If you are fortunate enough to have seven days in New York City, you will find this just enough time to see the most popular visitor attractions. Most people will agree that a trip here would not be complete without seeing the world famous empire State Building especially from the top. Some people swear that it is better to visit the top floor of the Rockefeller Center but you really do need a clear day to fully appreciate the view. Possibly equal to The State Building is The Statue of Liberty but owing to delays with the ferry trips it might be worth viewing this ‘beautiful lady’ (and an inspiration to many) from Ellis Island.

As an alternative why not go to Staten Island via the free ferry and look at the Statue of Liberty from there; it is also worth walking around the terminal as well as there are many excellent street performers there. Without going to the site of where the World Trade Center Towers used to be no seven day visit to New York would feel right. It’s strangely moving location and the terrorist struck World Trade Centre site covers a huge area but it is a peculiarly unfriendly subject for the photographer. An emotionally lighter attraction is to visit some of the famous stores like Tiffany’s or the Lower East side area where there are numerous bargain warehouses to look around.

Bloomingdales is another famous store (for the wealthy) to look around but it is Maceys, who will give 11 percent discount on production of a tourist card where most people will head for. At the time of writing the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum was closed for refurbishment but should be open by the fall of 2008; once the refurbishment is complete it will be worth visiting when it re-opens. Many special (and large) craft are located here including a number from World War II, namely the aircraft carrier the USS Intrepid. The New York City Police Museum is worth an hour if you’re down that way; it’s free to enter but a five dollar donation is recommended to help with its upkeep; because it’s about New York’s finest (and some not so fine), it has some really excellent NYPD souvenirs.

Side Tenement Museum which captures the lives of immigrants to New York back in 1864 If you visit Central Park (and why wouldn’t you?) you can call into the Museum of New York City which has some excellent exhibitions about the past, present and future of the city. The museum is in a beautiful building which is free to enter but a nine dollar donation is normally given with plenty of souvenirs available.

There is a huge amount to see and do in this city and if you are staying anything less than seven days in New York, you will hardly scratch the surface!