Aquavit Dining Room

You can spend every minute of your stay in Brooklyn and never feel like you are missing out: that’s how trendy this place is. Brooklyn is the site of New York’s best rated restaurants; and home of some of the city’s most exciting nightlife, which ends at 4am - most times with no bouncer in sight. It may be not as polished as other neighborhoods, but it is host to some of the finest art galleries in town. And one last tip for fashionistas: dress up like the locals, after all, Brooklyn is the capital of roughed-up American style.

Opened in 1859, Central Park is one of New York’s most iconic landmarks. A sports enthusiast’s paradise and a playground for young and old, Central Park is equally appealing to romantic couples, and artists from all scenes. There’s always something to do in Central Park, and each season is celebrated with free entertainment, educational programmes and other activities.

Home of Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange, the Financial District is more than a financial beacon, it is also central in New York’s history. From Battery Park, to its mile high skyscrapers, and on to its Colonial Churches, this area is as much a cultural phenomena as a business Mecca. For anyone visiting New York, FiDi is must: the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center is one of the top attractions in New York, despite its heartbreaking history.

Technically in New Jersey, Jersey City is considered part of New York City. It sits across the Hudson from Manhattan, affording a unique panoramic perspective of New York. Ferries here depart for Liberty State Park and the Statue of Liberty, while restaurants at India Square tempt with South Asian cuisine. Jersey City is best enjoyed at a slow pace, taking time to discover its treasures. The neighborhood is ideal for families with children, and romantic couples - and not for party animals.

Long Island City is New York’s best preserved neighborhood. Famous for 70’s architecture, it’s often featured in movies in TV shows (like The Sopranos). The area is full of pubs, cafes, and shops lined up for nostalgic or jet set visitors. For party animals, the most popular area is Queens Plaza, where bachelors hit the strip clubs every weekend. Last, but not least, Long Island City has the highest concentration of art galleries and art institutions of any neighborhood in New York City.

A downtown haven for well-to-do shoppers and home to NYC’s most sophisticated artists, SoHo - East Side offers visitors a unique experience, filled with history, chic shopping, trendy galleries and a vibrant nightlife. Contemporary art galleries now sit where ethnic town-homes or shops once stood. Shopping at Victoria’s Secret, Prada, and other chic venues has replaced the corner boutique. The effect is not an altogether bad one, but much of the area’s charm has been transformed. Yet the experience is still fabulous and authentic NYC.

The Villages are noted for thriving artistic communities and cultural diversity. From Greenwich Village’s arts contingent to the coffee houses, nightclubs and green spaces of the East and West Villages, the area offers thriving nightlife and interesting artistic character. Beautiful parks and a myriad of cultural activities such as museums and art galleries, add an unmistakable charm to this neighborhood.

The Upper East Side is home to the city’s rich and famous. High rises town homes, prep schools, exclusive shops, whatever the trappings of wealth are, this area has them. From Central Park to the East River, some of the world’s most wealthy and influential families' Manhattan homes are here. Notable landmarks and attractions include; The National Academy of Design, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Carlyle Hotel, and the New York Public Library.

Like the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side is home to the affluent of the city. However, the well-to-do here are typically the artistic type, or successful people who work in Midtown. Bounded by Central Park and the Hudson River, expect to pass Madonna or Martin Scorsese on the sidewalk here. Visitors to this area of the city will enjoy visiting such landmarks as; the American Museum of Natural History, Columbus Circle, and of course the Lincoln Center for the Arts, among many others.