Guide to New York

Whether you’re nibbling the big apple on a long weekend or taking a sizable bite, the city’s landmarks and attractions are closely packed yet so plentiful that they could keep you occupied for months. The city is made up of five boroughs: Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Staten Island and the wonderful Manhattan where most of the key sites are located. From lavish bagels, cheesecake and yellow cabs to skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan is the New York of popular imagination. 

Whatever the time limit, Manhattan is the place where visitors typically spend their time. The Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Grand Central Station and Time Square are all found here along with a host of other famous locations. Taking the Staten Island ferry from lower Manhattan is a fantastic introduction to New York with its postcard views of the Statue of Lib

Last Edit by sophie mcgovern on 22/11/2011   EDIT NOW >>

Getting around is easy, the blocks are spaced a standard 1/5th of a mile going East- West and 1/20th mile going North-South (except for the very south of the Island where the streets are more haphazard) so its easy to calculate walking distances.

Using the subway is confusing at first glance but easy to master. Trains are either local (stopping at every station) or express (stopping only at main stations and aprox every 3rd station in the outskirts). Just make sure your train will stop at your chosen station before you get on. Tickets are a standard single fare (Currently $2.25- Check MTA website for timetables etc) and for this you can go any distance in one journey.  This makes it poor value for short journeys, but excellent for longer cross city trips. You can even go all the way to Coney Island on the coast (described to me by a New Yorker as 'a bit like your English Blackpool') on a single fare.

Multiple journey travel cards can be swiped up to 4 times in succession, so if travelling in a small group, you can buy a card between you (the more jounerys you pay for the cheaper it is) and pass it back through the turnstile to use again 3 more times.

Like any major city the subway is busy and a potential spot for pick pockets and other crimes. It is worth rememebring that the guard rides in the middle of the train, so look to travel in the middle carridge when alone or late at night.

Content Last Edited by Leedsgrub on April 5, 2010, 11:31 pm   EDIT NOW >>