By Candace Horgan
New York City is one of the most memorable vacation experiences in the world, and certainly one of the most popular. More than 45 million people visited the city in 2007 alone, according to stats from New York City Tourism. The city occupies 301 square miles over its five boroughs; there is so much to do that even those who live there can find new attractions to visit, though they have been there for years. The price of a New York vacation can be expensive, but a few tricks can help keep the budget in reason.
Hotels and Food
Hotel rates in New York are some of the most expensive in the world, averaging $312 a night in 2008. However, many deals can be found in online booking agencies like Expedia, where rates for a family of four can be found as low as $200 per night, though the accommodations might not be the best.
While hotels can be expensive, food is surprisingly less so, unless you feel the need to hit some of the city's finest restaurants. There are thousands of mid-priced eateries all throughout the city, particularly for ethnic food. Places like Indian restaurant row on East Sixth Street in the East Village offer great deals, and Chinese restaurants seem to pop up every couple of blocks or so.
When to Go
There are many different opinions on this, but New York in the spring, particularly mid-May to early June, is lovely. The trees are blooming in Central Park and the heat is not too oppressive and the humidity average. August seems to be a time when many New Yorkers flee the muggy confines of the City for the beaches on Long Island and the Jersey shore, and may offer good deals. October also offers beautiful weather, and a short trek north of the city can reveal brilliant orange and red hillsides in places like the Hudson River Valley, while even the big parks in New York (Central, Riverside and Prospect) have gorgeous foliage.
What to See
New York has so much to see it can be hard to choose. The two big museums on the east and west sides of Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History, have some of the finest collections in the world. A great day can be had wandering in Central Park after spending time in one or both of the museums. Other excellent museums include the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, the Ellis Island Museum (which can be combined with a side jaunt to the Statue of Liberty) and the Cloisters.
The trek to the observation deck on the Empire State Building is always popular and reveals incredible views. Near the Empire State Building is the incredible New York Public Library, worth visiting to see the lion sculptures Patience and Fortitude in front.
New York has Broadway, but it also has a lot of excellent off-Broadway productions worth seeing. Amazing music can be heard all over the city at night, particularly in Greenwich Village, host to many amazing clubs.
The outer boroughs of Brooklyn and the Bronx host two incredible Botanic Gardens, and the Bronx also has the Bronx Zoo (and Yankee Stadium for baseball lovers).
Of course, New York City has 24-hour-a-day subway and bus service, and a single ride can be had anywhere in the city for only $2.25. Even if you prefer taxis, ride the subway at least once while in the city.
About the Author:
Candace Horgan has worked as a freelance journalist for more than 12 years. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications, including the "Denver Post" and "Mix." Horgan holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and history.
