Places to see before you die: Reasons to add New York City to the list – Part 24

The mere thought of New York City evokes images as lively as its bustling streets, as enchanting as its many parks in spring, as breathtaking as its theaters and as satisfying as getting a good deal on a designer knock off bag.

The possibilities are endless in a place often referred to as “the city that never sleeps.” So a visit to New York City truly becomes what you make it. It is the one destination that manages to meet every expectation. And those who have experienced the city for themselves know how easily the reminiscing mind recalls its own special New York, which is why it should top every traveler’s “Must Go Before I Die” list.

New York City in its entirety can be daunting to a first time traveler. It is much simpler and manageable to envision the city as a cluster of small villages, each with its own distinct character and attractions. Here are a few notable mentions:

Brooklyn

A walk across the Brooklyn Bridge will take you to the city’s most charming borough. Brooklyn has a unique architectural heritage. Some of the country’s most beautiful brownstones, row houses, mansions, town houses, and carriage houses run along tree-lined streets and comprise distinct neighborhoods. House tours are offered annually.

The Bronx

The Bronx is famous for three of the biggest and most important creations in the world: Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo, and Hip Hop. This borough is as great a place to find entertainment of all kinds.

Staten Island

The Staten Island Ferry is often referred to as New York’s biggest bargain. It crosses New York Harbor from the southern most tip of Manhattan and arrives in Staten Island, and runs non-stop for free.

Queens

Queens is the second most ethnically diverse place on the planet, which makes quite a patchwork of culturally rich neighborhoods to explore and a great place to sample authentic cuisine from around the world.

Manhattan

Manhattan has so many famous addresses, landmarks and tourist attractions it’s easy to get overwhelmed by an attempt to see them all. So it is sometimes best to approach Manhattan seasonally. Central Park is 843 acres of sports and entertainment activities for the young and not so young alike, and it blossoms every spring. Summertime is when the entire city comes outside. It’s the perfect time to catch a free concert in the parks or shop Chinatown’s street vendors for a bargain. Fall is a festive time that promises the New York City Marathon, Macy’s Thanksgivings Day parade, and the New Yorker Festival. If hibernation is not your thing, wintertime in New York can be just as exciting as the warmer seasons. Rockefeller Center is a legendary and fun tradition.

And last but not least, New York City has plenty of reliable transportation options. A taxicab, bus, subway, private driver, rented bicycle, you name it, New York has it to get you where you want to be to fashion your own special New York.