There's nothing quite like New York City. An epicenter of culture, history, entertainment, and business, The Big Apple is an excellent place to visit but can be a little daunting if you've never been before and don't have a plan. Even residents have a tough time navigating the endless possibilities of work and play throughout the city. Do a little research and have at least a loose plan entering your stint in New York and you’ll experience more than you can imagine.
Airport Information
There are four airports service the New York City metro, LaGuardia, JFK, Newark, and Islip. Each airport has a National Car Rental branch. So, no matter which direction you're traveling from, there is a convenient spot to pick up a rental vehicle for easy access to the city. Drive times will vary depending on traffic, construction and which airport you rent a car from, so whip out the trusty smartphone and stay traffic aware during your stay in New York City.
What to Do in a City with Everything
No matter where you’re staying, there are excellent restaurants on nearly every corner throughout the city and all the boroughs. In the Bronx, you’ve got to visit Arthur Avenue, a cornucopia of Italian food and markets. Brooklyn is filled with hip joints serving delicious food, but it doesn’t get much better than pizza at Di Fara, one of the best pizzerias in the world. In Manhattan, if you’re not getting bagels from Russ and Daughters, you’re doing something wrong, and if you find yourself in Queens, stop by Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao for the most delicious soup dumplings and dim sum available. Lastly, if business or travel brings you to Staten Island, Bayou has been slinging out Cajun classics that will transport you to the heart of New Orleans.
There’s much more to the city than incredible restaurants. Hot spots include famous feats of architecture like the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, and the Flatiron Building. Historical significance is found everywhere, but maybe none more impactful than the memorial at ground zero for 9/11. Of course, if museums are your go-to for historical insights, the city has incredible options such as The Met, MoMA, American Museum of Natural History, and the Guggenheim.
In your free time, visit Central Park to enjoy a walk or run on the trail that goes around the perimeter. Haffen Park, Soundview Park, and Tremont Park also have fitness paths for walkers and runners.
Conference Center Information
The main conference center in New York City is The Javits Center on the west side of Manhattan in Hell’s Kitchen. The center sets out to be a leader in sustainability, security, and technology, utilizing advanced recycling practices and high-efficiency facades to set a new standard for conference centers. Others include the AMA New York Executive Conference Center near Times Square; Piers 92/94 found in Midtown, and The Theatre at Madison Square Garden. With New York City being a financial and business hub for major corporations around the world, not all business will be found at the conference centers. Your work might bring you to any number of neighborhoods and boroughs around the city.
A trip to NYC can be thrilling with many memorable moments and adventures to be hand. Embrace the grandeur of it all, and don't lose track of your best-laid plans. Even if they don't all come to fruition, they'll help guide you through the urban jungle.