New York is one of the greatest cities in the world and the heart of all the action is in Manhattan. A string of innovators have created a major business and cultural center on this slender island crammed with taxis, buses, people and buildings. All within easy reach by subway, bus or taxi. It also makes for many interesting walks.
World financial capital Wall Street is close to the southern tip of the island. Showing its Dutch origins and its geography, the streets run along at various angles and short distances. Within those confines are many of the world’s financial powerhouses.
Visit the New York Stock Exchange and listen to the traders engage in the two-centuries-old ‘outcry’ system, where orders are literally shouted out.
The landmark World Trade Center may be gone now, but scheduled to rise in its place is The Freedom Tower. At 1,776 feet it will be one of the world’s tallest buildings. The former World Trade Center’s famous Windows of the World restaurant will have a home in the new tower. The restaurant’s 360 degree viewing platform will also be part of the new building.
Ten minutes north on the subway is the artists enclave SoHo - named as it is South of Houston. The renowned art gallery nexus of New York has everything - from Old Dutch Masters to the latest experiments with paint, metal, stone or whatever else the imagination can use. Here, you just might find the next-big-thing in the global art scene.
Greenwich Village is just a short walk north from SoHo. There are more interesting assortments of New York’s eccentrics gathered here. This area is home to jazz and comedy clubs, small theaters, quirky stores and good restaurants. Don’t miss the breakfast as MacDougal’s at the corner of MacDougal and Bleeker.
At the top of Greenwich Village is New York University and Washington Square Park, with its famous miniature ‘Arc d’ Triomphe’ and should-be-famous chess players. Enjoy a cup of coffee and watch a lightening-fast game.
You will find rows of apartments here until you reach 31st street where on the West Side on 7th Avenue, you will hit Madison Square Garden - a major venue for sports events and concerts. A big train station is also located here.
A few blocks east to Fifth Avenue and you come upon the eighth wonder of the world: The Empire State Building. The Art Deco tower was built in record time and remains one of the largest office buildings in the world, seventy years later.
A short walk north you’ll find Broadway, 42nd Street and Times Square, the center of American theater. Only eight blocks east and two blocks north there is the Art Deco Rockefeller Center with an outdoor skating rink, Radio City Music Hall and a very stylish restaurant: The Rainbow Room.
Scattered throughout the mid-town business district are some of the other famous buildings: The former Pan Am Building is now the Met Life. Grand Central Station is underneath. Other notable buildings along the way are Lever Brothers, Seagram’s, Citicorp and - on the East River - the United Nations.
It’s been a long walk, but just a few blocks more and you reach Central Park. 843 acres of grass, hillocks and sidewalks where during the day you can enjoy the scenery and watch the skaters or visit the Zoo. During summers, there’s Shakespeare in the Park for some good night time entertainment.
There is just so much to see and do in Manhattan you will need at least a few days just to hit the highlights. You haven’t even made it yet to Lincoln Center or the world-class Metropolitan Art Museum! Plan to stay a while, or make several trips. You’ll need to just to sample some of the stellar restaurants.
Here are tours of great places in New York.
Go behind-the-scenes in New York City! Take a backstage peek at the entertainment industry from a private performance by a Broadway actor to meeting a Rockette during the Radio City Stage Door Tour at the world-renowned Radio City Music Hall. Lunch at Planet Hollywood included.
Take the most comprehensive 5.5-hour guided tour to New York City there is! It’s the perfect introduction to the Big Apple for first-time visitors, covering all the major sites and led by experienced, friendly, enthusiastic guides. Special Offer - Save 10% off the recommended retail price for any departures on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and 20% off any 3:00pm departures - BOOK NOW!
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