Statue of Liberty
DESCRIPTION: Built in 1886, the Lady Liberty stands from the base of her pedestal 240 feet tall; a lot has been written concerning the Frenchmen’s real intention for the Great Lady -- was she built in honor of America’s decision to abolish slavery? Catch a ferry from Battery Park and judge for yourself; expect big lines to catch the elevator in the summer; you can always climb 22 flights of stairs
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-5p
ADDRESS: Liberty Island  MAP
TRANSIT: Ellis Island Ferry from Battery Park to Statue of Liberty
PHONE: 212-561-4500
WEBSITE: http://www.nps.gov/stli

Ellis Island
DESCRIPTION: Also a national monument, Ellis Island Immigration Museum contains 40,000 square feet of exhibits that chronicle Ellis Island's role in immigration history to America; exhibits include museum objects, photographs, prints, videos, interactive displays, oral histories and the 30-minute film
ADMISSION: entering the island is free, but entering the museum costs $12 ages 13+, $10 seniors 62+, $5 children 4-12
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-5p
ADDRESS: Ellis Island  MAP
TRANSIT: Ellis Island Ferry from Battery Park
PHONE: 212-561-4500
WEBSITE: http://www.nps.gov/elis

Macy's at Herald Square
DESCRIPTION: Macy's flagship store is a international shopping destination with ten floors in the world's largest department store - practically every major name brand; this icon is also well known and loved for sponsoring the Thanksgiving Day Parade, Holiday Window Displays, and Visits with Santa; the 2nd floor includes a Visitor's Service area with luggage and coat check services, and concierge services; also has restaurants and a distinguished bridal registry and furniture gallery
ADMISSION: Free DAYS & HOURS: Mon 10a-8:30p, Tue-Thu 8a-10p, Fri-Sat 10a- 8:30p, Sun 11a-7p; though hours can vary by season
ADDRESS: 151 West 34th Street  MAP
TRANSIT: near D, F, N, Q, R, V, W subways lines
PHONE: 212-695-4400
WEBSITE: link

Times Square
DESCRIPTION: The crossroads of the world is a lot cleaner, safer and family friendly than 15-20 years ago; it has enough neon to make Las Vegas blush, Disney, Warner Brothers, Toys R us and M&M flagship stores, NASDAQ Stock Exchange headquarters and a boatload of hotels and restaurants; more importantly, something eye-catching is always happening here, whether you’re a millionaire or down to your last dollar
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: 24/7
ADDRESS: Broadway between 42nd and 47th Streets  MAP
TRANSIT: at 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S, W subways lines and PATH trains to New Jersey
PHONE: 212-966-3141
WEBSITE: http://timessquare.com

Grand Central Terminal
DESCRIPTION: New York City’s best place to people-watch; built in the time of the robber barons, this magnificent gift for the masses is mounted in the center of Park Avenue; recently renovated, it looks better than when it first opened in 1913; in a day’s time you can watch 500,000 people purchasing train tickets, catching trains, waiting for trains, greeting friends and loved ones; then take time to marvel at the marble interior, or carouse more than 50 retail shops in Grand Central Market open from 8a-8p; a Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse, on the mezzanine level, and a dozen others are open from 10a-9p Mon-Sat and 10a-6p on Sundays; while the main food court is downstairs; also features a calendar of events
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: open 24/7
ADDRESS: 87 East 42 Street  MAP
TRANSIT: largest commuter and subway transit hub in NYC
PHONE: 718-330-1234
WEBSITE: http://www.grandcentralterminal.com

Park Avenue
DESCRIPTION: Formerly called 4th Avenue, this wide boulevard that carries north and southbound traffic through Manhattan is filled with Begonias and other greenery in the median; though south is equally beautiful, north of Grand Central Terminal, Park Avenue hosts the headquarters of MetLife, JPMorgan Chase, KPMG, Vivendi, Citigroup, Colgate-Palmolive, Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and many others - this long stretch up to 97th street contains some of the most expensive real estate in the world; Park Avenue participates in the Summer Streets program which limits the street to walkers and bikers for 3 Saturdays in the Summer
ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: view them 24/7

ADDRESS: begins at 17th Street when it name changes from the Bowery to Park Avenue South; above 32nd Street it is known as Park Avenue  MAP

TRANSIT: centered by Grand Central Terminal transit hub and near 6, E, V subway lines traveling northbound

PHONE: n.a.

WEBSITE: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/summerstreets

Carnegie Hall
DESCRIPTION: Before Lincoln Center, the number one place to play was, and some argue still is, Carnegie Hall; the main attraction among its three halls is: Isaac Stern Auditorium; Seating 2,804 Seats it has been the premier classical music performance space in the United States since its opening in 1891, showcasing the world's greatest soloists, conductors, and ensembles; it has also hosted major jazz events and Luther Vandross concerts, historic lectures and much more; the sound is so good because the architect was also a cellist; a sound-sensitive renovation completed in 1986; on TV you may have seen the curvilinear shape around the stage and the five levels of seating; an incredible treat for the senses

BOX OFFICE: Mon-Sat 11a-6p and during evening performances, stays open one-half hour past 7:30p or 8p start time

ADDRESS: 881 7th Avenue  MAP

TRANSIT: at N, Q, R, W subway lines

PHONE: 212-247-7800

WEBSITE: http://www.carnegiehall.org

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
DESCRIPTION: The architectural and cultural heart of New York; this expansive cultural center includes: Jazz At Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Clark Studio Theater, Gerald Lynch Theater, Juilliard Drama Theater, Juilliard Theater, La Guardia Concert Hall, Metropolitan Opera House, Mitzi Newhouse Theater, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, New York State Theater, Vivian Beaumont Theater and more; a soulful favorite ore the annual jazz concerts; there is always so much going on that you are wise to reserve parking in advance

BOC OFFICE: hours vary by venue

ADDRESS: 138 West 65th Street  MAP

TRANSIT: near the 1 and near A, B, C, D subway lines at Columbus Circle

PHONE: 212-721-6500

WEBSITE: http://www.lincolncenter.org

South Street Seaport
DESCRIPTION: One of the oldest places in the city has been restored in honor of its nautical heritage; a great place for people-watching, it features more than 100 shops, restaurants and the South Street Seaport Museum set in a natical heritage setting; families will also enjoy the library, crafts center and historic ships that may be boarded

DAYS & HOURS: mall Mon-Sat 10a-7p, Sun 11a-6p

ADDRESS: Fulton & South Streets, Pier 1  MAP

TRANSIT: near 2 & 3 subway lines

PHONE: 212-732-8257

WEBSITE: http://www.southstreetseaport.com

Broadway Dance Center
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1984, it is an excellent resource to meet and network with other dancers, celebrity choreographers, and often agents; classes range from classical, hip=hop, ballet, tap, and modern styles; many classes are open visitors and observers, depending on the teacher; come, be inspired

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-9:30p, Sat 9a-7p, Sun 9a-6p

ADDRESS: 221 West 57th Street, 5th Floor  MAP

TRANSIT: near 1, A, B, C, D, N, Q, R, W subway lines

PHONE: 212-582-9304

WEBSITE: http://www.broadwaydancecenter.com

Hard Rock Café
DESCRIPTION: A 1958 Cadillac hangs out front, guitar-shaped bar, jacket by Prince and Jimi Hendrix’s guitar signal that this is on of the premier locations on the HRC franchise; yes, they’re the same bland burgers as everywhere else

DAYS & HOURS: Sun-Thu 11a-12:30a, Fri-Sat 11a-1:30a

ADDRESS: 1501 Broadway  MAP

TRANSIT: near 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W subway lines

PHONE: 212-459-9320

WEBSITE: link

CBS Broadcast Center
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1931, this Headquarters building of CBS News was originally, believe it or not, a dairy farm; so old-timers oftern call it the farm

DAYS & HOURS: by appt only

ADDRESS: 524 West 57th Street  MAP

TRANSIT: near 1, A, B, C, D subway lines

PHONE: 212-975-4321

WEBSITE: http://www.cbs.com

Late Show with David Letterman at Ed Sullivan Theatre
DESCRIPTION: People born before 1960 remember the days when the family gathered around the TV on Sunday nights to watch the Ed Sullivan’s “Really Big Shu” as he used to call it; this variety show featured everyone from the Beatles, Supremes, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Jackson 5 and so, so, so much more; his shows in one night were a combination of the top acts you see on Jay Leno and David Letterman in a week

BOX OFFICE: stand-by phone line at 11a the day of the taping

ADDRESS: 1697 Broadway  MAP

TRANSIT: near B, D, E subway lines

PHONE: 212-975-6644

WEBSITE: http://lateshow.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow

World Trade Center
DESCRIPTION: We’ve all seen the images from 9-11 of the old WTC, but a new day is dawning; 7 World Trade Center has been rebuilt; construction of a WTC Reflecting Absence Memorial and Memorial Museum are underway; the cultural component of the new World Trade Center will include a 1,000-seat performing arts center designed by Frank Gehry; among structures in the complex, an architectural landmark, 1 World Trade Center, the Freedom Tower, will soar a symbolic 1,776 feet to once again make WTC America's tallest building; a spectacular new Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) Transportation Hub also promises architectural beauty and significantly better mass-transit connections in NYC and New Jersey

DAYS & HOURS: viewing windows surround the WTC construction site

ADDRESS: World Trade Center  MAP

TRANSIT: PATH trains hub and at 1, R, W NYC subway lines

PHONE: not yet

WEBSITE: http://www.wtc.com