New York City Hotels

From its rich, cultural roots and diversity to its glam lifestyle and incredible high-rise architecture like the Chrysler Building, it’s hard not to fall in love with New York City. Well, maybe lust more than love. Regardless, New York City can satisfy even the pickiest traveller so well that a post-visit cigarette may be necessary.

For shopaholics, department stores like Henri Bendel and Macy’s make racking up a massive credit card bill practically compulsory. For art lovers, New York is home to some of the best museums and galleries on the planet. For pop culture junkies, some of the world’s biggest, highest-rating talk shows are filmed in the likes of NBC Studios. For snootier, er, more refined tastes, Carnegie Hall is a must. Or head into Harlem for a show at the legendary Apollo Theater.

Plus, where else in the world can you bag yourself an epic slice of delicious, artery-clogging pizza at 4am after chilling in an achingly-hip, underground jazz bar? Only in New York, baby.

NEW YORK’S TOP 10

David Letterman films his show in New York. His Top 10 lists are famous. This one’s better.

NY LOCAL – THE FIVE BOROUGHS

Manhattan

The busiest borough, home to Grand Central Station, skyscrapers, Ground Zero and pretty much everything you see in the movies. So much to see, do and explore here. Bloomingdale’s is imperative for shoppers – hellooo, big brands! Singles, pay close attention… If you want to bag yourself a rich hottie, hit up Wall Street, where money and testosterone abounds. Then wind down after shopping and picking up fine gentleman with some culture and history at the African Art Museum and African Burial Ground.

Staten Island

The park borough. It’s got no less than five major parks, thank you very much. They’re not as big as Central Park, but they’re just as beautiful and a hell of a lot more relaxing – which just goes to prove that size really doesn’t matter. If you want to let the kids run wild and subtly teach them a thing or two, hit up the Staten Island Children’s Museum. And don’t forget to hop on board the Staten Island Ferry to take a squiz at the magnificent Statue of Liberty.

Brooklyn

The most populated borough. Coney Island’s allure should not be ignored. The theme park has undergone a makeover recently and there’s also a nice, little beach and boardwalk, too. Have fun and catch some waves. It’s win-win, really – except after dark when it’s a popular hangout for gangs. The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens hosts an acre-long cherry tree strip, nose-pleasing rose gardens, an impressive Bonsai collection and more. And for awe-inspiring views, a hell of a lot of exercise and an excuse to spy on fit bods working out, take a stroll along the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

Queens

The largest borough boasts a rich mix of culture, from the Queens Museum of Art for a to the Queens Botanical Garden. The Queens Wildlife Center, aka the Queens Zoo, can also provide a fun-filled day. Who doesn’t like pointing and laughing at those kooky elephants? No? Jazz fans and neophytes must pay a visit to the Flushing Town Hall, a thriving beacon of culture, art and music that asserts itself as a jazz icon.

The Bronx

This borough contains a massive variety of neighbourhoods, stacks of things to do and is the birthplace of J.Lo, no less. Catch a baseball game at Yankee Stadium whilst simultaneously scoffing a hot dog and waving a giant, novelty finger in the air. Pelham Bay Parkis bigger than Central Park and has basketball and tennis courts, golf courses, bike trails, wildlife sanctuaries and a beach on offer. With so much to do and see, don’t be surprised if you spend your entire day here (then collapse in an exhausted, sweaty heap). Oh, and animal lovers, the Bronx Zoo is your Mecca. Seriously. Big. Huge. Awesome.

EAT & DRINK

As much as New York is the place to shop, enrich and educate, it’s also the place to chomp on some yum food and sip on world-class wine. With a mix of cheap, little treasures and elegant establishments, there’s something for everyone.

EVENTS

Even though you probably won’t score an invite (sorry), New York Fashion Week is a great time to be in the city. Held in an often freezing February, this is when the fashionistas, celebs and big-wig designers come out to play. Loiter for celeb-spotting and fashion-jealousy. Then make like you’re in a Meg Ryan rom-com and take a spin around the Rockefeller Center ice rink.

Show some gay pride and/or support by taking a gander at the floats and wild characters of the Gay Pride Parade and March, held every June. This GLBT event is fun and rowdy and absolutely guaranteed to make you smile. It’s a good opportunity to get wasted, too.

Shakespeare in the Park is one of the New York’s most beloved summer traditions. Two Shakespearean plays are performed over eight weeks and while tickets are free (woo!), they’re limited (boo!). It’s held at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park and tickets must be picked up at a variety of nominated places around the city on the day of the performance. Bring food and drinks and enjoy!

The world’s best tennis players come to New York for the US Open every September. Held at Flushing Meadows in Queens, it’s part tennis match, part rock concert. The crowd is loud and raucous, the standard of play fantastic – and it goes into the wee small hours every night.

Fancy a good chuckle? November’s New York Comedy Festival provides some comedy relief and always includes big names in the bill. It’s held in a bunch of venues around the city, so go and wet yourself in the funnest way possible. Bring spare pants.

New Yorkers love a good parade. The famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in November is nothing you’ve ever seen or experienced before. Think: massive, childhood-memories in float-form, oodles and oodles of people and a fun vibe. (The good peeps at Macy’s also do a cool fireworks display on the Fourth of July. They sure know how to throw a good party.)

Running from early November to the beginning of January, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a long festival of kitschy, Christmas fun. It’s been around for 75 years so you know it’s cool. Ticket prices vary.

If you’re in New York for New Year’s Eve and can stand being squashed by a million people, cram into Times Square and watch the famous ball drop to bring in the new year.

WHEN TO GO

New York’s winter is brutal but beautiful. If you’re prepared to don some sexy thermals and thick coats, expect to be blown away by a city blanketed in snow. On the flipside, summer in the city is incredibly humid. If you’re looking for cold, but not freeze-your-boogers cold, February to April is perfect. For warm but not gross-and-sweaty, try September through to October.

· Winter – Average of -2°C (28°F)

· Spring – Average of 15°C (59°F)

· Summer – Average of 25°C (77°F)

· Autumn – Average of 18°C (64°F)

WHAT TO MISS

While many fear a good ol’ fashioned mugging, they’re pretty rare. However, bag snatching is a danger. Keep your bag on you at all times and hold on tight.

The lower Eastside of Manhattan, the Bronx and North Brooklyn can be sketchy after dark. Central Park and Riverside Park after dark are other no-nos.

The street-food of NYC has a certain allure and let’s face it, you wanna eat like they do in the movies, but if you spot a vendor with a less-than-impressive line of people waiting to be fed, stay away. We’re talking gross, stale pretzels and hot dogs that’ll send you on a one-way trip to the Porcelain God. Not pretty, dude.

GETTING AROUND

Forget whiffy hire cars, this is a city of walking. Get plenty of exercise and stumble upon the many treasures lined along the streets. For longer trips, the Subway system is the go. Not nearly as spooky as the films make it out to be, this is one of the oldest and most extensive public transportation systems in the world. If you’re planning on getting some heavy-duty travel under your belt, bag yourself a MetroCard.

Single fare Subway tickets cost about $2.50.

MetroCards cost between $29 for 7 days to $104 for 30 days.

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