Travel guides / North America / USA / New York add to favourites site map print

New York travel guide

USA - New York

Meet New York New York weather report Getting into New York Top attractions in New York Getting around New York Where to eat in New York Page 2 : More information on New York

Meet New York

Frequently described as the most exciting city in the world , New York is incomparable to anywhere else . Fast- paced , head , inspiring , and home to some of the world 's most famous faces , buildings and ideologues. Those in search of the American dream head to New York . But beware : those in search of riches May instead find poverty .

York is tough , you have to really scratch the surface to make your mark here . Beneath the veneer sits glitter raw DEPRAViTY . It is a city of contrasts and it pulses and throbs with excitement and hedonistic . It is honest , constantly changing and one senses it really feels things . Although it can be ugly , search behind the scarred visage and you will find true beauty . It is a place that has seen it all and nothing could ever shock it .

Harsh , dark , bright , wild , strong , fierce .... Perhaps rather than trying to describe what New York is , it would be easier to describe what it is not: subtle . Wattage is turned right up , this is the ultimate bright lights big city , look out folks : this is New York .

New York Weather Report

In a city of extremes , it is unsurprising that the weather plays along. Scorching hot and sticky in the summer and Bitterly cold in the winter , visitors need to be prepared . The Coldest months are , as in the UK , January and February , with ice and sleet being common . This being said winter is a beautiful season here , especially if it Snows , and ice skating in Central Park is a real treat .

In July and August the temperature has been known to hit as high as 100F degrees , and many New Yorkers like to head out of town in the heat - The Hamptons being a popular retreat . Spring and autumn are usually mild , and these months are the best time of year for strolling with pink blossom lining the streets in spring and orange leaves in autumn .

For the latest weather info use the Pampo weather forecast tool.

Getting into New York

The three major New York airports are John F Kennedy ( JFK ) , La Guardia and Newark Liberty International Airport , JFK being the largest with 43 million passengers passing through each year . Once you have landed the easiest way to get into the city is by cab . are official stands to queue and wait and these run on meters .

For those on a tighter budget however there are several bus services to and from the airports . From JFK or La Guardia , the New York Airport Service Express Bus runs every 20 to 30 minutes . For Newark airport , catch the Newark Liberty Airport Express . These run every 15 to 30 minutes and is a 45 minute trip .

Top attractions in New York

Whether you're a culture buff , excitement seeker or wanting the ultimate shopping trip , New York has it all in abundance Unparalleled .

One top attraction will be obvious : The Statue of Liberty - one of the most recognisable icons anywhere . French sculptor Frederic -Auguste Bartholdi spent 20 years creating the monument to commemorate the American Declaration of Independence . It stands tall at 93 meters high and unfortunately since 9 / 11 visitors are no longer allowed inside to climb the 300 steps to the top . It is now best seen by Ferry ride from New York Harbour . In summer in particular, there are very long queues with it 's recommended that you set aside a day for this. A good tip is to book tickets online in advance and this will cut down on waiting time considerably. Visit www.libertystatepark.org for more information and to book .
Art and New York are old friends . Being the Hubbub of radical inspiration and creativity that it is , there are plenty of amazing spots to visit . The Guggenheim and MoMA ( Museum of Modern Art ) go without saying , but there are hundreds of smaller , hidden away spots . Keep an eye and an ear out - there May just be a fantastic new exhibition opening during your visit .
Children and adults alike will love the Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens Which has dozens of massive works of art that visitors can climb on - just do not fall off ! This can also be a really fun evening out with free open -air movies along the waterfront on Wednesdays . Screenings usually start at 8pm and food is available .
Take a stroll in the green in the Midst of all the gray : Central Park stretches out , flat and rare in the Midst of Looming Manhattan skyscrapers . It has been said that if you find a spot and sit here long enough , the whole world will walk by .
Go to the top of the Empire State Building and have a Sleepless in Seattle moment . http://www.esbnyc.com
Visit the Brooklyn Bridge - the world 's first steel suspension bridge ( built 1883) , an iconic New York landmark and OFTEN Considered the most beautiful bridge in the world . It offers wonderful views of lower Manhattan . It is truly Enormous - it will take about 20 minutes to cross on foot , beginning just east of City Hall and ending of course , in Brooklyn .
Famously York is home to the hit U.S. television series, and now major film franchise Sex and the City . Fans of the show will love the Specialised Which tour takes guests around the city pointing out famous landmarks from the show . Get your Manolo 's on ladies! For gentlemen being dragged along - do not despair , the tour is still a great way to see around the city , albeit with rather girly hotspots . http://www.screentours.com/tour.php/satc/
York is still in mourning after the World Trade Centre attacks in the 2.001 th A memorial has been built in memory of the nearly 3000 people that died. Go and pay your respects , for more information visit : http://www.national911memorial.org

Getting around New York

The New York subway is the fastest way to get around the city . With 656 miles of track running around the clock it is also the most dependable and is relatively cheap - $ 2 per ride . Free maps are available from most stations ( and there is usually an attendant nearby if you're feeling lost! ) Easy - MetroCard swipe 's are available from automated machines at all stations . There are two options with these : ' pay-per -ride ' ( $ 2 per ride ) or ' unlimited ride ( $ 7.50 for a day or $ 25 for a week ) . Visit www.mta.info subway to check for updates and information .

The New York yellow taxi cabs are a great iconic feature of the city . If you want to hail one , look for the light on the roof Which lets you know if it 's free for passengers . If it 's raining or rush hour it becomes Increasingly difficult to do so - do not be shy about being a bit push , mild aggression is the way New Yorkers of getting what they want , and you will need to be tough to keep up! The initial charge is $ 2.50 , with an additional 40 cents for every 1 / 5 mile . York City traffic can be a nightmare to expect the meter to creep up and wait Whilst you be aware that drivers usually expect at least 10% tip .

Buses run 24 / 7 and are pretty easy to navigate . Bus stops are positioned every few blocks and you will not have to look hard to find one . There are route maps at each stop to help you work out your journey . You can use the MetroCard you bought at the subway , and prices are the same : $ 2 per ride .

Where to eat in New York

As you would expect - New York is incredibly diverse when it comes to food . If your taste buds have wanderlust then this is Nirvana , you really will find the most staggering array of delights to fill your belly with old cheapo street -side hot dog stands to swish upmarket sushi at eye - watering prices . There is always some hot new restaurant opening that is all the rage , or a new type of food fad . Unless you are a celebrity or just very well connected , then expect long waiting lists for these, however this is a city with a short memory - what was hot last month May be old news now .

You will not be lacking in culinary inspiration but if you want some pointers :

Les Halles - restaurant of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain . Expensive , pretentious , but delicious . ( Hint : Avoid if vegetarian) .

Lexington Candy Shop - all - American retro style diner serving great burgers and fries and chocolate malt milkshakes .

Great New York Noodle Town - cheap and cheerful Chinese in colorful Chinatown , still open in the early hours of the morning . Great fun .

Most maids are open 7 days a week May however some close on Mondays . due to there being no fresh food deliveries on a Sunday ( good to know if you were thinking of ordering and shell -fish from some side- alley restaurant you happened to walk into - it May not be 100% fresh! )

Some New York specialties to try while you're here :

Bagels: these come with a variety of toppings , Savory or sweet , but the style is classic ' bagel with schmear " ( cream cheese ) .

Pizza: May Italians have started it but it Reinvented Americans . York Pizza 's are Enormous , and instead of ordering a whole one , the typical thing is to have a ' slice ' . You may well have heard this term in the movies .

Hot Dogs: You will never have to walk far to find a hot -dog vendor . This is real New York food and it 's not just a plain old sausage in a bun , oh no . Ask for ' the works ' Which means with lashings of hot brown mustard , onions , relish and sauerkraut . Mmmm ...

Page 2 : More information on New York