In the following description I will talk about some of our high points and some pain points (thankfully there weren’t many) that will hopefully help plan your visit to the Big Apple.

We flew into the John F Kennedy International Airport and decided to take the subway to our hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) stop at the Airport is the Jamaica Station.  The Blue Line (E) runs into Manhattan into Penn Station. We bought tickets and boarded the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). The MTA recently changed prices for the LIRR so make sure you check the fares or buy tickets at the automatic tellers.

The MTA has a comprehensive website: http://www.mta.info/nyct/

Another important mode of transportation that has become quintessential to New York City is the yellow taxi cab. We took a ride in the cab simply for the experience. A word of caution: It takes a lot longer to navigate the streets of New York on a cab compared to taking the subway or simply walking!!

New York City has some of the finest museums in the world.  For a thorough, informational visit of the museum, consider getting an audio tour wherever possible.  They can point out interesting trivia about some of the artists and history behind the pieces.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Located on the Upper East Side, the museum contains some of the best exhibits of American Art. The American Wing displays art from the 17^th century to the early 19^th century. Another wonderful exhibit at the museum is the Arms and Armor gallery. It displays pieces from the 5^th century to the late 19^th century from Europe, America and Asia.

The Guggenheim

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and located on the Upper East Side, The Guggenheim is one of the architectural landmarks of the 20^th century. It is the permanent residence of some of the masterpieces of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early Modern and Contemporary Art.

American Museum of Natural History

Located on the Upper West Side, the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) overlooks the Central Park. The best attractions at the museum are the dinosaur halls on the fourth floor. The fossil display of the Tyrannosaurus Rex is definitely ‘jaw-dropping’. The fossil halls are very well laid out and provide an excellent account of the evolution of the vertebrates.

Times Square

The major commercial intersection in Manhattan, the Times Square is constantly brimming with vibrant energy.  The stores and restaurants at the Times Square cater to every ones taste. A visit to take in the sights should be on every itinerary.

Carnegie Hall

Located in Midtown Manhattan and built by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, it is a prestigious venue for both classical music and popular music. My husband and I attended the Rutter and Brahms concert at Carnegie Hall. It was definitely an enthralling experience. Remember, taking pictures inside the concert hall is prohibited!

Rockefeller Center

Located in Midtown Manhattan, this is the location of the GE Building. Followers of the late night circuit i.e. SNL, David Letterman, Conan and Jimmy Fallon or sitcoms like 30 Rock, this is where all the magic happens! The Center art of the gilded Prometheus is a wonderful sight. Also, don’t miss Lego Land!!

Empire State Building

A trip up the Empire State Building is a must for anyone visiting NYC. Immortalized by Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant in An Affair To Remember (or Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in Sleepless in Seattle for those of the younger generation) for romantics like me, this iconic landmark is a fun visit, i.e. for someone with a LOT of patience. Over the long weekends, the lines to get to the top are endless and might take upto 3 hours. So be prepared and plan enough time to get to the top and take in the sights of the city.

Grand Central Terminal

Located in Midtown Manhattan, this landmark has been described and written about extensively. The audio tour of the terminal is very informative and interesting. It paints a wonderful picture of the history of the building and its evolution over the years.