Tourist Information about New York
One of New York City’s great assets is its walkability. Manhattan is mostly a grid system of uptown/downtown streets intersecting with crosstown streets so it’s hard to get lost here. Most of the city is flat, perfect for strolling. Exploring it all from a walker’s pace, at eye level, is the best way to get a real feel for the city. It’s the cheapest way to get around, and sometimes (depending on traffic and distance) it is the fastest. On our crowded sidewalks, you’ll see people snacking, meeting long-lost friends, gossiping, taking business meetings via cell phone. If you’re in a residential neighborhood – especially one near a park – you’ll see professional dogwalkers, each with ten or so pooches on leads on their way to romp while their masters are at work.
If there is such a thing as a typical New Yorker, he or she will most likely be walking quickly, dodging other pedestrians, cars, buses, construction sites, street musicians, bicycle messengers. Although we’re often in a hurry, we’ll cheerfully point you in the right direction if you’re lost, so don’t hesitate to ask directions!
So, put on your most comfortable walking shoes, pick a starting point, and have fun! Follow one of the avenues from river to river, amble along Fifth Avenue from 42nd Street up to Central Park; or, from 59th Street (in front of the Plaza Hotel) up Fifth Avenue to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on 82nd Street; downtown, wander through Chinatown and the Financial District, and then stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge (sunset is magical!)…the possibilities are endless.
20 uptown/downtown blocks and 10 crosstown blocks equal approximately one mile Manhattan total area in square miles: 22.7 Manhattan length: 13.4 miles (21.5 km) long Manhattan widest point: 2.3 miles (3.7 km) Manhattan narrowest point: 0.8 miles (1.3 km) at narrowest point New York City total area in square miles: 301
The 6,400 miles of sidewalks of NYC mean tired feet, especially to those used to driving everywhere. Take breaks and remember that sightseeing is not a fashion show - wear comfortable shoes! Since New Yorkers do have a tendency to walk quickly, if you want to take your time and savor the sights, be aware of those around you. During the day, when the streets are crowded, it’s better to stick to the inside of the sidewalk rather than near the curb; and, if you’re in a group, make sure to leave space so people can pass you.
New York City is a shopper's paradise. Our stores include everything from the world's largest department store (Macy's) to tiny, hip boutiques. You can find anything here from every corner of the globe.
Bet you didn’t know New York City is the greenest city in America. NYC has 52,938 acres of park/open space out of 197,696 total acres (26.8%).
Central Park, Manhattan’s famed green oasis, is only number five on the list of the city’s ten largest parks. There are more than 750 different native species of animals and plants throughout the five boroughs, including the endangered peregrine falcon, the sharp-shinned hawk, and white tailed deer.
Central Park and the Bronx’s New York Botanical Garden offer guided bird walks, and spring in Queens brings thousands of migrating shore birds to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge’s 10,000 acres. You're invited to join New Yorkers who jog, walk, bike, in-line skate, horseback ride, ice skate, rent row boats, play basketball, softball, soccer, and tennis, enjoy special events and festivals, and much more in the city’s 1,700 parks and playgrounds.
Gardens large and small, exotic and traditional, bloom throughout New York City. Each of the five boroughs has lovely year-round botanical gardens, and numerous garden-related events.
New York City is bursting with hundreds of no-cost and low-cost pleasures such as concerts, plays, museums, TV show tapings, and tours throughout the five boroughs. Free offerings and exceptional deals are available everywhere - if you know where to look.
If you always wanted to see a live New York theatrical performance but were afraid that you wouldn’t be able to get tickets, don’t despair. Finding the perfect ticket source for your perfect show is as easy as can be if you follow the guidelines below.
After a multi-million dollar renovation, the Statue of Liberty reopened on August 3, 2004. Visitors will be able to explore the Statue of Liberty museum, peer into the intricate inner structure through a glass ceiling near the base of the statue, and enjoy the 360 degree view from the observation deck on top of the 16-story pedestal. At this time there are no plans to allow visitors to enter the interior of the statue itself.
A new reservations ticketing system will help eliminate long lines. Security enhancements include a secondary screening process and improved exits. The Statue of Liberty was closed after September 11, 2001 and had remained closed even though visits to the island resumed December 2001.
A timed-pass ticket is required to enter the monument. There’s a new advanced reservations ticketing system for the tour, which accommodates 360 visitors per hour. Advance tour reservations may be made via 866/782-8834 or 212/269-5755 from outside the U.S. The tour is free but there’s a service fee of $1.75 per ticket if ticketed in advance. A limited number of daily walk up tour reservations -- obtained at Castle Clinton National Monument in Battery Park -- can be made before boarding ferries to the statue. Group tickets are limited.
New York's famous Empire State Building, a New York City Landmark and a National Historic Landmark, soars more than a quarter of a mile into the atmosphere above the heart of Manhattan.
Located on the 86th floor, 1,050 feet (320 meters) above the city's bustling streets, the Observatory offers panoramic views from within a glass enclosed pavilion and from the surrounding open-air promenade.
Since the Observatory opened to the public in 1931, almost 110 million visitors have thrilled to the awe-inspiring vision of the city beneath them.
Each year over 3.5 million people are whisked to the 86th floor to be where Cary Grant waited in vain for Deborah Kerr in an "Affair to Remember", while Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan had their fateful meeting in the movie "Sleepless in Seattle." The observatory is handicap accessible.
The building, one of New York City's main tourist attractions, offers a variety of activities for its visitors. One can tour the Observatory 365 days per year, day and night, rain or shine for breathtaking views of Manhattan and beyond. Also, there are two restaurants, a sushi bar, three coffee shops, a drug store, a Hallmark card shop, a post office and two banks, in addition to the plethora of restaurants and nightlife activities in the surrounding area.
For the family, there is the New York Skyride, an independently owned and operated simulated helicopter ride and virtual-reality movie theater. In addition, there are concerts and art exhibits located in the lobby year-round, holiday-based decorations/shows, as well as special annual events such as The Valentine's Day Weddings, The ESB Run-up and the Boys and Girls Scout Camp-outs.
All in all, the feeling and spirit of New York City is embodied in the Empire State Building. From the people who fell in love here, to the ones who have returned with their children and grandchildren, everyone recognizes the building not only as an awe-inspiring landmark which offers one of the most spectacular views on earth but an unequaled symbol of American ingenuity and Art Deco architecture.
