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1 mynameispaul New York for Kids New York City, 5 Days Table of contents: Guide Description 2 Itinerary Overview 3 Daily Itineraries 5 New York City Snapshot 16

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Page 1: New York for Kids - Luxury Link · Day 2 - New York City DAY NOTE: For one of New York’s most kid-friendly attractions, head out on the 7 train from Times Square or Grand Central

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mynameispaul

New York for Kids

New York City, 5 Days

Table of contents:Guide Description 2

Itinerary Overview 3

Daily Itineraries 5

New York City Snapshot 16

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Guide Description

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AUTHOR NOTE: New York's ever-changing mix of restaurants,bars, theater and other nightlife may make it the ideal playgroundfor adults--but it's also a great destination for you to explore withkids of all ages...Photo: Entrance to F.A.O. Schwarz. By Daniel Morris.

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Itinerary Overview things to do

restaurants

hotels

nightlife

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Day 1 - New York CityDAY NOTE: Begin your kid-friendly Big Apple extravaganza inCentral Park, where kids can ride the old-fashioned carousel,visit the small but charming zoo, and (depending on the season)go ice skating. Afterwards, take them for lunch (and some ofthe famous frozen hot chocolate) at Serendipity 3. Continue tospoil them with a trip to the city’s most famous toy store, FAOSchwarz.

Central ParkUrban oasis, perfect for exploring or relaxing

Central Park CarouselAntique merriment in the park

Central Park Zoo/Tisch Children's ZooPenguin suits

Wollman RinkSkating in Central Park makes for a fun family outing

Serendipity 3Home of the frozen hot chocolate

FAO SchwarzWorld's biggest toy store

Day 2 - New York CityDAY NOTE: For one of New York’s most kid-friendly attractions,head out on the 7 train from Times Square or Grand Central to111th Street in Queens to visit the New York Hall of Science. Aftera long day of interactive exhibits, head back to Manhattan anddown to Madison Square Park for a burger and frozen custard atanother New York institution, Shake Shack.

New York Hall of ScienceExperimenting and exploring for kids

Shake ShackBurger heaven draws a crowd

Day 3 - New York City

DAY NOTE: Another day, another kid-friendly borough: head toBrooklyn’s Coney Island for a walk on the boardwalk and a hotdog at Nathan’s Famous. Older kids might enjoy the thrills of aride on the rickety Cyclone roller coaster at Astroland AmusementPark, while young sports fans will love seeing a minor-leaguebaseball game in the fun atmosphere of Keyspan Park, home ofthe Brooklyn Cyclones.

Coney IslandBrooklyn beach resort

Nathan's FamousBest dogs on the planet

Astroland Amusement ParkCyclone, Wonder Wheel and other historic ConeyIsland rides

Keyspan ParkMinor league ball

Day 4 - New York CityDAY NOTE: Just because you haven’t shelled out for ticketsto The Lion King, you can still give your kids a Broadwayexperience. Line up at the TKTS booth in Times Square fortickets to one of the many matinee shows; matinee tickets (same-day only) are on sale Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 am to2 pm. Get there early! Afterwards, it’s a short walk to John’s, oneof the city’s most popular pizzerias.

John's PizzeriaPizza in Time Square

Day 5 - New York CityDAY NOTE: On your last day, take the uptown 2 or 5 train tothe E Tremont Ave-W Farm Square stop and head to the BronxZoo. Make sure to visit the Children’s Zoo and its collection ofinteractive exhibits. For one last great family meal, check outGramercy’s Blue Smoke, for upscale barbecue and other comfortfood (macaroni and cheese and homemade potato chips withblue cheese dip, to name just two options).

Bronx Zoo

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Itinerary Overview things to do

restaurants

hotels

nightlife

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Urban zoo with sprawling grounds, home to 6,000-plus animals

Blue SmokeThe smoke signal

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Day 1 - New York CityQUICK NOTE

DAY NOTE: Begin your kid-friendly Big Apple extravaganza in Central Park, where kids can ride the old-fashioned carousel, visit thesmall but charming zoo, and (depending on the season) go ice skating. Afterwards, take them for lunch (and some of the famous frozenhot chocolate) at Serendipity 3. Continue to spoil them with a trip to the city’s most famous toy store, FAO Schwarz.

contact:tel: +1 212 310 6600http://www.centralparknyc.org

location:14 East 60th StreetNew York NY 10022

1 Central Park

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:The Central Park Conservancy runs free, volunteer-led walking tours; they take place rain or shine. Noreservations are necessary.

DESCRIPTION: The idea for Central Park was born in 1858,which a competition was held to choose a design for whatwould be the first public park built in America. The winners wereFrederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, whose Greenswardplan proposed an entirely man-made park that would beintended only for public use, as a refuge from the relentlessrhythms of New York City's already overcrowded streets. It tookmore than 15 years and $14 million (the equivalent of about$200 million today) to build the Park, with its 843 acres andsix-mile perimeter extending from Central Park West to FifthAvenue and from 59th Street to 110th Street. Those 843 acresinclude 136 acres of woodlands, 250 acres of lawns, and 7different bodies of water totaling some 150 acres.Starting in 1980, a public-private partnership between NewYork City and the Central Park Conservancy restored andpreserved Central Park, and attendance has only been rising

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in recent years. Now, more than 25 million visitors per yearstroll its 58 miles of pedestrian paths, go horseback riding on4.5 miles of bridle paths, bike or jog on its 6.5 miles of windingroads, or simply relax on the grass or on the nearly 9,000benches provided. The famous Tavern on the Green restaurant- the location of the finish line for the New York City Marathon- was originally a sheepfold, housing the shepherd and theflock that grazed Sheeps Meadow until 1934. In nice weather,the still lush meadow now welcomes hordes of sunbathers,picnickers, and people-watchers, all of whom enjoy loungingunderneath some of the only sky in Manhattan unmarked by tallbuildings. Other special features of the park include the CentralPark Carousel, the Marionette Theater, the Central Park WildlifeCenter, the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, the DelacorteTheater, the Great Lawn, the Central Park Zoo, the Henry LuceNature Observatory, Wollman Rink, Lasker Rink, the LoebBoathouse, and the North Meadow. © NileGuide

contact:tel: +1 212 879 0244fax: +1 212 947 0874.http://www.centralpark.org/

location:64th StreetNew York NY 10019

hours:Apr-Nov: 10a-6p M-Su, Nov-Apr: 10a-4:30p M-Su

2 Central Park Carousel

DESCRIPTION: One of the many treasures to be found withinCentral Park, this beautiful restored carousel is made upof huge, hand-carved and hand-painted jumping horses. Itis simple, old-fashioned and children of all ages adore it. Acarousel was originally placed in the park in 1871. The currentcarousel has been on this site since 1951 (although it is mucholder than that). You can take your children to one of the manyplaygrounds located throughout the park. © wcities.com

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contact:tel: +1 212 861 6030http://www.wcs.org

location:830 Fifth AveNew York NY 10153

hours:Apr-Oct Mon-Fri 10am-5pm,Sat-Sun 10am-5:30pm; Nov-Mar daily 10am-4:30pm.Last entrance 30 min. beforeclosing

3 Central Park Zoo/Tisch Children'sZoo

DESCRIPTION: This Central Park zoo has a smart, eco-friendlyenvironment. Animal cages have been dispensed with in favorof open-air habitats, water and pseudo-forests. The Centeris divided into three major territories: the Polar Circle, theTemperate Territory and the Tropic Zone, all of which encirclethe central Sea Lion Pool. In the Polar Circle, glass walls allowyou to see penguins and polar bears swimming just inches fromyour face. Check the website for admission prices and furtherinformation. © wcities.com

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contact:tel: +1 212 439 6900fax: +1 212 396 0008http://www.wollmanskatingrink.com/

location:62nd StreetNew York NY 10019

4 Wollman Rink

DESCRIPTION: Located in Central Park, this outdoor rink isone of the city's premier ice skating spots. The atmosphere isfun and relaxed, and amateurs are certainly welcome. There isa snack bar and lockers available. Try to visit on the weekdays,as the weekends bring large crowds and lines. Skate rentalsand lockers are available. During the off-season, the spacebecomes a roller rink (call for hours and details). © wcities.com

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contact:tel: 212 838 3531http://www.serendipity3.com/

location:225 East 60th StreetNew York NY 10022

hours:11:30a-midnight Su-Th,11:30a-1a F, 11:30a-2a Sa

5 Serendipity 3

DESCRIPTION: Around since the 1950s, this dessert shopis a classic to older Upper East Side residents, who in turnhave made their children fans of this incredibly popular spot.Lines out the door do not deter families from waiting for a tableor ordering takeout dessert. Small, white circular tables arescattered throughout the room, past which fast moving waitersweave back and forth. The menu features American food suchas hamburgers, but dessert is what you really want to comehere for. Be sure to try the famous frozen hot chocolate. ©wcities.com

citysearch

contact:tel: +1 212 644 9400fax: +1 212 308 6094http://www.faoschwarz.com/

location:767 Fifth AveNew York NY 10153

hours:M-Sa 10a-7p, Su 11a-6p

6 FAO Schwarz

DESCRIPTION: After eliminating products carried by the big discounters,FAO Schwarz now carries those hard-to-find and oh-so-expensive itemssuch as Vespa scooters for older children, mini-luxury cars such asHummers and Jaguars, and serious karaoke machines. There's alsoa soda fountain where the kids can load up on sugar to fuel their rompthrough the magical store. The giant piano keys made famous in themovie Big thankfully still remain. © Frommer's

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Day 2 - New York CityQUICK NOTE

DAY NOTE: For one of New York’s most kid-friendly attractions, head out on the 7 train from Times Square or Grand Central to 111thStreet in Queens to visit the New York Hall of Science. After a long day of interactive exhibits, head back to Manhattan and down toMadison Square Park for a burger and frozen custard at another New York institution, Shake Shack.

contact:tel: +1 718 699 0005fax: +1 718 699 1341http://www.nyhallsci.org

location:47-01 111th StreetNew York NY 11368

hours:Call for details

1 New York Hall of Science

DESCRIPTION: The New York Hall of Science is an interactivemuseum geared towards children. The Space Pavilion at the1964 World's Fair took place here, but now it houses more than160 exhibits detailing the history and evolution of science andtechnology. A highlight is the outdoor Science Playground—apark filled with interactive games and displays, all designed tohelp children understand the human body. © wcities.com

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contact:tel: 1 212 889 6600http://www.shakeshacknyc.com/

location:Near Madison Avenue andEast 23rd StreetNew York NY 10010

hours:Apr-Nov: Daily 11a-11p

2 Shake Shack

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:The Shake Shack now has three NYC locations(Madison Square Park, Columbus Ave near 77th St,and at Citi Field, new home of the New York Mets)with two more set to open in 2010.

DESCRIPTION: Billed as a modern-day "roadside" burgerstand, Shake Shack goes back to the basics of the hamburger

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(no truffles, foie gras, pork belly or Kobe beef in sight). As aresult, it's won over legions of fans since its opening in MadisonSquare Park in 2004 (around the corner from owner DannyMeyer's upscale star Eleven Madison Park), and has been aperennial contender for best burger in the city. In addition, theShake Shack hot dog and frozen custard--a creamy twist onsoft-serve ice cream--help build the lines in warmer weather toepic proportions in the park location.© NileGuide

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Day 3 - New York CityQUICK NOTE

DAY NOTE: Another day, another kid-friendly borough: head to Brooklyn’s Coney Island for a walk on the boardwalk and a hot dogat Nathan’s Famous. Older kids might enjoy the thrills of a ride on the rickety Cyclone roller coaster at Astroland Amusement Park,while young sports fans will love seeing a minor-league baseball game in the fun atmosphere of Keyspan Park, home of the BrooklynCyclones.

contact:tel: +1 718 372 7099http://www.coneyislandusa.com/

location:1208 Surf Avenue (Post)New York NY 11224

hours:Call for details

1 Coney Island

DESCRIPTION: This peninsula in southernmost Brooklynboasts a diverse community of 60,000 people and a broad,sandy beach with a historic boardwalk. Its selection ofamusement parks and attractions may have seen better days,but they can still provide a rich slice of Americana and a dayof family fun during a spring or summer visit. As a major resortand amusement destination, Coney Island reached its peakin the early 20th century. Its popularity declined after WorldWar II and for many years it was sorely neglected, but inrecent years the area has been revitalized with the openingof KeySpan Park, home of the minor league baseball teamthe Brooklyn Cyclones. In addition to the Cyclones fans thatswarm the area in spring and summer, Coney Island attractsthousands to its annual Mermaid Parade, which takes placeon Surf Avenue every summer and features an array of floatsand performers in crazy costumes. Another star attraction isthe original Nathan's Famous hot dog stand, which openedin 1916 and quickly became a landmark. Its annual hot dogeating contest, held every July 4th since Nathan's opened, hasrecently attracted widespread attention, including internationaltelevision coverage.

wcities

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Those coming to Coney Island shouldn't miss the AstrolandAmusement Park, with its selection of rides including thehistoric Cyclone, built in 1927 and one of the oldest rollercoasters still operating in the United States. WonderwheelAmusement Park provides an even bigger selection of thrillrides, while the Coney Island Aquarium houses dolphins andsea lions. The Riegelmann boardwalk, another landmark,stretches continuously along the beach from West 37th Streetin the community of Seagate through Coney Island proper andBrighton Beach to the beginning of the community of ManhattanBeach, a distance of approximately two-and-a-half miles. ©NileGuide

contact:tel: 1 718 946 2202http://www.nathansfamous.com

location:1310 Surf AvenueBrooklyn NY 11224

hours:Mo to Su from 08:00 AM to01:00 AM

2 Nathan's Famous

DESCRIPTION: Home of the Famous Fourth of JulyInternational Hot Dog Eating Contest, Nathan's Famoushas been serving mouth-watering hot dogs since 1916 at itslandmark location in Coney Island. What started as a nickelhot dog stand has grown to a nationwide franchise, but hotdog aficionados swear that no other hot dog can compare tothe original Nathan's! Maybe it's the sea air or the honky-tonkatmosphere – no one knows for sure, but one bite into thesecrunchy all-beef dogs will win over the greatest skeptic. Thefries (with or without gobs of cheese or chili) are to die for! ©wcities.com

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contact:tel: +1 718 372 0275 / +1 718265 2100http://www.astroland.com/

location:1000 Surf AvenueNew York NY 11224

3 Astroland Amusement Park

DESCRIPTION: Head out to the boardwalk at Coney Islandto experience true New York atmosphere and a place frozenin time, with old fashioned photo booths, a freak show, andrides right on the water. The main attractions are the fabulousWonder Wheel Ferris that slides and swings as you spinaround, and the world famous Cyclone roller coaster - this NewYork historic landmark has been luring thrill seekers since 1927.Eighty-six feet high and made completely of wood, the Cyclonewill scare just about anyone! © wcities.com

wcities

contact:tel: +1 718 449 8497fax: +1 718 449 6368http://www.brooklyncyclones.com/

location:1904 Surf AvenueNew York NY 11224

hours:Call for details

4 Keyspan Park

DESCRIPTION: Keyspan Park is home to the BrooklynCyclones. The ballpark is built on the same template asmost others. However, it deftly makes use of the surroundingattractions. A few blocks away from here is Astroland, theamusement park at Coney Island; it makes for a wonderfulview over the left field fence. Towards the right field wall are theendless blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It's a spectacularplace to watch a game and the unmistakable energy of theBrooklyn fans just adds to the excitement. © wcities.com

Photo courtesy of Keyspan Park

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Day 4 - New York CityQUICK NOTE

DAY NOTE: Just because you haven’t shelled out for tickets to The Lion King, you can still give your kids a Broadway experience.Line up at the TKTS booth in Times Square for tickets to one of the many matinee shows; matinee tickets (same-day only) are on saleWednesdays and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. Get there early! Afterwards, it’s a short walk to John’s, one of the city’s most popularpizzerias.

contact:tel: 1 212 391 7560http://www.johnspizzerianyc.com

location:260 W 44th StNew York NY 10036

hours:Mo to Su from 11:30 AM to11:30 PM

1 John's Pizzeria

DESCRIPTION: John's Pizzeria is an improvement from its GreenwichVillage predecessor. This Times Square location is large and spacious andincludes a sweeping staircase to a second floor, bringing a new dimensionto your pizza-consuming experience. Despite this extravagant setting, thisbrick-oven pizza has remained the same since its humble beginnings. Thisis New York Pizza down to its crust. Aside from the seemingly endlessselection of pizza-pies, you will surely want to try some of the other menuitems, including Baked Ziti, Penne alla Vodka, Eggplant Parmigiana, andof course, Spaghetti & Meatballs. Their other locations include: John's ofBleecker Street, and John's Pizzeria Eastside. © wcities.com

citysearch

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Day 5 - New York CityQUICK NOTE

DAY NOTE: On your last day, take the uptown 2 or 5 train to the E Tremont Ave-W Farm Square stop and head to the Bronx Zoo.Make sure to visit the Children’s Zoo and its collection of interactive exhibits. For one last great family meal, check out Gramercy’s BlueSmoke, for upscale barbecue and other comfort food (macaroni and cheese and homemade potato chips with blue cheese dip, to namejust two options).

contact:tel: +1 718 367 1010 / +1 718220 5100fax: +1 718 220 7114http://www.bronxzoo.com

location:Fordham RoadNew York NY 10460

1 Bronx Zoo

OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:Try to visit the most popular exhibits, like the Congo GorillaForest, earlier in the day to avoid long afternoon lines. Incolder weather, the Bronx Zoo puts fewer animals in outdoorareas, but additional indoor exhibitions are available to keepwinter visitors entertained.

DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1899 by the New York Zoological Society(later renamed the Wildlife Conservation Society), the Bronx Zoo is theflagship of the largest network of metropolitan zoos in the country. Thezoo grounds, as well as the adjoining grounds of the New York BotanicalGardens, were formerly the property of Fordham University. The universitysold the land to the city for the price of $1 on the condition that the landswould become a zoo and gardens and serve as a buffer between Fordhamand the then-developing Bronx. Today, the Bronx Zoo houses more than6,000 animals in its 265 acres of wooded grounds, including such rare orendangered species as Asian elephants, Chinese alligators, and snowleopards.

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The Bronx Zoo established the world's first formal zoo education programin 1929 and since then has received many awards for its science-basededucational programs, geared towards teachers and children in gradesK-12. Today, the education program reaches more than 1.7 millionschoolchildren in the New York metropolitan area and in school systems inall 50 U.S. states and in 15 countries. The zoo's many exhibitions are alsoan important part of its educational outreach efforts. They include JungleWorld, a recreation of a tropical rainforest, and World of Darkness, wherevisitors can take a dark walk through the life of bats and naked mole-rats.© NileGuide

contact:tel: 1 212 447 7733fax: 1 212 576 2561www.bluesmoke.com

location:116 East 27th StreetNew York NY 10016

hours:Su to Mo from 11:30 AM to10:00 PM,Tu to Th from 11:30AM to 11:00 PM,Fr to Sa from11:30 AM to 01:00 AM

2 Blue Smoke

DESCRIPTION: Blue Smoke offers authentic barbecueaccompanied by seasonal vegetable side dishes and home-style cakes and pies. Specialties like Iced Oysters On TheHalf Shell and Applewood-Smoked Chicken are served bythe hospitable staff in a bustling atmosphere. The barbecueis really impressive; try the spice-rubbed and sauce-slatheredpork and beef ribs and order a wine that complements it. Visitwebsite for more details. © wcities.com

citysearch

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New York City Snapshot

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Local InfoNew York, New York: There's truly noother city like it. From the pricey boutiquesofSoho to the street food ofChinatown,the stately museums of theUpper EastSide to the teeming nightclubs ofChelsea,this sprawling metropolis offers the bestof all worlds…and that's just Manhattan.Here's an overview of some of that island'snoteworthy neighborhoods, as well asthe basics onBrooklyn,the Bronx,QueensandStaten Island. To dig deeper on any ofthese destinations, check out the relevantNeighborhood Info section.

MidtownThis is the beating heart of the Big Apple,complete with towering skyscrapers,packed streets, and many of the city's topdestinations for sightseeing, shopping, andentertainment, includingTimes Square,theUnited Nations, theEmpire StateBuilding andRockefeller Center. This ismust-see New York, but make sure tospend some time outside this neighborhoodif you want to breathe a bit more freely.

Central ParkNestled between the Upper West andUpper East Sides, this843-acre oasis isthe most visited urban park in the country.Among its many charms are miles ofwinding pathways, several lakes andponds, twoskating rinks, azoo, and aconservatory. Visit in the summer if youcan, when the park hosts freeconcertsandplays.

Times Square/Theater District/Hell'sKitchenThe once seedyTimes Square zone isall cleaned up and packed full of chainrestaurants and other tourist-friendlyattractions. Catch a Broadway show inthe Theater District, or head west to Hell'sKitchen, also cleaned up from its seedierdays and full of dining and nightlife options.

ChelseaChelsea has been the center of the city's artscene since the mid-1990s, withmore than200 galleries centered mostly in its westernreaches(near 10th and 11th Avenues). Inaddition to theHigh Line, a newly openedpublic space along an old elevated railway,it also boasts some of the city's hottestnightclubs, is chock-full of busy restaurants

and bars, and has long been seen as theheart of gay-friendly New York. �

Gramercy/Flatiron/Union SquareThis central neighborhood has a littleof everything, from pedigreedGramercyPark to bustlingUnion Square(site of thecity's largest greenmarket). It's also hometo a number of the city's most popularrestaurants, and the dining options aboundon Park Avenue South and the areaaround Madison Square Park, near theiconicFlatiron Building.

Greenwich Village/West VillageWith its labyrinthine(compared to theMidtown grid) streets and historictownhouses, the Village is classic NewYork. Its eastern region containsWashingtonSquare Park andNew York University, whilethe charming, formerly bohemian WestVillage is home to increasingly upscaleshopping and restaurants. Head furtherwest to the Meatpacking District, now amecca of expensive dining/nightlife options.

East Village �The East Village stands out for its young,arty, funky(though nowhere near as edgyas in years past) vibe, on display in itsmany shopping, dining and nightlife options.History buffs will appreciate landmarkslikeSt. Mark's-in-the-Bowery Church, whilea cleaned-upTompkins Square Park offersgreat people-watching. Lower East Side�Go below Houston Street on the eastside and you'll find even more restaurants,boutiques and bars lining the streets ofthe ever-more-upscale Lower East Side.Though this area was once home to someof the city's worst slums, its gritty pasthas made way for a vibrant shopping,dining and nightlife scene. Learn aboutthe neighborhood's past at theLower EastSide Tenement Museum(it's free!) or checkout the historic Orchard Street ShoppingDistrict.

SohoThough many galleries have moved toChelsea, Soho still boasts its own artscene. Shopping is the real draw in thisneighborhood, however, from high-fashionboutiques to the chain stores that lineBroadway. At the eastern end of Soho,Nolita is perfect for shoppers who favor

smaller, more unique stores. A plethoraof kitschy Italian restaurants still drawtourists to the lively neighborhood ofLittleItaly, around Mulberry Street, includingthe throngs attracted by the annual SanGennaroFestival.

Lower ManhattanThis diverse zone encompassesChinatown(with its designer knock-offs anddim sum), swanky Tribeca, family-friendlyBattery Park City, and the bustling(at leastduring the week) Financial District. Must-see spots includeSouth Street Seaport,WallStreet and theNew York Stock Exchange,and theWorld Trade Center site.

Upper East Side �TheMetropolitan, theWhitney, andtheGuggenheim are only the biggestplayers in this stately, museum-filledneighborhood, which also boasts some ofthe city's best high-end shopping(MadisonAvenue) and some of its highest-priced realestate(Fifth Avenue along Central Park,Park Avenue).

Upper West SideThe beautiful Upper West Side, historicallya mecca for New York City artists, writersand intellectuals, is also one of the city'smost family-friendly neighborhoods, withbrownstone-lined streets, brunch spots,shops galore, and easy access toCentralPark. It's also home toLincoln Center,theMuseum of Natural History, architecturalgems like theAnsonia and theDakota, and(abit further north)Columbia University.

HarlemLong a vibrant center of African-Americanhistory, music and culture, Harlem haschanged a lot in recent years, as a diversenew crowd of residents have started callingits stately old brownstones home. It's still agreat destination for soul food(try stalwartslikeSylvia's) as well as live jazz and nightlifeat historic spots like theCotton Club ortheLenox Lounge.

BrooklynFrom thegalleries of Williamsburg tothe brownstones of Brooklyn Heights,from family-friendly Park Slope tokitschyConey Island, devotees of thisborough wouldn't live anywhere else. Walkacross theBrooklyn Bridge and check outthe views from thePromenade, or stroll

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inProspect Park, for just a taste of whatBrooklyn has to offer.

QueensThe largest borough, Queens is also themost ethnically diverse, boasting arguablythe best food in the city, from Greek inAstoria, to Indian in Jackson Heights, toChinese and Korean in Flushing. It is alsoa popular destination for sports(Citi Field--new home to the New York Mets--andU.S.Open tennis) and culture(check outP.S. 1Contemporary Art Center in Long IslandCity).

The BronxThough New York's northernmost boroughis best known to many as the homeofYankee Stadium, the Bronx offers a gooddeal more than meets the eye. Exploreits beaches and museums, its world-famouszoo andbotanical garden, its ownLittle Italy, quaintCity Island, and moreparkland than any other borough.

Staten IslandThe breathtaking views from the freeStatenIsland Ferry are just the beginning of this

borough's charms. With a more suburbanfeel than any of the other boroughs, StatenIsland boasts a number of parks, as wellasa zoo,a children's museum, a botanicalgarden,a minor league baseball stadium,anda restored colonial village.© NileGuide

Fun FactsNew York State: New York Country:United States

New York City By The Numbers:

Population: 8.3 million(city); 19.8million(metropolitan) Average JanuaryTemperature: 32°F/ 0°C Average JulyTemperature: 77°F/ 25°C Annual Rainfall:47in/ 1200mm Waterfront: 578mi/ 930kmElevation: 87ft/ 27m Location shoots:40,000 annually Number of islands thatNYC is made up of: 50

Quick Facts:

Time zone: GMT- 5(GMT- 4 from firstSunday in April to Saturday before last

Sunday in October); Eastern StandardTime(EST) Electricity: 110/120 volts, 60Hz;round two-pin plugs are standard. Countrydialing code: 1 Telephone area code:Manhattan 212, 646& 917; outer boroughs718, 347 or 917

Did You Know?

The nickname, The Big Apple, came fromsportswriter John Fitzgerald eavesdroppingon stable hands in New Orleans, termingNYC's racetracks as"The Big Apple".

The department store Macy's is the world'slargest store.

Babe Ruth slammed his first home runin the first game ever played at YankeeStadium.

Once the skyline of NYC wasn't dominatedby tall skyscrapers. In the 1660s, a two-story windmill was the highest building inNew York City.©

Weather

Statistics Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temperature C

Average High 3 3 8 15 21 26 29 27 24 18 11 5

Average Mean 0 0 4 10 16 21 24 23 19 13 7 1

Average Low -3 -3 0 6 11 16 20 19 15 9 4 -1

Temperature F

Average High 37 39 47 59 70 79 84 82 75 64 52 41

Average Mean 31 31 39 50 61 70 75 73 67 56 45 34

Average Low 25 25 32 42 53 62 68 66 59 49 39 29

Rainy Days 10 10 11 11 11 10 9 9 9 8 10 11

Rain Fall (cm) 9.9 7.5 10.3 10.0 11.2 8.9 11.5 10.5 10.1 8.6 9.6 9.1

Rain Fall (in) 3.9 3.0 4.0 3.9 4.4 3.5 4.5 4.1 4.0 3.4 3.8 3.6

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