If a limited trip to the U.S. can’t give you much opportunities but visit one state, what would it be and why? Certainly, one of the top choices must be New York after all it is ranked second only to London as among the top destinations in the world. Surely, the appeals of the ‘Big Apple’ have not vacillated in the recent years since it became a word by mouth in the early 1920s when the moniker was first adopted. To date, this most visited city in the world still continue to beckon millions of tourists as the Statue of Liberty leaves the torch lighted for every avid traveler; can there be a warmer welcome than that? If you are planning for a visit, make it early. New York travel tours just cannot wait.
If you are visiting New York for the first time, must see places are the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Central Park and the Greenwich Village. The Empire State Building that stands 1454 feet tall is an iconic landmark that even Kingkong had not missed. Regarded as the Seventh Wonder of the world by the American Society of Civil Engineers, it never failed to attract about 3.6 million tourists a year. The Brooklyn Bridge takes you to a magnificent view of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and lower New York Harbor. Set in the bustling Manhattan is arguably one of touted park in the world, the Central Park, that gets about 25 million visitors year by year. A day is not enough to roam it grounds with almost 50 fountains, sculptures, monuments and 21 playgrounds. It is a haven to athletes, musicians, strollers, daydreamers and flocks of migratory birds. If you want the suburbs and what the quiet life has to offer, Greenwich Village is the place to go. Despite being in Manhattan, it boasts of idyllic charms with an easy access to New York City.
What else is there in New York that is worth seeing or doing? For those who love the charisma of arts and culture, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is something that must top your itinerary. It is the largest encyclopedic art museum in the world. While the structures (all 26 of them) are owned by the City of New York, the art collections are owned by a private corporation consisting of about 950 fellows and benefactors. Aside from this, New York is home to hundreds of famed historic sites and cultural institutions. Is there any other place in the world that is as endowed?
It is tough to maintain boredom in New York with world-class musicians in all sorts of venues across New York from classic settings like, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall. This goes all the way to the traditional jazz bars and rock clubs for those who want a less formal ambiance. Can anyone go to New York without watching a Broadway show, fashion show or savor gastronomic delights? The Broadway Theater is a major industry that is bringing in close to a billion in ticket sales alone from the 39 theaters strewn in the district. Tickets run between $20 and $120 and can be bought through dozens of different brokers. It is a definite must do in New York.
New York also happens to be amongst the fashion capitals of the world. It will be hard to go to New York without dropping some dough on clothes, shoes and other fashion accessories. If the budget does not allow much shopping, visiting the Soho District and the Fifth Avenue is a pleasure in itself especially for fashionistas. The Lower East Side, West Village, East Village and Nolita are homes to many smaller boutiques that carry chic and trendy new and vintage outfits by local designers. How can anyone ignore the fact that New York is a haven for food lovers being a center of diverse cuisines? It is a shame to limit one’s self in tourist neighborhoods when the city is full of ethnic enclaves that offer a multitude of simple, mouth-watering, authentic and cheap fares for tourists of all classes out for some adventures.
It is quite easy to understand why New York travel tours are hot selling and most sought. It is a wonderful place to visit even if the tour boils down to just visiting one place. New York is truly the Big Apple.