Urban Vacation Destinations: New York City

They don't call New York City "the city that never sleeps," for no reason. Housing over 8 million residents, New York City is renowned for its bustling city streets, architectural wonders and its hundreds of museums, galleries, and performance venues.

Once you've landed in New York City, slap on your most comfortable pair of shoes and travel this city like a local: by foot. There's a lot to see so energize yourself at one of the hundreds of thousands of restaurants lining the streets. The range of cuisine is as ethnically diverse as this roaring metropolis' population so expect to have every (edible) whim met.

Whatever your interests, New York has something to offer. For the sports fans, Madison Square Garden holds the city's sporting events in addition to some of the most memorable concerts in history.

Classical music buffs may prefer to head toward Carnegie Hall, located in midtown Manhattan, to check out something more their style in the form of an orchestral performance or some of the world's most talented solo musicians.

If musical theater is more of your preference, check out Broadway and attend a thrilling performance of Wicked or another of the countless musicals the city offers. Off-Broadway offers some equally entertaining theatre, often focusing on more unique off-beat topics and some lesser known, but no less talented cast.

If you are a history or culture aficionado, there are tons of museums and exhibits for you as well. If you enjoy art and ancient culture, head to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or as New Yorkers refer to it, "The Met," which contains various ancient sculptures, paintings and art galleries. It is located on the eastern edge of Central Park.

For a more scientific perspective, you can go to the American Museum of Natural History, where you can view dinosaur skeletons, ancient fossils, anthropological displays, and a fantastically visual planetarium.

Anyone attracted to New York for its celebrity residents may be interested in Madame Tussauds if they don't get to catch a glimpse of their favorite celeb in person. The Wax Museum contains hundreds of life-like renderings of famous people from history and contemporary personalities, such as Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe. An added bonus is that the figures look so realistic you can snap a few photos with them and convince your friends from back home you met the real Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Lopez.

Those on the look out for a laugh are advised to head to the legendary "Improv" or one of the hundreds of other comedy clubs in New York. Improv specifically has fostered the likes of Richard Pryor, Bette Midler, and Jay Leno, while others like the "Comic Strip Live"; the oldest stand-up comedy showcase club in NYC, has had Eddie Murphy, Jerry Seinfeld, and Adam Sandler grace their red-brick backed stage. Lastly there is the Comedy Cellar, located in the middle of Greenwich Village and containing new comedians as well as unexpected drop-ins from famous comedians like Dave Chappelle or Ray Romano.

For aspiring Jack Kerouacs head to Chumley's, the one-time watering hole/speak-easy for some of the greatest minds of the Beat generation, including Kerouac and James Joyce.

Lofty lads and ladies can go to the Four Seasons, considered an architectural landmark of the city and featured in countless films and television shows. The over 21 crowd looking to dance can grab a cab to 13 Bar/Lounge, a three-floor club that features live music, spoken word poetry, DJ parties, and more. Also check out Le Bar Bat, a club that features live bands six days a week, a DJ dance club, a restaurant, four bars and an upstairs chill-out room with TV's and a jukebox.

If you're under 21, there are many hotspots for you as well. Low-key ladies and gents head to Caffe Greco, a small café that features live folk music and does not require a cover charge. Also check out Halcyon, a record-store turned café, which features a wide selection of vinyl and CD's, comfy couches, coffee, sandwiches and antiques. A DJ spins here every night as well.

The hipster population can zip to "The Kitchen", where performances and free gallery installations of music, dance, video, digital media and internet culture attract other like-minded 20-somethings. The Knitting Factory, located between Broadway and Church St, offers similar appeal.

Just don't stay out too late - just because the city never sleeps doesn't mean you can't! You need to wake up and spend your last paycheck at the millions of shopping destinations. Fashion-conscious and big budgeted folk are invited to explore Soho for a unique but expensive boutique shopping experience. Even without the cash to throw around, Soho is worth the trip just for celebrated pizza destination, Ben, which some consider to have the best slice in the city.

Vintage lovers best jump on the subway and grab the L train, or hipster express as it is sometimes known, to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, whererecycled frocks, tops and ties will sustain your appetite for the aged all day.

Fifth Avenue offers the opposite appeal with drool-worthy spots like Barney's, Bendel's and Saks Fifth Avenue. It's worth seeing for its close proximity to tourist spot Time Square and to understand what all the fuss is about.

With shopping sure to have drained your pockets, hustle to Hell's Kitchen's 9th Avenue for some inexpensive but delectable ethnic cuisine ranging from Caribbean to French to Greek, Irish, Thai and Vietnamese.

Although I highly recommend all of the places mentioned above, feel free to explore. There are so many things to do in this city, it's impossible to get bored.
If you want more information on any of these places, be sure to check out their websites!