Often dubbed ‘the capital of the world’, New York City is truly one of the most exciting and luxurious travel destinations on the planet. A world centre for media, culture, food and fashion, New York offers a dazzling array of iconic attractions, world-class restaurants, elegant bars and glamorous shopping hotspots; all spanning five unique boroughs with the famous Manhattan Island at its centre.
Founded as a trading post by the Dutch in 1625, New York has since grown into a global microcosm with a population of over 8 million people representing 180 different nationalities. As one of the most diverse cities in the world, you will find yourself amazed at the breadth of its unique pockets and neighbourhoods, such as Little Italy on Mulberry Street, Chinatown next to the Lower East Side and Little India in Jackson Heights.
The impact of hundreds of years of immigration is clearly evidenced through the wide array of dining experiences available throughout the city. 18,000 restaurants are on offer, serving exquisite Japanese, French and Italian cuisine alongside mouth-watering steaks and much, much more from every corner of the globe. Eateries cater for every budget and taste, from the ubiquitous street vendors to the legendary 21 Club and L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon at the Four Seasons.
Famous landmarks are abundant in New York, such as the iconic Statue of Liberty and the Chrysler Building. Other attractions include the awe-inspiring United Nations Building, the infamous Times Square and the bustling Grand Central Terminal. Particularly unmissable is Central Park, a vast expanse of green, open space which provides welcome relief to the city’s hustle and bustle.
One of the world’s largest museums, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is found next to Central Park and features a permanent collection of over 2 million exhibits from America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Outstanding exhibitions are also featured at the Guggenheim, the Museum of Modern Art and the Cloisters.
New York is home to some of the world’s best shopping, with a retail scene spilling over with famous designer stores along Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue. As a world capital for shopping, New York offers anything the visitor might desire from the latest fashions and beautiful jewellery to luxurious beauty products and striking art and antiques.
New York’s entertainment scene provides a fantastic respite from a hard day’s shopping with mainstream musicals, drama productions and razor-sharp comedy on the world-famous Broadway and a stunning variety of edgier fringe material off-Broadway. Greenwich Village, in particular, has a vibrant jazz scene that is not to be missed.
Read more about New York in our exclusive travel guide:
New York Travel Guide