For those people that think they can visit the top American city for a long weekend, think again, as you will be hard pushed to see everything it has to offer in seven days in New York. Of course the first port of call should really be the Empire State Building, especially a trip to the eighty sixth floor. Some people swear that it is better to visit the top floor of the Rockefeller Center but you really do need a clear day to fully appreciate the view. 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 is an option worth considering.

As an alternative why not go to Staten Island via the free ferry and look at the Statue of Liberty from there; dropping off at the terminal is the best place because it is where there are some good street artists. Probably on everyone’s list is where the World Trade Center Towers once stood.

It has become an obligatory stop and no seven day trip to New York would feel complete without a visit to this tragic site. There is certainly a strange atmosphere to the whole, very large area that the An emotionally lighter attraction is to visit some of the famous stores like Tiffany’s or the Lower East side area where there are numerous bargain warehouses to look around.

Of course you must not miss out Maceys where there is always a sale on or the very expensive Bloomingdales. An excellent tourist location is the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum which is likely to be closed until the end of 2008; although often underestimated, once it opens its doors again, it will be well worth a visit. Many special (and large) craft are located here including a number from World War II, namely the aircraft carrier the USS Intrepid. If you have the time the New York City Police Museum is also worth a look and although it’s free to enter, a five dollar donation per visitor is advised; many TV viewers have grown up with the cop shows set in New York and a large amount of memorabilia is housed here.

The migrant period of New York is highlighted in an excellent exhibition at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum where scenes of what made America a great place to be are alongside of scenes America would like to forget. For a step back in time it worth going to Central Park where the New York Museum is located; this is an exhibition of many periods relating to the life of The Big Apple. The venue is also free but relies on donations and souvenirs to survive; generally visitors provide a donation of approximately 9 dollars. Most visitors seem to be on a flying visit so end up missing some of the most beautiful areas and that’s why seven days in New York should really be the minimum stay.