First, you will want to get an unlimited MetroCard for the duration of your stay. This card will allow you unlimited access to the buses and subways of New York for the time period of your choice. This is by far the easiest and most cost effective way to get around New York. Additionally, you get to enjoy one of the most famous aspects of New York, the subways.
After obtaining transportation you are ready to begin your tour. One of the most recognized buildings in New York is the Empire State Building. This is a wonderful way to start your visit to New York. The view from the top of the Empire State Building is breathtaking. Try to visit near sunset of your first day.
Next on your tour should be Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Not only are the locations themselves fantastic but the ferry ride to them is enjoyable as well. Arrive early to avoid long lines at the ferry. At Ellis Island there are a variety of tours as well as a Genealogy Workshop. At the Statue of Liberty you can enjoy tours as well as museum exhibits. At both locations you can forgo the tours to explore the areas by yourself.
Central Park is one of the most famous parks in the country. Visiting all of the areas of the park could easily take an entire day. Some of the highlights of the park are the Central Park Zoo, Strawberry Fields, and the old fashioned carousel. Additionally, interspersed throughout the park are fantastic sculptures and other artwork.
Finally, while it does not offer the pleasant experience that the other sites of New York do, the area now described as Ground Zero should not be missed. The former location of the World Trade Center is now a memorial to those who died in the atrocity committed on September 11, 2001. You will find a timeline of the events as well as the ongoing work to turn this area into a memorial.
