"Capital of the World ?" New York City by etfromnc

New York City Travel Guide: 15,552 reviews and 30,943 photos

Stephen Sondheim's view

"You wanna know why I came to New York? I came because New York is the center of the world, and that's where I want to be."

--Marta, to Bobby, the center of much of the action in Company, Sondheim's hit musical

Ed's view

NYC skyline featuring the Empire State Building

I have been to New York City many times but have never stayed more than four days. (I'm not a wealthy man, ya'know.) Usually, I approach the trip with some sort of apprehension but I never fail to enjoy the visit, nor to chastise myself for not having saved more money so that I could have stayed longer.
Most Americans want to head south for the winter but I think that winter is one of the best times of year to enjoy New York City. Seriously, there are deals to be had, hotels tend to be a bit less expensive and to offer more freebies and there is finally some elbow space on sidewalks in SoHo, Chelsea, and Greenwich Village, and the city wears the cold well with a few must-see events for those that don’t mind adding an extra sweater, or three. You can read about some of my encounters with extreme cold elsewhere on this page. Or, go to nyc.go for special winter deals.

The world's view

When you’re the cultural and financial centre of a country who cares if you’re not actually the seat of government? New York City certainly does not. The melting pot of the United States has over 160 languages spoken across its five boroughs by over 8.2 million inhabitants. Visitors are attracted by skyscraping architecture that struts across the skyline like an international supermodel and nightlife that puts most actual capital cities to shame. The city is home to the United Nations. So, who needs to be the national capital when you can justifiably claim to be capital of the world?
Few other cities inspire the imagination quite like New York. Towering skyscrapers and buzzing streets form the backdrop to one of the world’s great metropolises, home to a staggering array of peoples from every corner of the globe. In the realm of art, fashion, theater, cinema, and music, New York has long played a starring role, and its fabled museums, sports arenas, and world-class restaurants contribute to its legendary status.
The New York experience can be about so many things: shopping on Fifth Avenue, seeing the latest Broadway show, strolling across the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset, hitting a basement jazz club in the Village – this is just the beginning, and in New York there really is no end.

Last visit to New York City: Jan 2009
Intro Updated Feb 19, 2013
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Comments (4)

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ViajesdelMundo Jun 30, 2010 at 4:24 PM

it's been far too long since I've been, so was taking a nostalgic virtual trip and see that you also love PJ's! I alwys hv to go there!! ( in the 70s, my last name was Clark--no 'e') the other restaurant sounds like a find as well of course as the hotel.
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afrette Dec 3, 2009 at 11:17 AM

What an interesting place!
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franceonisland Oct 5, 2009 at 1:20 PM

Altho NYC is known as the city that never sleeps, it does take naps. Maybe folks were napping? In any case, NYC is safer now than it has been in decades. You took the off-the-beaten-track tour. Good for you ;0)
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dustydaisy Jan 23, 2009 at 2:47 PM

etfromnc . . what has happened to you ???? You look tooooo thin was it the New York weather ????