By Helen Truszkowski
Ferocious, glamorous, romantic, sophisticated, a little rough around the edges,
New York is
the largest city in the United States.
In the city that never sleeps doing whatever you want to do whenever you want
to do it is what it's all about. But the huge range of options can seem daunting.
Here are some tips for tackling the Big Apple.
There are stacks of hotels
in New York. Here are a few of our favourites: The
Comfort Inn Manhattan is both affordable and convenient., in a midtown setting
near the world-famous garment district, within walking distance of the Empire
State Building, Madison Square Garden arena, Rockefeller Center, Times Square
and Radio City Music Hall.
The
Westin New York Times Square is designed to stand out, two 45-story prisms
split by a curving beam of light soar above the Manhattan skyline. Right at
the heart of the Broadway District, it's within walking distance of 40 theatres,
and surrounded by the Big Apple fashion, financial and commercial districts.
The
Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers exudes polished, contemporary flair and
is located between Central Park and Times Square, steps from the excitement
of Broadway theatres, prestige of Carnegie Hall and world-class shopping of
Fifth Avenue.
Forget about hiring a car: public transit is the dominant form of travel for New Yorkers. Most of the extensive subway system remains open 24 hours-a-day; plus there are more than 12,000 yellow cabs criss-crossing the city. One of the most popular ways to tour the city is by classic double-decker, guided bus tour. Hop-on and off as often as you like to explore, dine and shop at major attractions. One three-and-a-half hour guided bus tour twists and turns through the Sex and the City girls' stomping ground, visiting the eateries where they wine and dine, the shops at the centre of Carrie Bradshaw's shoe fetish and the bars they frequent.
Top Tip: Do as New Yorkers do: Get oriented. Check in with up-to-date listings in the latest issue of New York magazine.
Since New York is a place to see and be seen, shopping is a prime pastime.
Shop like your life depends on it at old-school dependables, Macys and Bloomingdales.
Dress like a diva for less at designer discount department store, Century 21
or book a tour to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets for impressive savings at
220 big-name stores. Head to Soho,
Greenwich Village and Tribeca for one-off, hole-in-the-wall specialty shops,
independent boutiques and eclectic, vintage finds.
Of all the things New Yorkers do well, the skyscraper tops the list. Now you can top off your day 70 stories up at Top of the Rock Observation Deck. Hit new heights as the high-speed shuttle sends you racing skywards in a 'New York Minute' (that's 50 seconds) With an unobstructed, 360-degree view of New York City and beyond, it is a unique vantage point as the sun sets.
Cutting a swath of lights from the tip of Manhattan, Broadway beckons to the star struck. Take a romantic horse-drawn carriage through Central Park and onto a hit show. Broadway favourites include Young Frankenstein, Jersey Boys and Wicked.
From a night of revelry to a quiet cosmopolitan, from the latest underground dive to a classy jazz club, New York buzzes with nocturnal activity. The once sleazy Times Square is enjoying a renaissance, with American theme restaurants, bars and cinemas attracting a huge tourist crowd. The East Village is famous for its local stay-late bars, hip cuisine and small, live music clubs; the Lower East Side offers a similar scene and vibe. SoHo is the edgy capital with its chic, model-magnet nightclubs, while upmarket tastes are catered for at the swish lounges, eateries, clubs and cocktail bars in Midtown, the Upper East and Upper West Sides. Chinatown and Little Italy offer-up gourmet specialities and heaps of charm.
Top Tip: Roof top bars are springing up all over Manhattan and are THE trendiest places to be seen in. Speak to your concierge or Virgin Holidays in resort team for the latest and greatest.
If a break in New York sounds like the holiday you've been looking for, find
out more about the latest VHOT
DEALS to New York.
Helen Truszkowski is a freelance travel journalist and broadcaster. She writes regularly for The Independent on Sunday, The Times, The Daily Express and The Sunday Express.