There is so much going on in this exciting metropolis that finding what you want is not difficult. This is the place to see some of the most recognised landmarks in the United States, including the Statue of Liberty. Live entertainment, fashion, food and museums are the Big Apple’s best known attractions.

You can land at either of New York’s two major international airports, JFK and La Guardia, from almost anywhere. To get to wherever you want from the airport you can use public transport, hire a car, or take a yellow taxi-cab. Car hire’s great advantage is that you are not limited by someone else’s timetable. You also generally don’t need to worry about additional insurance products such as gap insurance or car warranties when you hire a car.You should not forget, however, the importance of checking your documents so that you know exactly what you are liable for if you have an accident.

Below are six of the best and most famous sights and attractions which NYC has to offer.

Central Park. Get away from the traffic and fumes of the streets and instead enjoy the outdoor pleasures of the 843 acre Central Park. People jogging or on bikes can be seen every day making use of the park’s extensive facilities. You can enjoy a ride on the Friedsam Memorial Carousel and visit the Belvedere Castle. Young and old will enjoy the Central Park Wildlife Centre and a ticket from here will get you in free to the Tisch Children’s Zoo. In the winter you can ice skate; at any time of the year you can inline skate in the Wollman Rink. Rent a boat or race mini yachts at the Conservatory Water. You can take a tour of the beautiful six acres of the Conservatory Garden or sunbathe on the Great Lawn behind the Met.

Staten Island Ferry. The Staten Island Ferry is a beautiful way to see the New York Skyline and major landmarks. The Statue of Liberty is the first sight after the ferry leaves Manhattan. You get a panoramic view of this vast city, including the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge. Extra welcome is the fact that there is no charge for this trip.

Empire State Building. Amongst the world’s skyscrapers the Empire State Building is one of the most immediately recognisable. It has been open since 1931 and cost $41 million at the time. It was one of the most quickly built skyscrapers, taking less than a year to be completed.
You can visit the observation desks on the 86th and 102nd floors. You can see for 80 miles on a clear day. You can buy a snack or cup of coffee at one of the shops or bars that are inside the building. You can also take an exciting virtual trip around the Big Apple by means of the New York Skyride which is a simulated helicopter ride.

Metropolitan Museum of Art. This world famous museum is known to the locals as the Met. It is the home to over 2 million works of art. Pieces by world renowned artists abound. You can wander through a display of pieces in every genre and style, and from every period. In a separate building you will find the Cloisters – a place you should not miss. You will find here one of the most comprehensive collections of medieval art. You can wander around this extensive museum on your own or be part of a guided tour. The Met and the Cloisters are both covered by the price of the ticket.

Statue of Liberty. When you are visiting New York City you should not miss Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. You are likely to be stunned by the sight of this 450,000 pound gift from the french. Go to the island by the ferry and then take a guided tour. The history of the statue and facts about it will be provided by them. In the base of the statue you can find plenty of exhibits and concession stands. Superb views of the harbour and city can be seen from the observation deck. A Lady Liberty New York Helicopter tour is also available.

American Museum of Natural History. The American Museum of Natural History is amongst the largest in the world. This is a very large place with over 42 separate exhibit halls that have hands-on interactive displays. If you are fascinated with dinosaurs, you will be amazed by all the fossils that are here. Here you and your family can spend hours being educated and entertained at the same time.

There is no let-up in the bustle of New York City. There is no shortage of things to do whether during the day or the night. If you want to start exploring this city, make use of the user-friendly public transport system. You might enjoy hiring a car instead. If you are likely to be in New York for some length of time – on business for example – you might benefit from finding a company from whom you could hire a vehicle on a short-term contract. You must, however, be on your guard! There are often severe penalty clauses in the contract hire lease agreement; early termination, for example, can oblige you to pay as much as 70% of the remaining rental. This is when you would need to look at your car gap policy to see if it includes contract hire gap insurance. If an accident results in the write-off of your vehicle, you want to be sure that it will not cost you. In the crazy bustle that is NYC there are 75,000 car accidents every year, so take good care!

Big cities—Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, etc—are great places to live and fun places to visit. However, whether you’re just visiting or planning to ditch your quaint country cottage for a chic urban flat, you’ve got to know how to maneuver the city. Of course, public transportation systems are different depending on where you are. Comparing the MTA (NYC) and MBTA (Boston)? Yeah, you’ll discover a number of differences. But there are certain tips and tricks that can help you travel like a pro no matter where you are.

  • Plan your subway trip before you leave — Long before you duck into the subway station, use maps and online resources to plan out your subway trip. A number of Web sites will assist, if not do most of the work, when it comes to choosing a train line, figuring out transfers, directions, and more. Google “Hop Stop” for a great subway trip planner (has trip planning for New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, and more).
  • Figure out how much you’ll be using the subway — Will you be in Boston for a weekend? Chicago for a week? San Francisco for 2 hours? Just be conscious of how long you’ll be in the city. More so, how many times do you expect to use the subway? This will help you decide on which subway card or ticket to buy. For instance, Boston’s Charlie Card will save you 30 cents every time you use the metro system, but it might not be worth the effort to acquire the Charlie Card if you’re only using the subway once to get to the airport. Just plan according, and look up each city’s respective subway ticket purchase options.
  • Pay attention to service alerts and delays — Subway systems are great for getting from here to there, but none of them are flawless. Construction and maintenance have to be done, and this often causes train delays or temporary line closures. Major alerts will be posted near subway entrances and communicated over loudspeaker systems within the subway tunnels, so take off your headphones while you’re waiting.
  • Be extra wary of the train directions — It might be simple to select the train line you need, but the work doesn’t stop there. Make sure you’re going the right way—either go uptown or downtown, inbound or outbound, etc. Look, if you don’t know which direction you need, just ask somebody for assistance! you won’t look stupid or unprepared, I swear. It’s better than going in the wrong direction and ending up confused and lost in a foreign area of the city.
  • Use the subway system as much as possible — If you’re staying for a while or moving, just get acquainted with your new public transit system. Get on and off the subway in different areas, making sure to pay attention while you do so. In this way, you’ll learn the geography of the city and also get acquainted with the metro system!

And realize, subway systems aren’t just for the main metropolitan areas. If you’re visiting or moving to a suburb just outside a major city, it’s still likely you’ll have great access to the major metro system in some way. For example, if you’re moving into one of the many condos in Jamaica Plain (a neighborhood right outside the Boston metropolitan area), you’ll still have great access to the MBTA. So keep these tips in mind, too!

Think a trip to the Big Apple will leave you broke? It doesn’t have to. Save on your trip by staying in a cheap New York hotel. The following are some budget-friendly NYC accomodations that offer a number of benefits, including: fantastic locations, a plethora of amenities, and good room rates. The following suggestions for inexpensive New York City hotels will help cut the cost of your stay in NYC.

The Maritime Hotel
This contemporary hotel faces the Hudson through large porthole windows that accent the clean, modern design and give this hotel a distinct look. Compact and comfortable, that’s how these rooms were designed. All of the furniture is built in so that you have everything you need in a small space. The décor is reminiscent of IKEA meets Pier 1, providing clean lines and warmth at the same time. This hotel offers a downtown location, both a Japanese and Italian restaurant, and a 10,000 square foot patio. If you are in search of a twin sized bed, this hotel may not be for you, it is ‘queen only’ here.
363 W. 16 Street
NY, NY 10011

Incent Village House
Dating back to 1841, this hotel is located in the quaint Greenwich Village and is surrounded by many preserved historic landmarks. There are 13 suites and studios, the largest can accommodate up to 4 guests, and 10 have working fireplaces. A small kitchen, A/C, TV, private bath, and a coffeemaker are included in a majority of the suites. Warm fireplaces, grand pianos, and satin couches represent some of the Dickens-era décor you’ll find here. Located next to Chelsea and the trendy Meatpacking District you will have have plenty of places to go out and explore.
32nd 8 Ave
NY, NY 10014

Room Mate Grace
Located in Times Square, you will be hard-pressed to find a more stylish deal. The hotel, inspired by youth hostels, offers modern conveniences that any tech-head would love. There are 139 rooms with free wi-fi, flat screen TVs, DVD players and iPod docks. Described as “fresh, modern and whimsical” it draws a hip crowd that appreciates the nightly lobby DJ, 24 hour coffee bar and pool that has underwater music and a “swim up” bar. Room Mate Grace offers a variety of nearby tourist spots, including Grand Central, Rockefeller Center, MOMA and St. Patrick’s Cathedral each within a mile. This is a great hotel in a great location for a great rate!
128 W. 45th St
NY, NY 10036

Gershwin Hotel
The Gershwin sits like a paper mache building of someone’s dreams in Manhattan. You will not miss the bright red exterior with dramatic, circus-like lights and awnings. Located a block away from the Empire State Building and near 5th Avenue shopping, clubs, and the Flower and Fashion Districts, you will have plenty of sightseeing right out your door. The hotel offers all of the basics and more, including: a multi-lingual staff, discount parking, irons, and safe boxes. Just in case you don’t find enough to do outside of the hotel, they have an on-site art gallery and a rooftop sun deck for relaxation. Rooms range from basic bunks to suites, there is something for everyone and it is all priced to book.
7 East 27th Street
NY, NY 10016

Chelsea Savoy
The hotel is a suprisingly cheap choice, based on its Midtown location and wall of famous visitors. This hotel might not be the trendiest in town, but it is known for its excellent, helpful staff and cleanliness. For people who want a clean, nice place to stay that’s in a safe neighborhood, the Chelsea Savoy will be appealing~The Chelsea Savoy will charm people who want a clean, nice place to stay that is in a safe area for a reasonable price~If you’re searching for a great hotel, the Chelsea Savoy will definitely be appealing. It’s tidy, in a safe neighborhood, and rooms are relatively inexpensive~For those seeking out a clean, nice place to stay that’s in a fun neighborhood, the Chelsea Savoy will be appealing~The Chelsea Savoy will appeal to people who want a nice, clean place to stay that’s in a great neighborhood for an inexpensive price~For an reasonable rate, the Chelsea Savoy is a great hotel that’s clean, nice, and in a good neighborhood}. If you would rather spend your money on the town rather than a fancy, schmancy hotel, then the Chelsea Savoy is a tried and true winner.
204 W. 23rd St.
NY, NY 10011

Read more about cheap hotels in New York City. Also, make sure to visit www.allny.com, your one-stop-shop for all-things New York. Get advice on planning your trip, research activities and things to do, read about popular restaurants, and get advice on traveling within the city.