New York City

Welcome to New York!

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Visiting New York is embarking on an extraordinary adventure! This remarkable city is inventive, dynamic, and exceptionally diverse. With its towering skyscrapers, dazzling lights, and myriad of distinct neighborhoods, it offers endless contrasts and an expansive canvas for exploration – an irresistible magnet for travelers! A tête-à-tête with New York? Absolutely! You'll fall head over heels for the Big Apple.

A Multifaceted Metropolis

To grasp the essence of New York before setting foot there, Manhattan is a natural starting point.

For good reason: this island has been the epicenter of the city since the Dutch acquired it from the Native Americans, establishing the colony of New Amsterdam in 1624 (later taken over by the English in 1661 and renamed New York). It houses the city's foremost landmarks, museums, and places of interest.

Spanning 22 kilometers, it is divided into three zones (along with 75 neighborhoods) – Downtown, Midtown, and Uptown, with streets that intersect at mostly right angles, a distinctive trait of the city.

The very name of Manhattan evokes dreams. Picture yourself amid the luminous screens, bustling streets, and iconic yellow cabs of Times Square; gazing in awe at the towering glass spires of Wall Street; being moved by the grandeur of the Statue of Liberty; or finding serenity within the urban hustle and bustle of Central Park. Every Manhattanite has their own special places of wonder, spots that leave an indelible mark on your memory.

There are countless sights to behold, not all of which can be listed here. Consider exploring the bohemian charm of Greenwich Village or the artistic enclave of SoHo, immerse yourself in the counterculture scene of the East Village, savor the fusion of cultures in Chinatown and Little Italy, stroll along the High Line, a repurposed railroad line transformed into a lush promenade, visit the iconic Flatiron Building with its distinctive triangular shape, or catch a Knicks basketball game at Madison Square Garden.

Manhattan can also be appreciated from above. There's a wide array of observatories to choose from, each offering a distinct panorama: the iconic Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center), the futuristic One Vanderbilt Summit, the 360° One World Observatory (which boasts an elevator ride as an experience in itself), and the vertiginous outdoor platform of The Edge.

New York is not limited to just Manhattan. The city comprises four other boroughs, each with its unique identity. If you have some time, they are well worth exploring.

Brooklyn, for instance, is famed for its bridge connecting it to Manhattan. Wander through Dumbo, an industrial district reborn with cobblestone streets and a trendy atmosphere, all against the backdrop of the legendary Manhattan skyline. Then there's Bushwick, celebrated for its street art, and Williamsburg, known for its flea markets and a mix of hipster and traditionally inspired boutiques. Further south, you'll encounter Prospect Park, a family-friendly counterpart to Central Park, with its surrounding Brownstones, and it even stretches down to a beach – yes, you heard that right, a beach – and the iconic Coney Island amusement park.

Starting from Manhattan, make time to explore Roosevelt Island, a lesser-known island neighborhood in Queens. And you can do it via a cable car! Enjoy an original perspective of New York during the brief journey.

A Vibrant Arts and Culture Scene

In New York, enthusiasts of art, architecture, music, theater, and dance are in for an absolute treat. The city stands as a cultural and artistic hub of immeasurable richness.

Museums take center stage. Begin with the ones that carry profound historical significance: the National Museum of Immigration History on Ellis Island, the gateway to the United States for countless immigrants between 1820 and 1967; and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, constructed on the site of the World Trade Center's twin towers in tribute to the victims of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Both places evoke powerful emotions, albeit for different reasons.

New York is also home to incredible art museums: the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) houses an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art; the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art) boasts masterpieces from around the world; the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum stands as an architectural marvel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is worth visiting for its design alone; the Brooklyn Museum showcases a remarkable range of art from ancient Egypt to French Impressionist painters; the Whitney Museum of American Art celebrates American artists; and the American Museum of Natural History, located on the fringes of Central Park, delights dinosaur enthusiasts.

In addition to these renowned institutions, there are plenty of other remarkable museums. The Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum is housed on a former aircraft carrier and is particularly enjoyable for families. The SpyScape Museum is dedicated to the world of espionage, the Skyscraper Museum delves into the history of skyscrapers, and the city offers botanical gardens and zoos, such as the one in the Bronx. The Cloisters, situated north of Manhattan, showcases reconstructed medieval cloisters using architectural elements from France and allows you to admire the Unicorn Hunt tapestries.

New York's architecture is a captivating blend of styles: brownstones, emblematic of residential Brooklyn; neo-Gothic structures like St. Patrick's Cathedral; Beaux-Arts masterpieces like Grand Central Terminal; Art Deco icons such as the Chrysler Building; modernist landmarks like Mies van der Rohe’s Seagram Building; and contemporary developments like the Hudson Yards district.

New York also thrives on its eclectic array of performances, innovative theater, performance art, diverse festivals, concerts, and lively parties that happen anywhere and at any time. So, don't leave without experiencing one of Broadway's numerous musicals, even if it may seem like a cliché – because that's New York for you! Be sure to savor jazz music, particularly in Harlem, the birthplace of this genre, and explore hip-hop and gospel. The legendary Apollo Theater is a must-visit venue. Don't overlook the neon brilliance of the historic Radio City Music Hall and the cultural hub of Lincoln Center, home to the Metropolitan Opera. If you're inclined, extend your evening in a rooftop or subterranean bar and then dance the night away at a club – that's New York's nightlife!

The World on a Plate

New York is exceptionally cosmopolitan. This diversity is not only reflected in its neighborhood melting pots but also in its culinary landscape. American, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, French – no matter your culinary preferences, there is always a restaurant to cater to your tastes, at virtually any budget and nearly any hour of the day. It's another way to travel the globe.

Dining out in New York also means indulging in fast food and street fare. There is no shortage of excellent burger joints and Delis, where late-night grocery stores serve hot food by the pound. Street vendors are a common sight on every corner, offering quick and affordable New York classics such as hot dogs and oversized pretzels (pronounced "pretzel" New York-style). You'll also discover options like smoothies, soups, and roasted chestnuts in the winter.

One of the city's specialties is the bagel, recognizable by its circular shape with a hole in the center. The most famous version includes smoked salmon and cream cheese. Then there's the pastrami sandwich, featuring tender, spicy smoked beef brisket served warm and thinly sliced, or the corned beef sandwich, accompanied by a generous sweet-and-sour pickle and coleslaw. And, of course, a slice of cheesecake stands out as the quintessential local dessert – absolutely delicious.

New York's culinary scene has evolved significantly in recent years, aligning with healthier lifestyles, vegan, vegetarian, and locavore trends. New Yorkers have rekindled their love for quality local produce with a "farm-to-table" ethos, leading to the proliferation of markets, urban farms, and an array of natural wine establishments. A new generation of chefs has injected creativity into the kitchen, reshaping restaurant menus with exciting twists.

High Energy

A significant part of New York's allure lies in its seemingly boundless energy. Albert Einstein's phrase perfectly encapsulates this essence: "Everything is energy, and that's all there is to it."

The city's dynamic rhythm, the myriad activities and entertainment options, the vibrant nightlife, the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, the creativity, the resilience, and the palpable excitement at every corner all come together to paint a picture of a city always in motion, always offering something to see and experience.

This is why it's aptly named "the city that never sleeps," and you'll always feel the electrifying sense that an opportunity, in whatever form, may present itself at any moment.

Allow yourself to be swept away by the boundless energy of this bustling and captivating metropolis. You'll undoubtedly leave not only amazed but also invigorated, and perhaps even electrified by its intensity.