May, 2010: GET ARCHITECTS

New York City is probably the most famous city in the world, and for good reason. This breathtaking concrete canyon land and cornerstone of the fashion, art, architecture, and business industries has more to experience than one could in a lifetime. New York has a rich history and vibrant culture that is at the heart of the American experience. This ever evolving city has so many things to do that one could get overwhelmed by it all. This article will cover the places not to miss.

Known as the crossroads of the World, Times Square is truly one of the most electric and fascinating places to experience. Every sense is stimulated from the second you arrive in Times Square and as you walk, not exactly sure where to focus your attention, you can’t help but feel like a kid in a candy store. Always bustling with tourists gawking and locals speedily walking to their destinations, visitors can now bail out of the currant and take a longer more relaxed look at the attractions of the Great White Way by pulling up a lawn chair in the recently transformed pedestrian mall from 42nd to 47th streets on Broadway. A great thing to do is grab a slice of New York Style pizza or famous deli sandwich and do some people watching.

The greater Times Square area includes the Theater District where Broadway and Off-Broadway shows are playing nightly. There are approximately 36 theaters packed into this small strip of Manhattan with attractions that will satisfy every taste. From major blockbusters to small plays, comedies, tragedies and musicals are awaiting you. It’s impossible to visit this area and not find something to do that will add to the New York experience.

Because New York has so much to see, a great thing to do that will increase your Big Apple knowledge is to take a bus or bike taxi tour. A bus tour is a fantastic way to see and learn about New York City and her many attractions from atop a double-decker bus. Passengers can get off and on at any stop and enjoy dining, sight seeing and shopping for as long as their ticket is good which is usually 48 hours or more depending on the combination tour you purchase. Another great way to experience New York is being pulled by a bicycle taxi. You will beef up your NYC trivia while zooming through Central Park; guides are friendly and very knowledgeable about the dozens of attractions you’ll see including famous landmarks, movie locations and famed New York residents. Because there are so many things to do and see, a bicycle taxi will give you a great snap shot of this huge park so you’ll know what you want to spend more time on during your next trip.

To absorb some amazing history and culture a great thing to do in NYC is to explore some of the many museums that the Big Apple has to offer. These amazing museums have attractions and exhibits that are exclusive only to them. The American Museum of Natural History takes you on a journey through the natural world. Patrons have access to 45 museum halls, the Rose Center for Earth and Space, the Hayden Planetarium Space Show, IMAX and a number of special exhibits that change through out the year. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) are both beautiful and each provides a different look at art through the ages. Both museums are free for children when accompanied by an adult and the MoMA is free to the public every Friday night from 4-8 p.m. The Met is closed on Mondays except holiday Mondays and the MoMA is closed on Tuesday. All three of these museums have amazing café’s and gift shops.

Another great thing to do is to explore Battery Park, a 25-acre public park located at the southern tip of Manhattan on the Hudson River. This Park and the surrounding area are close to many NYC attractions including the Statue of Liberty and the financial district. Ferries depart several times a day to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the first stop for many foreign immigrants on their journey to America. If you have relatives that made the journey by boat to the United States you can look them up, it is estimated that nearly half of all Americans today can trace their history to at least one person who passed through the Port of New York at Ellis Island. Bikeways, promenades and green spaces line the Hudson shoreline and are riddled with vendors, performers, tourists and locals alike. The Battery is also close to the 9-11 memorial site, which is currently under construction.

Shopping and eating are two of the best things to do in New York City and there are literally thousands of places to do both. From the designer fashions of Madison Ave. to the famous knock-offs of Canal St. you can shop till you drop. Shopping in New York is something every woman should experience. Everything in NYC is big including the shopping. The largest department store in the world is in New York City; Macy’s flagship store in Harold’s Square is an attraction in and of itself boasting 198.5 square meters of shopping extravaganza. You will not run out things to do or see in this amazing building. For bargain shopping head to Canal Street and check out the very “real” looking knock offs. Located in China Town, Canal St. has become famous for its fake merchandise just be careful as you peruse the deals. Make sure to inspect the details, don’t be afraid to haggle, and bring cash because vendors don’t take plastic. While you are in the area try out one of the amazing restaurants serving traditional Chinese food, you’ll feel closer to Hong Kong than to Greenwich Village.

Finding amazing food is easy in New York, a favorite thing to do is trying one of the many small restaurants and café’s that are scattered in every borough and neighborhood in the City. The cuisine in New York is creative and delicious and every attraction is going to have a restaurant within walking distance that is sure to please. New York City never sleeps which means that finding something delicious to eat can happen around the clock.

One thing is certain, finding something to do in New York can be slightly overwhelming due to the shear number of possibilities. On any given day there are a variety of amazing things to experience and attractions to see. If you are on a tight budget there are free street fairs, movies in Bryant Park, and countless museums and attractions like the Naked Cowboy or the New York Public Library. It’s impossible to fit everything in one visit so take the time to map out what you want to see and the things you definitely want to do and then make a list of things to do on your next visit.

If you are going on a summer trip with your family, you should definitely consider visiting Germany. This is one of the most gorgeous countries in the world. It boasts of a history that would simply amaze you. You wouldn’t have to worry about visiting one city to another or going from one museum to another. There are a lot of cars that are available to you for hire in Germany. Car rental Germany is fairly easy and if you secure a car online prior to your visit, car hire is even more convenient.

One of the cities that you can visit in Germany is Dresden, the German Federal Free State of Saxony’s capital city. This is one of the four largest cities in Germany. Dresden boasts of the right to call itself the residence of the Kings of Saxony. When visiting Dresden, you’d see the marks of centuries of royal splendor. The city is packed with cultural and artistic luxury.

Dresden did not escape the Royal Air Force bombing unscathed. In fact, the bombing of Dresden is one of the most controversial bombings during the World War II. Significant reconstruction, however, has fully restored the city to its glory. It has resurfaced as one of the cultural, economic and political centers of Germany.

The city of Dresden is pleasantly located on the river banks of Elbe. It is on this river banks that you’d find the magnificent promenades that Dresden is known for. It has a mild climate which is perfect for tourists looking for a wonderful vacation. If you want to fully enjoy the city, you should definitely consider hiring a car. Car hire Dresden is fairly convenient. If you have a car at your disposal, you would be able to enjoy all the Baroque style architecture and buildings that dot the city’s landscape. You could visit one world-renowned museum to the next; and you’d be able to enjoy the art collections housed in these glorious museums. Dresden is fairly known for these museums. In fact, it is known as the Florence of the Elbe.

With a car at your disposal, you’d be able to visit the Dresden Zwinger, Semper Opera House, the Frauenkirche Church and the Royal Palace. There are German cities that also surround Dresden. With a good car hire, you’d be able to visit Chemnitz, Leipzig and Berlin easily. Indeed, there are a lot for you to discover in Dresden.

You can get a car directly from Berlin Tegel Airport as there are car rental offices that are located near the airport. Getting your own car for Dresden wouldn’t take too long. However, if you really would like to avoid the hassle of renting a car, you can always go online before you leave for Dresden and secure a car for yourself. You’d be able to save a lot of time and money. You would be able to choose the best service and the brand you prefer. Once you’ve rented a car, you’d be able to explore Dresden to your heart’s content.