New York Accommodation

How many times can you say New York has everything? It certainly goes for the city's hotels, which count some of the most exclusive names in the world among them. Of course accommodation service of this magnitude doesn't come cheap, premium hotels carry a platinum price tag.

If you fancy being part of the Manhattan skyline and taking a penthouse suite - then competition is fierce and tariffs are high. But you will get value for money; New York is the world capital of service after all. The phrase "You got it!" was invented here, and in the best hotels you won't have to ask - they'll anticipate your every need. Still, even if you find the penthouses are out of your reach, don't be put off by the illustrious addresses of the city, there's plenty of choice to be had at lower level. A hotel in the heart of Manhattan needn't break the bank, and there are several reasonably-priced hotels right in the centre of the action. The Milford Plaza is one of the best value options, offering fairly simple but perfectly comfortable accommodation a few blocks north of 42nd Street and just west of Broadway.

Just a short walk away from Central Park is Day's Broadway, which may be a little dated in d�cor but its location more than makes up for this. Located in Upper West Manhattan it's surrounded by trendy restaurants, specialty stores and close to major attractions such as the Lincoln Center and the Natural History Museum.

For those of you looking for a hotel right in the heart of the city try the New York Helmsley on 42nd street, offering spacious, luxurious rooms and onsite amenities such as the award winning Mindy's restaurant.

Around Times Square, European style hotels offer accommodation down to earth in terms of both price and altitude. For something a bit more bohemian, head for the East Village where hotels have taken up space in distinctive New York residential blocks. Wall Street has modern chains in abundance if you want to rub shoulders with the red-braced brigade from the financial district, and Soho is full of innovative designer hotels.

New York's choice and range of accommodation is constantly changing and growing, with new hotels being thrown up all over the city extremely rapidly. High competition for standards of service and price throughout the entire strata of accommodation works to the benefit of the visitor and you might be surprised at the deals you can strike, penthouse suites excepted.

New York has plenty of beds but, with demand equalling supply all year round, booking in advance is absolutely essential if you want to choose from the full range of hotels on offer.

Hit the link below to access our extensive selection of hotels, available for immediate online booking:

New York Communications

Dialling New York from outside the USA:
Due to the size of New York the area code can differ from district to district. Central numbers begin with the prefix 212. To dial from abroad you will need to input your international prefix + 1 212 + number

Dialling New York from inside the USA:
1212 + number

Public phones are operated via coin or phone card. They accept 5, 10 and 25-cent coins. Telephones located at major establishments such as hotels and airports also accept credit cards. Phone cards are available in delis or markets, or from hotel desks. To dial outside of the United States you must dial 011 followed by the country code of the territory you are dialling into.

You can easily make a reverse charge (collect) call by dialling 0 to speak with the operator. The person at the other end of the line has to accept the charges.

Post offices are open from 09h00-17h00 Mon-Fri. Main branches may be open on a Saturday as well. Mailboxes are free-standing metal boxes located on street corners. Stamps can be bought at post offices or at general stores. Sending letters costs 39 cents within the US or 84 cents to addresses abroad.

Sending a postcard costs 24 cents for addresses within the country and 75 cents overseas. International delivery takes 5-10 days. You can choose to send Express Mail, which should ensure delivery abroad within three days on payment of a premium rate.

The central post office address is located at:

223 West 38th St

New York is extremely well provided for with Internet cafés, and most hotels offer terminals or connections in rooms to allow Internet access to their guests. You can access the Internet for free from the Times Square Visitors Center (1560 Broadway). Chains that have stores in the city include Kinko's Inc and easyInternetCafé - with its store on 42nd St being officially the world's largest Internet café.

Newspapers
The most popular newspaper in the city is the New York Times. Other popular titles include the New York Post and New York Observer. The New Yorker is the current affairs magazine of choice for the intelligentsia.

Foreign Bookshop
For foreign language books head to Barnes and Nobles bookstore located at Broadway and 82nd Street, Tel: +1 (1)212-362-8835.

Entertainment Guide
"The Village Voice" provides an alternative and complete guide for New York City. It is free for those staying in Manhattan and costs USD1.25 for the rest of New York. It is published every Friday and is available in most stores, markets and delis.

New York Entertainment

New York exudes creative energy and New Yorkers take both high culture and partying very seriously indeed. Whether you're looking for innovative theatre, the latest movie releases or the trendiest of nightclubs, you'll have no trouble finding it here. For up-to-date listings while in the city try New York Magazine or the Village Voice.

The main venues for classical music are the Lincoln Center on Broadway (Tel: +1 (1)212-875-5030), the famous Carnegie Hall (W 57th St. Tel: +1 (1)212-247-7800) and the Brooklyn Academy of Music (30 Lafayette St. Tel: +1 (1)718-636-4100). All have regular programmes of top class classical entertainment from international standard performers. The Lincoln Center is also home to New York's premier orchestra, The New York Philharmonic.

Jazz music has a long heritage in New York and this is reflected at celebrated clubs such as The Blue Note (131 W 3rd St. Tel: +1 (1)212-475-8592), and the Village Vanguard at (178 7th Ave at Greenwich St. Tel: +1 (1)212-255-4037).

For rock and pop music concerts keep an eye on large arenas such as Madison Square Garden (31st-33rd Sts. Tel: +1 (1)212-307-7171, and the Radio City Music Hall (6th Ave and 50th St. Tel: +1 (1)212-307-7171).

The performing arts play a major role in New York's nightlife and there's a vast range of productions to choose from. Performances tend to be divided into "Broadway", "off-Broadway" and "off-off-Broadway" depending on the venue and magnitude of the performance. These categories generally reflect ticket-prices as well.

There are literally hundreds of venues offering performances of everything from avant garde, modern, comedy and classical theatre as well as the major Broadway shows for which New York is justifiably famous. Major show venues include the Imperial (249 W 45th St), Disney's magnificent newly re-gilded palace The New Amsterdam (214 W 42nd St) and The Winter Garden (1634 Broadway).

The New York City Opera performs in the New York State Theater at the Lincoln Center (Columbus Ave and 63rd St). The company performs all the major operatic works such as The Flying Dutchman, The Magic Flute and Carmen. A full programme of performances runs through the season from September to March each year. For information on the NYCO, Tel: +1 (1)212-870-5570.

The Metropolitan Opera is New York's most famous Operatic company. Like the New York City Opera it is located at the Lincoln Center. Tel: +1 (1)212-362-6000 for details of performances and how to obtain tickets.

There'll be no trouble catching the latest releases in New York; the city is awash with multiplexes and going to the movies is a very popular pastime. Opening hours are usually noon to midnight and tickets cost around USD10. The largest cinema in the city is the massive 25-screen AMC Empire on 8th Avenue and 42nd Street. An original façade to the building hides the ultra-modern multiplex interior. Tel: +1 (1)212-398-3939.

The alternative movie scene is also well-represented and art house movies can be viewed at cinemas such as the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St near Astor Place, Tel: +1 (1)212-539-5800.

All musical styles are catered for in New York but be prepared to do some research before you turn up at a particular venue - if your look doesn't fit the club's image you may well be turned away. With hundreds of venues to choose from, each offering something different every night you'd be well advised to check local listings once in the city before deciding on your club venue. The Village and the West Side are good hunting grounds, with the latest hot area being the Meatpacking district, home to countless effortlessly trendy bars and clubs.

With a scene as spread out and lively as New York's it is impossible to make an accurate recommendation. You should pick up a dedicated clubbers' guide to the city to decide where you're best off heading of an evening. Some of the current hottest names in New York's clubland are given below but check listings on arrival for where your scene is truly at.

The gay scene in New York, is, unsurprisingly, big. Throughout the West Village and East Village you'll find numerous gay bars and clubs, while there's a good choice of spots attracting a trendy, fun-loving crowd in Chelsea and some super-stylish venues in the Upper East Side. Pick up a copy of HX magazine for listings on what's on during your stay.

The Canal Room
285 West Broadway
Tel: +1 (1)212-941-8100
Ultra-hip and ultra-cool the Canal Room is the current bearer of the crown of the king of clubland. All the baddest behaved, or wannabe badly behaved stars can be found here from time to time, and being snapped outside the Canal Room is to know that you've arrived in the American tabloid press. For the hoi polloi it's the place to spot your favorite stars of stage, screen and sport, as the celebrities let their hair down in order to hit the next day's headlines.

Plaid
76 E 13th St
Tel: +1 (1)212-388-1060
An upbeat club that has an extremely loyal clientele of trendies, who pack the dance floor to the sounds of the latest hip-hop or dance rap. Spread over two rooms it never gets completely crowded out, and for anyone who likes to party hard but still be able to come up for air now and then, it's an excellent choice.

58
41 E 58th St
Tel: +1 (1)212-308-9455
Plush 58 has replaced the popular Au Bar both in location and in the affections of its big-spending clients. Half lounge and half dance club it's got something for everyone. The air of laidback chic is heightened some week nights when the club forgoes DJs spinning dance tunes for the smoky sound of jazz.

The Pyramid Club
101 Avenue A
Tel: +1 (1)212-473-7184
An institution on the East Village gay scene, the Pyramid Club has retained its popularity with its famous "1984" club night featuring 80s pop, which attracts a lively crowd of all ages. A variety of other nights through the week keep revellers of all persuasions happy.

XL Lounge
375 W 16th St
Tel: +1(1)212-995-1400
As the name implies, more of a lounge than a club, but nonetheless one that is consistently rated as one of the top gay lounge bars in NYC. Themed nights featuring drag queens and gogo dancers, plus regular live music and DJ slots keep an eclectic mix of beautiful people coming back to this stylish addition to the Chelsea scene.

Americans love their sport whether watching or playing and New Yorker's are no exception. The three biggest crowdpullers are baseball, basketball and (American) football.

The two main baseball teams are both based in the outer boroughs. The Yankees play at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx: 161st Street and River Avenue, Tel: +1 (1)212-307-1212. The nearest subway stops to the stadium are on the C, D or 4 lines to 161st Street station. Meanwhile, The Mets play at Shea Stadium in Queens: 126th Street and Roosevelt Avenue, Tel: +1 (1)718-507-8499. Shea is best accessed via subway line 7 to Willets Point. Tickets cost between USD7 and USD25.

To watch the New York Knicks play basketball head to Madison Square Garden at W 33rd and 7th Avenue, Tel: +1 (1)212-465-6073.

For American football action a trip to New Jersey is necessary as both the two main teams, the Giants and the Jets play at the Meadowlands Sports Complex, East Rutherford, Tel: +1 (1)201-935-3900. There are regular buses from the Port Authority Bus Terminal to the stadium.

The city that never sleeps doesn't really need an excuse to party hard, but there are still some events that can make things even more lively for the visitor.

March
The media, designers and models flock to New York at the end of March, for fashion week. It is one of the biggest fashion events in the United States and attracts designers from the top fashion houses across the globe.

August
End of August, the US Open, the biggest of the four "grand slam" events on the professional tennis circuit, takes place at Flushing Meadow in Queens. It is the world's most popularly attended tennis tournament and anyone with an interest in the game should make an effort to come and see at least one or two of the earlier games - although tickets for the final stages are at a premium every year.

November
The NYC marathon wends its gruelling way across Manhattan in early November. It is renowned as one of the world's "big four" marathon events and attracts an international field of professional athletes for the main event as well as a massive field of fun runners.

December
Appropriately named, Times Square is the place to see in the New Year. If you're in the city you can join huge crowds of New Yorkers who crowd together to watch the ball drop, heralding the end of the old year and the start of the new. You have to get here early to be guaranteed a place actually in the square - it is usually closed to newcomers by around 18h00 - although special facilities are made for onlookers on the periphery of the square and you can at least see the celebrations, even if you're not at the heart of them. Expect fireworks, illuminations and all the razzmatazz you can imagine at America's biggest street party.

New York Excursions

New York is a fabulous city but if you overdose on the skyscrapers and busy streets there are plenty of places not too far away that make perfect trips out of Manhattan.

For more information and the opportunity to book sightseeing tours online, visit the link below:

New York Families

The awe-inspiring sights of New York should be enough to keep kids amused and they love the American food - but if you want to give them a special treat there's even more to discover to keep them happy.

Six Flags Great Adventure
- white knuckles and candy apples
This New Jersey-based theme park offers games, rollercoasters and a safari for the more adventurously minded. The park opens from April each year and closes for the winter months. NJ Transit offers a bus service from Manhattan to the park.
Rte 537 Jackson, NJ 08527
Tel: +1 (1)732-928-1821

Bronx Zoo
- wildside of the bronx
Occupying five hundred acres and pulling-in visitors since 1899, the Bronx Zoo remains a firm favourite with children. The zoo, which is home to over 6000 animals, is open to the public year-round. The nearest subway stop is Pelham Parkway on the IRT#2 Express.
Fordham Road and Bronx River Parkway
Tel: +1 (1)718-367-1010
Open: 10h00-17h00 (Mon-Fri); 10h00-17h30 (Sat-Sun).
Admission: USD12, adults; USD9, children (Thu-Tue); by donations only on Wednesdays.

Museum of Television and Radio
- small screen history
A popular attraction for all the family, and dealing with America's number one love affair, TV, this museum has interactive exhibits and possesses a collection of over 50,000 TV and radio shows.
25 W 52nd Street
Tel: +1 (1)212-621-6800
Admission: USD10, adults; USD5, children (under 14).

Central Park
- wide open space
With over 20 individual playgrounds and a host of organised activities for kids, Central Park is a great place to take the family.

Brooklyn Children's Museum
- child's play
The BCM claims to be the first museum in the world aimed directly at children and is certainly worth a visit. Visitors find innovative hands-on exhibitions, daily workshops and weekend multicultural performances. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
145 Brooklyn Avenue
Tel: +1 (1)718-735-4400
Admission: USD4 per person

Planet Hollywood
- Movie munchies
Packed with movie Americana, Planet Hollywood is well known the world over. The menu of burgers, fajitas is real American cuisine, and in the Big Apple portions are generous and quality is always assured.
1540 Broadway and 45th Street, Times Square
Tel: +1 (1)212-333-7827

New York Health & Safety

The water in New York is safe to drink.

Medical insurance on any trip to the United States is essential. There is no national health service and healthcare is extremely expensive. No healthcare agreements between the United States and other countries exist and visitors will have to pay for any type of medical care. This includes emergency services.

Although expensive, medical care and treatment in New York is of a very high standard.

If you require non-prescription drugs, pharmacies are usually located inside markets or drugstores such as Walgreen's, Rite Aide, Duane Reade or CVS pharmacies. Some pharmacies are open 24-hours a day and you should check in the yellow pages to find out which ones are open in your area.

Hospitals with accident and emergency facilities include:

Bellevue Hospital
462 1st Ave
Tel: +1 (1)212-562-1000

New York University Medical Ctr
400 E 34th St
Tel: +1 (1)212-263-7300

New York has worked hard to improve its image, unaided by the movie industry which is responsible for forming most people's preconceptions of the city as a crime capital. Areas like Central Park have been improved since the 80s when they were "no-go" areas. Likewise the subway has been made safer as well as cleaner.

However, like any large city there are areas where tourists are not advised to visit. Ask your hotel concierge for advice on non-recommended areas around where you're staying.

Petty theft and pickpocketing are a problem for tourists. You are advised not to carry cash visibly and to divide your money about your person. Wear a money belt under your clothes if carrying large amounts of currency. Take special care at ATM machines. Try to only use them during the day and make sure you are not observed entering your PIN when making a withdrawal.

For added security, most hotels provide private safes in rooms or have safety deposit boxes for visitors to leave valuables. Try to keep bags and wallets secure at all times, especially when in busy tourist areas or when on public transport. Many people carry rucksacks on their front rather than on their backs while riding the subway or walking down busy streets to prevent pickpockets "dipping" them.

You are advised to carry your passport or alternative photo ID on you at all times in case of accident or being approached by a police officer. Although New York police officers are often helpful, they do not appreciate their time being wasted and can be intimidating.

There are numerous police precincts around New York. One of the most centrally located for tourists is:

4295 Broadway
Tel: +1 (1)212-927-9711

New York Money

Currency: United States Dollars (USD). USD1=100 cents
Notes: USD1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100
Coins: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and USD1
Credit cards: Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in major hotels and business establishments.

You can exchange currency at all bureaux de change, as well as at the larger banks, hotels, airports and train stations. Hotels will charge you a very high rate of commission and are not recommended except in urgent cases.

One of the best ways to obtain money is to draw cash from ATMs using an international credit or debit card. Check with your bank which ATM systems are compatible with your card. ATMs are easy to find in all areas of New York City, however, the bank you are taking the money from may charge you USD1.50-2 for each transaction. Check with your bank before travelling as to what charges you could incur.

Traveller's cheques are accepted almost anywhere.

International Bureaux de Change include:
American Express
111 Broadway
New York
Tel: +1 (1)212-693-1100

Travelex
29 Broadway
New York
Tel: +1 (1)212-363-6206

Banks are usually open from 09h00-18h00 Mon-Fri and from 09h00-12h00 on Saturday. Some branches keep later opening hours but no banks open on Sundays. The main bank in New York is Chase Manhattan. Branches can be found throughout the city with major offices located at:

Chase Manhattan Bank
345 Hudson Street
New York
Tel: +1 (1)212-741-4701

New York Phrasebook

English is spoken throughout the United States, although in cities such as Los Angeles, Miami and El Paso, Spanish is the majority language. American English itself does have its own peculiarities so the following guide may be useful:

New York Restaurants & Bars

New York has more restaurants per square mile than any other city in the world and given the city's ethnic composition it's no surprise that nearly all global cuisines are represented. While it's possible to spend a huge amount on a meal, it's also easy to eat delicious food at very reasonable prices. Everywhere you eat, American portions are always huge and you won't be complaining about the value.

Certain areas specialise in certain types of food, Little Italy is a good bet for traditional Italian food while 6th Street is an enclave of inexpensive but tasty Indian restaurants. And you'll never be too far away from a reasonably priced steakhouse, deli or diner.

Diners

Empire Diner
210 10th Ave (between 22nd and 23rd Sts)
Tel: +1 (1)212-924-0011

Open 24-hours, this Art Deco diner is increasingly popular with the "in-crowd". Choose from a great selection of food including everything from turkey sandwiches to tofu fajitas.

Tom's Restaurant
2880 Broadway at 112th St
Tel: +1 (1)212-864-6137

Made famous as the haunt of Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer in the sitcom Seinfeld, this diner serves typical American food for very reasonable prices.

American

Planet Hollywood
1540 Broadway 45th St
Tel: +1 (1)212-333-7827

The New York restaurant is the one that started the whole Planet Hollywood phenomenon - opening its doors in 1991. The menu is now familiar in major cities all over the world, burgers, fajitas and so on, but kids in particular love the movieand glitzy, up-beat ambience.

Peter Luger Steakhouse
178 Broadway, Brooklyn (between Bedford and Driggs Aves)
Tel: +1 (1)718-387-7400

Considered by many to be the best steakhouse in New York. Definitely worth the trip into Brooklyn.

Hard Rock Café New York
1501 Broadway
Tel: +1 (1)212-343-3355

A popular place for families, this famous restaurant serves American cuisine in large portions. Rock memorabilia decorates every available inch of wall-space.

Upmarket International

Union Square Café
21 E 16th St
Tel: +1 (1)212-243-4020

Famed for its innovative American cuisine, this downtown restaurant serves excellent fish dishes in a spacious and relaxed setting. Reservations required.

The River Café
1 Water St, Brooklyn
Tel: +1 (1)718-522-5200

Located at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge with breathtaking views across to Manhattan, this popular restaurant is perfect for a romantic evening. The menu combines Asian influences with American and European cuisine. A prix fixe dinner costs USD70. Reservations and smart dress are required.

Greek

Molyvos
871 7th Ave (55th St)
Tel: +1 (1)212-582-7500

This cosy restaurant offers traditional Greek dishes such as marinated lamb and rabbit stew - all cooked to a high standard. Open until 23h30 during the week and midnight at weekends.

Italian

John's Pizzeria
278 Bleecker St
Tel: +1 (1)212-243-1680

Small and down-to-earth, this Greenwich Village pizzeria is very popular, and justifiably so. Italian pasta and meat dishes provide alternatives to the excellent pizza. Open until midnight every night of the week.

Carmine's Midtown
200 W 44th St (between Broadway and 8th Ave)
Tel: +1 (1)212-221-3800

The portions are generous at this bustling Italian family restaurant where, according to the owners, dishes are conceived "in the style of Italian American wedding feast". It is always crowded so be prepared for a wait.

Osteria del Circo
120 W 55th St
Tel: +1 (1)212-265-3636

Don't let the (thankfully fairly understated) circus theme put you off - this is in fact a sophisticated restaurant serving authentic, if slightly pricey, Italian cuisine. Owned by the Maccioni family, proprietors of "Le Cirque", the food on offer is of a high standard ranging from a wide selection of pizzas and pasta dishes to specialities like Tuscan fish stew, Mediterranean sea bass, and veal escalope cooked with artichokes and capers.

French

Alison on Dominick St
38 Dominick St (between Varick and Hudson)
Tel: +1 (1)212-727-1188

A romantic atmosphere and delicious French food in downtown Manhattan. Regarded as one of New York's most elegant restaurants it is recommended for food lovers and those who appreciate fine wine. Reservations required.

Chinese

Shun Lee Palace
155 E 55th St
Tel: +1 (1)212-371-8844

Enjoy the spacious and luxurious setting of this Asian restaurant where it's possible to choose from a vast variety of Chinese dishes. Reservations are required.

Seafood

Blue Water Grill
31 Union Square
Tel: +1 (1)212-675-9500

Ideal for intimate occasions, this restaurant offers an excellent choice of seafood dishes in a relaxed atmosphere. There is also a jazz room downstairs that usually has a live band. Reservations are necessary.

It's impossible to give anything like an exhaustive selection covering the sheer variety of bars in New York. Every street in the city has a bar on it, with the atmosphere tending to reflect that of the neighbourhood. Every nationality is represented from German Bierkellers, to Italian café bars and there are more Irish bars than there is in Dublin itself. American bars range from English-style pubs to dingy rooms where beer drinking is done in silence.

Many bars do some sort of food and all serve up the ubiquitous American lagers, either Budweiser or Miller, as well as some ales on tap or bottled. Irish bars serve Guinness along with Powers, Paddy or Jameson's Whiskey, Italian bars carry Peroni... you get the picture.

Generally speaking if you want to sample a few bars at once head downtown to Soho and the Village for hip and trendy, whereas for sophisticated try the Upper East Side. Here are a few favourites to look out for:

Peter McManus
152 7th Ave (19th St)
Tel: +1 (1)212-929-9691
Highlighted by the New York Times in an article on the "timeless appeal of ordinary bars", Peter McManus sports a carved mahogany bar and leaded glass windows.

Landmark Tavern
626 11th Ave (46th St)
Tel: +1 (1)212-757-8595
Based on the atmosphere of a British pub, the "Landmark" serves beers and other drinks as well as basic snacks. A good place to bump into ex-pats and Anglophile Americans.

Max Fish
178 Ludlow St (Houston St)
Tel: +1 (1)212-529-3959
This trendy Lower East Side bar offers a wide range of drinks and an excellent choice of music on the jukebox.

White Horse Tavern
567 Hudson St (11th St)
Tel: +1 (1)212-243-9260
Located in Greenwich Village and once a favourite haunt of the poet Dylan Thomas, the White Horse serves excellent food as well as reasonably priced drinks.

Peculier Pub
145 Bleecker St (between Thompson and La Guardia)
Tel: +1 (1)212-353-1327
This popular bar offers a selection of 380 different beers, while the walls are lined with beer cans, bottles and labels.

New York See & Do

The most populous city in the USA, New York offers a huge variety of sights and attractions. The frenetic pace of life may not be to everyone's taste but with countless restaurants, shops and museums the city rates as one of the most exciting destinations in the world. Check out our selection of New York's attractions drawn from literally hundreds in the "city that never sleeps".

If you're planning on seeing a lot of New York's cultural attractions during your stay it might be worth considering purchasing a "City Pass" ticket. For USD63 you gain entrance to six of the city's top attractions, including: the Guggenheim Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, Circle Line sightseeing harbour cruise, Empire State Building and Sky Ride, Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum and the Museum of Modern Art. The ticket is valid for nine days from the date it is first used, which gives you plenty of time to see all it can offer. Purchase it at any of the institutions.

For more information and the opportunity to book sightseeing tours online, visit the link below:

Built in 1931 this Art Deco landmark reaches 1,454 feet into the sky and affords fantastic views right across Manhattan from the observatory on the 86th floor. Weather allowing there is even an open-air platform - not for the vertiginous. A further attraction in the building is the New York Skyride, a helicopter flight simulator that makes you feel as if you're flying over the city.

5th Ave between 33rd and 34th St. Open: daily 08h00-00h00 (last lift up at 23h15); Thu-Sat 08h00-02h00 (22 Jun-10 Sep). Admission to the Observatory: USD16, adults; USD10, children. The nearest trains stop at 34th St and 6th Ave.

A landmark not just of New York but of the entire USA, the massive statue of "Liberty Enlightening the World" can be viewed for free from Battery Park or up close on a trip to Liberty Island. The pedestal contains a museum containing various artefacts and information on the history of the statue.

The statue was re-opened to visitors in August 2004 after having been closed for almost three years in the wake of the September 11 attack. At the time of writing it is only possible to climb up as far as the observation deck at the base of the statue's feet, though when fully open it is possible to climb to the crown, equivalent to 22 storeys up.

Originally a gift from France in 1886, the statue symbolised the freedom and opportunity offered by the USA to new arrivals, who used to arrive in the shadow of the statue at nearby Ellis Island. It is still an awe-inspiring experience to stand at its foot and imagine what the prospective Americans used to feel when the statue hove into view after weeks at sea crossing the Atlantic.

As a quick and cheap alternative to doing a full tour of the statue, the Staten Island ferry sails past Liberty Island affording excellent close-up views without the need to queue for hours.

Circle Line Ferries for Liberty Island leave regularly from the pier in Battery Park or Liberty Park in New Jersey. Return tickets: adults USD11.50; children USD4.50. Boats also stop at Ellis Island if you want to combine the two attractions. Tel: +1 (1)212-269-5755 for ferry information.

For a bit of peace and quiet head to Central Park, which spans two and a half miles in the heart of Manhattan.

The first urban landscaped park in America, Central Park was established in the 1850s and even then cost the city over USD10 million. Entertainment on offer in the park's expanse ranges from numerous restaurants and playgrounds to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Central Park Zoo. One of the best ways to explore the park is by renting a bicycle or, a more romantic option, hiring a horse and carriage from one of the operators along Central Park South between 5th and 6th Ave.

The park had a reputation for being dangerous during the 1980s but a vigorous clean-up campaign means it is once again a safe and peaceful haven in the centre of the city.

New York's theatre scene is one of the most lively and diverse in the world, and Broadway is where it all happens. Most of the big theatres lie east and west of Broadway between 41st and 53rd Streets although the surrounding area has an artistic buzz with many smaller venues being squirreled away on sidestreets.

On the main drag you'll find big name musicals and high quality revivals of the classics. For the most popular shows prices can be astronomical but bargains can often be found for shows that have been around a while. There is also always a host of experimental, eclectic productions often termed "off-Broadway" or even "off-off-Broadway".

Famed for its artistic and bohemian past, Greenwich Village is now a decidedly upscale neighbourhood - but with its coffee shops, tree-lined streets and boutiques it's still an atmospheric place.

Situated between 14th and Houston Streets, "the Village" was once home to writers such as Henry James, Dylan Thomas and Thomas Paine. It is still populated by an arty set, although they tend to be much more affluent than their predecessors. One thing visitors will notice is the slower pace of life in the Village when compared to elsewhere in the city. The exclusive but often quirky shops make it an extremely pleasant place to browse away an afternoon.

A shrine to the best in Modern Art, MOMA houses important works by artists such as Picasso, Cezanne, Van Gogh and Jackson Pollock. Over 100,000 works are contained in the collection, which encompasses all art-forms including photography, sculpture, film and video as well as paintings. The museum's galleries are currently being expanded to allow even more works to be displayed to the public.

11th West 53rd St, Manhattan. Open: Wed-Mon 10h30-17h30 (until 20h00 Fri). Admission: USD20, adults; free for children. Tel: +1 (1)212-708-9400.

Significant as much for its groundbreaking architecture as it is for its art collection, the Guggenheim was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1959. Visitors take the elevator to the top and then walk down spiralling gallery-corridors past Impressionist, post-Impressionist, and Modern paintings as well as sculptures by the likes of Kandinsky, Picasso and Gauguin.

1071 5th Ave (at 89th St). Open: Sat-Wed 10h00-17h45; Fri 10h00-19h45. Admission: USD18, adults; free for children. Tel: +1 (1)212-423-3500.

Celebrated in the books of F Scott Fitzgerald, The Hamptons have long been a popular vacation destination for rich New Yorkers, offering refined relief from the noise and activity of Manhattan.

Along the coast here visitors can enjoy the many picturesque seaside resorts and fishing villages, or in seasons go whale-watching or sport fishing. Long Island and the Hamptons can be reached via the Long Island Railroad (Tel: +1 (1)718-558-7498) from Penn Station. The journey from Manhattan to East Hampton takes up to three hours depending on the time of day. Fares are from USD26 return.

Wall Street, in lower Manhattan, is famed the world over as one of the most important financial centres on the planet. Billions of dollars of trade pass through the New York Stock Exchange here each and every day.

Wall Street was actually where the original settlers founded a fortified stockade, which perhaps explains why it became then, as in a rather more sophisticated way now, the depository for the city's monetary wealth. Perhaps the greatest deal ever-struck here dates back to those times, when in 1621 the local tribes sold Manhattan to the settlers for USD24.

Now the world's largest securities marketplace, the Wall Street Stock Exchange (Broad St between Wall St and Exchange Place) is open to the public, featuring a small exhibition called the "Wall Street Story" and a spectators' gallery that overlooks the crowded trading floors. It's a fascinating sight as traders frantically shout out deals, and exchange documentation in frenzied deals worth thousands of dollars a time. The walk down Wall Street is worthwhile in itself, with skyscrapers towering above you on either side.

"The Crossroads of the World" lies at the heart of Manhattan and is a magnet for both business and tourism. The original square is located just off Broadway at 43rd Street, but "Times Square" generally refers to several blocks on either side of here.

The square itself is most famed for its huge neon advertising boards that cast lurid reflections on the windows of the surrounding buildings. In truth there isn't a great deal else to do here other than tick it off on your sightseeing list, the square isn't home to a great deal of interest. Recent years have seen an attempt by the authorities to improve the area's image and, although a certain scruffiness still remains, the regenerated Times Square is a lot better than it used to be, and serves as a convenient starting point for an exploration of Broadway and the theatre district.

Of course, that said, once a year the square is truly at the heart of things as it is the centre for the entire nation's New Year celebrations. 42nd St, at 7th Ave and Broadway.

Ellis Island in New York harbour makes a great day trip. The gateway for more than 12 million people who migrated to the USA between 1892 and 1954, Ellis Island is now managed by the National Park Service and hosts a museum, wall of honour and interactive learning centre. It gives a fascinating and poignant insight into the plight of the immigrants who fled poverty in their homelands in order to pursue the American Dream.

Ellis island open: daily 09h00-17h00. Admission: free. Tel: +1 (1)212-363-3206. Circle Line Ferries for Ellis and Liberty Islands leave regularly from the pier in Battery Park or Liberty Park in New Jersey. Tickets: USD10 return. Tel: +1 (1)212-269-5755 for ferry information.

Although hardly anybody's idea of a coastal resort Coney Island at least boasts sand, surf and a wonderfully cheesy funfair that has delighted New Yorkers for generations.

Don't miss trying one of Nathan's famous hotdogs and it is de rigueur to take a ride on what is probably the world's most famous rollercoaster - the Cyclone. Almost 75 years old the venerable 'coaster has been designated an official landmark and historic site, but its 70mph plunges and curves still manage to whiten anyone's knuckles.

Stillwell Ave. Coney Island is last stop on the F, Q or W Subways.