You may only have a few days in which to explore New York, arguably the most vibrant and exciting city in the world, and are wondering where to start!
With good forward planning it is possible to take a sizeable bite out of the "Big Apple", and digest a good deal of this heady multi-racial, ethnic and cultural cocktail.
A centre for learning and the arts, New York boasts some of the world's best museums and art galleries, plus 42,000 Broadway theatre seats!
A city of "villages", divided between The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Manhattan Island but getting around is easy, with a numbered grid system of streets and avenues.
Curriculum Focus
Accommodation
STS offers a choice of different types of accommodation in New York, suitable for all groups and budgets.
New York
New York Selection
West Side and Vanderbilt The West side Y and Vanderbilt are excellent budget youth centres. Both offer extensive health and fitness facilities, ideal for school groups.
Official Rating: YMCA
Capacity: 740/1000
Location: Both of these properties benefit from great locations - the Vanderbilt is positioned on Manhattan's fashionable East Side and the West Side is on the Upper West Side, close to Central Park, Lincoln Centre, the American Museum of National History, Broadway, Carnegie Hall and the attractions of Upper West Side Manhattan.
Facilities: The West Side has a coffee shop/snack bar and meals can be arranged at a supplementary charge, souvenir shop and a travel desk. Both have free use of the in-house leisure facilities available where students can use the leisure centre and swimming pool (prebooking required).
Accommodation: The twin bedded rooms are simple but comfortable and all come with colour TV and air conditioning. Students and adults share two bedded rooms and bunk beds are used (supplements apply for all single occupancy rooms for students and adults). Separate male and female shower and WC facilities are available on each floor.
Meal Basis: Room only.
Official Rating: Moderate First Class
Capacity: 135 rooms
Location: Once home to former President F D Roosevelt, the Bedford is located on a quiet street in Midtown East, just off Park Avenue and close to Grand Central Station. Rockefeller Centre, the United Nations and Fifth Avenue shopping are all within walking distance.
Facilities: In-house Italian/American restaurant, plus lounge.
Accommodation: Pleasantly decorated en-suite rooms with air conditioning, cable TV, telephone, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, trouser press and in-room safe. Most rooms also have a fully equipped kitchenette. Pupils are accommodated 4 to a room in two large double beds.
Meal Basis: Room only.
Official Rating: 2 Star
Capacity: 169 rooms
Location: Fabulously located just three blocks away from the Empire State Building.
Facilities: Beautiful Louis XVI style lobby, small meeting room and shop.
Accommodation: The rooms are comfortable and modern. Three bedded mini-suites for students.
Meal Basis: Room only.
Official Rating: 2/3 Star
Capacity: 1700 rooms
Location: Large hotel in an extremely central location on 7th Avenue by Macy's and opposite Madison Square Gardens.
Facilities: Impressive large lobby with coffee shops, diners and restaurants.
Accommodation: The huge student rooms for 3 or 4, mainly in single beds, (some sharing occasionally required) have Cable TV's and en suite bathrooms.
Meal Basis: Room only.
Official Rating: Tourist class
Capacity: 900 rooms
Location: Built in 1931 in the Grand Art Deco style, the Edison is only a few yards from Broadway and Times Square.
Facilities: In house restaurant, cafe, lounge, shops and meeting room.
Accommodation: Comfortably furnished rooms, each with air conditioning, TV and private facilities. Our groups will be accommodated 4 to a room in two large double beds.
Meal Basis: Room only.
Transfer by coach from airport to your accommodation
Quality guide book to the City of New York and a map
Not Included
Regional Flights - May be available on request, at a supplementary charge.
Entrance fees, guides and transport on all suggested excursions are not included in the tour price.
Museum Entrance Fees - Many museums and art galleries in New York offer reduced entrance fee for student groups. STS offer a free pre-booking service.
Metro passes - STS are able to pre-purchase bus/subway tickets in advance for your party (supplement on request).
Excursions - STS are able to pre-book excursions, guides & coach transportation at competitive prices. Half day walking tour guide available at a supplement.
Meals - STS can pre-order meals for your party at a supplement. Breakfast - at local eateries.
Passport & Visa
All British citizens require a full passport which must be valid for 90 days from the date on which the holder enters the U.S. Persons travelling to the USA under the visa waiver programme must hold a machine readable passport issued on
or before 25th October 2006. If your passport is issued on or after 26th October 2006 you will need a visa to travel to the United States unless your passport has a biometric identifier. Only holders of biometric passports will be eligible under the visa waiver scheme.
Visa Waiver Program. Beginning August 1, 2008, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be accessible via Internet for citizens and eligible nationals of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to apply for advance authorization to travel to the United States under the VWP.
This information is subject to change. Up to date details and further information can be obtained from www.usembassy.org.uk or from your tour coordinator.
Excursion Selection
Manhattan Island Manhattan - covers nearly 23 square miles, with a population of around 1.5 million.
It consists of several distinctly different areas, each with its own appeal.
Downtown Wall Street - walk through the heart of the financial district. A centre of financial activity since 1792, when a group of stock brokers met and agreed to form the forerunner of the New York Stock Exchange.
Statue of Liberty - situated on Liberty Island. reached by ferry from Battery Park.
Ellis Island Immigrant Museum - is a memorial to the 17 million immigrants who passed this way, the first few steps of the ancestors of 40% of contemporary Americans.
South Street Seaport - on lower Manhattan's historic waterfront. More than 100 shops, cafes and restaurants. great views and a worthwhile Maritime museum.
Soho - Soho is jam packed with art galleries in converted cast-iron buildings, up and coming clothes designers, restaurants and shops.
Lower East Side Tenement Museum - located in the country's most renowned immigrant neighbourhood, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum explains the historic immigrant experiences.
Midtown The Rockefeller Center - has an open-air ice rink in winter which, during April-October, becomes an open-air cafe and fashionable rendezvous. The viewing platform on the top floor, 'Top of the Rock', offers spectacular views over Manhattan.
Broadway and Times Square - where you may marvel at neon billboards several storeys high.
5th Avenue - shops include Saks, Gucci, Tiffany's, and others.
The Empire State Building - is also off 5th Avenue. Admire the art deco structure, climb to the observation decks, and enjoy the featured attractions within. Open evenings until 23:30.
Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) - designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, the renovated Museum offers dramatically expanded and redesigned spaces for exhibitions, public programming, educational outreach, and scholarly research. Houses work by Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse and Andy Warhol.
United Nations Headquarters - with 185 flags representing member states. Tours are possible.
Grand Central Station - has the distinction of being the world's largest train station. The Renaissance style architecture, together with the Tennesee-marble floors, brass chandeliers and famous Sky Ceiling make a visit here an unforgettable experience.
Madison Square Gardens - ALL Access Tour allows fans to get an insider's view of the inner workings of the world's most famous arena.
NBC Studio Tour - museum and interactive attraction and the chance to see up to three working studios.
Radio City Music Hall - back stage tour of this historic performance venue which opened in 1932.
Upper East Side The Whitney Museum of American Art - the greatest collection of 20th century American art.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art - houses a vast collection of art including works by Van Gogh, Monet and Renoir.
The Guggenheim - a world famous Art Gallery housing an outstanding collection of modern art including Chagall, Giacometti, Picasso and Van Gogh. The building is a landmark design by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Upper West Side The American Museum of Natural History - boasts 30 million artifacts, including a replica Blue Whale, dinosaur, and the 563-carat Star of India sapphire.
Harlem - the centre of Afro-American culture, which peaked in the 1920's when it was a hotbed of talent attracting musicians, artists, and writers. Worth visiting is the Schomburg Centre for Research in Black Culture and Apollo Theatre. A special Harlem Gospel tour is available.
Central Park - landscaped in 1856 and covering 843 acres, the park stretches from Midtown to Harlem. Something for everyone including a skating rink, (seasonal) carrousel and zoo. A great place to observe New Yorkers at leisure.
Leisure Theatre - taking in a Broadway Show is a memorable way to spend the evening. Prices are available on request.
Hudson river Cruises - see some of the major sites with commentary.
Shopping - Shopping! Shopping!
Music - STS can arrange concert tours with a base in New York - details on request.
A centre for learning and the arts, New York boasts some of the world's best museums and art galleries, plus 42,000 Broadway theatre seats!
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