New York City Travelers Recommend

Without a doubt, the Empire State Building still ranks high on the list of wonderful viewing spots. Built in 1931, this 102-story iconic skyscraper, is not only an architectural wonder but it offers wondrous 360-degree views of Manhattan from its two observation decks. Glass-enclosed high-speed elevators shuttle visitors to both decks, where high-powered binoculars allow for zeroing in on favorite New York attractions from above. 30 Rock is not just the name of a hit television sitcom, but the true address of New York icon, Rockefeller Plaza, and home to Top of the Rock Observation Deck. You'll see New York's famous landmarks, including the Chrysler Building, Times Square, the Hudson River, the East River, Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. Definitely worth checking out. The Rise bar at the Ritz is another stunner. Though only 14 floors up, the aptly named Floor Bar allows stunning views of New Jersey and the New York Harbor.

One interesting way to explore New York is by taking a helicopter tour. While a bus or walking tour allows you to come face-to-face with the city, a helicopter tour takes you above its massive skyscrapers, flashing lights and mix of architectural styles to take in its diverse beauty all at once. Best of all, you’ll get great pictures without having to deal with NYC traffic. While there are many great New York helicopter tours to experience, one top pick is a Manhattan Sky Tour: New York Helicopter Flight. One of the more budget-friendly options, the tour takes you over downtown Manhattan and provides a bird’s eye view of some of the Big Apple’s most iconic sites. Another great New York helicopter tour is the Complete New York, New York Helicopter Tour, which flies you over all five boroughs. And for those who want a mix of experiences, a NYC Night Helicopter Flight and Statue of Liberty Cruise gives you the best of both worlds.

Only have one day to explore Manhattan? It may seem daunting but with a few tips and access to some wheels you're in good shape to cover quite a bit of ground. Choose a full-day bus tour or a hop-on hop-off bus to cover the most area and make sure to get an early start. With so much to see, you may want to focus on a few must-see attractions and spend more time at those. The Viator VIP tour gives you early access to the Empire State Building which leaves you plenty of time to see the Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial and more. Prefer to see the city at a slower pace? Rent a bike and tour the city on two wheels, which is really the best way to explore places like the sprawling Central Park.

Ice skating is a popular and traditional holiday activity, and there are plenty of places to take part. Whether it's in Central Park at Trump Rink or Wollman Rink, at Bryant Park or at Rockefeller Center, the lights and whir of people skating to classic songs will be a delight. No trip to New York City during the holidays would be complete without seeing the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular either. The show is a holiday tradition, having been put on for over 80 years since 1932. As for New Year's Eve, Times Square is the place to be. It is, however, too crowded for many, so those looking for something more low-key can opt for a New Year's Eve cruise. The Empire State Building, one of NYC’s top attractions, turns red and green; most storefronts have themed decorations; jazzy tunes play in coffee shops and the general vibe is just a little bit nicer. Peruse the Holiday Markets at Bryant Park, Union Square or Grand Central and pick up some gifts.

Take a day trip or overnight tour and explore the capital of the USA. Traveling to Washington DC from New York you will pass through the states of New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland before arriving at Capitol Hill, home to the Capitol, Senate and White House. You can choose unescorted or guided tours, day tours or overnight tours, from New York to Washington DC to suit your interests, travel style and budget.

First things first - book tickets in advance if you want to see a particular Broadway production (or any show, really). Broadway is number one for a reason, and visitors and locals alike vie for prime tickets. If you're a last-minute man, however, fret not: the Viator app can hook you up with seats a mere 3 hours before the curtain comes up! Good for Families Disney classics like The Lion King, Newsies and Aladdin are always a winning choice for families with young kids. The tikes will love following along with their favorite characters and songs while the parents appreciate the Broadway-caliber acting talent and set design. Longest Running They say that if you can make it in New York, then you can make it anywhere. In 'the city that never sleeps', you’ve got to earn your right to longevity. Shows like Wicked, Chicago, and Phantom of the Opera have rightfully earned their places on stage and routinely maintain 5-star reviews.

For an all-encompassing view of Manhattan, the Harbor Lights Cruise (2 hrs, early evening) takes you nearly all of the way around Manhattan with stunning views of the islands and the bridges without the need to lift so much as a finger. Photography is difficult from a moving boat at night but it's still a lovely trip. (As you leave the dock, take a peak at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum on the next pier.) From any New York cruise, it's Manhattan's architecture that is the star of the show. The Empire State and Chrysler buildings both hark back to an era when cities were built by people, rather than by corporations and banks. There are - as you'll see - no skyscrapers between the Empire State Building at 34th Street and Wall Street. This is geology.

Day 1: Get Oriented A CityPass will help you to gain entry into a number of 'must-see' monuments and museums, all while skipping the line. Alternatively, take a hop-on hop-off bus tour and roam the Big Apple at your own pace. Day 2: Museums, Shopping, and Eating The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MOMA) and The Guggenheim on Fifth Avenue are among the must-see galleries in New York. Explore the city's Garment District in Midtown, Soho and its boutique shops and the Meatpacking District, Greenwich Village's Bleeker Street, NoLita, and the Lower East Side. Finally take a romantic dinner cruise or experience some culturally rich soul food and jazz in Harlem. Day 3: More Why not take an exhilarating helicopter tour of the city and then see a famous Broadway play, but don't forget to visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Niagara Falls is located in what is known as the Finger Lake region of New York and is surrounded by countryside. A drive through this landscape is a delight, and from New York, many 2-day bus tours offer highlights of the region. While other summer tours take you into the mist of the falls on either the historic Maid of the Mist ferryboat, or by exhilarating, finger-biting jetboat. However for a truly unforgettable experience, you can fly to the falls and get a bird's eye view of the horseshoe shaped falls, before plunging in behind the falls in a glass elevator, or feeling the mist on your face with a brave ferryboat ride. Be sure to book early, however! The Niagara Falls from New York air trip routinely sells out.

Manhattan is where you’ll find the most tours and attractions, and it is the most heavily frequented by tourists. It is composed of a number of distinct neighborhoods with unique offerings. For example, while Times Square is where you’ll find flashing neon signs, giant billboards, themed restaurants, Broadway shows and actors dressed up as colorful characters, SoHo is known for its excellent shopping offerings. Brooklyn is the hipster capital of the world. Neighborhoods where at one time people wouldn’t even think of stepping foot into -- like Williamsburg and Bushwick -- are now littered with farm-to-table restaurants, craft cocktail bars, beautiful parks, art galleries, wineries, breweries, distilleries and venues offering fun things to do. Visiting Queens is like traveling the world in one day, as it is the most ethnically diverse borough with over 170 languages spoken. One of the most interesting Queens neighborhoods is Jackson Heights, or Little India.

Want to eat your way through New York City? Don't stop at pizza. Make sure to tour multiple neighborhoods to experience ethnic dishes brought over from all corners of the world by the people who emigrated to this city generations ago. The dishes come authentic or as a fusion with other cultures to reflect the modern melting pot that is New York City. Both versions are delicious and will leave you wanting to try more culinary pleasures the city has to offer.