Car Hire Manhattan - Mini guide to Manhattan
Famous the world over, Manhattan is the most cosmopolitan of all five of New York City’s boroughs. As the centre of ‘the Big Apple’, the area is packed with chic restaurants, shops and famous attractions that set the precedent for New York’s remarkable and always stylish social scene.
The Upper East Side of Manhattan boasts the highest concentration of museums and art galleries in the city. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses over two million pieces of art, dating from prehistoric times to the present day. The Guggenheim Museums has one of the most impressive collections of modern art in the world.
Manhattan is also home to some of the world’s greatest theatres, nestled in the neighbourhood appropriately named the Theatre District. Radio City Music Hall, famous for The Rockettes Chorus Line, presents live stage performances, concerts and Hollywood movie premieres.
Times Square, one of New York’s quintessential sites, is also in this area. The 1,250 ft (381m) Empire State Building is likely the most recognised building in New York’s famous skyline. You can take in the breathtaking view of the city from one of the observatories. The Statue of Liberty, another of New York’s landmarks, can be accessed from ferries that run from lower Manhattan and has a viewing deck inside the statue’s crown.
But there’s so much more to Manhattan. Stroll down Fifth Avenue, amazed by all the upmarket boutiques, maybe even spot a celebrity. If this isn’t your style, perhaps you’ll feel more at home in the more bohemian Greenwich Village, or the busy Chelsea area. SoHo is another trendy district that has been transformed from industrial dullness to an exciting precinct of stylishly restored buildings housing expensive boutiques and galleries. Tribeca has a similar background, and the area has been redeveloped with lively cafes and restaurants.
To escape the bustle of the city, New Yorkers flock to Central Park. This 843 acre refuge houses over 500 000 trees and shrubs, and the Central Park Wildlife Conservation Center contains over 100 species of animals from various climate zones.
For a good view of New York’s altered skyline take the Staten Island Ferry across the bay. The terminal is in close proximity to Ground Zero, now one of America’s most sanctified sites, and paying a visit to show respect to the 2,700 people who died in the 9/11 tragedy is almost obligatory.
Manhattan is easily accessible by car. Approaches from the east include the Connecticut Turnpike (I-95). From New Jersey, I-95 crosses the George Washington Bridge. Via I-95, it's 195 miles (315kms) south from Boston, 105 miles (170kms) north from Philadelphia, and 235 miles (380kms) north from Washington, DC.
Direct flights to and from New York are available from most major cities throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Most international flights land at John F Kennedy Airport. La Guardia services mostly domestic flights. Newark is another increasingly popular alternative, with good connections to NYC.
Greyhound Bus Lines links New York with major cities across the USA and Canada. Peter Pan Trailways runs buses to the nearest major cities. New Jersey Transit buses go to Atlantic City and other cities actross the Garden State.
Amtrak trains depart from Pennsylvania Station, including the daily Metroliner service to Princeton, NJ, Philadelphia, PA, and Washington, DC. New Jersey Transit operates trains from Penn Station to the suburbs and the Jersey Shore. The Metro North Railroad serves the northern suburbs and Connecticut.
