New York City > Reviews > Everything and More

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money
Shopping
Nightlife
Family Friendly

Advantages:	evrythign you could want in a city
Disadvantages:	not cheap on a student budget

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I remember being worried when I was heading to New York. I wasn't worried about the crime or being mugged. I wasn't worried about talking to the cab drivers in some strange pseudo-american, nor about getting lost on the easy to remember streets. I was worried simply that it wouldn't live up to expectations.

I needn't have fret. Whilst being the backdrop to most of my favourite telly programmes and films, New York surpassed my very high expectations. But not from the building - the drive from John F Kennedy airport left me thinking I had flown to a slum - until I went over a hill in Queens and saw Manhattan's skyline. You have to lean your head out of the cab window to catch it all. It's a wonderful sight. You feel like you're in a movie.

New York is the best of most worlds: it is one of those cities that you can enjoy just walking around aimlessly, observing the hussle around you and the vibrant street life, but also has so many things to see and to - all excellent with few exeptions - you wouldn't do everything if you stayed a year. I spent only 3 days there and have longed for the Big Apple ever since. During my three nights on the 21st floor of the Wellington Hotel (57th and 5th, 3 star, not plush but oddly spacious for NYC) I saw Liberty, Ellis Island, Central Park (a must all year around), FAO Shwartz, the Ritz, Guggenheim, Wall Street, Empire State, World Trade Centre, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square (buzzing and safe at night)... everything I could.

Don't expect to sleep, nor to be disappointed.