Seven days in New York might be just enough time to capture just a little of taste of what this busy non-stop city is all about. Probably one of the first stops will be the Empire State Building and whilst it may be on every tourists list, that doesn't mean it is not worth it, especially the view from the top. Some people swear that it is better to visit the top floor of the Rockefeller Center but you really do need a clear day to fully appreciate the view. Huge numbers of visitors have meant it can often be difficult landing at the Statue of Liberty and getting off the tour boat at Ellis Island is often the easier option.

As an alternative why not go to Staten Island via the free ferry and look at the Statue of Liberty from there; this is also a great place to spend some time enjoying the talents of local (almost professional) street entertainers. Without going to the site of where the World Trade Center Towers used to be no seven day visit to New York would feel right. Twin Towers stood on but not one where a photograph would be appropriate. For those who love to shop there is of course the famous Tiffany's and Broadway plus some fantastic old discount warehouses worth a look down on the Lower East Side.

Other stores like Bloomingdales are the kind of place where you can look at the goods but must not touch to the other famous store Macy's where there is always a sale on. At the time of writing the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum was closed for refurbishment but should be open by the fall of 2008; although often underestimated, once it opens its doors again, it will be well worth a visit. The center piece is the World War II aircraft carrier Intrepid, packed with historic aircraft including Concorde, a destroyer and a submarine but be prepared for a size test if you want to enter the sub Growler. It is also worth a visit to the New York City Police Museum and whilst the museum does not have an entrance fee, five dollar donations are generously accepted; many TV viewers have grown up with the cop shows set in New York and a large amount of memorabilia is housed here.

For those who like to see the darker side of a city the Lower East Side Tenement Museum is ideal as it shows the conditions for many immigrants back in 1864. If Central Park is on your list of places to see then there is another museum aptly named the City of New York Museum which has exhibitions exploring the city's past, its present and the future. It is all housed in a beautiful building and entrance is free but a nine dollar donation is recommended. Perhaps as with any capital city, seven days in New York really is only enough to give you a taste of what it has to offer; still that just means to will have to spend more time there in the future!

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