A Visit to New York City

If you are thinking about visiting New York City, I recommend that you make the trip. Not only is it thriving with activity, but it is rich in history and story telling. The city is always buzzing with excitement as people come and go. It is impossible to see it in a few days on foot, but taking a bus tour will give you an incredible view of the Big Apple.

New York City has so many areas that it is hard to figure out where to go. There is uptown, downtown, Soho, Little Italy, Chinatown, Greenwich Village, and Central Park. And that only names a few. So before arriving in New York, it is best to plan ahead to figure out where it is you want to tour.

The Hop on Hop off Bus tours are worth every penny if you not only want to see the city, but hear about it as well. As you sit on the top of a double decker bus, tour guides describe and discuss the city's most intricate details. So some of those ordinary buildings that you see up and down the streets of New York, may turn out to be some very interesting places. The tour guides are very knowledgeable. Riding down the street, you will hear about the original owners of Macys and how they went down with the Titanic. You will see the little red brick building that JFK Jr. went to school in, and the building that Christopher Reaves climbed as Superman.

You will also see where many television shows were filmed, including HBO's famous Sex in The City. As you go up and down the streets of New York City, your tour guide can point out spots where they actually taped the show. The Odd Couple was filmed there, as well as Home Alone, Men in Black, and about 60 other movies and television shows.

You will also see the United Nations building during the tour. If you see all the flags raised, then you know they are in session. The Empire State Building, and Madison Square Garden are along the route, as well as all the shops on Broadway that are used in the fashion industry to design all the thousand dollar outfits you see in fashion magazines. Ground Zero is a part of the tour now, and there is a Museum across the street to memorialize those that were lost that tragic day. And don't forget to stop by Times Square and see where they tape the Today Show.

Broadway Street is a must see if you have children. On it, you will find Chocolate Corner. On one side of the street is the Hershey's Store. Filled with every candy imaginable, your senses wake up as you walk through the door. On the other side of the street is M&M World. With two levels of M&M memorabilia, it's a kid's dream come true. The top level has every M&M color imaginable. You can get purple or pink, even special mixes. The New York City taxi mix is yellow and black, and the Homerun mix is grey, white, and blue.

Further up the street on Broadway is Toys R Us. Now larger than FAO Schwartz, Toys R Us has 4 levels of excitement for kids. And right in the middle is a giant ferris wheel with My Little Pony, Fischer Price and Buzzlight Year Cars. You can pose with Shrek, or a huge T-Rex. And you can even take a picture with Toys R Us' very own Geoffrey.

The store is filled with every toy imaginable. From an entire Transformer section to Dora dolls that you can personalize, Toys R Us leaves nothing out when it comes to shopping. And if that is not enough, you can find a gift wrapping center on the bottom floor. And for those last minute shoppers, UPS also offers their services there.

New York City is a place for everyone, whether you are a history buff, or just want to see the beautiful sights it has to offer. So grab a bus, learn all about it, then enjoy the food, sights, and stores that New York is filled with. It is a trip worth taking.