Having lived in and round New York City for several years we know that everything you could ever want to see or do is right here. Population is now close to 17 million people and you often wonder what keeps Manhattan from sinking!

Maybe it's the constant excitement of the big city that keeps it afloat or perhaps the sturdiness of its people as evidenced on September 11th.

A good way to save money on top NYC attractions is with a New York city pass - You'll enjoy museums and historical sites, all of it on a grander scale than at home. Did you know you could go out every night for years and not eat in all the  restaurants. Don't forget Broadway with its history of the theater either. View our Broadway theater schedule and book the top Broadway shows on "Broadway" with their original casts and crews. buy your Broadway theater tickets before you get to the city for best choices and dates! New Yorkers love their sports and if you hope to see the Yankees play when you come to town, you might want to get your Yankee baseball tickets ahead of time as well.

A popular way to see the city is by boat. It's one New York City trip you won't want to miss, and still my favorite way to get the best idea of the City with breathtaking views of Manhattan skyline. See the Statue of Liberty, South Street Seaport, United Nations, Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in one great trip. A 90 minute twilight harbor cruise gives you a wonderful way to see New York and watch the twinkling lights come on. A New York city bus tour is another way to cover a lot of attractions.

It takes living here awhile to get to the nitty, gritty and discover all the things to do in New York City. Some things you don't want to miss are the various neighborhoods, like lower Manhattan's Chinatown, go for authentic dim sum and other Chinese delights. Orchard Street on Sunday mornings especially has always been a delight for shopping and eating bialys and bagels. Artsy Soho with all it's galleries and the trendy TriBeCa. Of course Greenwich Village and now the East Village as well are always a great place to sightsee.

New York walking tours are a great way to learn about the city too. 44th street is a wealth of architecture, a walk down this street is like going back 50 years or more. The Algonquin Hotel (opened in 1902) at 59 W. 44th street and was a hangout for noted writers and actors like Douglas Fairbanks Sr., Simone de Beauvoir, William Faulkner and Gertrude Stein. You'll also find buildings that housed the Yale and  Harvard Clubs at 27 W. 44th, New York Yacht Club at 37 W. 44th is a perfect example of Beaux Arts, built in 1901and the Bar Association.

Be sure to visit  the Chrysler Building at Lexington & 42nd Street, finished in 1930 it is one of the most beautiful examples of Art Deco exterior. Don't miss The Chanin Building at 122 east 42nd street,  completed in 1928 it has the most beautiful and interesting lobbies in New York City. You'll find outstanding bas-relief out of gilded bronze (as pictured at left) throughout. Decorated elevator doors
and unbelievable ornamental detail.

The Empire State building with 6,500 windows is not the only place in town for spectacular views, you might also want to try the Top of the Rock at 30 Rockefeller Center, for a different perspective of the city. From the 67th floor you will see outstanding views of Central Park all the way to the George Washington Bridge. And for a 360 degree view of the city at night, try the "The View" at the Marriott Marquis, it is stunning!

Central Park is considered a top NYC attraction. Located in the very center of Manhattan surrounded by high-rise buildings, it's a patch of sorely needed green. Try jogging around the reservoir (made famous by Jackie Kennedy - who jogged there on regular basis) and you never know who you may spot today. The Central Park Zoo is open every day and entrance is at 64th and Fifth Avenue, just waiting for you to explore. There is also a carousel that the kids always love. Take a carriage ride from Central Park South through and around the Park for a most romantic evening.  Join all the  New Yorkers who visit the park every day for just a spot of green and nature. Some New Yorkers favorite way to get from 5th Avenue to Central Avenue West - right through the park, by bike, car or taxi!

Museums in NYC are big attractions, not only The Metropolitan, the American Museum of Natural History and MOMA, but wonderful smaller ones like the Frick Museum and of course, Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece, The Guggenheim with it's outstanding modern art collection. You can wander for days in these museums. Art movies have always been the thing in New York, I'm sure you'll find a running of "The Red Shoes" still on. 

You can eat every meal out forever and never hit all the restaurants that are available. Any type of food, any kind of drink. To keep up with what's happening on the New York restaurant scene you might want to try Top Restaurants, find romantic, Italian, seafood, night spots and even cheap eats. All prices, all kinds of food. For lunch with kids, try Alice's Tea Shop, 102 West 73rd, through-the-looking-glass theme with good sandwiches and other treats. Or catch the sci-fi theme in Galaxy Global Eatery at 15 Irving Place.

Trendiest neighborhood in town these days...the Meat Packing District or Gansevoort Market section of Greenwich Village, between 9th and 11th avenues and 15th ST and Gansevoort, trendy restaurants like Morimoto, Florent and Markt. Art galleries offing paintings and sculpture. Boutiques with the latest in chic including Manolo Blahnik and clubs that resemble Studio 54 of the old days, try these on for size, Cielo and PM. And if you're into star watching, try the Spice Market with pan-Asian food, but book well in advance.

Talk about NYC attractions, let's talk about shopping! A shopper's paradise, boutiques, elegant department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue (be sure to stop and have lunch in the cafe) and Bloomingdale's, even though you may find these stores in your area, they are not like the New York versions!   When I first moved to New York, I started at 34th street and Fifth and walked all the way to Central Park on one side of the street and hit every shop I could and then came down the other side and shopped all the way down Fifth Avenue.

There are festivals and flea markets. One of the most famous events in New York City is the Feast of San Genaro. It started in Little Italy in 1926 and is still going strong. For ten days in September starting around the middle of September, millions of people partake. A sight to see. Held in honor of the patron saint of Naples, In what remains of Little Italy along Mulberry St. The saint's statue is carried through the streets with donations of dollar bills pinned to his cloak. Be sure to try all the Italian foods, sausage and peppers, cheese, calzones, pizzas, homemade pasta, Italian pastries and much more. More Information at (212) 226-9546.

One of the most fun and hokey things to do in New York City is to visit Coney Island. So be a little hokey and enjoy foot long hot dogs and cotton candy while you stroll around. A photo from the early sixties showing the famous Parachute Drop Ride. The tower rose I believe 250 feet in the air. (It seemed a long, long way) they would buckle you into a swing seat and tell you to remove your shoes, then the slow ascent to the top. My eyes were closed all the way and just as I opened them we were released from the top of the tower. Wow!! A thrill even by today's standards I'm sure, but then a heart-stopping adventure.

Looking for culture? Check out Lincoln Center - check out schedule and buy tickets  or Carnegie Hall

The very best time for trips to New York city? A long summer weekend is perfect! The locals all go to the Hamptons and that leaves Manhattan the perfect place for a stroll, shopping and restaurants! May is also a special time in NYC.

Christmas in New York City is magical and breathtaking and there are many things to do in NYC during the Christmas holiday, with Park Avenue decorated to the hilt, Rockefeller Center and it's special tree and there is always The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center, kids love this show.

Lord & Taylor at 39th & Fifth Avenue has been doing eye-popping and traffic stopping Christmas displays for 50 years or more. Their windows are always spectacular. Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, Barney's and Bergdorf Goodman's all have outstanding window displays.

You can do your own walking tour of the Christmas window displays in New York City, Start at Macy's at 34th and Broadway, walk over to Fifth Avenue, then up to Lord & Taylor's at 39th and Fifth Avenue, up to Sak's at 50th and Fifth and onto Barney's at 60th and Madison, end at Bloomingdale's at 59th and Lexington and have a something wonderful in their restaurant. It takes about 2 hours and be sure to dress warm and wear walking shoes.

New York City is a great place to visit any time of year and no matter what your budget, we can help you save money on your hotels and travel. Check our travel deals to New York City and remember to get a New York City Pass to all the best things to do in NYC.