How to spend a weekend in New York

There is so much to see and do when you are travelling in the US that no matter how long you are visiting for, it feels like an impossible task to fit it all in. However, the one thing you simply must do is book a tour of New York, or simply explore it solo.

Countless people flock to the metropolis every year to take a bite out of the Big Apple and this is arguably the most iconic city in the world. You may be staying for a few days or a week or two and you still won't be able to fit everything it has to offer in.

Here are our tips on some great things to do during your stay.

Cross the Brooklyn Bridge

Connecting the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city and walking along it is the perfect way to admire that amazing skyline. There is a walkway that runs above the vehicle crossing, so with the cars passing underneath it is perfectly safe to stroll over it.

Keep your camera close at hand so you can snap away while you walk as this is a sight you'll want to treasure. After all, the East River crossing is not only a popular tourist attraction, but it has also appeared in numerous movies, including Gangs of New York, I Am Legend and Once Upon A Time In America.

See the Statue of Liberty

Even more famous than the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty was the symbol of freedom that greeted immigrants as they arrived in the Land of the Free centuries ago. Today, it is one of the city's most popular visitor attractions.

The statue was a gift to America from France and is situated on Liberty Island. After you have visited the great lady, you can cruise over to Ellis Island, where some 12 million immigrants first stopped as they arrived on steamboats over the years.

Visit the Met

You can continue to lap up the culture by heading next to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is home to some of the world's most famous paintings. See The Dance Class by Edgar Degas, Self-Portrait with Straw Hat by Vincent van Gogh, The Houses of Parliament by Claude Monet and The Repast of the Lion by Henri Rousseau.

There are also numerous temporary exhibitions for you to enjoy, which may explain why this institution is just as popular with New Yorkers as it is with tourists.

Grab a bagel

After all that sightseeing, you'll probably be feeling peckish, so now is a great time to tuck into a delicious snack. The good thing about New York is that you are never far from a street vendor, although the quality of food served from these carts is likely to be far superior to anything you've ever had at home.

You can treat yourself to a mouth-watering hot dog or a tasty bagel. These are quintessential Big Apple snacks, designed to be eaten on the go and fill you up until you dine at a restaurant that evening.

Climb the Rockefeller

The Empire State Building isn't the only skyscraper you can climb if you want a bird's eye view over the city. Another great option is the Rockefeller Center, which boasts an imaginatively-titled observatory called Top of the Rock.

Perhaps the best time to come here is at dusk, so you can watch the sun sink behind the horizon and the lights come on across Manhattan. The New York skyline is the most iconic image of the city and to make it even more special, you can enjoy a glass of Champagne as you watch the lights come on.

Feast on oysters

This is the city that never sleeps so don't expect the Big Apple to get quiet once the sun has set. Start your evening off in style by visiting the Oyster Bar at Grand Central Terminal.

People have been meeting and greeting at this station for years and you'll easily recognise the huge hall from numerous films and television shows. Beneath it sits the Oyster Bar, which is one of Manhattan's premier eateries. You will be staggered at the variety of oysters on the menu - there are dozens to choose from! Each has its own distinctive flavour and the seafood delicacies have been caught from coasts all around the US.

Catch a show

For the perfect end to a perfect day, make your way to Times Square. The bright lights that illuminate this junction are another image that is quintessentially-New York. From here, you can check out Broadway's theatres and maybe catch a show yourself.

There is plenty of choice but seeing a musical is a particularly enjoyable experience. You'll find all the classics run here, along with a few lesser-known gems.