See New York City by Charter Bus

People don't perceive things the same way, so you'll have to come and experience New York City for yourself! Don't limit yourself to just pictures and stories. Use this guide to help you get the most out of New York in the least out of time!
Making the most of New York City will require you to be ready to take on an action filled time and wear good walking shoes and warm and comfortable clothing. A great way to start off your visit is by going with family or friends. That way, you'll be able to share the experience with someone and your different aspects of it. Maybe argue on which attraction was better just for laughs?
Where do you want to go? Read about the following landmarks to learn more about the most popular attractions in New York City. It's breath-taking architectural exterior will sweep you in for a great surprise!

St. Patrick's Cathedral
St. Patrick's Cathedral is the largest decorated gothic-style Catholic Cathedral in the United States, seating about 2,200 people. It is located on 5th Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets. It has been recognized throughout its history as a center of Catholic life, and each year over 3 million people visit the cathedral.

History: Archbishop John Hughes began the Cathedral in 1858 to replace the original St. Patrick's Cathedral. The cornerstone was laid in August of that year, and, after suspending work during the years of Civil War (1861-1865), John Cardinal McCloskey, the first American Cardinal, continued in 1865, opening the doors in May, 1879. Today, it is used as a parish church in New York.

Facts about St. Patrick's Cathedral:
The Windows were made by renowned artists in Chartres, France; Birmingham, England and Boston Massachusetts. The great rose window is acknowledged to be the finest work crafted by Charles Connick, the 20th century genius in stained glass window design.
• The exterior length is about 405 feet; the width is 274 feet.
• The towers rise 330 feet from street level.
• The architect was James Renwick, an American. The Lady Chapel was designed by another American, Charles Mathews.
• The St. Michael and St. Louis altar was designed by Tiffany and Company. The St. Elizabeth altar was designed by Paolo Medici of Rome.
• The Archbishops of New York are buried in a crypt under the high altar. Their honorary hats, called galeros, hang from the ceiling above their tombs.
• The Stations of the Cross are works of art which won first prize at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893.
• The Pieta is three times larger than the Pieta in St. Peter's, Rome.
• The Cathedral has three organs.
• The baldachin over the main altar is solid bronze.

Grand Central Terminal
As you approach 42nd Street and Park Avenue from downtown, you'll be facing this triumphant facade featuring a fifty foot pediment with statues of Hercules, Minerva and Mercury surrounding a thirteen foot clock. This was designed by architect Whitney Warren in 1913.
This terminal is also the setting to several popular movies like Alfred Hitchcock's classic North by Northwest, in which a man is mistaken for a government agent and pursued across the country by a gang of spies; The Fisher King, where the terminal was spectacularly done into a ballroom; and 1978's Superman features some very cool scenes set in villain Lex Luthor's fantastic subterranean lair under Grand Central Terminal.

Central Park
Central Park is one of those places that make New York such a great place to live or visit. The huge park, 843 acres large, is located in the center of Manhattan, between 5th & 8th Av. and 59th and 110th St. Its design is an example for city parks around the world. The park boasts several lakes, theaters, ice rinks, fountains, tennis courts, baseball fields, many playgrounds and other facilities. It is also home to the Central Park Zoo and the Metropolitan museum of Art.
Central Park is a welcome oasis in the urban madness. It is beautiful and mysterious in its own unique way, like us. It has life and personality, built upon the imagination of its architects, neighboring residents, and visitors. Frederic Law Olmstead, one of the many architects in the competition of 1857 to organize a design for Central Park, goal was to create a place where people could relax and meditate. He saw the park as a kind of social experiment where people from both upper and lower classes would meet, which was a radical idea at the time, and now people from around the world.
Winding pedestrian roads and bicycle trails are separated from main roads and the numerous of trees ensures the city's buildings are hidden from within the park. The park environment changes colors during the seasons and weather and are still full of life year-round. Some of the most exciting art exhibitions take place this park, like the most recent, Gates project (February 12-28, 2005), by famous artist Christo and his wife, Jeanne-Claude. He created a trail of sculptures, weighing up to more than a ton each, which stretched 23 miles.

Empire State Building
The lean, perpendicular design of the Empire State Building makes a strong statement among the smaller Manhattan buildings and eclipses the ground below. This 103 floor building can be seen from almost anywhere in New York and parts of the tri-state area and appears heavenly behind a larger-than-life bill-board. It emerges like a silhouette even on the stormiest of days.

History: The 1931 landmark was the result of a competition between the head of the Chrysler Corporation and General Motors to see who could build the tallest building. GM won. The construction began on January 22, 1930 by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon Associates.

The Empire State Building is the tallest building in New York, situated at 350 Fifth Ave. It is both a New York City and National Historic Landmark. There are 1,860 from street level to 102nd floor, but you can take an elevator up to the top.
This is such a great place to bring the family - and an especially amazing place to witness the wonder in a child's eyes when he gazes 360 degrees from horizon to horizon above the city. Get a bird's eye view with the scopes.
The beautiful lights that grace the top of The Empire State building are energy efficient as well as awe inspiring. The lights change colors and are colorfully planned for special occasions. In fact, as a Tourism attraction, the view from afar can be as exciting as the view from the top! Just make sure to go when the sky is clear. Make sure you catch the last elevator at 11:15 PM or else you're stuck racing down the stairs!

Facts about the Empire State Building:
• Metro Networks monitor the busy traffic in the metro area from high atop the Empire State Building Tower.
• The lightning rod on the Tower is struck more than 100 times per year.
• It only took only one year and 45 days to build.
• Fantasizing about getting married at the top of the Empire State Building? You can do it. Every Valentine's Day, a select group of couples get hitched here.
You might become hungry after all the stair climbing (and that's why you have on your best walking shoes). So on the way up or down, there are restaurants and pizzerias and ice cream parlous on the floor in the 5th Avenue Lobby. ATM machines are located in the Lobby, Newsstands, Walgreen's, and near the elevator.

Times Square
Times Square is a known for visual performing arts, long chains of star restaurants, great shopping centers, technological advances, annual outdoor festivities and New Year celebrations! This is a popular attraction to people all around the world. The Times Square Alliance works constantly to improve the quality of public space in Times Square. The Alliance strives to reinforce the area's authentic and historic character and creatively express Times Square's unique qualities to your best satisfaction.

"Nowhere else can you find such a diversity of chefs and cuisine from all around the world as you can in Times Square, and it is this that makes dining out in Times Square such an adventure." - Times Square Alliance President Tim Tompkins

One of New York City's most popular annual outdoor food festivals, A Taste of Times Square, presented by the Times Square Alliance, is your opportunity to sample "tastes" delicious signature dishes from Times Square's top restaurants. You will be able to enjoy classic New York street performers, catch top-notch local entertainment on three stages, and show off your hottest dance moves all evening.

How will you get there?
So, you have just completed reading all about these great places, but how will you get there? The best way to travel is in comfort and style. There's no need to go on an hour's search for a parking space. You'll probably forget where you parked at the end of the day. Rent a limo bus for as many people, 14 people at most, for maximum enjoyment. The advantages are you will save money on both parking and gas and time, one of the most valuable things when traveling. Time is your key to having for chances to spend with the family or friends.
Taking a bus is also recommended. Buy a Metro Card for a one day unlimited bus fare. Just take a seat aboard an air-conditioned bus, your escape from the heat, and they'll do the moving for you! It's much cheaper than paying $4 for 9/10 of a gallon. You would contributing to the city by reducing traffic and you'll be able to get to where you want to get and not worry about getting lost because the driver will take you back to your original destination. You're in safe hands and company.
Since you're saving money, what can you do with extra cash? Hey, stop by a gift shop. Gift shops are everywhere! You can't miss them!
You've got the ups on what's new and cheaper, but equal in quality. You know where to go to find an ATM, in case you're low on cash. Put on your happy face and make sure you don't forget your best walking shoes because you're all set to sight-see! No more "I read about this place..." because you've seen them all.

For more about New York City sightseeing and travel, please visit US Coachways at http://www.uscoachways.com

About The Author-- Kurt Clark is a freelance writer, as well as CEO of Kurt Clark, Inc, a web development & internet marketing firm. Read more at: http://www.kurtclarkinc.com Research: http://www.uscoachways.com, a provider of charter bus travel throughout the United States.

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