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Profile

New York City is rich in history and cultural dynamism and sets the benchmark throughout the world for fashion, arts and industry. No place else is quite like New York City, a surprisingly small island measuring a total area of just 23.7 square miles, a length of 13.4 miles, a width of 2.3 miles at its widest, and barely a mile at its narrowest point. Yet what it lacks in geographical stature, it makes up for in population density and tourism.

New York City is America's largest city. Home to more than eight million residents, and the destination of more than 40 million visitors annually, New York is a city of world-class arts and culture, cutting-edge entertainment, trend-setting fashion, and first-rate accommodations. The city plays host to some of the world's premier events, including the U.S. Open, the perennial Times Square New Year's Eve celebration and the popular parades for Thanksgiving and St. Patrick's Day.

New York's historical timeline is itself a history lesson in pride and progress. From developing one of the best public transportations systems in the nation, to the creation of the Pennsylvania and Grand Central Stations, the world-famous hubs that help connect the city with commuters and countless new arrivals, it's a city always on the go. From Broadway to Times Square, to the "Village" and Battery Park, Wall Street, and South Street, it's a distinguished city of many varieties that encapsulates the entire globe, offering limitless possibilities for visitors and residents from within its long and narrow frame.

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Weather

New York City has four distinct seasons with concurrent temperature changes throughout the year. The "Big Apple" enjoys 200 days of sunshine each year, with an average high temperature in July reaching 84 F and an average July low of 67 F. Average annual snowfall is 29.2 inches, with February being the snowiest month. The average high temperature in January is 38 F with the average low dropping to 26 F.

Current Weather

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Attractions

From historic Broadway theaters to an aircraft carrier-turned-museum, an Egyptian temple to a space-age model of the universe, New York City has unlimited options for entertainment.

For the best in simulated space travel, the magnificent seven-floor Rose Center for Earth and Space, and Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History (Central Park West at 79th St.; 212-769-5100; www.amnh.org) takes visitors on an odyssey through the solar system and beyond. The new planetarium, the museum's centerpiece, is a gleaming new age cube of glass holding an 87-foot-diameter sphere that appears to float in space. The planetarium is also home to the largest and most powerful virtual reality simulator in the world, and offers spectacular space shows. Planetarium shows and other special exhibits throughout the museum are subject to additional cost.

The Statue of Liberty National Monument (Liberty Island; 212-363-3200; www.nps.gov/stli) is one of New York's most popular tourist destinations. Located on the 12-acre Liberty Island in New York Harbor, the statue was a gift of international friendship from France and has stood as a universal symbol of political freedom and democracy since its dedication in 1886. After ferrying over to the island, visitors can choose a guided tour throughout the monument's lobby and observation deck for panoramic views of the city and harbor.

New York City is the center for many popular news and talk show programs where visitors may attend free tapings and be a part of the audience. The wait for tickets can be long, however. An exception is the popular Today Show morning show, which airs from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. where onlookers flock to NBC Studios in Rockefeller Center to take part in the outdoor festivities and the chance to be seen briefly on-camera. The Late Show With David Letterman has tickets available by registration on the official Late Show website (www.lateshowaudience.com). Saturday Night Live has been a New York City staple for more than 30 years and the popular late night comedy show remains a hot ticket among visitors and New Yorkers alike. Regular tickets are given out once a year through a ticket lottery, which is entered by sending e-mail contact information to (snltickets@nbcuni.com) during August only. Stand-by tickets can be obtained by arriving in person at 7 a.m. the morning of taping on the 49th Street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

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Family Fun

A person once said, "You can live in New York all your life, but until you see it from the top of the Empire State Building, you haven't seen the city." Fair enough. This wondrous landmark located in the heart of the city (350 Fifth Ave.; www.esbnyc.com) measures 1,454 feet and since 1930, had stood as the city's tallest building until construction commenced on the World Trade Center some 40 years later. The Observatory operates 365 days a year.

Families could spend an entire day in New York City's renowned Central Park and not begin to see all the attractions there. With limited time, take the kids to the Central Park Zoo (entrance at Fifth Ave. and 64th St.; 212-439-6500; www.centralparkzoo.com). Here they can trek through a tropical rain forest or into a chilly arctic region to visit with the penguins and ogle the polar bears. Larger animals such as elephants and tigers live at the Bronx Zoo, but this is enough of a menagerie to mesmerize the kids for an hour or so. Admission to the zoo also grants access to the Tisch Children's Zoo where little ones can go up close to the domestic animals.

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Cultural Arts

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (70 Lincoln Center Plaza; 212-875-5000; www.lincolncenter.org) is America's first and largest performing arts complex. Located within are a number of acclaimed concert halls where visitors can find several tours and special programs. Take a guided tour or arrange a private meet-the-artist performance and converse with the dancers, singers and musicians.

The Metropolitan Opera House, located at the center of the Lincoln Center Plaza behind the fountain at Columbus Avenue (212-362-6000; www.metopera.org), presents the tradition of grand opera featuring today's foremost singers in magnificent productions with the Met's internationally renowned orchestra and chorus. A Lincoln Center institution since 1883, names such as Toscanini and Mahler in the early 20th century through Bodanzky, Walter and Reiner have all had a hand in the musical legend of the Met. In modern times, the Met stages more than 200 performances of opera each season with more than 800,000 people attending the performances.

Recognized as one of the foremost dance companies in the world, the New York City Ballet (212-870-5570; www.nycballet.com) dates back to the 1930s and is uniquely known for training its own artists and creating its own works. The New York City Ballet is also renowned overseas, having made a number of appearances in the capitals of Europe, Australia, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, and the Soviet Union.

Founded in 1842, the New York Philharmonic (Avery Fisher Hall, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza; 212-875-5900; www.newyorkphilharmonic.org) is recognized among the premier orchestras in America as well as one of New York's finest cultural treasures. The 106 virtuosos of the Philharmonic play close to 170 concerts for audiences totaling almost one million people a year. Renowned for its performance of the classical symphonic repertoire, the orchestra is reputed to present the finest guest conductors and artists in the world. Names like Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Mahler, Toscanini, and Stravinsky are among the roster of composers and conductors who have led the Philharmonic since its inception in 1842.

Back in the late 1920s, this former educational institute received an initial gift of eight prints and one drawing. Since that time the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (11 W. 53 St.; 212-708-9400; www.moma.org) has grown to include 150,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, architectural models, and more. MOMA also owns some 22,000 films, videos and media works as well as film stills, scripts, posters, and historical documents. After undergoing significant restructuring and renovation, the popular museum re-opened in late 2004 emerging nearly double the size.

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Sports/Recreation

Take a cruise on Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises (Pier 83, W. 42nd St. at 12th Ave.; 212-563-3200; www.circleline42.com), which is best known for its three-hour Hudson River excursions where it loops around the island of Manhattan while a live narrator serves the setting. Also available is a two hour semi-circle cruise and Harbor Lights Cruise in the evenings. As an alternative to the relaxed pace of the Circle Line, adventurers with a need for speed can grab a seat on "The Beast," a 30-minute speedboat ride that's a great idea for families with teenagers.

Chelsea Piers (Piers 59 to 62; www.chelseapiers.com) is comprised of four historic Hudson River piers that boast an elegant past as the original home of the world's great luxury liners. Today, state-of-the-art athletic facilities for more than 30 different sports, recreational games and instructional classes create a unique opportunity for group events or anytime recreation.

The Fieldhouse at Chelsea Piers is an 80,000-square-foot field house facility for gymnastics, team sports and league play. Facilities include a gymnastics training center, basketball courts, indoor soccer fields, batting cages, dance studios, martial arts, and more. 300 New York at Chelsea Piers (between Piers 59 and 60 at 23rd St. and the Hudson River; 212-835-2695), features a 40-lane bowling complex. At Pier 59, visitors will find the Golf Club (212-336-6444), featuring a technologically advanced driving range, and at Pier 61, the Sky Rink skating facility (212-336-6100).

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Accommodations

New York City has hundreds of accommodations to fit any budget and taste including preferred chain hotels, stylish boutique properties, family suites, and more. Don't forget to ask about corporate rates, seasonal specials, weekend deals, and any other discounts that may apply. New York is known as the city that never sleeps, but if you decide that you need to, here are a few choices that will provide comfort, convenience and style.

Hotel Pennsylvania (401 Seventh Ave. at 33rd St.; 800-223-8585; www.hotelpenn.com), or sometimes known as "Penn Hotel," is among the most popular in the city due to its convenient midtown location-directly across from Madison Square Garden and the Penn Station transit hub. With 1,700 rooms, it's the fourth largest hotel in New York, and offers plenty of amenities as well as value for guests.

The Wall Street Inn (9 S. William St.; 212-747-1500; www.thewallstreetinn.com) is a deluxe hotel located in New York's financial and historic district, close to South Street Seaport, Statue of Liberty, Museum of Jewish Heritage, National Museum of the American Indian, and the New York Stock Exchange. In addition to its prime location, the inn combines stylish with spacious accommodations among its 46 guest rooms that feature rooms with lofty ceilings, marble tile baths, in-room Jacuzzi, full length mirrors, work desks with high speed Internet access, and TVs with premium cable networks.

Since its debut in 1930, The Carlyle - A Rosewood Hotel (35 E. 76th St.; 212-744-1600; www.thecarlyle.com) is considered a timeless classic that has provided luxurious housing to a multitude of guests ranging from world leaders to business people to the entertainment industry. Located on Madison Avenue, this New York landmark offers an elegant ambience to go with world-class dining and entertainment.

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Shopping

New York City is a shopper's paradise where visitors will find anything from anywhere in the world. From hip new fashions from world-renowned labels to the charming and obscure, shoppers will find a wide variety from any number of big name global powerhouses to tiny boutique shops.

From 50th through 59th streets, New York's famous Fifth Avenue is a fabulous shopping destination filled with a mix of upscale boutiques and popular chains with spectacular attractions along the way such as Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral. It's an area that's home to stores like Tiffany and Co., the famous FAO Schwarz toy store, Elizabeth Arden, and more.

Madison Avenue's prime shopping area extends from 59th up through 96th streets and is similar in prestige to that offered along Fifth Avenue with its many designer shops, including famous brands like Nicole Miller and Burberry. A rich concentration of decorative objects and jewelry can be found at Madison's Crystal District where big name luxury in the form of Baccarat, Daum and Lalique are located along a five-block stretch of Madison between 58th and 63rd streets.

Having first opened in 1913, the Grand Central Terminal is not only the famous connection point at 42nd Street in midtown, it also centers an array of shops and restaurants. Inside this New York landmark is the popular Grand Central Market, reminiscent of a European food hall, along the main concourse, which sells gourmet foods. Visitors will also find plenty of fine local shops and national retailers located throughout the terminal. Step outside of Grand Central and you'll find more than a few shops to browse through in most any direction.

Further downtown, SOHO, the area south of Houston and north of Canal Street on the west side, is famous for the galleries and shops lining its narrow streets. It has become a popular place to visit, where within a quarter of a square mile exists some 250 art galleries, four museums, nearly 200 restaurants, and 100 stores. For more information about shopping in SOHO visit www.sohonyc.com.

In Lower Manhattan, Century 21 (22 Cortlandt St. between Church St. and Broadway; 212-227-9092; www.century21deptstores.com), not to be confused with the popular realtor, is a department store that features big discounts on top designer clothing and other merchandise. The South Street Seaport (www.southstreetseaport.com) to the east is a thriving waterfront community that offers great views of the East River, a maritime museum, more than 100 shops and restaurants, and plenty of public space.

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Nightlife

After exploring all the city has to offer by day, take in a Broadway show in the evening where New York's world-renowned theater district is always buzzing. Buy a discount ticket in advance at the TKTS booth located at Broadway and 47th Street, or visit www.tdf.org.

Spend an evening with the likes of Fang the Gargoyle, Max Gorey and Tobias Bloodworth at the frighteningly fun Jekyll and Hyde Restaurant and Bar (91 Seventh Ave. S.; 212-989-7701; www.jekyllpub.com) of Greenwich Village where live entertainment with spooky special effects enhance your dining experience. Take a seat at the bar where the fun starts even before the first drink. Later, make a short stroll to the Slaughtered Lamb Pub (182 W. 4th St.; 212-627-LAMB; www.slaughteredlambpub.com) where guests can experience the ambience of an authentic English-style haunt in the heart of downtown. Drink and dine in the Pub Room, take a seat by the fire in Werewolf Lounge, enjoy a game of darts in the Dungeon, and clamor at the extensive beer menu that expectedly features many of the UK faves.

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Travel Info

New York City's Official Visitor Information Centers are the prime sources for information on everything there is to see and do in Manhattan including dining, shopping, sightseeing, events, attractions, tours, accommodations, and transportation. The centers feature free brochures, discount coupons to attractions and theaters, multi-lingual visitor information counselors, and Metro Card vending machines for subway and bus travel. New York City has four Official Visitor Information Centers at the following locations:

Midtown (810 Seventh Ave., between 52nd and 53rd streets; 212-484-1222)

Downtown (City Hall Park Visitor Information Kiosk located on the Broadway sidewalk at Park Row)

Chinatown (Official Visitor Information Kiosk for Chinatown located at the triangle where Canal, Walker and Baxter streets meet)

Harlem (Harlem Visitor Information Kiosk located at the Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 W. 125th St. between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Malcolm X blvds.)

Save money and avoid ticket lines with the New York City Pass. The pass allows for entry to six of New York's most popular attractions, allowing for free admission, bypassing of most ticket lines and providing useful information about transportation, business hours, inside tips, and more. Users have nine days from first use to visit each attraction once. Includes admission to the following: American Museum of Natural History; Museum of Modern Art (MOMA); the Empire State Building; the Metropolitan Museum of Art; either Guggenheim Museum or Top of the Rock; and either Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise or Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. City passes are also available for purchase at any of the attractions or online at http://citypass.com/city/ny.html.

Gray Line New York (777 Eighth Ave., between 47th and 48th streets) offers sightseeing services with double-decker, deluxe motor coach and trolley bus tours. Enjoy the casual hop-on, hop-off tours that include Uptown, Downtown, Brooklyn, and Night tours where you can disembark and stroll around at your own pace and then just board the next scheduled bus. Fully escorted foreign language city tours are also available with multi-lingual tour guides, as well as daylong excursions outside the city. For more information call (800)669-0051 or (212)445-0848, or visit www.newyorksightseeing.com.

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Fast Facts

Why is NYC called the Big Apple? In the 1920s, a sportswriter for The Morning Telegraph named John Fitzgerald overheard stablehands in New Orleans refer to NYC's racetracks as "the Big Apple." He named his column "Around the Big Apple." A decade later, jazz musicians adopted the term to refer to New York City, and particularly Harlem, as the jazz capital of the world. There are many apples on the trees of success, they were saying, but when you pick New York City, you pick the "big apple."

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