Miami 3 hrs

Philadelphia 1 hr

Boston 1.25 hrs

Los Angeles 5.75 hrs

Chicago 2.25 hrs

Dallas-Fort Worth 3.75 hrs

San Francisco 6 hrs

New York City is made up of 5 boroughs: Manhattan (which many people mistake as being synonymous with New York City), Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and The Bronx. Most visitors, however, spend the great majority of their time in Manhattan, so we will concentrate primarily on that. The 4 main sections of Manhattan are outlined below, but keep in mind that there are many overlapping neighborhoods within each.

1) Uptown: North of 59th Street, up to about 125th Street on the West Side and 100th Street on the East is the area known as Uptown, but it has two very distinct neighborhoods separated by the green expanse of Central Park. A walk along the Upper East Side is impressive, but a bit like walking through a mausoleum, with as much polished quiet as you can find in the biggest city in the world. Except for world-class shopping on Madison Avenue, Museum Mile, and local art displays along the border of Central Park, there isn't much activity. The buildings aregrandiose and well-kept, and very little comparative traffic mills through the streets. It is the most expensive real estate in the city, and quite probably in the world, where old money, socialite charity patrons live and shop. Defining Example: Jackie O lived here. Crossing to the West is like entering another world and finding an amiable bustle of daily city life and the sophisticated clutter that comes with it. The Upper West Side is an energetic neighborhood of mostly affluent 30-and-above-somethings, as well as many celebrities. The sidewalks stream with people, outdoor cafés are full of chatting friends, and lots of shops, theaters, and points of interest keep you occupied. Defining Example: This is where John Lennon lived. North of Uptown are Harlem to the east and west, and Spanish Harlem (El Barrio) in an east side enclave between 100th and 120th Streets.

2) Midtown: Generally known as the area encompassing the well-known Theater District, Times Square,the New York Public Library/Bryant Park, Macy's Herald Square, and the central business district, it also technically covers neighborhoods further south but still north of the Village that are less-known to visitors, like Union Square, Chelsea, the Flatiron District, and Gramercy Park.

·Union Square is rapidly advancing on the greater midtown scene, since businesses joined forced with the city to clean up the area's act. Now in-line skaters flock to the once unapproachable but newly gentrified park, the Greenmarket is the city's best, and musical acts often play in the park pavilion.

·Chelsea was once farmland outside of the city, if you can imagine that, but is now one of the trendiest neighborhoods joining in the city's renaissance. It's a tree-filled, mostly residential community of low-rise townhouses, lofts, and factories, with a river front sports complex, chic bistros, and thriving bars lining the main strip. Arthur Miller and BobDylan, among many other, penned their verses here and it has the dubious distinction of being the place where Sid finally did away with Nancy.

·The Flatiron District centers around 23rd Street (location of the narrow, historic Flatiron Building named for its triangular shape) and Park Avenue South. It is now known as Silicon Alley for its abundance of high-tech computer companies. Recently rediscovered by New Yorkers and visitors for its updated shopping and restaurant scene, this is an increasingly popular area.

·Gramercy Park, largely residential, is one of the loveliest and leafiest sections of the city, rightfully proud of its pretty little park. Unfortunately, it is a private park (the only one in the city) and only residents with windows overlooking it can get a key to pass through its locked gates. If you know someone with the magic "Open Sesame," be sure to drop by for a visit, or stay at the hotel on the square, which gives access to its guests.

3) The Village: Three sections make up this infamous funky town, which escaped the sobering grid pattern of the city above 14th Street largely because it was isolated due to a virus at the time of the linear reorganization in the 19th century. Greenwich Village, west of Broadway to 6th Avenue between 14th Street and Houston, the West Village, west of 6th Avenue to the Hudson, and the East Village, east of Broadway to First Avenue and into Alphabet City, also between 14th Street and Houston, together house the city's wild bunch.

·Greenwich Village: Tree-lined streets follow meandering patterns that might seem arbitrary today, but originally followed streams, cow paths, and the shore of the Hudson before much of the wetlands were filled in. Greek revivals, Federal houses, and peaceful courtyards appear around every corner, though the defining image of the village is a maze of streets abuzz with activity and a charismatic, extroverted populace. Jazz halls, dance clubs and lots of live music fill the area, particularly around MacDougal Street. Ultra-cool shops and hip eateries are everywhere, and NYU surrounds Washington Square Park. Jack Kerouac and Edgar Allen Poe (among countless other famous creative types) thought it was a great place to live and hang out. Fuhgettabout trying to figure out the lay out, just bring a map because you'll definitely need it!

·The West Village: This predominantly gay neighborhood doesn't differ much from Greenwich, though it is quieter and more residential, known for having some of the loveliest brownstones in the city. Boutiques, bistros, and jazz clubs are popular and abundant throughout the maze of quaint, well-kept streets.

·The East Village: This has become the new haunt of the city's Bohemians, as Greenwich has become more and more mainstream, albeit in its quirky way. Trendy yet affordable ethnic restaurants, kitschy boutiques, die-hard punk-rock clubs, and folksy cafés add to the neighborhood's youthful spirit.

4) Downtown: Though it spent hundreds of years as the entirety of the City of New York, today this area is just a tiny section of the greater city and yet it is the monetary life support of the planet. A financial tremor here, or even just the fear of one, sends shock waves through every continent (well, possibly not Antarctica). Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange call its streets home though Wall Street, for the record, now refers to a much larger set of financiers than just those who occupy the tiny street itself. The history in this area is tremendous, requiring volumes to cover, and it is still very much in evidence. Washington was inaugurated President here and the Fraunces Tavern, which is still open daily for business, was the site of many great moments in the city's colonial and early Independence days. Just off-shore are the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, with ferries running throughout the day that transport you back in time and place to the first sight many of our ancestors had of their new lives.

And still more!

The neighborhoods seem to go on forever don't they? Following are a few more interesting sections of the city tucked between The Village and Downtown:

SoHo and the newer NoHo: Named for their northern and southern locations relative to Houston Street, they are characterized by their art galleries, antique shops, stylish pubs and eateries.

Little Italy: See it while you can - this is one of the city's most ingrained and culturally rich neighborhoods but, sadly, the encroachment of the ever-sprawling Chinatown is rapidly gobbling it up. Mulberry Street is its lifeline and you'll find a multitude of authentic Italian-American restaurants, parades, and festivals commemoratingpatron saints of the Old Country.

Chinatown: This area below Canal from Broadway to the Bowery is a bargain hunter's playground and a smorgasbord of budget Asian eats (from Szechuan to Vietnamese). Lots of shops sell strange foods and herbs, not to mention souvenirs by the barrelfull, and lots of clothing and jewelry on the cheap. It isn't anything like the quaint neighborhood of San Francisco, however, so don't expect that sort of ambiance. It is more like a very big and crowded flea market.

TriBeCa: The Triangle Below Canal is bordered by the Hudson to the West, Broadway to the East, and Chambers Street to the South. This former warehouse district has been quietly turning into one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city, as the SoHo chic spills over into its more spacious and peaceful streets. Long forgotten by City Hall, many of its lanes are still paved in the original cobblestones, setting a scene that has attracted antique dealers, retro-furnishers, and low-key celebrities to restore abandoned warehouses into spacious lofts and fashionable business. Defining Examples: John F. Kennedy, Jr. lived here, just a block from where Robert DeNiro oversees his TriBeCa Grill restaurant and TriBeCa Films production company, later joined by Miramax. Nonetheless, the neighborhood has not lost its character of a bygone era to the invasion of the new. Quite the contrary, it has, in large part, retained its 19th-century charm and graciously incorporated the new into itself.

New York City is a highly developed and tightly-spaced cityscape, mostly flat. Green, open spaces are entirely contained within parks. The Hudson River runs along the west side of Manhattan, and the East River separates Manhattan from Brooklyn.

Spring and autumn are the most inviting times to be in New York, when the temperatures are mild and refreshing. Ole Blue Eyes sang, "I like New York in June, how about you?" It certainly is ideal for sightseeing in the "concrete jungle." Each season transforms the city in a whole new image; in spring the solitary Manhattan trees (Brooklyn isn't the only place in the city where a tree grows) blossoming to pastel life along sidewalks - or en masse in Central Park and the many tiny city parks - are matched in beauty by their autumn burst of red, gold, and orange against the somber buildings. Summer brings plenty of sunshine, but it can get quite hot and humid between August and September. Winters are very cold, and the long stretches of skyscrapers can turn into biting wind tunnels.

Spring average 70°

Summer average 88°

Fall average 73°

Winter average 40°

As you may have heard, the city never sleeps. Ever. So anytime you visit can be "the best" and seasonal events might be the best factor in deciding when to go. Culture clubbers prefer the autumn through spring performance season. Foodies have the best chance at good tables in the best restaurants during the summer, when many city-dwellers escape to the shore and the 'burbs. Pedestrian adventurers need to come in spring or fall for the best weather. If you love the holidays, you should seriously consider spending the end of the year in Manhattan. There are few sights as wondrous as a fresh blanket of snow lining the broad avenues when the city is all lit up with festive decorations in every window and hanging from every lamppost. Special shows add to the festivities and climax with the Times Square New Year Bash. This is also a great time for sales! The whole scene evokes the images Bing Crosby crooned about - "city sidewalks, busy sidewalks...dressed in holiday style...and above all the bustle you hear silver bells."

You name it. Okay, not scuba diving, but pretty much everything else you could want in a vacation is up for grabs in The Big Apple. The first thing that comes to mind is The Shows - Broadway glitz, Off-Broadway wit, and Off-Off Broadway avant-garde. Next is the shopping - oh the chic of 5th Avenue, the trends of Times Square, the vintage of The Village, the sparkle of the Diamond District, and endlessly on. How about the museums? Hundreds of them, from the best in the world like the Met, Natural History, and MoMA, to the pop and city culture of the Radio & Television and The City of New York museums, to specialty interests like American Crafts and Abigail Adams Smith Colonial Home & Gardens. Dress up in your finest for the opera and the symphony at Lincoln Center. Skyscrapers give you towering views of it all. Central Park surrounds you with kinetic activity in an oasis of green. The restaurants! The best food in the world is in New York, don't believe anyone who says otherwise. Even a hot dog from a corner stand is better in New York than anywhere else - in fact, especially a hot dog from the corner stand. Subways and ferries, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island where so many people trace their family's American rebirth, movie stars, and sound stages, MTV studios and Madison Square Garden. You get the picture!

Get Oriented: It's a tiny island, by geographical standards, but enormous on a human scale. New York can be as daunting as it is thrilling, so a tour of the highlights guided by a native New Yorker is a great way to develop a sense of direction and neighborhood. Even a highlight tour can be too much if you try to see it all at once, so tour a section at a time on separate outings.

Cruise the Hudson Bay: It's amazing how many different faces the city has, and one of its best is seen from its shores. Cruises take you through the New York Harbor below the imposing skyline, and out around the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, while a narrator tells the tales of the city's past and its evolution into modern times. There are dinner and party cruises, as well.

Empire State Building: It isn't the world's tallest anymore, but it is still one of the most recognized buildings in the world and its view is easily the city's best. High in the sky, you are dead center atop the sprawling metropolis and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Yankee Stadium in The Bronx far beyond Central Park. On any day you can see well beyond the city's eastern, western, and southern shores, and trust us when we say there is no other view (except from your airplane) that gives you such a clear idea of just how huge this city is.

Statue of Liberty: Here's the thing. Lady Liberty is the very emblem of New York. You feel compelled to visit, and well you should. However…if you want to do more than cruise by, or stand beneath her and take a severely angled photo, you are going to have to wait a long time to take the elevator 10 flights up - to her feet. Then, if you want to hang out of her crown and wave to Gotham, you have to be willing and able to climb 12 stories up a narrow and decidedly claustrophobic little staircase to the top of her head. That said, it's a really neat thing to do, if you're up to it.

Ellis Island: They loved America before they ever laid eyes on it, and millions of them came to live the dream. Ellis Island was the first stop in this new life and, after falling into abandoned decay for decades, this extraordinary slice of American history has been restored and its cavernous halls are filled with relics donated by immigrants' descendants. There are also recorded accounts by surviving Ellis Islanders and dramatic costumed recitals of those memories that bring to vivid life the often harrowing experiences of the tired, huddled masses.

Central Park: To describe its features is easy. In 1856, two brilliant landscape architects transformed 843 acres of city land into a beloved refuge for all sorts of animals, from bird to human. It is bordered by Central Park West (aka 8th Avenue) to the west, 5th Avenue to the east, 59th Street to the south, and 110th Street to the north. It has grassy meadows, wooded groves, formal gardens, footpaths, horse trails, all manner of playing fields, a small zoo, an ice-skating rink, a carousel, an outdoor theater, and numerous fountains and sculptures. But that doesn't really tell you anything about what it's like to spend time in Central Park, which is something of a never-ending "festival" of life. In a single afternoon, a roller-blading daredevil whizzes by you performing stunts you wouldn't try with support wires and a safety net. A stand-up comedian cracks you up as you walk past his fountain-side gig. A shirtless, sweating, long-haired teenager chasing his errant frisbee excuses himself as he crosses into a group of tidy, white-clad senior citizens playing croquet. Brazilian martial artists practice elegant maneuvers on a plaza. A Shakespearean tragedy unfolds at the outdoor theater. A little boy catches his first fish in the pond. A policeman on horseback helps you find Strawberry Fields, Yoko Ono's "Imagine" memorial to John Lennon. A group of avid bird-watchers track their feathered friends through the groves. And in the middle of it all, in summers not so long gone by, JFK, Jr played touch football with his friends.

Times Square: These are the words that instantly pop into your mind when you hear the mention of New York. The elongated intersection has spent centuries working its way into the American psyche as an icon with a life and personality of its own. It reinvents it self as often as Madonna, and the latest makeover is the welcome one of a massive clean-up, both physical and cultural. Thanks to a major campaign by Mayor Giuliani and massive corporate investment, the seamy element is gone and a vibrant, welcoming scene has moved in. Some native New Yorkers lament this gentrification as a loss of authenticity, but overall it's a worthwhile trade-off. It's fun anytime of day but puts on its best face at night, when the lights come up on Broadway, the giant TV pours outglittering images of the world, theater goers stream to and fro, and everyone is in the mood for a party. Trendy restaurants are everywhere and fashionable and whimsical shops abound.

Grand Central Station: Did you ever see the movie, The Fisher King? It has a stunning surreal scene where hundreds of commuters simultaneously stop their bustling and sweep into a waltz through the train station's great hall. Of course, that would never happen - unless it was New Year's Eve. Occasionally, the Grand Central hosts ballroom dancing to ring in the New Year, and then it doesn't seem strange at all. This magnificent Beaux Arts station is a great setting for an elegant affair, with a high vaulted ceiling displaying a fresco of the winter constellations, immense arched windows reflecting thousands of lights from the spherical chandeliers, and marble that gleams from every direction. A recent renovation has restored its original luster, and there are many restaurants, bakeries, shops, and a transit museum well worth visiting. Arriving in Manhattan through Grand Central Station is by far the best way to start!

St Patrick's Cathedral: This Gothic marble and stone cathedral is the seat of the Catholic Church in New York and one of the most striking houses of worship in the country. All the elements you would expect come together, from the colored sunlight streaming in through the stained glass windows to the masssive columns separating the aisles. A small chapel within the cathedral makes a lovely setting for small personal occasions like baptisms. Named after the patron Saint of the Irish, who have long been one of the city's principal ethnic groups, its privileged location was chosen by the Irish congregation in 1859. The grand steps leading to the entrance are a favorite rendevous and snapshot spot.

New York Public Library: Enter this masterpiece of Beaux Arts design through the 5th Avenue entrance, where two marble lions guard the flagstone plaza. Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia once said that he visited this world-class research institution to "read between the lions" and dubbed them Patience and Fortitude. Over 6 million books, 12 million manuscripts, and 2.8 million pictures make up the reference collection, but you don't have to check the stacks to have a fulfilling visit here. The opulence of the building awes you with Romanesque frescos on the ceilings, marble floors, sensational exhibits like The Poet's Hand which displayed hand-written drafts and notes by immortals like Lord Byron and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Free tours add heaps of inside information to your visit.

Rockefeller Center: Twenty-two acres of prime midtown Manhattan real estate are consumed by this massive complex lying between 5th and 7th Avenues, and 47th and 52nd Streets. This is where the Christmas Tree is lighted, where businessmen in suits ice skate alongside children, where the Rockettes kick in unison, where Rosie lobs snacks at her audience, and tourists wave through the windows of the Today Show. A fine restaurant overlooks the rink, which turns into an outdoor café in summer, a network store sells souvenirs from all your favorite NBC shows, and the world's first mall fills the underground.

Metropolitan Museum of Art: At the eastern edge of Central Park on 5th Avenue sits the largest art museum in the Western Hemisphere. A walk through its halls is a walk through time and a cultural enlightenment. Mounted medieval knights bear down on you in full battle armor. A Roman temple beckons you within its sacred walls. Egyptian mummies return your mystified gaze. Whistler's Nocturne's cast their shadows over you. Gauguin's Polynesian beauties flirt with you. Formal suits of the French court gleam with their threads of gold. Everywhere you turn, priceless treasures engulf your senses, overwhelming you with a mixed sense of humility before their splendor and pride as part of the human community that created such beauty.

The Cloisters: Stone by stone, this medieval cloister was pieced together atop a cliff from the ruins of countless abbeys and monasteries of France. This august structure is surrounded not by skyscrapers and freeways, but with woods and the river flowing far below. A modern reconstruction of an ancient way of life, this branch of the Met is a fully hands on experience. Unlike most museums, its treasures are not roped off or protected in glass cases, with a few exceptions like the illuminated manuscripts and other portable religious artifacts. Every floor you walk on, every wall you touch, every doorway you pass through, every fountain you sip from is itself a treasure of the Middle Ages and its fervor of faith. A Crusading Knight lies in effigy in one room while the famed unicorn tapestries - the only surviving set of its kind - adorn another. Often overlooked due to its location, a visit to this museum will surely be one of your most memorable experiences and more than worth the little extra effort to get there.

Museum of Natural History: It's hard to believe that a collection of this size could be contained in one building, but there are more than 36 million artifacts and specimens in what is widely regarded as the most important museum and research institute of natural history in the world. Forty-two exhibit halls feature striking displays of full dinosaur skeletons, priceless gems, geological formations, what seems like the entire spectrum of the animal kingdom's bio-diversity, Native American culture, the 4.5 billion year-old, largest meteorite ever retrieved from the Earth's surface, and so much more. Seasonal exhibits, fascinating seminars, and an IMAX theater keep the museum fresh and ever-new. A favorite yearly exhibit is the live tropical butterfly exhibit, where you walk through a small jungle habitat with free-flying butterflies flitting around you!

United Nations: Established on October 24, 1945 by 51 countries committed to preserving peace through international cooperation and collective security, today nearly every nation in the world belongs to the UN with membership totaling 189 countries. Every day, the UN works to promote human rights, protect the environment, fight disease, foster development, reduce poverty, combat drug trafficking and terrorism, and much more. A visit this seat of international peace and brotherhood on the midtown banks of the East River is an inspiring experience.

Brooklyn Bridge: "All that trouble just to get to Brooklyn!" quipped vaudevillians. Six hundred men took 16 years to build the most famous of New York City's many bridges which, at its completion in 1883, was the world's largest suspension bridge and the first to be made of steel. Its twin Gothic arches present a grand gateway to the city, and Brooklyn's annexation is due in large part to the bridge itself. For a peak experience, take the A or C train to the Brooklyn side, then walk back across the bridge into Manhattan.

Commodities Exchange: Buy! Buy ! Buy! Sell! Sell! Sell! Referred to by insiders as the last bastion of pure capitalism left on Earth, the exchange has a gallery where you can view - if you can take the pressure - frenzied traders in color-coded blazers shouting at each other in their bids to trade commodities. Don't quite understand what's going on? Fuhgettaboutit! Just take in the madness from a safe distance and know you've witnessed the manic speculation that built (and occasionally has crashed) the stock market.

Southstreet Seaport: The importance of New York City as a seaport isn't what it once was, but in its heyday, it was king. The South Street Seaport is the best place to see this merchant port heritage, with an excellent maritime museum that anchors the reclaimed buildings converted into shops and nightlife spots on the East River's Pier 17. The subsequent piers are packed with antique vessels, and the original cobble-stoned streets are filled with street performers, outdoor concerts, gourmet food, and oyster stalls. It's a great place to spend an entertaining afternoon and catch up on your people-watching.

Forgotten New York: The past is all around you, on the buildings high above, in the subways deep below, and along the busy streets. Lampposts, advertisements, bridges, cobblestones, buildings, signs, and more bear silent witness to the city that once was. Want to see New York of yesteryear? Just keep your eyes peeled. There's an Indian cave right in Manhattan; advertisements elegantly painted onto brick walls offer horse carriages "to let" (rent), stables sit empty; the White Star Lines arch still waits in eerie silence for the Titanic; unmarked speakeasies with multiple quick exits serve up drinks, no longer fearing Elliott Ness. There are endless examples of the life that has passed the city by, most of them preserved by happy chance, since the often historically-challenged city leaders can't possibly keep track of every little item they would otherwise "renovate." Whatever you see, take a picture, because it may not be there the next time you visit.

It's hard to stop eating in New York. A deluge of great food pours out of what seems like every doorway and steams on nearly every street corner. There isn't any place in the world that can claim to have better food, though some try. This is thanks in part to the city's fame, which draws the world's best chefs to its kitchens, and in part to the enormous immigrant diversity which brings with it a cornucopia of culinary traditions. Finding fine restaurants is no trick; they are everywhere and you just have to focus and decide what appeals to you most. A spectacular bird's eye view of the city? Breezing past Al Pacino on the way to your table? A stage show to entertain you over calamari? Or how about some playfulness, like singing waiters or a snobby butler disapprovingly correcting your table manners? Of course, if you're too busy or excited to settle down for a long meal, a spicy kabob or a steaming hot dog to go from a street stand is always an option. On first sight it may seem like you can't eat anywhere but the corner stand without bottoming out your wallet, but that isn't the case at all - you just have to know where to look. There are lots of reasonably-priced side-street cafés and residential area eateries beyond the tourist zone where you can fill up without cashing out, and even inside the maze of Club 21s and Fashion Cafés you can find diners and buffets serving good food on the cheap.

Gourmet: Chanterelle has inspired critics to sigh that "angels feast on lesser food." We can't improve on that recommendation, so we'll just add comments on the atmosphere, with its flawless service, loft-like and elegantly understated dining room, a cozy bar where you're treated to a cocktail while your table is set, and an ever-changing, world-inspired menu based on French techniques. 2 Harrison Street at Hudson, TriBeCa

Highly Recommended: Gramercy Tavern - believe the hype! This Flatiron District favorite is a sumptuously rustic interpretation of the warm, luxurious restaurants found in the European countryside. The historic building is filled with antiques and tended by an unrushed, attitude-free staff that seems genuinely happy to serve you. First-rate American cuisine delights the senses and makes you wish all the other diners were family so you could sneak a taste from their plates too. 42 East 20th Street, between Broadway and Park Avenue South

Local Flair: Carnegie Deli is, in meaningful italics, the renowned deli of Manhattan. Owners Milton Parker, CPM (Corned Beef & Pastrami Maven) and Sanford Levine, MBD (Married the Boss's Daughter), cure, bake, smoke, and pickle their own food. And oh, the sandwiches! Piled so high that Zagat restaurant guide declares you need Mick Jagger's mouth to eat them. Don't even think of leaving without trying the cheesecake. And the atmosphere, as authentic as the food, seems to have been lifted from a Woody Allen movie, with its business-as-usual tourist jostling, edgy waitresses, and elbow jabbing in the tight seating arrangements. You'll love it! 854 Seventh Avenue at 55th Street, Theater District

Romantic: One If By Land, TIBS ends your search for the perfect place to propose and/or woo that special someone. The colonial carriage house owned by Aaron Burr is stupendously appointed with 4 fireplaces, window tables with a soothing garden view, tapered candles, stained glass, and early 19th-century American art. The menu changes seasonally but you can always count on their "basics" like crab cakes with red pepper juice and basil aioli or foie gras with butternut squash ragout and Bartlett pear sauce. 17 Barrow Street, Greenwich Village

It doesn't matter how far through Central Park you walked, or how long you stood in line at the Times Square discount TKTS booth, or in how many museums you spent how many countless hours. It doesn't matter that you aren't much of a night owl, or that you don't really do much after dark but sit home and watch TV. You're not home, you're in New York, so try not to sleep much more than your host! You can either hit the streets to see what diversion crosses your path, or plan ahead if you need tickets or haven't a clue how to sort it all out on the spot. The best places to go for a little help are the pages of the top city guides, like Time Out New York (new issue every Thursday), the legendary alternative rag Village Voice (new issue late Tuesdays downtown and early Wednesday everywhere else), and the Arts & Enetertainment section of The New York Times, particularly Friday's two-part weekend section. Meanwhile, we can give you some cover-all-bases highlights.

Give Your Hellos to Broadway: Just walk on over to "The Great White Way" and settle into a legendary theater or two for the most sensational shows in the world. What's more, if your timing is right you will even get to see movie and television superstars honing their craft on the New York stage, like recent turns by Kevin Spacey in The Iceman Cometh and Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard! Either buy your tickets ahead of time or stand in line at the TKTS booth to choose from the potpourri of half-price tickets for that evening.

Stray Off-Broadway: Don't miss out on these shows, which have nothing but their addresses to mark them as "second-tier." Broadway has glitzy musicals and, more recently, a renaissance of select dramas but Off-Broadway is the real venue for "true" theater. Riveting dramas, hilarious satires, cutting edge dance, mystery thrillers, and interactive participation "gatherings" make for some of the best entertainment in New York. The shows are cheaper than Broadway and many of the theaters give you a discount if you walk up just before show time.

Talk Shows and Live Tapings: Can we talk? New York is the talk show capital of the world, where tabloid TV hosts and professional gossipers dish their dish. Here's something you may not have expected - tickets are free! But you can't get them for nothing. You have to be willing to stand in line for many hours to get them, though in some cases tickets are given out by a lottery so your time of arrival won't improve your chances. Either way, the people who wait generally always say it was worth it. Some shows let (some require) you to call ahead for tickets but you can't pick the dates, so if you're flexible and really, really want to see Letterman's cynical eyebrow raisings in person, or catch a Kit Kat flung at you by Rosie, wait to pick your travel dates until you get word that you've got tickets.

The Joke's on You At Caroline's Comedy Club: This Broadway venue features big names like Janeane Garofalo and Richard Lewis as well as the "next Janeane Garofalos and Richard Lewises." This club is known for dragging the audience into the act, so beware!

Metropolitan Opera: On multi-million dollar stages, the world's grandest sopranos and tenors sing the joys and woes of the timeless characters created by master composers. For the first time, many of us can finally understand exactly what those joys and woes are, since each seat-back is equipped with a screen for subtitles. There simply is no better venue in the world for opera than the acoustically perfect Met.

New York City Ballet: Highly regarded for unsurpassed technique, this ballet company is the world's best. They frequently perform the works of George Balanchine, its founder, and Jerome Robbins, two of America's most renowned choreographers. Under the direction of former dancer Peter Martins, the troupe continues to expand its repertoire and performs to a wide variety of classical and modern pieces. The cornerstone of the season is the Christmastime production of The Nutcracker.

A Night at the Apollo: Built in 1914, the Apollo saw its heyday in the 30s when Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday were regulars. A 1986 restoration revived this historic Harlem landmark and today the Apollo is again internationally renowned for its African-American acts, from hip-hop acts to Wynton Marsalis' "Jazz for Young People." The weekly "Amateur Night at the Apollo" is a raucous, fun-filled night of young talent dreaming of making it big.

Carnegie Hall: One of the most famous performance halls in the world, Carnegie hosts everything from grand classics to the comedy stylings of Steven Wright. Visiting orchestras from across the world, as well as many of the world's premier soloists and ensembles perform here. Thelegendary hall is both visually and acoustically brilliant and there is also the intimate Weill Recital Hall, usually used to showcase chamber music and vocal and instrumental recitals.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: New York is the performing arts capital of the world, and Lincoln Center is its capital institution. Before you go out each evening, check the schedule to see what's on at the center, which can include opera, dance, symphonies, jazz, theater, film, and participatory events, classic and contemporary. Lincoln Center's many buildings serve as permanent homes to their own ensembles, as well as major stops for world-class performance troupes from around the globe.

Radio City Music Hall: This stunning art deco theater opened in 1932, and is a co-star in every performance it hosts. Its main show of the holiday season is the Christmas Spectacular, starring the legendaryRockettes. Visiting pop stars includes the likes of Stevie Nicks and Radiohead, and thanks to perfect acoustics and uninterrupted sightlines, there's hardly a bad seat in the house. The theater also hosts several annual awards shows, such as the ESPYs, the GQ Man of the Year Awards, and anything MTV is holding in town, so celeb-spotting is choice on show nights!

Roxy: Everybody goes to the Roxy. Fashion models, city club kids, wide-eyed 'burb kids, straights, and gays swirl in the pulsing sound and lights, and glamour is everyone's dance partner. Tuesday is in-line roller disco night, mostly gay, and Wednesday night is mixed. Salsa and merengue bring the Latin crowd on Friday nights and, on Saturdays, DJ Victor Calderone reigns supreme over his legion of gyrating fans. There actually is more to the Roxy than a dance floor. If you want to lie low for a while, there's a cigar bar, a martini lounge, and two VIP rooms.

S.O.B.'s: Themusic's hot, hot, hot at the city's top world-music venue. The always-packed house dances and sings along every night to calypso, samba, mambo, African drums, and reggae, swaying to the positive, high-energy vibes. Stars who have lit up the stage include Marc Anthony, Ruben Blades, and the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz. The Tropicana Club style has island flair and the food is Caribbean classic. The bar is extensive and the specialty drinks, of course, are tropical. Don't let a lack of cha-cha know-how keep you from dancing - they have dance lessons to get you in the groove.

Culture Club: If you know what the phrase "The Me Generation" means, then you're going to love this place. Step in the door and flash back to the 80s - there's no better place to go for a night of Pac Man with The Police. And where else in the 21st century could you still proudly wear your Boy Toy belt?

Decade: The Babies can Boom all night without crowds of Gen Nexters barelyout of - or still in - their teens. This hybrid supper/dance club is a well-spring of well-dressed, well-heeled 30-, 40-, and 50-somethings who lounge in the cigar and champagne bars backed by a fun mix of tunes from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Excellent service tops off the perfect setting.

Rock the Village: There are endless clubs in the Village to catch live music and party all night with undiscovered bands or surprise drop-by musical legends. CBGB's was the launching pad for mega-rock stars like the Talking Heads, Blondie, and the Ramones, and still draws the Death Before Disco gang to jam with bands. 101 is a great spot to chill out with some of the best jazz in town, and the Wetlands features cutting-edge alternative bands for the benefit of those whose stomachs churn at the first note of a Pop Top 40 hit.

Winter Antiques Show: New York's most prestigious, not to mention most expensive, antiques show is a Who's Who of the society set. They descend like hummingbirds on nectar at the benefactor's opening night for first dibs before John Q. Public gets his chance. Seventh Regiment Armory, January

Antiques at the Other Armory: A younger and trendier set of dealers puts together a show of more affordable collectibles during the first weekend of the Winter Antiques Show, with a free shuttle running between the two. 26th Street Armory, January

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show: The "World Series of Dogdom" is the mother of all purebred pooch fests, with 2,500 American Kennel Club Champions of Record competing for the Best of Show trophy. The dogs draw as many fans as a hit rock band, with 30,000 people traveling from all over the world to admire the picks of the litters. Madison Square Garden, February

International Cat Show: Cat fanciers adore this show because it presents not only rare and exotic purebred champions, but also beloved household pets competing for the Best of Show honors. Visiting vets give interesting and practical lectures on caring for your pets and special competitions like photo contests add lots of fun to the event. Madison Square Garden, February

St Patrick's Day Parade: Bagpipes, soulful renditions of Danny Boy, green beer, in fact, green everything, and the world's largest civilian parade converge to delight the Irish and Irish-for-a-Dayers. Fifth Avenue from 44th to 86th Streets, March

New Directors/New Films: Up-and-comers step out from behind the camera and onto center stage at this high-profile debut series sponsored each year by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art. Recent notables include Buffalo '66 and Smoke Signals. MoMA, March

Easter Parade: This began as a genteel Easter Sunday outing when New York ladies showed off their tastefully fashionable new hats, but has evolved into an extravaganza of flamboyance. Don't expect an actual parade - there are no floats, no marching bands, or anything else of the sort, just lots of wild outfits and a ready spot for you if you have the chutzpah to dress-to-flabbergast. 5th Avenue from 48th to 57th Streets, Easter Sunday

International Food Festival: This is one day you won't have to worry about securing dinner reservations because the ethnic chefs bring their whisks to the streets and serve your meal to go. If you can tear yourself away from the delicacies for a little while you'll find treats for your eyes and ears as well, with street musicians and dancers spicing up one of the city's best street fairs. 9th Avenue from 37th to 57th Streets, May

Fleet Week: Like a scene right out of On The Town, which of course was a scene right out of life (minus the spontaneously tap-dancing sailors), 10,000 Navy and Coast Guard crew members take liberty in New York. While they're out carousing, you can visit their ships where Marines put on dramatic displays. Or you might just opt to enjoy the other dramatic display of 10,000 of "the few and the proud" having the time of their lives in their starched whites - it's a wonderful sight. Ships at the West Side Piers and Sailors All Around Manhattan! May

Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibition: Over 250 artists in search of an audience, not that they have trouble finding one. This Greenwich Village tradition has spent nearly a century filling 20 city blocks with artists who make their way to this Bohemian enclave for inspiration and a creative outlet. Washington Square Park, May & August

Bryant Park Film Festival: If you visit in summer, this is an experience you simply should not miss. Each summer Monday night, the midtown park puts up a giant screen and welcomes thousands of families, lovers, and 9-5ers of every description to claim a space, throw down a blanket, and settle in for classics from the silver screen (and more recently, some "new" classics like Grease). Most everyone who attends may have seen these movies many times, but never on the big screen, and never in the company of 10,000 New Yorkers. The crowd - who would never speak above a hushed whisper in a theater - exuberantly sings along, gasps in horror, and cat-calls the most elegant of 1940s lovelies - male and female. It's a blast! The movie starts at sunset and the park fills up fast after 5:00pm. Bryant Park, Monday Nights, June through August

Gay Pride Week: The "Event of the Season," at it roots, commemorates the Stonewall Riot of 1969, which the gay community considers the beginning of its liberation movement. The events of the week are a jubilant and free-spirited assortment of celebrations from simple parties to major political fund-raisers and an eye-popping parade, finishing with panache at a street festival and waterfront dance party with fireworks. Greenwich Village, June

Summer Stage: The stars are hotter than the sun at New York's summer-long free concert festival featuring international, pop, folk, and jazz artists that have included Ziggy Marley, Yoko Ono, and Morrissey. Central Park, June

Metropolitan Opera in the Parks: Is there anything more cosmopolitan than listening to a diva belt out an aria in the park? Maybe, maybe not, but in either case it ranks right up there with the "best of the best" experiences. For a couple of months in summer, parks all over Manhattan welcome opera legends, who revel in wowing the crowds at free concerts under the stars. City Parks, June through July

Shakespeare in the Park: "Be you in the park about midnight…and you shall see wonders." Well, alas, by midnight the wonders will be over but O! the glories of the forerunning hours! The Delacorte Theater hosts top-notch, free al fresco performances of the Bard's best, starring such luminary thespians as Al Pacino and Patrick Stewart. Central Park, June through August

Restaurant Week: Thought you couldn't afford that hobnob-with-the-stars restaurant? Well, we're happy to inform you that you're wrong. Each year some of New York's finest restaurants get together in a collective fixed-price offer and invite you to savor the delectable innovations of the world's best chefs for a smashing $20 soup-to-nuts bargain! Participating restaurants vary year to year so call the visitor's bureau for a list and reserve your table immediately. Around Manhattan, June

Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular: The traditional fireworks extravaganza is easily one of the country's most fantastic. Head over to the FDR for the best view, but get there early because the road closes to traffic several hours before sunset. East River, July 4th

Midsummer Night's Swing: The only thing missing from this nostalgic evening of dancing to big band swing by the fountain under the stars is the flightful duo of Fred and Ginger. If you never took cotillion and haven't a clue how to waltz or foxtrot, go anyway, because you can take lessons and the event is a wonderful sight to behold. Lincoln Center Fountain Plaza, July

New York Fringe Festival: The tragically hip emerge from their lofts and coffee houses to roam the many tiny venues that host hundreds of alternative and traditional theater, music, dance, comedy, new media, and other assorted performances. Some artists use the festival as a testing ground for new work, some of which is appealingly avant-garde, others of which seriously push the envelope, and many of which are really quite good. Lower East Side, August

US Open Tennis Championships: The Grand Slam wraps up at the sleek new Flushing Meadows Park, next to Shea Stadium. August, Queens

Wigstock: With performers like Hedda Lettuce and RuPaul, it's hard to believe that the crowd can be more outlandish than the stage shows, but it is! Legendary diva queens (for real or just in their own minds) strut their stuff for highly amused onlookers. August, Pier 11

Broadway on Broadway: Casts from virtually every Broadway production sing and dance favorite tunes from their hit musicals on a stage set in the heart of midtown. As you can imagine, the streets get packed fast for this free revue so get there early. Times Square, August

Feast of San Gennaro: The patron saint of Italy is the honoree of this atmospheric Little Italy street fair. Great food and traditional music are the best reasons to go, as well as great people-watching, rides, games, and vendors. Mulberry Street, September

New York Film Festival: One of the top stops on the world film fest circuit, with screenings held in various venues. Past hits such as Pulp Fiction, Gods and Monsters, and The Sweet Hereafter debuted at this festival. Lincoln Center, September - October

Feast of St Francis: One of the most charming and fanciful events you'll ever encounter, a host of humans parade forth with their cherished pets from goldfish to - this is for real - elephants, to be blessed, following which there is a fair and musical entertainment. Cathedral of St John the Divine, October

Greenwich Village Halloween Parade: Lou Reed sang about it, and don't think he was exaggerating for effect! Drag queens and flamboyants of every nature wait all year for this spectacle so they can dress up in outlandish costumes and parade en masse through the streets of Manhattan. A "true New York" experience! Greenwich Village, October 31

New York City Marathon: The - of course - largest US marathon gathers about 25,000 runners from around the world to race for the tape amid the cheers and encouragement of at least a million spectators through the 5-borough route finishing at Central Park. New York City, November

Manhattan Antiques and Collectibles Triple Pier Expo: Just before Thanksgiving, the city's largest antiques show presents over 600 exhibits during each of its two weekends. One pier displays the best of the 20th century including furniture, art, glass, jewelry and fashion. A second pier features Americana including rustic furniture, folk art, Native American crafts, books, and toys. The third pier is the place to find the finest in 18th- and 19th-century formal European furniture and furnishings, sterling silver, porcelain, art glass, fine paintings, and estate jewelry. Piers 88, 90 & 92 (west side from 48th to 55th Streets), November

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Not just a New York tradition, this parade is a tradition for Americans from coast to coast who tune in to see the giant balloon and storyland floats, and New York's finest in a holiday procession through Manhattan. Actually being there as the enormous Rocky and Bullwinkle and assorted character balloons float by, and the crowds cheer the brave men in uniform is great fun and a special experience you just can't duplicate over the screen. Central Park West and 77th Street to Herald Square, Thanksgiving Day

Lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree: An ice-skating show, singing, lots of other entertainment, and an enormous crowd gather together for the traditional lighting. Crowds pack in fast to the small square so the earlier you go the better your chances of actually seeing the tree. Once the lights go on, the crowd disappears in a flash and you can easily get right under the tree for a souvenir photo. Rockefeller Square, December

New Year's Eve: Year in and year out, the biggest party in the world happens right in Times Square, with Dick Clark ringing in the New Year as the Big Ball drops on the Big Apple and millions of New Yorkers and adventurous visitors crowd the madhouse streets for the Big Bash. 10-9-8-7-6...! Central Park is also abuzz with the Midnight Run, which is a lot more than just a fun run, with live DJs, fireworks, and a masquerade parade with prizes for the best, most outlandishly dressed revelers. December 31

If there is one place you can feel free to express your haute couture or anti-couture self, it's New York. Wear whatever you feel like wearing, except in finer restaurants and clubs, which have strict dress codes. For the weather, bring cool cottons in summer, a medium jacket in spring and autumn, and a full ensemble of layers and a heavy coat for winter.

We strongly advise that you confirm the following information and regard this only as a basic guide.

Subways: New York Public Transportation is the best in the world, and during the day it is as perfectly safe as it is convenient. After roughly 9pm at night, however, it is a good idea to stay above ground and use buses or taxis instead of the subway. At all times, stand well back from the platform edge until the train arrives. It's part of the fun and "real New York" experience, but it requires some common sense caution.

Safety: New York has had such an enormous turnaround that it is now the safest of all big American cities and ranks very low on the FBI crime list, so relax and have fun. Nonetheless, there are some areas that you should avoid, like above 96th Street, as well as Alphabet City at the far end of the East Village. At night, avoid the Lower East Side and the East Village in general. Times Square is now a wonderfully safe and well-peopled place until at least 11pm, but you can stay away from the areas west and south of Times Square. Stay out of the parks at night (unless you're attending an organized public event, and then stay with the crowd) and whenever you get disoriented or stray from main visitor areas, stick to the main roads.

New York Convention & Visitors Bureau: 810 Seventh Avenue (between 52nd & 53rd Streets), New York, New York 10019, phone toll-free 1-800-NYC-VISIT 24-hour hotline or 212-397-8222