Out and about

KNOWN as the city that never sleeps, New York on America's east coast is the most populated city in the US.

Immerse yourself in the city for five minutes and you'll see that it's like no other place on earth.

Only in the 24-hour city will you experience first-hand the famous New York atmosphere for which the city is renowned.

Things to Do

NEW YORK is a huge city so planning in advance is essential to get as much as possible from your short break - a three or four or night stay is recommended.

The Statue of Liberty greeted millions of immigrants as they came to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, now you too can feel the rush of excitement and awe when you see the Lady Liberty for the first time.

Take the All New York Tours New York Discovery Tour with Statue of Liberty Ferry combination and discover the different facets of Manhattan and its ethnic neighbourhoods before taking the ferry across the harbour to the Statue of Liberty.

As well as touring the normal tourist hot-spots like Times square, SoHo and Chinatown, the tour covers the parts of the city that you normally wouldn't think to visit, like Harlem.

A highlight of the tour is a stop on Ellis Island, which was the main facility for immigrants entering the United States.

More than 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954 and today, over 100 million Americans can trace their ancestry to the immigrants who first arrived in america through the island before setting out to find their place in the New World.

The New York Discovery bus tour costs $68.99 (£48) per person.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and take a bus trip to Woodbury Commons shopping outlet and shop at your leisure.

You can literally shop till you drop as the last return shuttle lets you shop well into the evening.

Goods on sale include clothes, home accessories, luggage, jewellery and much more!

There are also several sit-down restaurants and a food court for when hunger hits - shopping works up an appetite!

Prices for the Woodbury Common bus tour start from $38.99 (£27) per person.

Finish off your New York break with a visit to the NY Skyride Virtual Tour Experience and Empire State Building Observatory.

First hop on board the NY Skyride, for an amazing aerial tour of the city before heading up on the elevator to the 86th floor to take in the stunning panoramic views of the city.

This is the ideal way to experience the city's world-famous Empire State Building. Prices start from $39.99 (£28) per person.

Where to eat

NEW YORK has plenty of eateries to keep hunger at bay, did you know that you could eat at a different place every night and at the end of your life still not have went to them all?

Check out Lombardi's Pizzeria on Spring Street in SoHo for some top-notch coal oven pizza.

Try an authentic New York bagel at Daniel's Bagels on 3rd Avenue, Midtown East, a bargain at only 70¢ (50p).

The Knickerbocker Bar and Grill, an old New York steakhouse on University Place, are best known for their t-bone steak and host live jazz music on Friday and Saturday nights after 9.30 pm.

For a bargain meal check out Dojo on Mercer Avenue where you can get a delicious soy burger sandwich and chocolate egg cream for only $4.25 (£2.92).

Where to stay

GET the best out of your short break in New York by staying at The Cosmopolitan Hotel in the heart of downtown Tribeca - the most exciting neighbourhood in New York City. Mini lofts are available for £102 per night or if you go with a group of four you can get a room with two double beds for only $179 (£123.29) per night, which works out at only £31 per person per night.

The Royal Park Hotel on the Upper West side, just off Broadway at 97th Street is only one block from the New York City Subway red line. Rooms start from just £32.75 per night.

Getting there

GETTING to New York is cheaper than you think.

A return flight from Belfast City to New York JFK with bmi costs from £343.30 per person or fly with Virgin Atlantic from Dublin to New York JFK for €490.81 (£444.14). Fly direct from Belfast to New York/Newark from £363 return with Continental Airlines. Prices correct at time of going to Press. For more info on New York City go to www.nyc.gov.