From the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art to Central Park, New York City is perhaps the most well-known metropolitan landscape in the world. In 2009, a whopping 45.6 million tourists visited New York City - and the island of Manhattan only encompasses about 22.96-square-miles. For vacationers, it offers an abundance of activities, sights, and landmarks, not to mention more than 18,000 restaurants serving authentic cuisine from every corner of the planet and serving as a capital for art, culture and entertainment.
People travel year-round to New York City to experience Broadway and off-Broadway shows, opera, ballet, sporting events, concerts, festivals – you name it, the Big Apple has got it. NYC is also one of the best shopping destinations in the world, and is home to some of the world’s trendiest nightclubs, bars and lounges.
While cheap flights to New York City are available from just about anywhere, once you arrive, plan on spending top-dollar for hotel accommodations. Even the most basic three-star hotel can cost $300 to $500 per night. It’s easy to spend $500 to $1000 per night for a hotel room in New York’s most tourist-friendly areas. Research before you book, as less expensive hotels may be located far away from the city or in undesirable neighborhoods.
While New York City is very much a walking city, a 45-minute to two-hour cruise around Manhattan aboard The Circle Line offers a spectacular view of New York City’s famous skyline from the water. Numerous bus tours will take you through the city, allowing you to stop and explore its most popular attractions.
