Welcome to New York

The metropolis of New York (also referred to as "New York City" or "the Big Apple") is easily one of the world's greatest cities, and is a major center for media, culture, food, fashion, art, research, finance and trade. It also has one of the largest and most famous skylines on earth, dominated by the iconic Empire State Building. New York City proper consists of five boroughs, which are actually five separate counties. Each borough has a unique culture--each could be a large city in its own right. Within each borough individual neighborhoods--some only a few blocks in size--have "personalities" lauded in music and film. Where you live, work and play in New York says something to New Yorkers about who you are. The five New York boroughs are: Manhattan (New York County) -- located on the famous island between the Hudson and East Rivers; includes many diverse and unique neighborhoods and is the most-visited area of New York City; Brooklyn (Kings County) -- the most populous borough, at one point a separate city. Located south and east of Manhattan across the East River; Queens (Queens County) -- U-shaped, located to the east of Manhattan, across the East River, and north, east, and south of Brooklyn; The Bronx (Bronx County) -- located immediately north of Manhattan Island. This is the only part of New York City that is physically connected to the continental U.S.; Staten Island (Richmond County) -- a large island situated within New York harbor, south of Manhattan and just across the narrow Kill Van Kull from New Jersey.

New York City is one of the global centers of international finance, politics, communications, music, fashion, and culture, and is among the world's most important and influential cities. It is home to many world-class museums, art galleries, and theatres. Many of the world's largest corporations have their headquarters here. The headquarters of the United Nations is in New York and most countries have a consulate here. Immigrants (and their descendants) from over 180 countries live here, making it one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Travelers are attracted to New York City for its culture, energy and cosmopolitanism.

Some of the city's top choices for visitors include:

Times Square
43rd Street and 7th Avenue, New York City, NY 10036
+1 212 768 1560
A place filled with video screens and LED signs. A world wonder or a tourist nightmare depending on your perspective, the "New" Times Square is a family-friendly theme park of themed restaurants, theaters and hotels, as well as a developing business district.

St. Patrick's Cathedral
460 Madison Avenue, New York City, NY 10022
+1 212 572 3060 / +1 212 753 2261
St. Patrick's Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of New York, Edward Cardinal Egan. It is the largest decorated gothic-style Catholic Cathedral in the United States and has been recognized throughout its history as a center of Catholic life in this country.

Central Park
14 East 60th Street, New York City, NY 10022
+1 212 310 6600
Central Park's 843 acres include 136 acres of woodlands, 250 acres of lawns, and 150 acres of water in 7 waterbodies. Central Park is the first public park built in America. A competition for the design was held in 1858. More than 25 million visitors enjoy Central Park each year.

Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue, New York City, NY 10028
+1 212 535 7710
The largest art museum in the Western Hemisphere, the Met should not be missed, but bear in mind that it is simply too large to allow visitors to see everything in a single day, so plan your visit accordingly. The Metropolitan Museum is a public museum. View more than 6,500 works of art from the Metropolitan's permanent collection, organized by curatorial department. Explore the history of art from around the world, as illustrated especially by the Metropolitan's collection.

Statue of Liberty
Liberty St, New York City, NY 10281
+1 212 363 3200 / +1 212 269 5755 (Ferry)
Located on a 12 acre island, the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.

New York Yankees & Yankee Stadium
W 161st St, New York City, NY 10032
+1 718 293 4300
As one of the world's most-prestigious addresses, Yankee Stadium has also been the home of scores of other sports, entertainment and cultural events. While the Yankees were on the road or out of season, the Stadium opened its gates to college and pro football, soccer, political assemblies, religious conventions, concerts and even the circus.

Greenwich Village
Avenue of the Americas and Bleecker St, New York City, NY 10014
One of New York's most famous neighborhoods (along with Harlem), Greenwich Village (also known as the West Village or just the Village) has maintained its charming bohemian character despite becoming incredibly expensive. Home to New York University and countless twenty-somethings, the Village is also popular with families. Its crooked and narrow streets are full of beautiful brownstones, great stores, and fabulous restaurants. The crooked streets are a result of the fact that the area developed before the City's grid system was instituted in the early 1800s.

Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Brg and South St, New York City, NY 10001
Arguably the most influential bridge in American history, the Brooklyn Bridge remains one of New York City's most celebrated architectural wonders. Designed by the brilliant engineer John Augustus Roebling (1806-1869) and completed by his equally ingenious son Washington Roebling (1837-1926), this elegant structure was, at the time of its completion in 1883, the longest suspension bridge in the world.

Empire State Building
350 Fifth Ave, New York City, NY 10118
+1 212 736 3100
New York's famous Empire State Building, a New York City Landmark and a National Historic Landmark, soars more than a quarter of a mile into the atmosphere above the heart of Manhattan. Located on the 86^th floor, 1,050 feet (320 meters) above the city's bustling streets, the Observatory offers panoramic views from within a glass enclosed pavilion and from the surrounding open-air promenade.