New York

New York, New York! The town that never sleeps! While it's impossible to take in all the excitement of this city in a short stay you can still enjoy many of the city's essential attractions. New York offers great sightseeing and taking a hop-on-hop-off bus allows you to visit such icons as the Empire State Building, The Rockefeller Center, The Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Broadway, amazing shopping, fabulous Museums such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim. A break away from the hustle and bustle can be enjoyed with a walk around Central Park

Times Square is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and the bright lights, the big screens and big crowds perfectly embody the excitement of this magnificent city. Nobody does live theatre like NYC. Whether you're into dramas, comedies or musicals, you'll find them in the City's Theatre District, where the shows burst with eye-popping sets, A-list stars and, above all, pizzazz! All of them demonstrate why this famed NYC thoroughfare has become synonymous with theater itself. Visit the TKTS Discount Booth in Times Square for discounted tickets to some shows.

Depending on the time of year you visit, sports fans can catch the famous Yankees or Mets baseball teams who both now play at their new stadiums. Ice Hockey, Basketball and American Football are all available and the atmosphere is always exciting.

Ride the Staten Island Ferry as this is the cheapest and least expensive ways to take in magnificent vistas of Lower Manhattan and New York Harbor. Experience the Statue of Liberty, with her ascendant torch lighting the way to a better life for many American immigrants. After soaking up the grandeur of Lady Liberty, travellers can make their way by ferry to Ellis Island, the entry point for many millions of new arrivals to the United States and allows visitors of all backgrounds to learn about NYC's historical role as a beacon of hope for people from around the world.

The New York nightlife is exciting and varied with clubs, restaurants and bars open all day and night offering a fantastic array of choices to spend the evening. The choice of restaurants is endless and the nightlife pulsating. There's so much to do late at night you might as well stay up till dawn—or into the afternoon, when the party starts all over again. With its countless stores, boutiques, pop-up shops, vintage havens and designer showrooms, New York City lives up to its reputation as a shopping capital. With so many possibilities, there's just one problem—where to begin and how much time do you have? Even if yoir not shopping the windows displays are amazing. Check out Bloomingdales, Barney’s, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, H&M, Topshot and Uniqlo.

 

Destination Information:

Getting There

Select Vacations offers business and economy flights with Qantas Airways, United Airlines, Virgin Australia & Delta Airways

Visa

All Australian passport holders visiting or transiting the United States under the Visa Waiver Program must apply for an ESTA, preferably at least three days (or 72 hours) prior to travel to the United States, at a cost of USD14. ESTA is a web-based system administered by the United States Government that determines the preliminary eligibility of visitors to travel under the Visa Waiver Program prior to boarding a carrier to the United States. Travellers who do not have a valid ESTA may be denied boarding in Australia by the airline. To obtain a travel authorisation, each family member travelling is required to complete the ESTA application using the online system.

Go to http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/

Passport

Valid passport required by all Australian nationals. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport.

Currency & Credit Cards

The local currency is the United States Dollar (USD) The  banknotes are in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $20, $50 & $100. Coins are in denominations of US Dollar $1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents. Credit cards are accepted everywhere.

Weather

Temperatures in New York do fluctuate drastically, both seasonally and between day and night.

Winter high temperatures tend to be from 1-4C and annual snowfall averages about 29 inches. Springtime is mild, with temperatures in the mid 10C in April that work into the upper 20C by June. Summers are hot and humid. Sea breezes occasionally temper the heat, but the city's dense infrastructure often hinders the air flow. Autumn brings a return to more palatable weather, with temperatures ranging from the mid-20C in September to the low 4C  in November. Precipitation amounts do not vary greatly from month to month.

Getting Around

Shuttle buses and taxis are available at all major New York airports. Getting around New York is fairly easy with an excellent public transport system. Buses, ferries and trains all offer regular services. Taxis are plentiful. For touring take the hop-on/hop-off bus tours and they offer a very cheap and comprehensive way of seeing the city.

General Hints

Tipping in America is expected and 15-20% is the expected amount to be paid. (Please note that the tip is major and vital part of the waiter/bar person’s weekly remuneration).

Visit the many historical and significant sites such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Empire State Building, The World Trade Center Memorial, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Guggenheim,

Go see the magnificent Chrysler Building and the United Nations HQ.

Take a trip up to the newly opened Top of the Rock Observation Deck on the 67th, 69th and 70th floors of 30 Rockefeller Plaza which offers one of the most impressive views of NYC.

Visit the classical Empire State Building.

Take in a show on Broadway and visit the famous Radio City Music Hall

Get your last minute show tickets at the booth in Times Square.

Stroll through Central Park

Shop to you drop.

Be a local and visit Greenwich Village.

Take a ferry to Staten Island and see the best view of the Statue of Liberty without having to take a tour.

Visit Ellis Island, the Immigration Museum and the Statue of Liberty on a tour.

Watch a game/concert at the Madison Square Garden and/or at the Yankees Stadium.

Pay your respects at the 9-11 site.

Experience Puccini in the Metropolitan Opera or in the City Opera at Lincoln Center