When the place was first appropriated by the Dutch (they paid for it with 60 guilders and rumored glass beads) and called New Amsterdam, they were attracted to it because of the layout of the land – rivers carrying fresh water, the impenetrable nature of the island and its perfect situation for trading. Little did they imagine that its popularity would grow so incrementally and that it would become the world’s fifth largest city (number one in the USA) and the most linguistically diverse – more than 800 languages are spoken within the metro.

Many of the city’s symbols are recognised around the world – from the welcoming Statue of Liberty who has hailed ship-bound immigrants since 1886, to Times Square, commonly known as the crossroads of the world and host to the most legendary New Year’s Eve parties; and to Wall Street which has had movies made about it and on it, and which has witnessed many recessions since the eponymous Wall Street Crash which lead America into the years of the Great Depression.

Although Manhattan is only one of the city’s five boroughs (the others being Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and The Bronx) it sometimes seems as though the others exist merely to sustain it. Although each borough has its own unique feeling and culture, Manhattan is the centre, not only of the city, but of the country, and for some, the world.

Aside from New York’s incredible density of population, it is its ethnicity that stands out and makes the place so appealing to so many; no surprise then, that it is where the term ‘melting pot’ was first coined (Lower East Side, early 1900s).  About 36% of the city’s population was born in other countries, and many of the American born residents come from other states. The city is home to the largest Jewish population outside Israel, a quarter of America’s Asian population, the largest black community in the country and the largest population of Chinese people outside of Asia. Although obscure, the following Wikipedia fact is somewhat fascinating: “The Irish also have a notable presence; one in 50 New Yorkers of European origin carry a distinctive genetic signature on their Y chromosomes inherited from the clan of Niall of the Nine Hostages, an Irish high king of the fifth century A.D.”

With people of all races, colours, religions, sizes and shapes, New York is probably the closest thing to a true meritocracy that we’ve got. People are chiefly judged on their talent, profession, who they know and what they’ve got, and very seldom by who they are or where they come from, which must make it one of the most liberating places in which to live.

Enjoy your trip!

Sarah Laurence, The Soapbox’s travel editor, is a South African writer based in Canada.

Central Park

This beautiful park was designed in 1859 and completed 14 years later. Stretching 4 kilometres long and just short of a kilometre wide, it has ample space for its annual 25 million visitors and includes a reservoir, several ponds, running and cycling paths, sport fields, zoos and ice-rinks. Home to many migratory birds, it is a popular destination for bird watches and people who are interested in all sporting activities. Families and the young and old come here to enjoy the open spaces and natural beauty it provides.

SoHo, Chelsea and the Villages

These historically unfashionable areas are now the most vibey and buzzing places in Manhattan, full of restaurants, cafes, bars and boutiques. The narrow streets are full of character and are great for people watching – fashionable and eccentrically dressed pedestrians rule the roads.

Chinatown

Home to approximately 100 000 people and many businesses, this is the place to get great food, gifts, groceries and some cultural education. As a previously Jewish and Hispanic area, there is still a small Jewish community living here, where the famous Katz’s Deli and a number of synagogues can be found. Chinatown also offers beautiful photographic opportunities and free walking tours are offered in an effort to promote the economy of the area, which has suffered significantly since the 9/11 attacks.

Walking

Surprisingly, people in the biggest city of the world’s fattest nation tend to be really thin on the whole. Several things contribute to this remarkable phenomenon (although I don’t think anyone can explain why they’re all so damn pretty!). The city is all about image so its inhabitants tend to take good care of themselves, and everyone has to walk kilometres and kilometres to work, to play, everywhere – unless one has a driver like Mr Big or uses taxis all the time. This walking nature of the city is shown by the business people pairing sneakers with their formal outfits and girls carrying high heels in shoe bags for work. My informal observations gathered that the most popular shoes for walking around while maintaining style standards are the Tory Burch ballet flats.

Eating Out

Whatever your budget, this is the city to eat out in. Hot dogs off street carts, fast food and takeaways, restaurants representing every nationality imaginable, the best of fancy establishments, there are so many to choose from. The city’s Department for Health lists over 20 000 registered restaurants, meaning that eating out is essential lifestyle living. Oh well, when in Rome!

Sarah Laurence, The Soapbox’s travel editor, is a South African writer based in Canada.

1. Empire State Building

I wasn’t that excited to go up this beautiful building, but went pretty willingly because my husband was so keen on it. Thank goodness. The whole visit was a pleasure – from the organized, swift moving queues to friendly guides, affordable gift shop and of course, the amazing views. Try to visit early in the morning or late at night on a week day for the best views and shortest queuing times.

Insider tip: although the building has 102 floors, the main viewing observatory is on the 86^th. Don’t bother to pay extra to go right to the top: it’s enclosed by scratched glass and the views are no better than outside on the main deck.

2. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

It feels terribly clichéd and touristy to visit them, but these attractions are a huge part of American history, offer great views of Manhattan from afar and provide fantastic photographic opportunities. Catch the inexpensive ferry from Battery Park on the southernmost tip of Manhattan. If you would like to go up to the statue’s crown, an appointment needs to be made in advance, but like us, most visitors are content with looking up at her (she’s weirdly small in real life). As one of the most important gateways to America, Ellis Island Immigration Museum is fascinating and nostalgic, filled with original artefacts and interesting information.

3. Ground Zero site and museum

Ground Zero is not hard to find. A massive construction site filled with cranes and workers, all looking like ants scurrying around in hard hats. However, locating the museum is a little more complicated. Only temporary while the official monument and memorial centre is built, the museum is housed in a narrow unassuming business centre to the south of the site. A must-see to learn about the attacks and the people involved and pay tribute to the lives lost. The information and artefacts that have been collected are incredible and visitors walk around seemingly in a trance, often fighting back tears.

4. Brooklyn Bridge

Linking the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first steel-wire suspension bridge in the world, built in 1883. Used by cars, pedestrians and cyclists, it makes for a gorgeous 3.6km walk (across and back) on a sunny day. Its history includes jumpers, a shooting, a terrorist plot designed to blow it up and even remnants of a Cold War bunker, discovered in 2006. When walking along the pedestrian path, obey the rules and beware of cyclists

5. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Over 2 000 000 works of art are housed in this grandiose building backing onto Central Park. Once inside visit the areas that interest you most, and be prepared to get lost – the interior is a maze of hallways and galleries. Highlight tours are offered for those who want a good summary of the collection and to cut out the wandering-aimlessly-while-lost feeling.

6. The Rockefeller Centre

You are sure to have seen this on TV, as it consists of Radio City Music Hall, Winter Ice Rink and Christmas Tree, shopping malls and is home to shows such as 30 Rock which we had the privilege to see being shot live – Tracey Jordan just an arm’s length away!

7. Times Square

Noisy, busy, full of Midwestern tourists and exploitative gimmicks, this is a place that’s largely left to visitors. Although some people love going there on New Year’s Eve, I would give it a very wide berth on the busiest night of the year. You still have to see it, though. Watch out for pickpockets (and more recent car-contained bombs) and ignore the exorbitant tourist prices – there are better places to shop. Great place for discount theatre tickets!

Sarah Laurence, The Soapbox’s travel editor, is a South African writer based in Canada.