As the biggest city in the United States, New York attracts hordes of tourists due to its status as a cultural mecca and shopper's paradise. Known as America's melting pot, New York is home to neighborhoods filled with restaurants and shops selling food and merchandise of nearly every ethnic origin. This wealth of attractions often requires visitors to try to see as much as possible in a short amount of time, so quick transportation and careful planning are key.
Taking cabs from one of the airports to a hotel simplifies the beginning of the trip, and rail service options vary among the airports serving NYC. Taxis from JFK have flat rates to Manhattan which, while not cheap, make it easy to budget. The subway system, however, is the cheapest way to get around town quickly, and is a good bet for the rest of the trip. Passes are recommended, and discounts are available with minimum purchases on MetroCards. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's website has some great resources to help tourists decide which trains to take. Also, unlike cabs and buses, taking the subway means avoiding traffic jams.
Grouping activities by neighborhood, and using the Internet to map out each segment of the day makes sightseeing much easier. There are plenty of resources to make discovering different parts of the city a snap. Although the various areas of Manhattan and their unique attractions are too numerous to mention here, some traditional highlights include the Met, Whitney and Guggenheim museums on the Upper East Side; Lincoln Center and Strawberry Fields in Central Park on the Upper West Side; Rockefeller Center, Museum of Modern Art and St. Patrick's Cathedral in Midtown; Carnegie Hall near Times Square; Washington Square Park in the West Village and Wall Street and the site of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, where one can also catch the Staten Island Ferry or a boat tour of the Statue of Liberty. The other boroughs may have their own attractions, but those lacking time will probably want to stay within Manhattan.
Walking, boat, and bus tours are great ways to explore New York, especially for those who only have only a short time in the city. Tours may be geared toward specific interests, or individual neighborhoods. Double-decker bus tours give tourists a chance to relax while seeing the sights with commentary by knowledgeable guides, and often allow riders to hop on and off as they please.
