About New York
Attending IABC’s 2008 International Conference not only allows you to make beneficial business relationships and continue your professional development, but also gives you an opportunity to enjoy the array of sights, sounds and tastes New York City has to offer. During your free time before or after the conference, be sure to sample the city’s distinguished shops, delectable restaurants, picturesque parks and gardens, and unforgettable entertainment.
General Information
New York City consists of five boroughs: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. The conference hotel, the New York Hilton, lies in the most well-known borough, Manhattan.
Manhattan is differentiated by multiple neighborhoods, each with its own unique culture. The neighborhoods include the Financial District, China Town, Civic Center, SoHo, Little Italy, the Lower East Side, Greenwich Village, Tribeca, Chelsea, Midtown, Central Park, the Upper West Side, Harlem and more.
Neighborhood maps
Neighborhood descriptions
Getting Around
Public Transit System
New York City's MTA is an extensive public transit system that includes subways, buses and railroads. MTA’s trip planner will help you find the best routes for when and where you want to go. Consider purchasing a MetroCard for easier travels and secure a transit map to guide your way.
Taxis
Taxicabs are a quick and convenient form of transportation within Manhattan. Hail a cab by standing at a street corner with your arm extended in the air. If the numbers on the roof of the cab are lit, this means that the taxi is available. Visit the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission’s web site for information on fares and the Taxicab Rider’s Bill of Rights.
Shopping
There's never been a better time to shop in New York. Now, you can spend your money on clothing and footwear tax free for these items priced under US$110 (does not include many accessories, including jewelry, watches, handbags and umbrellas). Scroll to the bottom of this document from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to view items that do and do not qualify for the sales tax exemption. If you have additional questions about this legislation, visit the Department's FAQ page about the issue.
The following links highlight some of the city’s popular shopping areas. Use this list to help plan your shopping sprees.
Top 25 Shopping Destinations - New York magazine
Department Stores
Bloomingdale’s, often referred to as “Bloomies,” is a must-see for shoppers.
Macy’s Herald Square is the world’s largest department store and appears in multiple movies including the holiday classic Miracle on 34th Street.
Saks Fifth Avenue on Fifth Avenue, a shopper’s delight. See the next section for additional information about this area.
Fifth Avenue
This upscale area offers small boutiques, as well as famous attractions and designer stores. Take a break from shopping by visiting Rockefeller Center or St. Patrick’s Cathedral. View this map to find your favorite stores, including Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Prada and FAO Schwartz.
SoHo
Spend some time looking at eclectic items in this neighborhood. Come home with unique items to share with family and friends. Visit www.sohonyc.com/buy.html for more information.
Dining
Multiple online guides and consumer rating sites exist to aid you in your dining decisions. Visit these sites to make your culinary choices.
Entertainment
New York is full of exciting things to do with new events happening every day. You can view current events at NYC & Co.'s calendar of events page. Whether you're a dedicated patron of the theater, a classical music enthusiast or a sports fan, New York City has something for everyone.
Theater
A trip to New York City would not be complete without seeing a play, musical or other theater act, whether on- or off-Broadway. The following links provide information on current show listings and discount tickets. You may want to purchase tickets early in advance for some of the more popular shows, such as Wicked and Jersey Boys.
- Broadway.com: New York & London theater tickets, ticket news, videos, theatre photos & interviews
- New York City Theatre: The complete guide to Broadway shows and Theaters in NYC.
- TKTS Discount Booths – Visit the discount booth at Times Square for day-of performance tickets or the South Street Seaport booth for day-of tickets for evening performances and day-before tickets for matinees. Save 25–50 percent on full-price tickets.
Music & Concerts
New York City is home to many famous music venues, such as Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden. Check these venues' web sites for listings of events happening in June.
Interested in the jazz scene? New York City is often considered the center of the jazz world. Find out more about local jazz clubs here.
To enjoy classical music, see the New York City Philharmonic or the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center or listen to a famous pianist or flautist at Carnegie Hall. Visit these locations' web sites for current offerings.
Live Television Show Tapings
Always wanted to be part of a live studio audience? Now’s your chance. The following television shows are filmed in New York City.
- The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)
- The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)
- The Early Show (CBS) – No tickets necessary. For more information, call 212.975.4061. Weatherman and features reporter, David Price, gives the forecast outside in The Early Show plaza at 8 and 8:30 a.m. The show tapes Monday – Friday from 7–9 a.m. at the General Motors Building at Trump International Plaza, 59th Street and Fifth Avenue.
- Good Morning America (ABC)
- Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC)
- Late Show with David Letterman (CBS)
- Live with Regis and Kelly (Buena Vista Entertainment)
- The Martha Stewart Show (NBC)
- The Rachael Ray Show
- Saturday Night Live (NBC) – Stand-by tickets are distributed at 7 a.m. on the 49th St. side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza on the mornings of the tapings. You may choose a stand-by ticket for either the 8 p.m. dress rehearsal or the 11:30 p.m. live taping. Aside from minimal, necessary breaks, all stand-by line members must remain in line at all times. Stand-by tickets are limited to one per person and are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. NBC staff reserves the right to revoke or not issue any ticket to anyone in line if proper procedures are not followed. Please arrive no later than 7:15 p.m. for the dress rehearsal or 10:45 p.m. for the live show. A stand-by ticket does not guarantee admission and no one under the age of 16 will be admitted.
- The Today Show (NBC) - Gather outside the ground floor at the corner of 49th Street and Rockefeller Center to watch the show, Monday – Friday from 7–10 a.m.
- Total Request Live (MTV)
- The Tyra Banks Show (Warner Bros.)
- The View (ABC)
Curious about what films and television shows are currently in production in New York City? Visit the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting web site for a complete list.
Sports – Participate and Watch
Major Attractions
The list below includes some of New York City's most popular places of interest. Consult your hotel's concierge or other travel resources for additional sights and information.
Battery Park - Explore this 25-acre waterfront parkland—one of New York City’s oldest public open spaces—and see the Castle Clinton National Monument which has served as a fort, an immigration receiving center and an aquarium.
Beaches - Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, Manhattan Beach, Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk, and more.
Bryant Park - Ride Le Carrousel, designed in French classical style; play the French game Pétanque, chess or backgammon; or check your e-mail while in a scenic setting using the park’s wireless network. You can also attend one of the many events hosted at this location.
Central Park - Walk this expansive 843-acre park in the middle of Manhattan littered with 26,000 trees, 36 bridges and arches, 9,000 benches and 7 ornamental fountains. Relax in one of seven quiet zones, including Strawberry Fields, named after the song Strawberry Fields Forever in honor of John Lennon, and Shakespeare Garden. Or take a classic horse-drawn carriage ride through the park.
Coney Island - Visit this well-known amusement area with over 35 rides and attractions. Ride the world famous Cyclone roller coaster or learn about the history of the area at the Coney Island Museum . Fun for all ages.
Ellis Island - Learn what it was like to be one of over 25 million people to take the long journey overseas to immigrate into the United States from 1892–1924. You may even find your ancestors’ names on the Wall of Honor.
Empire State Building - Ride high-speed elevators to the 86th or 102nd floor observatories to get a panoramic view of the gorgeous New York City.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York - Learn about the central banking functions of the Federal Reserve System, discover the building’s Gold Vault filled with billions of dollars worth of gold and view valuable coins and medals while learning about the history of money.
Gateway National Recreation Area - One of the first sites in the National Park System intended to sustain both natural and urban ecologies while providing recreational opportunities for locals and travelers.
Grand Central Station - See where the phrase, “it’s like Grand Central Station in here,” originated to describe a busy area. You may even use this station on your way in and out of the city.
Metropolitan Museum of Art - Glimpse well-known artwork from talented artists in this distinguished museum. See international pieces from the Ancient World, Europe, North America, Africa, Oceania and Asia in both permanent and temporary collections.
Museums - New York City has museums catering to every interest, including the Guggenheim Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Modern Art, the New York Hall of Science, the Paley Center for Media (formerly the Museum of Television and Radio) and many more.
New York Botanical Garden – View an array of plantlife in this 250-acre garden, including a 50-acre remnant of the forest that once covered New York City. With over 50 gardens and plant collections, your senses will be amazed.
New York Stock Exchange - The New York Stock Exchange is not open for visits or tours, but you can walk by and see the pinnacle of financial transactions located on Wall Street.
Radio City Music Hall - Take a backstage tour of the Great Stage, one of the largest indoor performance stages in the world, view the hall’s intricate art-deco designs and end your tour by meeting one of the world-famous Radio City Rockettes.
Rockefeller Center – Although the ice-skating rink will be closed in the summer, you can still visit the site known for its elaborately decorated tree and romantic rendezvous or take a tour of Radio City Music Hall or NBC Studios. This area also has multiple places to eat and shop.
Staten Island - Take the Staten Island Ferry to visit the Staten Island Zoo, Mt. Loretto State Preserve or other sights this borough offers.
Statue of Liberty – View this immense symbol of freedom and democracy up close and personal.
Times Square - Make sure to visit the “Crossroads of the World” and see where the sparkling New Year’s Eve ball drops, view the bright neon lights of the city and walk through the heart of Broadway.
United Nations Headquarters - See where some of the most significant events in recent history have occurred. Learn about the organization and its structure, visit the chambers of the Security Council, the Trusteeship Council, and the Economic and Social Council, and possibly observe an official meeting, depending on the day’s schedule.
Tours
New York City hosts many tour companies that provide you with a view of the city by ferry, bicycle, foot or double-decker bus. Visit NYC & Co.’s tour page for some of these companies’ information and ask your hotel's concierge or travel agent about special deals and promotions.
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