# **[An Insider's Guide to New York City (NYC)]{.underline}**

So you haven't been to NYC before, but you always wanted to visit? Well,
now that you're here, what are you going to do about it?

Or, you've been here before and now you're back for more. I bet you
haven't seen everything you wanted to. There is always something to see
and do in "*the city that never sleeps*".

NYC has something to offer everyone, literally 24 hours a day, seven
days a week. The dining and sightseeing possibilities are considered the
best in the world. There is so much right outside your door. Take
advantage of this convenience. Be sure to just get out there, walk the
streets, and discover what a terrific place it truly is.

NYC has it all! There are too many attractions to mention in this short
document so here are just a few hints from a "*real*" New Yorker.

-   You'll notice that New Yorkers think fast, walk fast, and talk even
    faster. We love our City and are very enthusiastic about it -- just
    ask anyone of us! And we are probably the
    **[friendliest]{.underline}** people you will ever meet -- so do not
    hesitate to ask us for directions.

-   Don't forget a **[camera]{.underline}** -- you'll want to capture on
    film all of the great things you see.

-   Take advantage of the fact that our headquarter hotel is directly
    across the street from the **[NYC Visitor Information
    Center]{.underline}**. What a tremendous resource for all visitors
    on everything there is to do and see in NYC.

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-   Take a ride on the NYC transit **[buses or subways]{.underline}**,
    like a "*Native New Yorker*". If you take the bus you'll be able to
    take in the sites by looking out the windows! Be sure to have your
    *MetroCard* in-hand.

-   Keep an eye out for **[street vendors]{.underline}**, who sell a
    wide array of items at great prices, like wallets, pocketbooks,
    scarves, watches, jewelry, t-shirts, and photos of famous NYC sites.

-   Take a leisurely stroll or horse-drawn carriage ride through
    **[Central Park]{.underline}**.

-   Sit back and relax on a **[Circle Line cruise]{.underline}** around
    Manhattan Island.

-   Visit the top of the **[Empire State Building]{.underline}**. The
    360-degree view from the Observation Desk is incredible. You'll feel
    like you are on top of the world! The view at sunset is especially
    spectacular. Make sure you visit when the air is clear; otherwise
    the view is not as good (it really does make a difference).

-   The **[NYC Public Library]{.underline}** (on 5^th^ Avenue & 42^nd^
    Street) dates back to 1911. Aside from its beautiful rooms inside,
    you'll want to check out the world-renowned pair of marble lions
    that stand in front of the Library. Bet you didn't know their names
    are *Patience* and *Fortitude*. It's a great place for a photograph!

-   Catch a baseball game in "*the house that Ruth built*". **[Yankee
    Stadium]{.underline}** is located at 161^st^ Street and River Avenue
    in the Bronx. Take the #4 subway (or the D or B \[weekdays only\])
    to the 161^st^ Street / Yankee Stadium station, which is right
    outside the Stadium. A subway ride from midtown Manhattan takes less
    than 25 minutes.

-   Catch a Mets game at **[Shea Stadium]{.underline}** is located at
    123-01 Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing (Queens) (phone: 718-507-METS).
    The #7 IRT Flushing Line Subway goes directly to Shea Stadium; the
    station stop is called Willets Point / Shea Stadium.

-   Take a look at the *recently revitalized* **[Grand Central
    Station]{.underline}**, which is one Manhattan\'s most important
    landmarks and is a major rail station. It's in the heart of midtown
    Manhattan at 42^nd^ Street and Park Avenue. It contains 50 retail
    shops, 22 restaurants, and a host of fresh foods at the Grand
    Central Market.

-   Take the ferry to **[Ellis Island]{.underline}**. The **[Statue of
    Liberty]{.underline}** is scheduled to re-open this summer (specific
    date to be determined).

-   Grab a slice of **[pizza]{.underline}** or a **[bagel]{.underline}**
    -- you won't find any better anywhere else.

-   Catch a **[show]{.underline}** on-Broadway or off-Broadway.

-   Enjoy some incredible nightlife or live
    **[entertainment]{.underline}**.

-   *[Sharing]{.underline}* a **[taxi]{.underline}** ride with some
    friends will save you some money -- it's the same fare for one to
    four people.

-   View impressive artwork at a **[museum]{.underline}**, like the
    Metropolitan Museum, Museum of Natural History, or the Guggenheim.

-   **[Shop]{.underline}** and then shop some more at the legendary
    Garment District or Madison and Fifth Avenues. Macy's on 34^th^
    Street is the *world's largest* department store.

-   Take a walk through the quaint area of **[Little
    Italy]{.underline}** and you'll be delighted by the irresistible
    aromas of the Italian bakeries and restaurants, which can satisfy
    any appetite. The heart of Little Italy is Mulberry Street.

-   Take a walk through **[Chinatown]{.underline}**, which is right next
    to Little Italy. On its narrow streets you'll find hundreds of
    restaurants servings every imaginable type of Chinese cuisine as
    well as galleries and shops. The heart of Chinatown is Canal Street.

-   Don't forget the **[CityPass]{.underline}** Program -- visit six
    famous attractions once for one low price. It is an unbelievable
    deal! (http://citypass.net)

-   There is so much to do on the 900 foot-long aircraft carrier
    **[U.S.S. Intrepid]{.underline}**.

    -   Tour the British Airways ***[Concorde]{.underline}***, the
        ultimate in luxury air travel and the world's only supersonic
        passenger aircraft.

    -   Pilot an F-18 hornet

    -   Ride the G-Force Encounter flight simulator thrill ride

    -   Take the Special Forces Challenge at the brand new Rock Climbing
        Wall

    -   Enjoy a behind the scenes look at flight deck operations aboard
        a modern aircraft carrier in the complimentary film \"Intrepid
        Wings\"

-   The **[Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex]{.underline}**
    is located between 17^th^ & 23^rd^ Streets along the Hudson River in
    Manhattan (phone: 212-336-6800). Take either the M23 or M14 bus to
    Chelsea Piers. It is a 30-acre waterfront sports and recreation
    village. This incredible place features a golf driving range &
    teaching center, roller- and ice-skating rinks, bowling center,
    batting cages, and facilities for gymnastics, dance, rock climbing,
    martial arts, soccer, and basketball. There are also on-site
    restaurants, dining cruises, and sports shops.

-   The lower tip of Manhattan is also called **[Lower Manhattan or
    Downtown]{.underline}**. It is where the East and Hudson Rivers
    meet. This area is also where New York City began. And believe it or
    not, it was also our nation\'s first capital (the "Federal Hall
    Memorial" is the spot where George Washington took his oath as
    America\'s first President). Lower Manhattan has become the
    financial capital of the world, the heart of which is Wall Street,
    the New York Stock Exchange, and the Federal Reserve Bank.

-   For "**[Seinfeld]{.underline}**" fans (myself included), NYC is the
    place for you.

    -   **[Kramer's Reality Tour]{.underline}**: Join the "*real*"
        Kramer for a hysterical, historical, and informative tour
        through the world of "Seinfeld". Come hang-out with everyone's
        favorite neighbor! (www.kennykramer.com) (phone: 212-268-5525)

    -   **[The Coffee Shop]{.underline}**: Is actually "Tom's
        Restaurant". It originally became famous when mentioned in the
        song "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega. Located at 2880 Broadway (on
        the Upper Westside of Manhattan in the Morningside Heights
        neighborhood). Take the #1 or #9 subway line to the 116^th^
        Street / Columbia University / Broadway station (phone:
        212-864-6137).

    -   **[The Soup Nazi]{.underline}**: Is actually "Soup Kitchen
        International". It is closed during the summer and on weekends,
        so you'll have to visit on your next trip to NYC. Located at
        259A West 55^th^ Street (between 8^th^ Avenue & Broadway)
        (phone: 212-757-7730).

-   For John Lennon fans, you can stop by "**Strawberry Fields**", which
    is a section of Central Park that pays tribute to the late Beetles
    member. "**The Dakota**", the place where John Lennon lived, is also
    located right near the Park.

-   To pay your respects at "**[Ground Zero]{.underline}**", take the E
    subway line to the World Trade Center station or the R or W subway
    line to the Cortlandt Street / Church Street station.

Please note, this Insider's Guide is presented purely for your enjoyment
and convenience. And it is submitted respectfully by Laurie S. Feld
(FedFleet Project Manager). Hope you find the Guide useful and fun. And
may your stay in NYC be unforgettable and delightful.