Tips and Ideas for Visitors & Travelers Visiting USA

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Visitors to New York City, USA

New York City or the City of New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and entertainment. The home of the United Nations Headquarters, New York is an important center for international affairs and is widely deemed the cultural capital of the world.

New York City has five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Kings, Queens, The Bronx and Staten Island) which are home to some of the world’s most recognizable, cherished landmarks and attractions. From Times Square and Central Park to the Empire State Building and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the island of Manhattan packs more legendary icons into one compact area than any other place on Earth—and that’s to say nothing of the City’s four other boroughs, each of which contains its own roster of must-see destinations. With so much to see and do, a trip to NYC may seem a little overwhelming. To help, we’ve rounded up attractions that belong on any visitor’s to-see list. Since the City’s full breadth of activities is virtually limitless, be sure to visit our complete list of tours and attractions for more ideas.

The world’s most-visited tourist attraction is Times Square in New York City with 39 million visitors annually. Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets. The extended Times Square area, also called the Theatre District, consists of the blocks between Sixth and Eighth Avenues from east to west, and West 40th and West 53rd Streets from south to north, making up the western part of the commercial area of Midtown Manhattan. There’s no better place to experience the excitement of New York than Times Square. Surrounded by neon lights, giant billboards, Broadway theaters, electronic ticker tape and television studios, Times Square is truly the heart of Midtown. Tourists flock to New York’s neon heart for the flashing lights, Broadway shows, megastores, and sheer spectacle. Pedestrian-only areas with café tables introduced in 2009 have only made it easier and more appealing to hang out here. Times Square can even be a convenient, if chaotic, base, thanks to hotels at every price point and easy access to public transportation: subways, rails, buses, and more yellow taxis than you can count.

Another topping the list of world’s most-visited tourist attraction is Central Park in New York City with nearly 38 million annual visitors. New York has larger green spaces, but none is more famous than Central Park, which stretches across nearly 850 acres of prime Manhattan real estate—an oasis for both tourists and locals. You can ride in one of the famous horse-drawn carriages; check out the modest-size zoo; climb to the top of 19th-century Belvedere Castle; or take a break from pounding the pavement to sprawl on the Great Lawn, gazing at the skyscrapers above.

Grand Central Terminal in New York City is visited by some 21 million folks annually. Unlike harried commuters, visitors take their time in the main concourse of this Beaux-Arts landmark, pausing to view its glittering ceiling painted with a map of the constellations from the night sky. There are shops and events to distract your attention, and, a level below, the historic Oyster Bar—featured on an episode of AMC’s Mad Men—serves two million fresh bivalves a year. Constructed at the beginning of the 20th century, this Beaux-Arts beauty’s interior is as lovely as its exterior. Usually teeming with crowds of commuters, the cavernous main concourse is full of dazzling architectural details, including the much-photographed information booth with its four-faced clock; the domed gold-and-cerulean-blue ceiling painted with astronomical signs and studded with fiber-optic stars; and grand staircases, arched passageways, and palatial mezzanines (housing cocktail bars, where you can sip while you people-watch). How to See It: Arrive via the 42nd Street entrance and have a look at the façade’s giant clock: it’s the world’s largest example of Tiffany glass.

Suprisingly, the South Street Seaport in New York City has 9 million visitors every year. This historic East River site in lower Manhattan dates back to the 1600s and spans some 11 blocks packed with shops, restaurants, and piers, including the popular Pier 17, a barge-turned-mall. Commercialism aside, the history runs deep here and is perhaps best experienced on one of the two 1800s tall-masted schooners the South Street Seaport Maritime Museum maintains. Go for a sunset sail with Gotham as a backdrop.

Last but not least in the world’s most-visited tourist attraction in NYC is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. More than 5 million visitors pass through its doors each year. With a permanent collection of more than 2 million pieces—plus works on loan from renowned museums worldwide—and a rooftop bar with a new installation each summer, it’s no wonder the Met is a huge tourist magnet. Expect even higher visitation numbers in 2011 thanks to the buzzed-about Alexander McQueen fashion exhibit.

Among America’s most beautiful landmarks is the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. At its completion in 1883, this engineering marvel was the world’s longest suspension bridge. Even though it hasn’t held that title for a while, the Brooklyn Bridge’s two Gothic arched towers are an instantly recognizable symbol of New York and all its innovation. How to See It: After walking across the roughly mile-long span from downtown Manhattan, relax in the new Brooklyn Bridge Park overlooking the bridge and Manhattan skyline.

The Empire State Building is also a remarkable landmark which is located at the corners of 5th Avenue and West 34th Street in New York City. After its completion in 1931, it was the World’s Tallest Building, but after 49 years, the title was given to the World Trade Center after its construction in 1972. However, the tragedy of September 11, 2001 restored the Empire State Building to its former titles as the tallest building in New York. It was chosen as one of the Seven Wonders in the Modern World.

Another beautiful landmark is the Chrysler Building in New York City. While the Empire State Building may be the tallest skyscraper in New York, this 77-story Art Deco masterpiece is certainly the prettiest with its shiny stainless-steel crown and architectural flourishes. Pay attention to the details: the big eagles on the 61st floor are modeled after the hood ornaments from a 1929 Chrysler. How to See It: Take a leisurely sunset walk across 42nd Street, and admire the way the light hits its tiered spire.

New York has so much going on and so much to see, it can be overwhelming, and sure is one of the best places to visit in USA!  The tourist attractions in Manhattan are must-sees, but if you are ready to be a bit more adventurous and see the real New York, then you have to venture on off the beaten track. After you spend a couple of days walking around Times Square, the museums, Central Park and the Empire State Building, make sure not to miss Little Italy, Koreatown and Chinatown for amazing food and fun stores. You can also go outside of Manhattan and take the subway to Brooklyn, where you can visit the music scene in ultra-cool Williamsburg, the brownstone houses in beautiful Park Slope and the Caribbean immigrant neighborhood of Fort Greene. Other sights to see are the the country’s oldest amusement parks on <a href=”http://www.coneyisland.com/”>Coney Island</a> at the southern tip of Brooklyn.

International visitors to USA do require a visitor visa to enter the United States. Elderly folks and senior visitors need to take precautions and plan for walking a lot, or plan for handicap wheel chair. There is abundant of food and cuisine variety available to accommodate all tastes and requirements. Be watchful and wary of street vendors and other touts. It is also prudent that visitors to USA get the health coverage protection they needed in the form of visitor insurance USA for medical emergencies due to sickness or injury while visiting USA.

The above video snippet helps you plan a quick visit to NYC in 24 hours. If you are planning a more relaxed visit to NYC, check out the top things to do in NYC as you plan your visit to the New York City Attractions. Enjoy your visit to New York City and your stay in America.

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