New York - The Best City in the World? (New York City)

Member Name: Aphrodite

Product:	New York City
Date:	11/02/03 (46 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Staten Island Ferry - Free way to see the skyline!, Empire State Building (you'll feel as if you're Sleepless in Seattle!) and it only costs $10!, Feels safe

Disadvantages: Huge city and can be quite claustrophobic to begin with, It's a noisy place (bring your earplugs if you want to sleep at night!)

I have heard from lots of people who have visited New York and they have raved about how great this bustling cosmopolitan city is and how cheap it is to shop here. But when we visited New York in November 2002 we were just a tad disappointed. For one thing, it definitely is not a cheap place to stay, eat out or to shop. Ok, so it's tax free clothes shopping if it's under $120 (or so). But to be honest, New York is just a big city, it's kind of claustrophobic (in Manhattan!) and it's definitely not as friendly as other big cities in America. To eat out for breakfast here is quite an adventure if you can find someplace! It's a myth that there is a cosy diner on every corner and in fact you'll find more Deli and Take out places in downtown Manhattan than anything else - people are constantly on the run and walk at such a fast pace that you better not stop to admire the huge skyscrapers looming above your head or you'll be swept away by the flow of people that busy the streets almost 24 hours a day.

One of the best things about New York city is The Empire State Building. On a clear day you can see for miles, and even on a November day, we could see for 15 miles and it's simply breathtaking. Be warned, go early or later in the day to avoid the huge crowds. Another thing you must do is to take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry, which is free and affords magnificent views of the forever changed skyline, Liberty herself and of course once you land in Staten Island you can hop on a bus and visit the Staten Island Mall which has all the major department stores under one roof, which can be easier on the feet than trawling through the streets of New York shopping for a bargain. Here at the Mall you'll find Macy's, Dillards, Victoria's Secrets, and of course a Food court to stop off and grab a hot dawg!

If you're going to New York for the first time get a METRO card from any subway station, which you
can use on the subway and on the buses. You can get a day pass or even a week's pass if you fancy. Hopping on and off the subway is a great way to explore NY without causing too much trouble for your poor feet! And after a hard day's shopping a taxi is always the easiest way to get back to your hotel, and shouldn't cost more than $7 in downtown Manhattan even in busy traffic.


Remember New York is a huge city and don't be disappointed if you don't see it all, you can always go next year......

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