Top 10 Activities

#1. Central Park
If you're visiting New York City, you must visit Central Park. The Park contains 58 miles of pedestrian paths and more than half a million trees. During summer, hire a boat at the Boathouse and take a leisurely row around the lake. During winter, bring your skates and glide around the Wollman Rink.

#2. Brooklyn Bridge
Take a leisurely stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge. Enjoy an ice cream at Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. Brooklyn Bridge was originally built to connect the island of Manhattan to Brooklyn.

#3. Staten Island Ferry
Jump on the Staten Island Ferry and enjoy the free ride across to the island and back again. You'll get some great views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on your way across. There are some magnificent views of Manhattan from there, so it's perfect for a photo opportunity of the skyline. Far too many people don't actually get off the ferry and explore the island. It's worth taking a walk around the St. George neighborhood or Historic Richmond Town.

#4. Empire State Building
Opened in 1931, the Empire State Building has an observatory on the 86th floor that offers a stunning view of the city. While the observatory isn't all the way up to the 105th floor, it's still high enough to see for miles around.

#5. Times Square and Broadway
New York boasts the some of the very best theater productions in the world. Even if you don't like theater, you can't visit the Big Apple without a stop on Broadway.

#6. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
In the New York Harbor stands the unmistakable Statue of Liberty. The Statue was originally a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States that is meant to represent freedom and democracy. Your tour should include a trip to Ellis Island to give you a sense of the history of immigration.

#7. Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village is filled with elegant homes, tree lined streets and plenty of outdoor sidewalk cafes and restaurants. There's plenty of social activity happening here. Visit Washington Square to enjoy street art and entertainment, music and more.

#8. Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden is the massive arena in the center of the city and it's the home to the New York Knicks and the Rangers. Even if you don't book in to catch a game, you can book a daily tour that takes you 'behind the curtains'.

#9. Wall Street and the Stock Exchange
In downtown New York you'll find Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange, nestled on Broad Street which runs between Wall Street and Exchange Place. Every day, billions of shares are traded here, but it this center has been the central trading area for goods since the 18th century.

#10. Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Center is a massive business and entertainment center that doubles as a meeting point for locals and tourists. During winter, bring your skates and enjoy skating around the skating rink. Take the tour of the NBC studios or just enjoy the lovely gardens and the lovely exhibitions scattered around them.

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American Cuisine

Hot Dog from a Food Cart

Reuben Sandwich - Kat'z Deli

American Breakfast

Bagels

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Best Time To Visit

New York has a mild to cool climate, so if you travel in winter, from December through to February, you can expect temperatures of around 20F (-6C) with a high possibility of plenty of snow, so take lots of winter clothing and be sure to wear shoes or boots with a little grip as the sidewalks can become very icy and slippery. The wintry festivities can make Christmas a lovely time and the party on New Year's Eve in Times Square is perhaps one of the best known events around the world.

Spring and summer are very mild, with summer temperatures only reaching an average of 80F (26C), but you should find that there are flowers in bloom and local residents everywhere enjoying the return of warmer weather.

When you're searching for the best New York City travel deals, be sure to consider how the weather will affect your plans.

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Travel Shopping

No matter where you go in New York, you'll find shopping malls, plazas, boutique stores, designer stores and much more. Along with the multitude of restaurants and cafes, your biggest problem will be deciding where to stop.

If you want to try and snap up a bargain, then try the Woodbury Common Outlets one hour north of New York City in Central Valley. The massive retail complex has more than 220 designer and brand name outlet stores offering their wares. Shop around and you could find some great bargains.

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Festival Events

No matter what time of year you visit New York, there's always something happening somewhere.

April - Times Square Spring Block Party

May - The Annual Village Fair - celebrated on Broadway.

May - Memorial Day Times Square Fair

June - New York City Expo

June - Grand Central Station Festival

July - Independence Day - The Great July 4th Festival - celebrated on Water Street from Fulton to Broad Streets

August - Big Apple Performing Arts Festival

September - Labor Day Family Festival - held on Lexington Avenue from 34th to 42nd Streets

October - Oktoberfest is celebrated on Lexington Avenue from 42nd to 57th Streets

November - Times Square Holiday Fair

December - Celebrate New Year's Eve at Times Square

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Basic Travel Phrases

Everyone speaks and understands English in New York, so you should have no trouble making yourself understood.

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Explore New York City

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