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I would recommend staying at least seven days in New York City if you really want to enjoy what it has to offer the tourist. Probably one of the first stops will be the Empire State Building and whilst it may be on every tourists list, that doesn’t mean it is not worth it, especially the view from the top. Although, it is probably the top of the Rockefeller Center aka “30 Rock” where a person will get a more impressive view but foggy weather can mean that it is sometimes impossible to see anything.

Tour boats can take visitors out to see the big lady ‘The Statue of Liberty’ but be prepared for long delays these days; the view of her from Ellis Island or South Street Seaport is an option worth considering.

An easier option is to take the Staten Island ferry which doesn’t cost anything and can still give a first class view of the Statue of Liberty; dropping off at the terminal is the best place because it is where there are some good street artists. Without going to the site of where the World Trade Center Towers used to be no seven day visit to New York would feel right. Despite the moving nature of this place where over 3,000 people lost their lives, most people do not wish to take a picture of it. For those who love to shop there is of course the famous Tiffany’s and Broadway plus some fantastic old discount warehouses worth a look down on the Lower East Side.

Then there is Macy’s, where there is always a sale so don’t forget to get your 11 per cent tourist discount card or plan your trip around NYC’s tax free day; and you can look but don’t touch at Bloomingdales. At the time of writing the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum was closed for refurbishment but should be open by the fall of 2008; if you’re going to be there next year it will be a worthwhile place to see. Many special (and large) craft are located here including a number from World War II, namely the aircraft carrier the USS Intrepid. The New York City Police Museum is worth an hour if you’re down that way; it’s free to enter but a five dollar donation is recommended to help with its upkeep; because it’s about New York’s finest (and some not so fine), it has some really excellent NYPD souvenirs.

Then it is worth seeing some of the older history of New York back when there were huge numbers of migrants entering the city and the Lower East Tenement was where most of them ended up; this is now a museum and a time capsule.

There is more history in the City of New York Museum on Central Park which holds exhibitions of the past, present and future. Once again, admission to this wonderfully grand building is free but a donation of at least nine dollars is expected. For such a large vibrant city, seven days in New York should be viewed as minimum if most of the major attractions are to be seen comfortably and not as part of a ‘whistle stop’ tour.

Of course, no trip to the Big Apple is complete without tasting their world famous pizza pies. While any street pizza shop will serve you the most delicious slice you’ve ever eaten, ask a local where the nearest “Ray’s Pizza” is located. They will point you to one of 4 different city franchises that every true New Yorker swears by. No need for toppings, even the plain cheese pizza will have you craving another.