New York, the city that never sleeps, is one of the most bucket listed cities and definitely one of our firm favourites. What’s not to love with the high energy and 24/7 activity? Sometimes refer to as the Capital of the World, there is always something to do or see, no matter the hour.
New York is One of the Most Tourist Friendly Cities
While many European cities like Venice and Dubrovnik are starting to complain about ‘tourist takeover’, New Yorkers still love tourists. Even though the city is extremely busy, the locals are very friendly towards tourists and don’t mind helping out when you’re lost or in a pinch.
This is helped by the fact that more than 35% of the city’s residents weren’t born there, so most of them remember the time when they were new themselves. It’s truly a melting pot of cultures, with people from Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa, adding their identities to Big Apple’s ever-globalised pulse.
It’s a Fantastic Place to Learn about American History
New York has some fantastic offerings for history buffs. Back in the 18th century, New York City was the capital of the newly formed United States of America. Then in the 19th century, it became the centre of business and immigration. It is estimated that about 40% of all American ancestors have at some stage passed through the city. Include a trip to Ellis Island to your itinerary if you’re interested in learning how immigration forever changed the USA.
It Offers Art Galore
Art lovers adore New York City because there is endless exhibitions, museums, and galleries. Whether you prefer to see the big names in museums like the Guggenheim, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, or the Whitney, etc., or prefer to view current art in the smaller galleries in the Lower East Side and Chelsea, there is something for everyone to see and almost never enough time to see it all.
It’s the Centre of the Fashion Industry
Anyone who has seen Sex in the City or follow fashion in general will know that the streets of Manhattan offer a fashion show like no other. A good way of seeing what fashion is due to hit our shores, is to find a quiet space to sit down in the Midtown Manhattan and watch the fashion forward locals walk by. And of course, you can do much more than just watch, as there is so much fantastic shopping to be done in the city. In fact, fashionistas may as well pack an extra suitcase to house all your amazing New York fashion bargains.
Access to Some of the most Iconic Buildings and Sites
Even though most locals stay well clear of the extremely busy Times Square, nobody ever forgets their first time walking through the hectic plaza. There are so many more iconic sites to visit, including some of the world’s most famous skyscrapers.
Some of the Most Iconic New York Skyscrapers include:
- The Empire State Building, which was the world’s tallest skyscraper since 1930-1970, the longest period any building has held this record.
- The Chrysler Building, with it’s beautiful Art Deco Style is one of the most recognised buildings in the world.
- One World Trade Centre (aka ‘The Freedom Tower’) was built at the site of the destroyed World Trade Centre, and it’s currently the tallest building in the entire Western Hemisphere.
- 30 Rock – Rockefeller Plaza, from TV fame, built by the famous Rockefeller billionaire family.
A great way to see the Big Apple is a stay and cruise, as it’s the largest cruise departure city in the Eastern Seaboard. Numerous ships depart seasonally throughout the year from New York to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Canada, New England, and other transatlantic sailings.
The best time of year to book your cruise depends on what you’re after. If you’d like to take it easy, January to March is the closest NYC comes to an off season. Just be aware that the city has proper seasons and winters can be bitterly cold, so pack accordingly. April and May and September to October has warmer weather and a semi-relaxed atmosphere, and if you’re after a hectic, sun-filled holiday, June to August is the best time to book.
Cruise Nation, voted the number 1 cruise holiday company in the UK, offers many fantastic New York Cruises, including this 2-night New York Stay & 10-night America and Bermuda Cruise Special via Oceania Cruises. The 12-night holiday departs on the 1st of September 2018, sailing aboard the Insignia for 10 nights departing from New York and visiting Newport, Rhode Island, Boston, USA, Bar Harbour, Halifax, St Georges, and Bermuda before disembarking New York.
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