CITY GUIDE

HIGHLIGHTS - of all five boroughs

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• Get around to all 5 boroughs to really see what New York is about. Then spend a few nights in Oyster Bay - 2 the best place to live in New York. Visit Billy Joel's classic motorcycle shop - 20th Century Cycles. Go for a pleasure ride around Long Island. Head through North Fork wine country and have a nice lunch in the vineyards (There are over 70 wineries and it is one of the best wine areas around). Stop in at the BIG DUCK and pick up some duck-a-bilia. Golfers note there are more than 140 courses including some that have hosted major tournaments.

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• Still see the major attractions of New York and a whole lot more.

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• Staten Island - 1

• Take the free ferry for close up views of the Statue of Liberty. The ferry has some of the best value beer and wine prices in the city if you're looking for an early start. On Fridays there is a weekly concert just across the street from the ferry terminal. Also free. So far it's been a cheap day!

• Start off with morning smoko (Coffee) at the Rispoli Pastry Shop. Regular customers become addicted to their cakes and need to come in for a fix. 

• Have a stroll around Little Sri Lanka and enjoy the aromas.

• Fort Wadsworth by the waterfront does tours as well as allow independent exploration.

• Lenny's Creations is a unique museum and somewhere you can pick up some unusual presents.

• The National Lighthouse Museum overlooks one of the busiest harbours in the country.

• There is a Brewery and a Winery that both do tastings. The Brewery also has live music.

• The biggest Ferris Wheel in the USA.

• There are some historic houses with  interesting histories. Historic Richmond Town is definitely worth your time.

• There are outdoorsy things to do if you feel like some exercise like kayaking, hiking and a 4 km boardwalk.

• For dinner head to Enoteca Maria with it's rotating roster of Nonnas (Grandmas) who cook here. Great concept. It started with Italian Nonnas but now there is a range of International Nonnas bringing their dishes from Syria, Ecuador, Poland and Turkey.

• Catch a show at the St George Theatre

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• Brooklyn - 2

• You'll need a couple of days here. Stroll or ride (bicycles are a good way to get around Brooklyn) across the Brooklyn Bridge and you will discover a thriving arts and music scene, tons of restaurants and bars. Parks and gardens as well as food markets and cafes.

• Go to the iconic Coney Island for great food, amusements and the beach. You haven't been to New York until you've ridden the Cyclone!!

• Try the Transport Museum which housed in a decommissioned train station.

• When you get hungry go to the Smorgasburg Food Market or Bedford Avenue.

• Do a walking tour of Williamsburg for Fish Tacos and Domino Park.

• The Green-Wood Cemetery once drew as many visitors as Niagara Falls.

• Or perhaps a tour of the largest rooftop soil farm in the world.

• Grab some pizza and see what DUMBO is all about.

• One of the great things about Brooklyn are the wonderful views you get of Manhattan. Try a rooftop bar to really enjoy it.

• Later in the evening The House of Yes has burlesque and circus themes going on. You will want to get to The Bell House and Greenpoint as well.

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• Manhattan - 4 

• Stay at Long Island City - 1 stop from Times Square and 1/3 the price

• Book trips with Funky Sarah

• Spend the most time here as it has most of the main attractions. Times Square, Broadway, Top of the Rock, Central Park, Empire State Building and on and on.

• Eat oysters at Grand Central Station, walk the Highline - some of the old Metro lines have been converted into green walkways, the Chelsea Market food court (the Oreo Cookie was invented here) and nightlife at the Meat Packing District.

• The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is a must even if you're not normally into this sort of thing. They have an amazing collection.

• Go see a show at Radio City Music Hall. You can do a behind the scenes tour here as well.

• Ditto Madison Square Garden

• Wander around Chinatown and neighbour Little Italy

• For something different head to the AKC Museum of the Dog and see what breed you most resemble.

• Another interesting one is the Tenement Museum. Take a peek into the lives of new arrivals to the country between 1863 and 2011.

• Go on a sunset cruise where you can lounge back and take in the city skyline with the golden light of sunset.

• If you've never been on a helicopter before this is probably a good place to part with the cash and do it.

• The United Nations Headquarters has a visitor centre and  does tours on weekdays.

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• The Bronx - 1

• Yankee stadium (Watch a game or do a tour), Bronx Zoo (over 700 species in 265 acres of artificially natural habitats), the home of Hip Hop, great Italian food and full of culture.

• Have a seaside seafood lunch at City Island where the pace of life slows down a bit.

• Travel back in time to the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage.

• If you're here on a Saturday definitely make it to the Bronx Night Market for lots of food treats and live music.

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• Queens - 1

• Host of the World Fair in 1964 and the US Open tennis at Flushing Meadows. There is still a lot to see out here at Corona Park. Head out to the Socrates Sculpture Park, the Museum of Moving Image and the beach at the Rockaways.

• Have a meal at the Bazaar which has some of the best food in the city.

• Visit the home of the New York Mets and see a game or go through their museum.

• Don't miss the Queens Night Market on a Saturday with food from over 80 countries. They also have entertainment like Bollywood dancers, live music and DJ's.