in fine weather simply for the bird's eye view it affords.
If culture is your aim New York has museums in abundance. The Avenue of Americas (running alongside Central Park South) has half a dozen alone, ranging from the informative City of NY Museum to the architectural fantasy that is the Guggenheim, constructed by Frank Lloyd Wright to house a prolific collection of modern sculpture. It's a work of art in itself, resembling a hybrid between a spaceship and beehive. It houses a great cafe, too.
How can you come to New York and not visit Broadway? Notorious for prohibitive prices, a visit to the main TKTS booth (open from 3pm daily) in Times Square may yield a sizeable discount. For altogether cheaper entertainment media fans shouldn't miss the addictive delights of the Museum of TV and Radio which houses archive footage spanning everything from the JFK/Nixon debates to the seminal moments of rock & roll in its infancy.
No trip to New York, however fleeting, should bypass Central Park. This oasis of peace offers residents and visitors alike a rare chance to escape the exhausting -if often exhilerating- activity of the 'city that never sleeps.' A weekend will pass in a flash, a week speeds by- there's never enough time but one thing's for sure - you'll be back for more.
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