New York is one of the world’s greatest cities. It is the most populous city in the United States and a major cultural, financial, and business hub. While the business and financial side of New York is essential, and Wall Street a fun stroll, most tourists prefer to stick to the cultural aspects of New York and making a few stops at major attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Empire State Building.

New York is home to some of the world’s best restaurants from small Jewish delicatessens to fine dining at restaurants like the Russian Tea Room. Variety and quality are the norm here. Ethnic food abounds in neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little Italy, and Greenwich Village. Celebrity chefs like Bobby Flay and Anthony Bourdain have restaurants here. There are five star restaurants you’ll need to book well in advance and cheap neighborhood joints to stumble upon as you explore the city.

Delis are the fuel many New Yorkers run on. Manhattan delis fill up with long lines of workers getting bagels, egg sandwiches, and coffee every morning. While there are many great delis, a few are New York institutions. The Carnegie Deli opened in 1937 in Midtown. Carnegie is famous for enormous sandwiches filled with meats they smoke themselves and for their silky smooth cheesecake with a cookie crust.

If you enjoy Italian cuisine, Eataly, a creation of Oscar Farinetti, Mario Batali, and Lidia and Joe Bastianich, is a must-see destination. The market and restaurants showcase the best that Italy has to offer. The market is filled with cheeses, olives, olive oils, and meats imported from Italy. If you prefer not to cook, several restaurants on site often use ingredients from the market. The gelateria is great place to stop for a cool treat on a hot day.

Broadway shows, world-class museums and galleries, legendary nightclubs, hole in the wall music venues…you’ll find them all in New York. You could see the New York City Ballet or seek out the best back alley music venue to find talent you enjoy in New York.

Art galleries like the Met and MoMA are known for their extensive collections of work by the world’s most famous artists. At the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), you’ll find Warhol, Dali, Kandinsky, and Van Gogh. The Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art), located on an edge of Central Park, has a broad collection of work featuring artists from Titian to Jackson Pollock.

No trip to New York is complete without a stop on the Great White Way. Broadway shows are some of the most spectacular shows and musicals in the world with awesome acting, superior music, and state of the art special effects. Whether you choose an a Broadway show or an off-Broadway show the Theater District bustles all night long with plenty of restaurants and bars offering pre- and post-theater dinner and drink specials.

All images are used via Creative Commons Attribution rights. View the original images on Flickr at: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4