New York
Renowned for its incredible dynamism, New York is one of the world's most exciting
cities. Home to venerated restaurants, chic nightspots, cutting-edge theater and
architectural masterpieces, New York City is forever on the cusp of reinvention,
its creativity fueled in no small part by immigrants who hail from every corner
of the globe.
The epicenter of New York City life always has been the island of Manhattan, situated
on America’s east home, which is home to a fascinating jumble of neighborhoods,
each with its own distinct character. Strolling the city sidewalks is the best way
to come face to face with the city in all its frenetic diversity, from the bustling,
sensory-rich streets of Chinatown to the peaceful, tree-lined lanes of the West
Village. North, south and east of the island, are NYC's four other boroughs - the
Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island - all of which have their own particular
attractions.
New York City is packed with highlights, and it would take a lifetime to see it
all. First-time visitors will want to tick off world-class attractions like the
Met Museum, the Empire State Building and the Guggenheim, while those who've visited
Manhattan before should explore the city's evolving urban landscape, particularly
along the park-lined West Side waterfront. A venture out to the boroughs reveals
a totally different dimension to the city - whether rooting for the 'Bronx Bombers'
at Yankee stadium in the Bronx, feasting on Indian cuisine in Jackson Heights, Queens;
or taking in the incredible nightlife in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Visiting the city's iconic sights is only part of the appeal of this burgeoning
metropolis. The shimmering lights of Broadway, the jazz clubs of downtown, the indie
rock scene of Brooklyn, and highbrow cultural fare at Lincoln Center are all part
of the incredibly varied cultural scene. And those more interested in shopping have
much to celebrate in New York City, with an astounding collection of colorful boutiques,
high-end department stores and edgy shops selling cutting-edge couture. New York
City is also a dining mecca, with thousands of restaurants serving up all the world's
cuisines.
Although New York City still remembers the harrowing events of 11 September 2001,
it has regained its vitality, and now marches forward to confront the challenges
of the future. Symbolic of this was the reopening of the National September 11 Memorial
on the 10th anniversary of the attack. Two giant pools, set in the footprints of
the former twin towers, feature cascading waterfalls and the names of the 3,000
victims of 9/11. Overhead rises the soaring One World Trade Center, a 104-story
skyscraper due for completion in 2014.
Other parts of the city have also seen dramatic makeovers in recent years. Coney
Island has opened newly restored amusement parks, which continue to offer high-thrill
rides, while still retaining its vintage character right off the boardwalk. Further
north, the Brooklyn Bridge Park is substantially expanding green space within the
city, adding a series of parks, ball fields and playgrounds between the Brooklyn
Bridge and Atlantic Avenue.