Sightseeing in New York - what to see. Complete travel guide

New York City is the largest city in the United States. Many people in different parts of the earth consider New York the world center. The population of New York is 8 million people, and if we count its population together with suburbs (New York Metropolitan Area), then it will be 22 million. Many attractions of New York City are well-known all over the world. They can be also seen in numerous Hollywood films. Your opinion on the city would be incomplete if you do not visit famous Central Park, Empire State Building skyscraper, the Statue of Liberty or Times Square.

Manhattan.
Large rectangular Central Park in the heart of Manhattan is known as the "lungs" of New York. It is located in an area of about 3.5 km². Every year the park is visited by approximately 25 million people. On weekends Central Park can be particularly crowded, especially its southern part. However, during working days you can always find a couple of quiet areas in the park. In the 70-80s of the XX century, Central Park often had a bad reputation of a criminal place. However, these days the level of crime has decreased substantially elsewhere in New York, and Central Park is even considered one of the safest urban parks in the world. The famous park today is a huge green oasis right in the heart of the bustling city. While staying there, don’t forget to visit Loeb Boathouse, where you can rent a boat, see the beautiful Bethes Fountain and romantic Bethes Conservatory Garden.

Statue of Liberty.
Statue of Liberty is a symbol of not only New York, but also the United States. The forty six meter tall statue made of copper was presented to the US by French people. The idea belonged to the historian and writer Édouard René Lefebvre de Laboulaye who offered to give the statue as a symbol of friendship between France and America in 1865. Almost twenty years later, in 1886, the statue was placed in New York. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The crown on the head of "Lady Liberty" has 7 rays, symbolizing seven oceans and continents. When people approach New York, the torch of the statue is often the first thing that catches the eye. In 1984 the torch was replaced with a new one. Contrary to belief of many people, one cannot climb to the torch. Because of safety reasons, the crown has been also closed to public. Today one can only climb to the observation deck located on the tenth floor of the pedestal of the statue. Hence, through the glass ceiling, you will see the internal steel structure of the statue, designed by Gustave Eiffel. The second floor of the tower is dedicated to the exhibition that tells about the creation of the Statue of Liberty - the origin of the idea, its construction, technical and financial problems, and installation.

Empire State Building.
Empire State Building is the tallest building in New York that raises proudly right in the center of Manhattan. The building was constructed in a record time - the works began in October 1929, and in March 1931 the official opening took place. After the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Empire State Building became the tallest skyscraper in New York once again (its height is 443 meters, including the antenna on the top). New World Trade Center that is currently being built should soon regain its leading position.

The stairs in Empire State Building have 1860 steps, but no one uses stairs to get to the top of the building. Empire State Building is equipped with 73 elevators, some of which are made especially for tourists. The 86th floor of the building, located at the height of 320 meters, is equipped with a large observation platform, from which guests will be able to enjoy breathtaking views of New York. When the weather is good, the visibility from the deck is more than 70 km. Moreover, there is a smaller observation deck with a glazed floor at the 102th store, but entrance to this deck is paid and costs $15.00. Every year, Empire State Building is visited by 3.5 million tourists. That’s an average of 10,000 people a day! The lighting on the top of the building is different and its color changes depending on the season or on special occasions. For instance, during the American Open tennis championship the top of the building becomes yellow, just like the color of a tennis ball, and on Christmas it’s red and green.

Fifth Avenue.
New York is home to an unprecedented number of different shops, from cheap to very expensive. Fifth Avenue is, without a doubt, the most elegant and luxurious shopping street of the city. The most famous skyscrapers of New York, such as Empire State Building and Trump Tower, owned by billionaire Donald Trump, are lined along Fifth Avenue. The Church of St. Patrick is also located here. The church looks really tiny next to such giants. The Rockefeller Center is a popular entertainment destination. In addition to numerous entertainment facilities the center is the location of Radio City Music Hall.

Most of designer stores are located between 49th and 59th Streets . The selection of brands there is really stunning. Here are just some brands - Versace, Dior, Chanel, Lacoste, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Armani. Bergdorf Goodman store, located at #754, focuses on clothing by young French, Italian and American designers, however, prices are high there. Banana Republic stores are considered relatively cheap. They are located in the #114 building. You may also find some interesting items at Façonnable, #689. 5th Avenue is also the place where you will find famous department stores, such as Saks and Takashimaya. The intersection of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street is the location of the world famous jewelry store Tiffany's.

Times Square is located in Manhattan. This place is known for its neon lights, huge billboards and a lively nightlife. Times Square is also the place where you will find Broadway , the famous New York theater district, where the most popular musical performances take place.