Other
“must-see” landmarks include Rockefeller Center (Fifth Avenue at 49 th Street),
Trump Tower (Fifth Avenue at 56 th Street), The
Plaza Hotel (Fifth Avenue at Central Park South), the Waldorf Astoria (Park
Avenue at 49 th Street), St. Patrick's Cathedral (Fifth Avenue at 50 th Street)
and the Flatiron Building (Fifth Avenue at 22 nd Street). Most visitors also don't
want to leave New York without seeing the site of the famous towers that stand
no longer — Ground Zero, the site of the World Trade Center . This is best reached
by taking the #6 subway ride downtown to the Fulton Street stop. Another
good spot for shopping, sightseeing, and dining is the South Street Seaport. Located
downtown on Manhattan 's east side, the Seaport is a great historic venue with
an old tall-masted ship that you can explore, as well as shops and restaurants.
While you are downtown, you can also catch the excursion boats to the Statue of
Liberty and Ellis Island , or if you just want a quick view — opt for the Staten
Island Ferry. It's free and you can hop on it, take it over to Staten Island (one
of the boroughs of New York City), get a great view of the New York City skyline
as well as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and then when you get to the
other side, just hop onto a ferry heading back to New York. And
speaking of boating around New York , you can also take a Circle Line Tour that
provides an incredible view of the city from the water — there are a variety of
tours that completely circle the island or just focus on certain parts. Circle
Line Tours leave from the west side of Manhattan . The Intrepid Sea-Air-Space
Museum is also nearby. And while you are on the West Side , if you have children
to entertain — or you are a kid at heart — Chelsea Piers is a great place to spend
a rainy day. Here you can play all manner of games, swing at some golf balls,
ice skate, and much more. If the hustle
and bustle of New York get to be a bit too much…slow down and relax with a visit
to Central Park . This planned oasis in the middle of town offers a wide variety
of things to see and do including the Central Park Zoo, Belvedere Castle (site
of a weather station), and much more. Depending upon when you visit you might
find impromptu concerts or plays, people cycling, rollerblading, sailing miniature
boats, or just taking in the sun. Hotels that are close to Central Park include
The
Mayflower Hotel, the Helmsley
Park Lane , the Majestic,
Le
Parker Meridien, the Westpark,
the Melrose
, and The Regency. Perhaps
the best way to see New York is with no particular destination in mind at all.
Just walk…and you will find that this big city is actually a compilation of little
neighborhoods…the sophisticated Upper East Side, urbane and diverse Upper West
Side, all-business Midtown, quiet Murray Hill, quaint Gramercy Park, hip Chelsea,
funky Greenwich Village, artsy Soho, chic Tribeca, celebratory Little Italy, timeless
Chinatown, and the serious Financial District. It's impossible to see everything
in one visit — believe it or not most New Yorkers haven't even seen half the major
“attractions” — so see what you can and then plan a return trip with us real soon!
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