New York, USA - The Big Apple!

Planning a trip? here's the best time to go.

It's not called the BIG apple for nothing, New York's a BIG bustling city that's packed with things to do and see. A long weekend is just not enough time to see all the sights that the city has to offer. Whatever your field of interest be it, theatre, shopping, music, art, sightseeing, history or nightlife - New York will tempt you with an extraordinary range of attractions.

Over the past three years New York has experienced a huge drop in the crime rate and is now the safest large city in America, this may account for the fact that it now has over 34 million visitors each year. From the downtown financial district to Times Square to Harlem, the city is being revitalised and rejuvenated.

One of the best things to do is take a cruise on THE BEAST. A speedboat ride around Manhattan that will give you a thrill as well as getting a view of the city. There is also the Circle line cruise that takes a more sedate pace, 1, 2 and 3 hour cruises take place daily from pier 83.

For the money conscious you can watch millions of dollars trading hands at the New York Stock Exchange. Catch a show on Broadway and with new shows appearing all the time you'll never be bored for something to see. Browse for bargains at the Sixth Avenue Antiques Market, the famous Flea Market on Columbus Avenue or try the Weekend Market on Houston Street.

If you're travelling to New York, your trip isn't complete without visiting the Empire State Building. A trip to the top takes your breath away as you travel 1,224 feet above the city for an awesome 80 mile view from the top. From the top you can see New York's other attractions such as the United Nations Organisation which has had its headquarters in New York since 1946. There's the Chrysler building which was built in 1928 and was the tallest building in the world, until just a few months later it was surpassed by the Empire State Building.

New York is also the home of NBC,where you can tour a real live working TV Studio. The hour long tour visits the Saturday Night Live Studio and the set of the NFL on NBC. You can even see yourself on TV in a mini studio built just for you. The major attraction in New York is the Statue of Liberty, presented by the people of France to the United States in 1886 to honour the friendship between the two nations.

If food is top of your menu then you'll not be disappointed at the array of choices waiting for you around every corner. If you can think of it then New York will have it somewhere. They say that there is a hot dog stall on every corner and they can't be further from the truth. The city is teeming with places to eat and drink you'll be spoilt for choice.

If you're thinking of taking a trip to New York then take the plunge as you'll not be disappointed with the amazing array of nightlife, food, shows and entertainment that the Big Apple has to offer.