As an ex-New Yorker, I grew up in the heart of the city in the area of Chelsea. I explored by foot and with my bicycle many of the wonderful things that make Manhattan a dream for everyone wanting to see the sites that are shown in many of the movies and television shows over the years.

Here's my personal list of what to see and do when visiting Manhattan - New York City and the surrounding areas.

The heart of New York City for site seeing and explorers

I have prepared the following list to help travellers follow a sequential path that will take them from one side of the city, and around the entire city to save time. I'm sure that while doing this many will find things that will make them wander in different directions, so remember to add some flexible time to your total days of staying in the Big Apple.

Tips and clues to exploring New York City by foot, bus, and train

If its your first time in NY, then you will want to know that from about 14th street up to about 125th street the city is very nicely organized in square blocks with avenues running north to south and streets east to west in a numbered order. This organization changes in the areas of lower and upper Manhattan.

From the southern tip where the ferry boats to Staten Island up to 14th street street, avenues and streets can intersect at different places as this is the historic section of old New York or New Amsterdam as it was known back then.

If you plan your excursion with extra time, then you can make use of the buses to see more of the city otherwise use the metro train system especially when transversing longer distances as it is much faster. As in many countries now, transportation passes are available for multiple daily and weekly trips. Do not try to use a car in New York for site seeing as you will only be wasting your time. Finally wear very comfortable shoes, preferably sneakers, because you will be doing miles or kilometers without knowing it.

Have a question, feel free to contact me.

Happy touring!