Courtesy of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Courtesy of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

New York City -- ­ known to many as the Capital of the World! Can you think of a place other than the Big Apple that has over 150 museums, 900 art galleries, 38 Broadway theatres, 125 Off-Broadway theatres, 150 experimental Off-Off-Broadway theatres, 18,000 restaurants, 2,000 bars and nightclubs, 30 department stores, 1,700 parks, 12,184 taxis, and 656 miles of subway track? And the list goes on!

This up-and-coming neighborhood combines old-world immigrant dwellings with state-of-the-art townhouse renovations. Brand-name specialty stores, unique bookstores, and one-of-a-kind boutiques line the streets. Read more...

Things can be overwhelming on a crowded Chinatown street. You are likely to hear no English, only Mandarin and Cantonese, while staring at the many roasted ducks prominently displayed in the restaurant windows. Delicious Chinese food at affordable prices is not-to-be-missed. Ask a native New Yorker for their favorite spot! Read more...

Located between Houston and 14th Streets, between the East River and Broadway, the East Village has long been known as New York's hip, cutting-edge neighborhood. Coffee shops, thrift stores, eclectic restaurants that won't break your budget, and performing spaces fill the area. Read more...

This area spans from 96th Street to 142nd Street, between the East and Harlem Rivers and Fifth Avenue. Largely diversified, this neighborhood showcases its many cultures through art exhibitions, dance shows, and drama performances.

Home to the New York Stock Exchange, this neighborhood is the "Capital Capital" of the world. The southernmost part of Manhattan features glorious architecture, bustling business types, and a host of restaurants suitable for power lunches or top-notch business dinners. Read more...

Cobblestoned streets, tiny green parks, row houses, and intimate bistros coupled with exotic late-night restaurants, raucous bars, independent record and poster shops, and many music venues create a neighborhood full of rebelliousness and charm. Enjoy this haven for artists, musicians, poets, writers, and free thinkers. Read more...

The hub of African American culture, Central Harlem is bordered by East Harlem, home to large Puerto Rican and Mexican communities for decades, and by Washington Heights, a center for Dominican culture. There is a wealth of historic sites, unique retailers, and cultural attractions, including the Apollo Theater. Read more...

Any foodie worth his sauce knows that no trip to New York is complete without a stroll down Mulberry Street between Spring and Canal Streets. This little piece of Italy features upscale restaurants, authentic fare, sidewalk cafes, cozy nooks, private back gardens, romance, cappuccino, and gelato that you won't find outside Italia itself. Read more...

A gritty bohemia bound to attract young hipsters with its funky boutiques, understated restaurants, and an all-night vibe. Bordered by Houston Street, the Bowery, and the East River, the Lower East Side once attracted many Jewish immigrants, and the generous delis in the area still serve up heaping portions of pastrami on rye. Read more...

Exclusive clothing stores on Fifth Avenue and well-known landmarks have turned this area into a highly desirable residential neighborhood. Younger crowds have brought in a great nightlife, with a string of bars and restaurants on Third Avenue. Read more...

This neighborhood includes the Garment District, Clinton, and Hell's Kitchen. In order to supply well-known clothing manufacturers, many specialty wholesale stores will sell only buttons or just zippers. Notable landmarks and celebrated restaurants can easily be found. Read more...

University students and young families have taken over this area known for its gorgeous Gothic architecture. Packed coffee shops and cozy bookshops complete this picture of a college town in the middle of New York City.

Soho, named for the area South of Houston Street, was formerly a largely commercial area. Desire for larger, cheaper, less run-of-the-mill spaces turned this neighborhood into renovated loft-style apartment buildings and trendy bistros and shops. Read more...

Times Square, referred to as the "Crossroads of the World," is a non-stop adventure! In addition to all the theaters, restaurants, moviehouses, and shopping boutiques and megastores, people - both native and visiting - crowd the safe streets at all hours of the day. Read more...

This area, named for the TRIangle BElow CAnal which is formed by Canal Street, Broadway, and West Street, is nouveaux chic. Formerly known for warehouses and industrial spaces, this neighborhood has been transformed into prime real estate with expansive, open-space, high-ceilinged apartments and some of the finest cuisine in New York. Read more...

High society defines this posh neighborhood. Private-school students, complete in plaid skirts and polo shirts, can be found crowding the streets in classy cliques. Expensive art galleries, pricey family-owned restaurants, and gourmet food shops complete the snobbish, but fun, setting. Read more...

Less pretentious than the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side mixes restored brownstones with modern high-rise apartment complexes. Ethnic restaurants and dance studios complement European bistros and brand-name megastores. Read more...