When in New York
What can be said about New York that hasn't already been said or sung?
This city seems to have it all – from the hustle and bustle of downtown, to the almost rural feel of the sprawling Central Park, there is something for everyone in New York.
New York's most famous resident remains the Statue of Liberty, standing majestically on her plinth in the bay of the city. This huge structure was the first glimpse of many an immigrant in the 19th and 20th centuries and she must have been an incredibly inspiring sight. Take an early boat out to the island and it is possible to wander round at your leisure, without being overwhelmed by the huge numbers which tend to arrive from the tourist boats by lunchtime.
Island-hopping in the bay is a favourite activity of many tourists, with Liberty Island's neighbour housing an incredibly in-depth exhibition on the thousands of immigrants that used to arrive there every year. It serves not only as a memorial to the great diversity of the American nation and the endeavour of the immigrants, but also as a detailed study of their lives before, during and after their time at the immigration centre.
In Manhattan itself, it is easy to get swept up in the tremendous pace of the New York lifestyle – traditional yellow taxis crowd the wide streets like bees hurrying about their work, while the sidewalks are invariably crowded with residents and visitors alike.
But don't be fooled by the busy appearance of the average New Yorker – while this city once had a reputation for being a dangerous place to be, the average man in the street is usually friendly, charming and only too happy to help a traveller lost among the forest of buildings, parks and roads.
To get to the heart of this amazing city, a visit to downtown and Wall Street, the Mayor's offices and Ground Zero are a must. This is the financial heartbeat of the city and even the area around Ground Zero now buzzes with busy workers hurrying from one place to another. The place where the World Trade Centre's Twin Towers used to stand is now a deep and vast space, although work has recently begun on transforming the site into a more permanent memorial.
Heading toward midtown and you will come across some of the most remarkable constructions in the world. While the Empire State Building stands tall and proud, overlooking the city, the nearby Chrysler building glints and glistens in the sun. Grand Central Station is not only a hive of activity but also a beautiful example of older architecture.
To relax and unwind, Central Park is the ideal destination, with the large lake a haven for joggers and walkers alike. Jacqueline Kennedy used to go for morning jogs around the lake and many others have followed in her footsteps since. The park is large enough for you to lose yourself in it for a day, ambling aimlessly from the open spaces to the ball parks, often populated by children and adults alike playing baseball.
But Times Square really does take the biscuit. If you have ever been to Piccadilly Circus in London and been impressed by the colourful advertising hoardings, prepare to be blown away by the electronic wizardry which engulfs Times Square and the streets surrounding it. A hive of activity day and night, this is a shining example of why New York is "the city that never sleeps" and why so many people have fallen in love with the city over the years – and that is just Manhattan!
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Introduction
