KAYAK - New York, New York Travel Guide

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From Frank Sinatra to Woody Allen to Carrie Bradshaw, the City that Never Sleeps has inspired generations of musicians, artists, filmmakers, and pop culture figures. A buzzing metropolis that's home to Times Square and Greenwich Village, the Yankees and the Mets, the Rockettes, the Metropolitan Museum, Central Park, Broadway, bagels, and the Empire State Building, not to mention a diverse population of immigrants from all over the world, Manhattan is mind-boggling in size and scope. New Yorkers are famously and fiercely proud of their island - visitors need only hail one of the city's signature yellow cabs sailing across the Brooklyn Bridge to find out what all the fuss is about in the well-loved borough of Manhattan.

Popular New York Hotels

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Metropolitan - New York City
569 Lexington Avenue (Midtown East)

Ramada Plaza New Yorker Hotel
481 8th Avenue (Chelsea)

Hilton New York
1335 Avenue of the Americas

Bentley Hotel
500 East 62nd Street (Upper East Side)

The Waldorf=Astoria®
301 Park Avenue (Midtown East)

BEST WESTERN PLUS President Hotel at Times Square
234 West 48th Street (Midtown West, Times Square)

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Top rated attractions in New York

1.	Bike or Skate with a Classic New York View Those looking to get a little fresh air and exercise without sacrificing a moment of Big Apple-style sightseeing should head down to Battery Park. From the southernmost tip of the island, joggers, cyclers, dog-walkers, and inline skaters can make their way north along the riverside paths. The stately Statue of Liberty rises out of the choppy waters on one side, while the skyline of the financial district commands attention on the other. Trapeze artist students learn their craft in fenced-in training areas along the path - smart bikers only let their eyes linger momentarily to avoid crashing into oncoming runners. « hide
2.	Seek Refuge in the Library Sweltering summer days, travel fatigue, a need for some alone time - there are plenty of reasons why every visitor to New York needs a peaceful escape. Rather than shelling out big bucks for a reflexology massage and facial at one of Manhattan's posh spas, consider stopping in the New York Public Library. Huge, marble, cool, and blessedly quiet, the Library is an urban sanctuary where anyone can pull up an armchair and read a novel or the Wall Street Journal. Don't miss the intricate murals on the ceilings and walls throughout the McGraw Rotunda. « hide
3.	Take in the Views from the Empire State Building Immortalized in countless films, books, and television shows, the Empire State Building is a classic symbol of New York. Once dwarfed by the much taller Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, the landmark, sadly, has been restored to its previous status as the city's highest-reaching building at 1,453 feet. To ride to the top, enter through one of the elegant doorways on 33rd Street and Fifth Avenue, then wait for one of the speedy elevators that whisks sightseers to the 86th floor. Fasten hats and scarves before departing the elevator, since the high altitude can be windy, and then step out onto the observation deck for panoramic views of the expansive city below. Stroll around all four sides to marvel at the Hudson River, Central Park, Brooklyn, and pretty much everything else within a wide radius of Manhattan. For some extra cash, visitors can go 174 feet higher to the smaller deck on the 102nd floor. « hide
4.	Picnic in Central Park Directly in the city center is that oasis of rolling green hills, soccer fields, and weeping willows just begging for a picnic blanket to be spread out beneath - Central Park. In all seasons, the 843 acres serve as a playground for locals and tourists alike. In spring, rent one of the ubiquitous rowboats and paddle out to the middle of the pond to admire the contrast between nature and the fashionable apartment buildings that rises up on the edge of the park. Summertime means concerts, festivals, and Shakespeare performances; wintertime brings a snow-capped beauty to the winding paths and vast open spaces. To take a guided tour, adopt a tree, or find out which Hollywood actor is donning tights for an evening performance of As You Like It, contact the Central Park Conservancy. « hide
5.	Revel in the Flash of Commerce in Times Square Visitors come from far and wide to experience the electronic thrill of Times Square, a wide, chaotic space that blinks with bright neon signs and Calvin Klein advertisements that stretch twenty stories tall. An emblem of contemporary culture, Times Square is oddly fascinating, mildly repelling, and somewhat dangerous - anyone who dares to gawk too long runs the risk of getting hit by a bus while reading about the show times for Chicago or The Producers on Broadway. Ever touristy, the famous square is nonetheless a worthwhile stop on any trip to New York. Restaurants in this area tend to be drastically overpriced, but travelers might consider popping by the enormous multi-level Virgin Megastore to find any book or CD the heart could possible desire. « hide
6.	Admire Paintings at the Met New York is teeming with art galleries and museums, but in terms of scale and popularity, nothing compares to the Metropolitan. The elegant Gothic building features a staggering variety of work ranging from Rembrandt's drawings to Van Gogh's self-portrait. Islamic artwork, coats of armor, Tiffany stained glass - all of it can be found in this must-see museum. Check out the captivating collection of Egyptian artifacts or stop into the Costume Institute for one of the celebrity-popular revolving exhibitions. Visitors who just can't get enough can walk down to the Guggenheim and Whitney museums, which are located near the Met; those who need a breather can step out into the adjacent Central Park. « hide
7.	Catch a Ferry to Lady Liberty Yes, the famed Statue of Liberty is notoriously smaller up close than she looks from far away. Nevertheless, the green marble landmark, perched on an island accessible by ferryboat, is mammoth in historical and cultural significance. The soaring statue, originally a gift from France, is best appreciated when visitors consider what it might have looked like to the boatfuls of Irish, Italian, and other European immigrants catching their first glimpse of America. Ferries depart from Battery Park about every half hour between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., though visitors can no longer access the upper reaches of the statue, they can check out the original torch on display at the accompanying museum on the island. Free ranger-led tours are available upon arrival; no reservations are required. « hide
8.	Get Off the Island Of course, travelers come to New York to enjoy the island of Manhattan. Sometimes the best way to appreciate a place is to get off it, at least temporarily. The Staten Island Ferry carries hordes of commuters during the morning and evening rush, but the boats run back and forth 24 hours a day, and best of all, they're free. Catch a ferry from the harbor at Battery Park and take a no-frills cruise around the tip of the island for unmatched views of Ellis Island and the city, as well as some much-needed breaths of fresh air. When the weather isn't too hot, noon is an ideal time for a serene ride; the round-trip will take up just under two hours. « hide
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Top rated restaurants in New York

1.	Oriental Garden Oriental Garden is a hot spot for authentic Cantonese. Platters of fresh prawns and fried oysters keep an increasingly large crowd coming in for the lunch specials. Note the plump fish swimming in the brightly lit aquariums in the front of the restaurant: one of them will probably show up on the table within an hour. « hide	6.	Peasant Peasant presents scrumptious Tuscan dishes in an impossibly cool NoLIta atmosphere that manages to be urbane and rustic all at once. The staff usually has to assist visitors in translating the menu, which is mostly in Italian, but with items like Bocconcini and Quaglie Farcite available, at least the authenticity is not in question. « hide
2.	Dim Sum Go Go Dim Sum Go Go, as the name suggests, is the place to go for dim sum in an elegant minimalist setting. Though the roast chicken is succulent, the vegetarian goodies, like sautéed soybeans, and the aromatic jasmine tea are more notable. Dinner waits can be lengthy; arrive earlier in the evening to get a seat. « hide	7.	Meskel Meskel is a vegetarian's delight, serving up colorful plates of lentils and chickpeas seasoned with ginger and garlic. Tender chicken and lamb dishes also come highly recommended. These flavorful delicacies are best scooped into hungry mouths with injera, a traditional flatbread, in this casual family-run eatery. « hide
3.	Fuleen Seafood Fuleen Seafood serves up plenty of tasty Chinese classics, but the real specialty at this restaurant is the fish. Prepared in a Hong Kong style, the shrimp and squid are glazed with garlic sauce and chili and presented in an unadorned setting. The daily specials are usually a deal. « hide	8.	Awash Awash satisfies roaring appetites with the "Carnivore Combination" plate, which is huge enough to share with another avid meat eater. Order some dainty little cups of blackberry wine and sit back as appetizing trays piled high with largely unidentifiable specialties come to you. « hide
4.	Il Palazzo Il Palazzo is the place for fettuccine alfredo and cordial, old-fashioned service. This landmark restaurant has a garden patio ideal for romantic dinners and a second-level dining area that overlooks the city street below. Top off that glass of red wine and soak up the aura of gentler days gone by. « hide	9.	Meskerem Ethiopian Cuisine Meskerem Ethiopian Cuisine is nothing fancy: the restaurant is located below street level, patrons have to bring their own beer or wine, and service can lag from time to time. The place caters to a slew of regulars, however, due to deliciously authentic meatballs, avocado salads, and spicy fish with collard greens. « hide
5.	Pellegrino's Pellegrino's serves up freshly prepared lunch specials, like penne in vodka sauce and calamari with lemon, in generous portions that will have guests ready for a siesta afterwards. The decadent chocolate mousse is best savored with a signature cappuccino. Come here to avoid the crowds that plague so many of Little Italy's traditional restaurants. « hide	10.	Pegu Club Style-conscious travelers who are serious about their cocktails will revel in the low-lit atmosphere at this West Village lounge. Try the Gin-Gin Mule, a unique take on the mojito that features homemade ginger beer, and catch up on an intimate conversation with a friend or a small group. All ages frequent this bar where edible flowers and unusual plants complete the funky decor. « hide

New York Insider tips

Parking in New York is a Drag

Anyone who brings a car into Manhattan better have a plan- a parking garage with reasonable rates, a friend with a parking pass, a hotel that offers parking arrangements to guests- otherwise he or she could ruin a perfectly good vacation. The rate to park a car for even one night in a downtown garage could break the bank, and who wants to run around pumping meters, worrying about vandals, and praying that the cops don't send a tow truck over? New York's subway system is excellent, so read between the lines: driving into the city proper is usually a big mistake. Visitors who plan ahead to leave their cars in reasonably priced commuter lots in Hoboken or Seacaucus are usually much calmer and save tons of money on parking costs. Public transportation in the form of train or bus always serves these lots on a consistent basis- so grab a subway map and figure out how to be happily car-free in the Big Apple. « hide

Closed Doors on Mondays

Don't save any art galleries or museums for the last day of your trip. Every Monday out-of-towners show up outside the Metropolitan Museum or the Guggenheim and are disappointed to find the doors bolted shut. As a rule, these institutions are open on the weekends but closed on Mondays. A well-planned visit to New York leaves Central Park or the Statue of Liberty for the first day of the week. « hide

New York nightlife

Element

The eager revelers waiting to get in this sleek dance club and lounge come to see and be seen- in casually fabulous attire, naturally. Locals and travelers of all ages gravitate to Element on the Lower East Side to see the DJs spin, to drink fruity cocktails, and, of course, to hop into the dance pit in the center of the club. Inventive metals and other unusual materials, illuminated by occasional spotlights, lend a cool, offbeat ambience to the interior design. Saturday nights usually host a primarily gay clientele. « hide

Pyramid Club

Partygoers with a penchant for early Madonna, George Michael, New Order, and Depeche Mode can get their 80's craving filled at this dive club in the East Village. The decor is a little rough around the edges, but the cover is cheap and the music never disappoints would-be dancers. Colorful mixed drinks and beer and free flowing and inexpensive, especially on Thursday nights. « hide

Cheap New York Flights

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