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New York: Wake Up in the City that Never Sleeps!

New York City (NYC) is the place for, well, everything. The country's pulse, New York is filled to the brim with museums, restaurants, shops, galleries, street musicians, street vendors, and curiosities of every description. This is a vacation spot for the true urban adventurer. New York is the proverbial "city that doesn't sleep." You can see a first run Hollywood film at 2:00 am, then head to a Chinese restaurant for an after-movie snack at 4:00 am. It is the perfect example of the cultural melting pot that makes up the very fiber of America. There are over 180 nationalities represented in the environs of NYC. The pace is fast. The sights are many. You need go no further than the nearest street café for a full day of sight-seeing.

Art lovers will be hard pressed to run out of museums and galleries in NYC. The city's biggest tourist site is the Metropolitan Museum of Art, bringing in over five million visitors per year. "The Met," as it is called, is a virtually self-contained city state with over 2 million objects for viewing. The museum is a one stop, all inclusive showcase of everything from Egyptian art, Medieval art, Modern art, to an extensive collection of baseball cards. As impressive for its architectural history as its collection, the Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, opened its doors in 1959. It was declared a New York City landmark in 1989-the youngest building ever to be so honored. The museum houses temporary collections of major modern artists, or groups of artists. A 10-story tower adjacent to the gallery is illuminated by skylights, and offers a wonderful view of Central Park.

In the middle of all the skyscrapers and frenetic excitement that is Manhattan, Central Park is waiting to give visitors a much needed taste of Mother Nature. This 843-acre park is a year-round home to joggers, in-line skaters, and walkers of all description. Highlights of the park include the Delacorte Theatre, which offers free Shakespearean productions each summer; and Strawberry Fields, a 3-acre landscape dedicated to the memory of John Lennon. A 1.6 mile cinder track loops around Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. Another favorite is the Central Park Wildlife Center, a small zoo which first opened in the 1930s.

New York sets the fashion trends for the rest of America. French and Italian designers bring their new lines here before they debut them elsewhere. Upscale salons are sprinkled throughout Manhattan. A large concentration of them can be found on 5th Avenue, Madison Avenue, and Herald Square. Vintage clothiers can be found in SoHo and in Greenwich Village. Whether it's a $10,000 dollar Rolex, or a $10.00 version sold on 42nd street, NYC has everything a shopper could ask for.

For a foray into literary New York, head to the New York Public Library. The library's massive reading room on the third floor can hold 500 visitors. There are over 11 million books in the library's permanent collection. The collections are held in over 160 miles of bookshelves. The library is considered one of the top 5 research facilities in all the world. The U.S. invasion of North Africa during WWII was planned amid these stacks.

New York City is a year-round celebration of urban excitement. It is a never ending cycle of amusements. From the famous ball that drops in Times Square, ringing in the New Year, to the Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at Rockefeller Plaza, New York City's calendar is full up with special events. There is nothing ho-hum about everyday life in NYC. Head to the top of the Empire State Building for a nighttime view of the city's lights. Cheer (or boo!) one of the professional sports teams in the area. Catch a Broadway show, and stop by Sardi's for an after performance beverage. See the Rockettes strut their stuff at Radio City Music Hall. Attend a Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Pay a visit to New York Harbor and see the Statue of Liberty, who stands waiting to receive the world's "huddled masses yearning to breathe free." New York City is an exciting blend of historical attractions, mouth-watering cuisine, excellent shopping, people watching, cultural diversity, and artistic endeavors. It is a train ride for the spirit. No ticket required, just climb on board!