New York is one of those rare cities that has everything going on all at once. Especially when it comes to one's senses. There is always a very present cacophony of sounds and an abundance of very varying smells, which are equally present and equally inescapable. Whether the odors are wafting from a bakery in SoHo or streaming from the wrong end of the meatpacking district, there seems no escape. Until one stumbles across the haven that is Central Park. If you venture deep enough inside its perimeter there does seem to be an overwhelming sense of sanctuary from all that is the Big Apple. Between the buzz of Time Square and the tranquility of the Park, there does seem to be a remarkable balance that supersedes the hustle and bustle of all else and truly does make for a great place to hang out and/or escape.

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Broadway's huge number of animated neon and television-style signage have long made it one of New York's iconic symbols, and a symbol of the intensely urban Manhattan. Times Square is the only neighborhood in New York with a zoning ordinance requiring tenants to display bright signs. The density of illuminated signs in Times Square now rivals Las Vegas .

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Yes, it's "touristy", but like the Eiffel Tower, it's too awesome to miss. Afterall, this is one of the 7 Modern Wonders of the World -- and the view from the 86th floor observation deck will take your breath away. (This is the only way to see New York City). For the movie buffs, Sleepless in Seattle and (the better) An Affair to Remember both ended on the 86th floor. Want more? Take a second (and somewhat spooky) elevator to the smaller 102nd floor observation deck. This is the very spot where King Kong spent his last moments raging against the cruel world. How cool is that? The building is gorgeous. I first saw it from the Jersey shore from a train approaching the city one late afternoon. The exterior limestone facade caught the rays of the setting sun and glowed a magnificent orange. At night the upper floors are illuminate in colors reflecting the season (Red and Green for Christmas) The interior of the building is immaculate -- it has to be since this is one of the most famous addresses in the world. It's stainless steel art deco style adds a sense of grace and beauty that cannot be found in the more modern world. The downside of your visit could be the long lines of people waiting to go to the observation floor. There's an express elevator that takes you straight up at breath-taking speed, but still you might have to endure a long wait. Want to get up quicker? You can pay to go to the front of the line! (Hey this is New York). The lines are much shorter in the late fall -- between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a great time to visit. (You can see the Christmas tree and ice skating at Rockefeller Center as a bonus) You can't miss this one. Don't forget to pick up your King Kong toy and your fake bronze 6 inch Empire State replica.

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New York is an amazing city and was one of my "must see" places to travel to.  I went for Christmas and New Years, and let me tell you, residing on the west coast of Canada, it had to be one of the coldest winters I have ever endured (I know, I'm a total wuss!)   I would recommend getting a City Pass that allows access to most of the main attractions of New York (ie. Empire State Building, MOMA, Museum of Natural History, Guggenheim, Statue of Liberty, etc.) for a fairly subsidized cost.  If you're staying for at least a week and plan on hitting most of the main tourist attractions, I would definitely recommend the pass.  And, it helps to cut the line for purchasing tickets because you have yours well beforehand!  My friends and I climbed the Empire State Building at night, which I think is ideal... but it all depends on what you like.  The night scene - the lights, all just take my breath away.  A Broadway show is a must, and cheap tickets on the day of can be purchased at stalls in the heart of downtown (ie. Tickets Tonight I believe it was called), and it can be up to 50% cheaper than buying it from the theater directly.   Century 21 - one of the largest department stores (if not the largest in Manhattan) is a must if you're a big bargain shopper.  It's located directly across from the memorial site of the Twin Towers.  Everyone I know whose been to Manhattan knows about Century 21.   New York is known for the Pizza and Hot Dogs (although I ate a dirty hot dog from a vendor in Central Park - Yuck!)  A stroll through Central Park is a must... in the winter, skating @ Rockafeller Center is a definite must... and if you can afford, grab a horse carriage too!  New York is an amazing city... busy and bustling... no Kim Cattralls or Sarah Jessica Parkers strolling the street necessarily... but a neat city to see for fashion, glitz, and American glamour.  

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I loved walking across the bridge, and if you're heading towards Brooklyn, you'll end up at the lighthouse were you can reward yourself with good ice cream. And it's also close to an amazing pizza place: Grimaldi's.

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You will come back from Manhattan with neck-ache. You won't stop to watch up in the sky to see all the skyscrapers around here. Going around Manhattan is a unique experience... From the rich 5th avenue to the alternative Soho and Green Village. Get lost in Central Park or have a boat trip to Ellis Island and Liberty Statue. Also a cruise in the Hudson River is a really exciting experience. The most beautiful buildings in Manhattan are Flat Iron Building a very particular building, the famous Empire State Building and the Chrysler. Ground Zero will make you think about the manhood and Chinatown will bring you in another world... Avoid Little Italy, because there are no Italians there, if you want to meet real Italian people, move to Bronx, but this is another story...

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This is a great museum.  It is well worth a visit if you can get there!

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I'm not sure how to do a review on a single street, even one as exciting as Fifth Avenue. So, I'll make it easy on myself and list some of the attractions along 5th Ave, listed geographically as you head uptown from Lower Manhattan: Washington Square Park/NYU campus (5th Ave begins here) The Flatiron Building (between 22nd and 23rd near the intersection with Broadway) Madison Square Park (not to be confused with Madison Square Garden) The Empire State Building (on the left/west side b/w 33rd and 34th) The New York Public Library (left/west side b/w 40th 42nd) Rockefeller Center (left/west side b/w 48th and 52nd) Saint Thomas Church (left/west side b/w 53rd 54th) Museum of Modern Art (located behind St. Thomas') Trump Tower (right/east side on NE corner at 56th St) The Plaza Hotel (left/west side @ 58th St) Between 59th St and 110th street, 5th Ave runs along the east side of Central Park, one of the priciest neighborhoods in the world. Between 82nd and 105th, the street is officially designated "Museum Mile" and includes: The Metropolitan Museum of Art (in the Park b/w 80th 84th) Guggenheim Museum (right/east side @ 88th St) At 120th St in Harlem, 5th Ave is interrupted by Marcus Garvey Memorial park, and resumes on the other side of the park at 124th St. 125th St/Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd - Harlem's main cultural and economic artery. 5th Avenue ends at Harlem River Drive, overlooking the Harlem River and the Bronx. I listed only the MAJOR attractions along this stretch of urban boulevard. There's hundreds of little shops, boutiques, delis, restaurants, and smaller museums. Aside from Broadway, it is possibly the most important single street in New York City, and it's definitley worth your while to try to spend is much time on or around it as possible....just don't drive it yourself!

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SoHo is known for its eclectic mix of different boutiques for shopping, including Prada, Chanel, Apple, popular skateboard/sneakerhead stores such as Supreme and Clientele and Kid Robot. In recent years, however, more chain stores have crept into SoHo, such as Bloomingdale's, HM, Victoria's Secret, and J. Crew. SoHo has become fairly commercialized. Yet, the southern part of the neighborhood, along Grand Street and Canal Street, retains some of the feel of SoHo's earlier days. There are even a few small factories that have managed to remain. Canal Street at SoHo's south boundary contrasts with the former's posh shopping district in offering cheap imitation clothing and accessories.

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One of the few attractions in New York worth waiting in line for. The museum commemorates the history of immigration through a number of exhibits. Computers are available to search records for family members who immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island. The museum has something for everyone including kids and even boasts a cafeteria style eatery, a gift shop, restrooms, and an amazing view of the New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

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