Unlike most American cities, New York is made up of five (5) boroughs, namely Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, The Bronx and Manhattan. Queens is the home of Shea Stadium, the National Tennis Center, and both La Guardia and John F. Kennedy airports. If you’re interested in cultural institutions and entertainment for the children, a trip to Brooklyn would not go amiss. Here you would find the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Botanic Garden, Prospect Park and the ever popular Coney Island. Staten island is known for its historical attractions. It has homes dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, such as Conference House, which was built in 1680. Other attractions include the Staten Island Zoo. The Bronx’s many attractions include the world famous Bronx Zoo, Yankee Stadium and the New York Botanical Garden. Manhattan is the glittering heart of New York. This island the site of almost all of the sky scrapes that are a symbol of the city. Among them are the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. It is here too that you can honour the memory of those who perished in 2001, by visiting Ground Zero. You can also experience the excitement of a live show at Broadway, visit Times Square and the United Nations Headquarters. For those interested in discovering their ancestry, visit Ellis Island. A trip to New York would not be the same without visiting Lady Liberty, one of the most famous statues in the world.

Other museums I like to visit :

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art located in Central Park
• The Guggenheim Museum on Fifth Avenue
• The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) at West 53rd Street
• The Whitney Museum of American Art located 75th Street and Madison Avenue
• The American Museum of Natural History on Central Park West

Cultural Events worth going for:

• Chinese New Year Parade in February
• St Patrick’s Day Parade in March
• Easter Day Parade in April
• The Puerto Rican Day Parade in June
• The Lesbian and Gay Pride Day Parade also in June
• Shakespeare in the Park - open air plays - all through Summer
• The African American Day Parade in September
• The New York Film Festival in September
• The Columbus Day Parade in October
• The Greenwich Village Halloween Parade in October
• Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in November

Sporting Events:

A sports' enthusiast’s appetite can be satisfied anywhere in New York. Attend a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx or visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame to see Babe Ruth in action once again. At the Giant’s Stadium in East Rutherford, you can catch all the excitement of American Football. If you’re a basket ball fan you can also visit the home of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. This is also the home of the New York Rangers hockey team. One can also go to the Olympic training facility in Lake Placid. In Winter, you can ice skate in Times Square, or celebrate the season by attending one of the numerous Carnivals such as the Winter Carnival at Saranac Lake in early February. Here you can also take part in bobsledding, and skiing competitions.

Shopping and Spas:

Stroll through streets lined with unique shops. Get authentic Chinese merchandise at affordable prices in the well known China Town. Treat yourself to a weekend shopping spree at one of the many mega malls. Have breakfast at Tiffany’s or explore off the runway fashions at Macy’s or any of the many Department stores. Enjoy a massage, facial and other treatments in one of the day spas.A trip to Ballston Spa in Saratoga will bring you relaxation and healing as you soak in the natural mineral water.

Dining and Restaurants:

From classic American fast food to any ethnic dish you can think of, you’ll find it in this gourmand’s paradise.

• Traditional American cuisine try Choice Kitchen and Cocktails.
• Lombardi’s for pizza.
• If you like Italian meals Casina Ristorante is the ideal place.
• Tio Pepe is the premiere Mexican restaurant.
• While Frankie and Johnnie’s is the restaurant of choice for steak lovers.
• For Mediterranean meals visit Mocca Lounge.
• If you desire to sample Caribbean specialties, anywhere in the Bronx would satisfy your curiosity.
• For those who may get homesick, the Spotted Pig will cure all nostalgia.

Night Life:

There is a bar or club in New York to satisfy every taste. For Jazz lovers there’s 55 Bar, Café Creole and The Cajun. Every night there is a jazz tour from The Village club to Harlem. If you want to dance, there’s 13 Bar/Lounge and Le Bar Bat. The Boston Comedy Club and the Comedy Cellar would have to laughing until the morning. Whereas you can visit The Barrow Street Ale House and the International Bar for a more traditional night out.

Hotels/Inns and Hostels:

There are numerous great places to stay in, most of which can be booked before hand by your local travel agent. Among them are The New York Ramada Plaza, On the Avenue Hotel, West side Inn and Hostel, The Continental Hostel, The Courtyard by Marriott JFK Airport, Wyndham Garden Hotel-La Guardia Airport, The New York Palace and The Waldorf Towers.

Tours and Excursions:

By land, sea or air, you’ll love discovering this vibrant city and its boroughs on a guided tour. Enjoy a scenic railroad ride through the mountains, explore lush river valleys on horseback, cruise one of the waterways or enjoy scenery from a few thousand feet in the air. If you love sitcoms, you’ll enjoy the “Sex and the City” and “Friends” tours. No matter what tour you choose you will not be disappointed. All tours can be booked by your local travel agent before travel or at one of the many Tourist Centers in the city.

“New York, New York…a city so nice they named it twice!” A visit to New York would leave you with a lifetime of fantastic memories to share time and time again with relatives and friends.

Cheap flights and holidays to New York along with offers for car hire are offered all year round from most of the UK’s airports. Visiting Expedia.co.uk to book your trip will not be in vain. Click now to start on your journey to a superb and memorable holiday.