New York can be a daunting place for travellers. The sheer variety of things to see can make your head spin and the vast amounts of money you can end up spending will make you gasp (or mutter a few choice swear words under your breath!) Then there are the distances to contend with and the realisation that the chances of getting a train to convey you any distance greater than about sixty miles for a sum anyone except Richard Branson can afford is frankly never going to happen. But it's also vibrant, exciting and energetic, and most who visit this incredible city fall in love with it. It is agreed within the travelling community that every bit of time, money and energy you expend here will be well spent.
First things first - Arriving
When you fly to the east coast of America you have a few airports to choose from. JFK in New York has a huge range of flights from countries all over the world but when booking a flight it is a good idea to also check Newark airport in New Jersey. This airport is an easy trip away from New York City and is often a cheaper option for flights. The Air Train offers connecting service to NJ Transit and Amtrak trains, which will bring you into Manhattan. Surprisingly, this can actually be much quicker than taking a cab or bus, and will bring you from Newark Airport to Penn Station in New York. LaGuardia, located in Queens, NYC, is also in a great location to start your travels in America.
New York, New York
Where to stay
New York has a great range of hostels to choose from, and though they can get a little more expensive than European hostels, it can be worth the forking out for somewhere clean and in a decent area. You should also think about what you want in your hostel. The biggest hostel chains, such as YHA and HI hostels, have a long list of strictly adhered to rules and regulations, including ones about alcohol consumption and making any noise after 10pm. If you want a nice, quiet, clean hostel then YHA and HI are great. But if you want no-curfewed fun and the chance to play a rowdy game of Pictionary in the communal areas after 10pm or the chance to drink a quiet beer before bed time then you might want to look elsewhere.
Some advice
First of all, try to go to New York in the summer. There are a lot more possibilities for cheap or free entertainment than in the winter. Though the idea of looking at a snowy New York through the window of your 5th Avenue 5-star hotel is a nice one, it is one that many of us cannot afford. New York for backpackers in the winter is not fun, white fluffy snow rapidly turns to wet foot-killing slush the wind whips through your 'wind proof' coat and snow periodically falls off roof edges and balconies to land, inevitably, on your head. If you don't have much money and want to get the most out of visiting New York take our advice: Go in
the summer! July and August New York weather can be very humid and it does get a little sticky in the city, but this is definitely better than the winter chill, so do bear this in mind when you are booking your flights.
Make sure that the first thing you do when arriving in the city is to buy a street map! They make life in the vast mass of streets so much easier. New York has too many entertainment possibilities to list in one article so we'll just mention a few favourites..
Union Square
Union Square is centrally located with 14th Street on the South and 17th to the North (this is where the map you've bought comes in handy!) and it also joins Broadway. It's a great place to start your day, and you'll find some of the best people-watching in the world here. Union Square has business men and women eating lunch, mothers and children walking dogs, protesting students sometimes or just lots of peaceful students at other times, buskers and street entertainers, people raising money for charities, art displays.. you name it, Union Square has got it. If you sit for a while you will see every kind of fashion known to man and a few that haven't been invented yet. From Union Square it is possible to walk down Broadway almost all the way the Battery Park which is the launching place for the Staten Island ferry and the start of trips to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Walking down Broadway, particularly in the evening is an experience in itself, it makes you realise that in NY anything goes! Theatre-going crowds and ticket sellers swarm the street at weekends and in the evenings, and the atmosphere is electric. Walking down Broadway is a possible way to get to the Staten Island ferry though it does take at least one and a half hours, so it's a good option for those well and truly on a budget but make sure you've got comfy shoes on. There are also subway routes for getting around. Line 6 takes you from Union Square to Bowling Green, then it is possible to walk to the ferry from there.
Twin Towers Area
The Twin Towers are close to Union Square and are an easy walk from Battery Park. This makes for a sobering hour as you read about events and the scale of destruction and extent of the tragedy is bought home to you.
The Empire State Building
Incredibly famous, we know, and for a very good reason; it offers fantastic views of the city and is a must-see. For a sight-seeing attraction, it's a little on the pricey side, but you'll regret it if you don't make the trip. Prices start at around US $15.
Times Square
Another must-see is Times Square at night. As you round the corner and get your first look it really will take your breath away. The variety of colour, advertising everything from Coca-Cola to cars to great nights out, surrounds you. The volume of people and noise really zaps your senses and gives you a great feel of the 'New York buzz'.
Central Park
Central Park is also a free and fantastic day out if the weather is good. There are miles of easy walking, lakes, sports teams to watch, cafes and a zoo. It is not a good idea to venture there at night though. Any Central Park sightseeing should be done in broad daylight! Again, a map is invaluable here and make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to see everything properly because, like everything else in NY, Central Park is done on a huge scale and it takes time to appreciate it properly!
Appalachian Trail
One of New York States hidden treasure is the Appalachian Trail, otherwise known as the AT. The AT is over 2000 miles long and stretches between Georgia and Maine, passing through NY State. The East Hudson trails are favourites, but if you grab a map and check out the AT website you can plan your route. It is possible to catch a train to Croton Falls and then cycle or take a taxi from there. Route 301 takes you to a section of the trail with a wealth of hiking routes both on and off the AT. Hiking in NY State is surprisingly not crowded, with lots of easy-to-follow trails, varying in difficulty and length from an hour's stroll to a 2000-mile hike! The AT is marked every hundred yards with white markers on trees so it is almost impossible to get lost and the views in this almost forgotten part of the state are incredible. Check out East Hudson Trail Map 103 and www.appalachiantrail.org for more information.
Staten Island
The Staten Island ferry is free (wooohoooo!), it goes regularly and it gives you fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. It is particularly spectacular at sunset. Staten Island is nice for a walk around but has nothing like the excitement of New York City, so it's better for finding some peace amid the chaos. It does have some nice bars and cafes, but the bus schedule from the harbour is complicated, so you'll need your wits on hand.
Nightlife
Chelsea has great nightlife if you like good food, interesting people-watching opportunities and the best atmosphere in the city. Greenwich Village also has a great studenty atmosphere and the university surrounds the Park so maintains a carnival feeling all year round. Greenwich also has some great bars and restaurants that are not too expensive; just have a look around.
More Information
Some great websites to check out are:
http://newyork.citysearch.com
http://www.cityguidemagazine.com
Here you will find more detailed, up-to-the-minute information about attractions and events. Enjoy New York!