You could spend a lifetime in New York without experiencing everything fully. Some of the sights that any first time visitor to New York must see include the Empire State Building – for many years the world’s tallest building – the immigration museum at Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square and the United Nations Building.

One of the joys of visiting the city is simply to wander through the different and varied neighborhoods – Greenwich Village, Chinatown, the Theater District, Harlem and Little Italy. The outlying borough of Brooklyn has several attractions including the botanical gardens and the famous amusement park at Coney Island.

One of the biggest attractions is the city’s diversity – in New York you can hear virtually any language spoken and dine in a different ethnic restaurant every night for a month. Apart from Manhattan, the borough of Queens is also well known for its wide selection of foreign restaurants.

Shopping in New York is equally satisfying, offering world class department stores with such famous names as Bergdorf Goodman and Bloomingdales. At the other end of the shopping spectrum are street markets, designer boutiques and specialty stores.

New York has some of the greatest museums in the world – several conveniently located together at the edge of Central Park. The Metropolitan Museum of Art attracts more visitors than any other place in the city and offers everything from Egyptian mummies to 20th century masterpieces.

On the other hand the city has over 50 smaller but fascinating museums dedicated to such diverse subjects as firefighting, tenement living and the history of finance. Children are not forgotten – there are several museums aimed at children as well as the ever popular Bronx Zoo with its more than 4,000 animals.

Since the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001, one of New York’s biggest attractions has been the remains of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. More than a tourist attraction, to many it’s a site of pilgrimage and a poignant reminder of the events of that day.

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It took a mere nine months to build the impressive New York Wine and Culinary Center in Canandaigua. The $7.6 million, 19,000-square-foot center on South Main Street, flanked by gardens and overlooking Canandaigua Lake, offers culinary classes, wine tasting and educational tours. There is a concierge desk; a Taste of NY Lounge for light meals and wine-and-food pairings; and an exhibit hall showcasing New York agriculture.

There is a fee to register and attend any of the several demonstrations presented by guest chefs and for the hands-on cooking classes; however, admission is free.

Speaking of wine, the trail is growing ever stronger and longer in Western New Yorks grape growing region along Lake Erie. Word is three new wineries are joining the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail. Specializing in sparkling and ice wines, the Sparkling Pond Winery in Ripley is now open for tasting and tours. Sparkling Pond joins 13 other wineries in time for the trails annual Holiday Weekends event, taking place during two consecutive weekends in November.

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor opens in November in New Yorks Hudson Valley, about 10 miles from West Point. It occupies the site where George Washingtons army camped toward the end of the Revolutionary War, where in 1782 Washington created the award, decreeing it be designed as the figure of a heart in purple cloth. The Hall of Honor pays tribute to those killed or injured defending the nation. Visitors can search out facts and stories about Purple Heart recipients. Officials estimate 1.7 million soldiers are eligible for inclusion in the memorial.

The Farmers Museum near Cooperstown celebrated its new acquisition earlier this season-the Empire State Carousel. The whimsical contemporary folk art was created by more than 1,000 volunteer artisans from across the state, featuring original carvings, paintings and quilts, each specially designed for the ride. The carousel depicts a colorful cultural history of the state. It includes 25 hand-carved riding animals indigenous to New York and 23 portrait panels of famous New Yorkers, including Susan B. Anthony, Jackie Robinson, Grandma Moses and Theodore Roosevelt.

The Farmers Museum offers visitors a first-hand look at rural and village life in New York circa 1845 through authentic demonstrations and interpretive exhibits.

Madame Tussauds, the famous wax attraction, in the heart of Times Square in NYC, announces new additions to its strange and fascinating exhibits. Over the years the museum has found novel ways for visitors to interact with the life-like figures carved from wax. The latest? Visitors can now check out Lindsay Lohans latest bling, practice movie lines with Will Smith, decide whether or not to vote for Hillary Clinton for President, and audition for American Idol Judge Simon Cowell.

Heading to the Big Apple? Companies like NYC Group Tours and NYC Vacation Packages offer groups amenity-loaded packages to see this years Macys Thanksgiving parade Groups can watch the annual event in style at a parade party and enjoy all the city has to offer!

Pennsylvania

Starting in November, Christmas blooms at Longwood Gardens near Kennett Square. Thousands of red poinsettias, snapdragons and paperwhite narcissus signal the holiday season. After dark, the night blooms bright with 400,000 lights strung on nearly 40 miles of wire throughout the gardens. Groups are welcome to make reservations for the Yuletide Buffet, a bountiful spread amid the festive gardens.

The Quality Inn Gettysburg Motor Lodge now offers groups of 20 or more Gettysburg and Washington, D.C. Overnight in Gettysburg amid the attractions and day trip to the nations capitol, just 90 minutes away. Soak in Gettysburg history with a visit to the American Civil War Museum and the Gettysburg Diorama. Visit the Eisenhower National Historic Site and dine with President Lincoln at the historic Dobbin House. Spend time shopping and dining at Boyds Bear Country. The day trip into Washington, D.C., includes stops at the World War II, Korean War Veterans, Vietnam Veterans memorials, and more.

Over in Lancaster, the curtain is lifting for the 07 Theatre season, with the Dutch Apple Theatre presenting the regional premieres of two just-released contemporary shows, The Full Monty, February through April, and Swing, July through September. While the theatre will continue to offer their most popular performances like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Cabaret, show organizers also say future schedules will show, This is not your grandparents dinner theatre experience!

This article is sponsored by: www.leisuregrouptravel.com , www.grouptravelblog.com , www.grouptraveldirectory.com

• Holland America Cruise Line

• P & O World Cruises

• Cunard Lines

• Princess Cruise Lines

• Regent Seven Seas

• Crystal Cruise Lines

Holland America World Cruise

Sail aboard the Rotherdam for a luxury around the world cruise (http://www.amttravel.com/cruise-lines/luxury-world-cruises.html) departing from Los Angeles for 128 days of cruising experience in the lap of luxury. Sail to exotic destinations in the South Pacific, the Far East and along the coast of Africa before taking the voyage across the Atlantic. Share in the fascination of the Caribbean Islands before disembarking in Fort Lauderdale having had a glorious experience of travelling completely around the world with extended stays in most of the ports of call, which include 50 ports on five continents.

P & O World Cruises

The Oriana is the ship of choice in this line of 5-star world cruises. P & O World Cruises is one of two lines offering two such cruises in one year. Most of the cruise lines only offer one world cruise during the winter months. A look at the ports of call included in a world cruise with this line include stops in just about every country of the world and more than one stop in several of these countries. For example, your itinerary will include 7 destinations in Australia and 5 destinations in Egypt. Through such a cruise you really get a good look at sights and sounds from all parts of the globe that you can only dream about.

Cunard Lines

Sail away on the Queen Victoria the flagship of this cruise line’s upscale world cruises (http://www.amttravel.com/cruise-lines/world-cruising.html). Such a cruise is 99 days in duration and departs from New York City. The itinerary includes ports of call in the Caribbean, Mexico, Australia, Asia, India, the Middle East, North Africa and the Mediterranean. The world cruise ends in Southampton, England from where you can fly back to North America or sail across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary 2.

You can also choose the Queen Mary 2 as your ship of choice for 5-star world cruises for a 90-day cruise starting in Fort Lauderdale and sailing around Cape Horn. This is one of the most expensive cruise ships ever built and has amenities untold for the passengers, which include a range of shopping experiences onboard, 5 pools and 10 restaurants, just to name a few. You will have the opportunity to take part in shore excursions in many countries, which will certainly make the world seem a smaller place.

Princess Cruise Lines

With two 5-star world cruises to choose from, you can sail on either the Royal Princess or the Tahitian Princess. Both cruises last for 107 days and include such ports of call as the islands of the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Singapore, China, Dubai, Oman, Barcelona and many others giving you a glimpse of what life is like in other areas of the world.

Regent Seven Seas

Visit 54 ports on five continents with this cruise lines version of 5-star world cruises. The fine dining and luxurious amenities onboard the Seven Seas Voyager may even tempt you not to take the shore excursions at all but choose to take in the scenery from the ship. However, you will go ashore in all the locations to take in the exotic scenery and enjoy fantastic food and shopping experiences.

Crystal Cruise Lines

Although this cruise lasts for 109 days, it is not a true world cruise. It circumnavigates the Pacific, but the stays in the ports are longer giving you a greater length of time to experience the culture and the sights in each location.

New York Apartments

This is an ideal alternative for the visitors who want a place to hang out for a few days or a few weeks. The purpose can be business or leisure; New York City Habitat has lots of apartments of different sizes at costs that are cutthroat with the hotel accommodations. All of the apartments comprise of kitchen facilities that will allow visitors the choice of dining during their stay.

However, the insist for short-term apartment in New York City is growing radically in past 20 years thus world’s largest corporations is establishing their head office in Manhattan, and has increased tourism in as well as around New York. Most business suites and standard hotel rooms have the rates, which vary from $200 to $300 for each night. Over month’s time, New York City resident’s monthly lodging costs might have average of $7000 or further that is beyond the way from majority of the individuals.

Some of the companies have recognized the business openings in giving short-term apartment solutions as an alternative to hotel supplements for the corporate moving and guests. Cooperating investors, landlords, as well as brokers have made a more reasonable short-term apartment solution by buying apartment buildings plus condominium apartments with a supple by-laws and house regulations, giving furnishings, which go with the standards of few New York’s best hotels. Laundry service, maid, as well as other comfort services that was often obtainable as essential. New York City short-term apartment has as well become the great solution for having renovations made on their rented properties as well as those who can pay for an accommodation. People who live in New York for a 1-month, but do not remain long to sign the lease, as well have fueled the requirement for these kinds of apartments.

As for the location and the price, short-term apartments are found easily in midtown and downtown area of New York, because of the focus of tourism and business offices in these areas. Residence terms are generally flexible, that range from 2 to 3 weeks for a year longer. The most comfortable suites in New York’s most beautiful buildings are offered for $3500 to $5000 for each month for the studio or the 1-bedroom suites.

It doesn’t have the Broadway plays and glitzy shopping of New York City down the coast, but this city is steeped in United States history… as in the “Boston Tea Party” steeped in history. OK Enough for bad puns.

It is one of the oldest cities in the United States…. founded in 1630 by the pilgrims from England if you really want to know. (Not the pilgrims that come over on the Mayflower to Plymouth, by the way.)

During the United States Revolution several major battles took place here… the Battle of Bunker Hill is one of the most famous. The Battles of Lexington and Concord were fought nearby. It was from the Old North Church that Paul Revere took his famous “midnight ride” crying the warning of the approach of the British….. As the poem goes,

“…One if by land, and two if by sea;

And I on the opposite shore will be,

Ready to ride and spread the alarm

Through every Middlesex village and farm…..”

Walk the Freedom Trail. This two and a half mile route will help you get acquainted with the city and efficiently visit many of the city’s historic landmarks. Allow yourself at least three hours for this tour… a full day to really see everything would be better. If walking isn’t for you, there are trolley tours that will let you hop on and hop off at the sites.

Stroll through the historic Public Garden. It is adjacent to the Boston Common and is the nation’s oldest botanical garden. Ride one of the famous Swan Boats… Locals and visitors have been riding in them during the summer months since 1877.

See the Faneuil Hall marketplace… also known as Quincy market. For over 250 years, the marketplace has played an integral role in the life of this city’s residents. This indoor-outdoor market is still a great place for shopping and dining.

Eat in the Union Oyster House, the city’s oldest restaurant. Walk through the “burying grounds”, the cemeteries. You can find the graves of several famous early Americans.

Visit the colleges and universities… there are several in the area. Harvard, just across the Charles River in Cambridge might be the most famous. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in the U.S. You can also visit, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Brandeis University among a couple of dozen others nearly as well known.

In the summertime, sit on the green along the Charles River and listen to the Boston Pops play in the Hatch Shell… a wonderful free concert. If you’re there for the July 4th concert you’ll hear Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture complete with cannons and fireworks. (You’ll need to be there plenty early for that popular concert!)

Boston has great museums, and there are more across the river in Cambridge around Harvard. There are sports teams for baseball, basketball, football and ice hockey fans, and there is always shopping.

It’s a great starting point to explore the USA’s New England states. With all it has going for it, give Boston a look when you’re making travel plans.

It doesn’t have the Broadway playsand glitzy shoppingof New York City down the coast, but this cityis steeped in UnitedStates history…as in the “BostonTea Party”steeped in history.OK Enoughfor bad puns.

Itis one of the oldestcities in the UnitedStates….foundedin 1630 by the pilgrimsfromEnglandif you really want to know. (Notthe pilgrimsthatcomeoveron the Mayflower to Plymouth, by the way.)

Duringthe UnitedStates Revolutionseveralmajor battles took placehere… the Battle of Bunker Hill is one of the mostfamous. The Battles of Lexington and Concord were fought nearby.It was fromthe Old NorthChurch thatPaul Reveretook his famous”midnight ride” crying the warningof the approach of the British….. As the poemgoes,

“…One if by land,and two if by sea;

And I on the opposite shore will be,

Ready to ride and spread the alarm

Through every Middlesex village and farm…..”

Walkthe Freedom Trail. Thistwo and a halfmileroute will helpyou get acquainted with the cityand efficientlyvisit manyof the city’shistoriclandmarks.Allowyourself at leastthree hoursfor this tour… a full day to really see everythingwould be better. If walkingisn’t for you, thereare trolleytoursthatwill let you hop on and hop off at the sites.

Strollthroughthe historicPublic Garden. It is adjacentto the BostonCommonand is the nation’soldestbotanical garden. Rideone of the famousSwan Boats… Locals and visitorshave been ridingin them duringthe summer monthssince1877.

Seethe FaneuilHall marketplace… alsoknown as Quincymarket. For over250 years,the marketplacehas played an integral role in the lifeof this city’sresidents.Thisindoor-outdoormarket is still a great placefor shoppingand dining.

Eat in the Union OysterHouse, the city’soldestrestaurant. Walkthroughthe “buryinggrounds”,the cemeteries. You can find the graves of severalfamousearlyAmericans.

Visitthe colleges and universities… thereare severalin the area. Harvard, justacross the Charles Riverin Cambridgemightbe the mostfamous. It is the oldestinstitution of higherlearning in the U.S. You can alsovisit, Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT),and Brandeis University amonga couple of dozenothers nearlyas well known.

In the summertime, sit on the green along the Charles Riverand listen to the BostonPops play in the Hatch Shell…a wonderful free concert.If you’retherefor the July 4th concert you’llhear Tchaikovsky’s1812 Overture complete with cannons and fireworks.(You’ll need to be thereplenty earlyfor thatpopular concert!)

Bostonhas great museums, and thereare moreacross the river in CambridgearoundHarvard. There are sportsteams for baseball,basketball,football and ice hockeyfans,and thereis always shopping.

It’s a great starting point to explore the USA’s New Englandstates. Withall it has goingfor it, give Bostona look when you’remakingtravelplans.

Notwithstanding the noise of the busy streets and traffic at New York City, it is still one of the top vacation spots. New York is known for its contrasting diversity of great trade from Wall Street and a dizzying array of entertainment like theatre plays and concerts. Travelling the City is like watching or experiencing what we see in the movies or any TV series. If it looks good in the movies, well, I have to say, my instinct one way or the other tells me I want to be there too! New York gives us the thrill of experiencing shopping, dining, be entertained and be romantic.

If you are a fan of ‘Sex and the City’, the first thing that you will remember is watching Carrie Bradshaw (or Sarah Jessica Parker) and her addiction to shoes along with her fashionable dresses. What do you do? SHOP GALORE! One can never go wrong in shopping at Big Apple. Prepare your Manolos or Marc Jacobs to fill your shopping pleasure with sophistication and style at Barneys Madison Avenue.

Not done with shopping? Madison Avenue is where you will find the top end department store filled with American and European designers like Saks Fifth Avenue. Of course who can forget the transformation of Anne Hathaway on the Devil Wears Prada. Make time for celebrity designer shops (Calvin, Giorgio) and fashion house boutiques (Prada, Chanel) in Madison Avenue.

One of the feel good movies with unforgettable wedding proposal to date is Sweet Home Alabama. Why? While others go for a romantic setting at the beach or high end restaurants, Patrick Dempsey picked the perfect spot for a girl (Reese Witherspoon) to choose her own engagement ring at Tiffany’s. While there is a selection of jaw-dropping engagement rings for the bride to be, fine items for men are available and even for babies. Undoubtedly, Tiffany’s remains a girl’s best friend.

After shopping fashionably, and hopefully spending wisely, it is time to perk up your social life. Sex and the City’s famous girlfriends – Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha shows us their ritual revolving with friends and loved ones is by dining out. Despite the countless fine dining restaurants in Soho the City also offers funky and inexpensive ethnic restaurants in East Village.

New York’s City landmark is the Empire State Building. It soars high as the tallest building and one the City’s main attraction. The Observatory offers a panoramic view of Manhattan and beyond. The 86th floor is the most visited spot. In the film “An Affair to Remember”, Cary Grant had to wait for Deborah Kerr in this famous floor.

Times Square is the spirit of Manhattan. The Annual New Year’s traditional countdown on the giant screen as the clock ticks down to a new year. There are countless of movies and shows that featured this intersection. Also known for its historical Broadway theatres and cinemas, Time Square is one of the places that makes New York a city that never sleeps.

Out of budget? Visit Central Park. The most famous park in the City not to mention it is a public park. Spend the whole day peacefully roaming its grounds. Nevertheless, daydreamers can play the odds to test love and fate as John Cusack and Kate Beckinsdale back together in Central Park in Serendipity. Jennifer Lopez and Joseph Fiennes showed that people from different worlds has the right to fall in love and be happy in Maid in Manhattan.

We may enjoy watching the movies, but navigating New York is unparalleled.