New York New York!

Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that New York City is impressive. Often referred to as the “Big Apple,” the “City That Never Sleeps” or the “Capital of the World,” New York is one of the most vibrant urban centers on the planet, and also one of the largest.

When people talk about New York, they typically mean Manhattan, which is but one of five boroughs that make up the city proper, the others being Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. The full metropolitan area, which includes nearby Long Island, Westchester County, and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, has a population upwards of 18 million.

New York draws tourists from around the globe, not only for its rich cultural and historical attractions, but also because it is a major center for media, theater, food, fashion, art, research, finance, trade and nightlife. It also has one of the most famous skylines on earth, dominated by the iconic Empire State Building.

First-time visitors can’t go wrong by hitting the traditional tourist spots: the top of the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Greenwich Village and SoHo, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, Central Park, even Times Square. But those looking for more local, authentic experiences, plan a trip to Brooklyn to check out the Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Park and the Botanical Gardens; Manhattan’s Lower East Side for a taste of old-world immigrant history meets modern-day hipsters and nascent art scene; or Jackson Heights in Queens, for the best Indian and Thai food outside of Asia.

The Helmsley Park Lane is a luxurious 46-story hotel with panoramic views of Central Park and the New York skyline. Spacious, elegant rooms and suites offer picture windows and superb views. Old-world ambience and service is coupled with new-world comfort and convenience. The dicor reflects the grand European style, from the majestic ballroom to the intimate lobby. Located on Central Park in the midtown business district, the hotel is just steps from Fifth Avenue shopping, Broadway theaters, Museum Mile, Radio City, and Lincoln Center.

Stylish but inexpensive, this noodle house is always crowded with young, professional downtowners whose salaries have yet to catch up with their aesthetics. The minimalist, loft-style interior is as sleek and pleasing as any of the area's more expensive restaurants, and the diverse menu of Pan-Asian noodle dishes like Pad Thai and shrimp and vegetable soup offers something for everyone at a reasonable cost. The place can get crowded, but service is reasonably fast.

The sculptured chocolate treasures at this Midtown chocolate shop are so amazing that they are almost too good to eat. Chocolate has been molded into calculators, ladies legs up to the thigh, baby bottles with pink and blue ribbons, hardware tool kits complete with saw and hammer, the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty. Those opting for the more traditional variety can select from an assortment of chocolate covered strawberries, cherries, apricots, nut clusters and more. At 5th Avenue Chocolatiere, you will have the time of your life if you are in love with chocolates!

This is a food festival with over 50 Times Square restaurants and eateries participating in a superb gastronomic exercise. More than ten such annual food fests have taken place in the past. Now on its way to a 12th food carnival, this is not an 'eating and guzzling beer only' kind of fête. You will be treated to live musical extravaganzas on two stages placed at different ends. The signature mantra is eat, drink, dance and be merry. After all it's a party!

Right in the heart of Manhattan stands this oasis of rolling pastures and gardens, stretching from Midtown to Harlem. It was created in 1857 by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux. These days walkers, rollerbladers, bikers and joggers compete for space. Lovers meet at Bethseda Fountain on Bethseda Terrace. To the north, others wonder at the mystery of Belvedere Castle. Nearby is the Delacorte Theater, where you can watch plays in the summer. It blends so easily with the Manhattan environment that it is difficult to guess that it is totally man made. Across the park lies a charming Central Park Wildlife Conservation Center, and children of all ages love the restored carousel.

Century 21 has long been loved by bargain hunters, who go to find huge markdowns on designer clothing for men and women, as well as items for the home. There are several other locations scattered around the five boroughs.

'21' has been a favorite dining spot for New Yorkers and visitors for over 75 years. The place to see and be seen in, ‘21' has appeared in more movies and television shows than any other fine dining restaurant in America. Patrons may choose from 2 dining room options: the fun and festive Bar Room or the romantic, quieter Upstairs at ‘21'. Executive Chef Stephen Trojahn's exciting American cuisine is complimented by a Grand-Award winning wine list. ‘21' also offers ten private rooms with attentive yet discreet service for social and corporate events. The world-famous wine cellar, hidden behind a 2 1/2 ton door and used to store liquor during Prohibition, is now a luxurious private dining room available for touring on select evenings. The '21' Lounge with its warm fireplace is perfect for a drink and light gourmet fare after work or before a Broadway show.