subject: The big Apple: The Ultimate Cultural Destination [print this page] New York is a complex city of many facesfrom arts, to culture, to fashion and culinary innovations, this world-famous city and major global financial centre has always been in the worlds headlines. A week-long walking holiday spent exploring its famous streets and local landmarks is something everyone should do at least once in their lifetime.
Most Sought-after Walks
Far from being an imbalanced urban jungle, New York City actually features enough green space to get the vigorous nod of even the most ardent environmentalist. The first item on your walking holiday itinerary list should be none other than Central Parkan expansive place of rest and recreation right in the heart of the Big Apple. Aside from being the backdrop for so many Hollywood films (When Harry Met Sally comes to mind among so many others), it is also popular for its footpaths, jogging trails, and picnic areas. But dont forget that Central Park is just one among a number of other green destinationsthere is also the horticultural wonder that is the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the 250-acre New York Botanical Garden, the Staten Island Botanical Garden, and the 28-acre public garden and cultural centre called the Wave Hill.
Theatre
New York is also home to a dizzying array of cultural options. If you love theatre, then your major problem is not where to watch Mary Poppins or Phantom of the Opera but rather, how to watch them all in the limited time of your walking holiday. Indeed, on Broadway Avenue alone, the number of choices will astound you. The strategy is just to zero in on the musical or play thats closest to your heart. Among the current shows include new musicals such as Jersey Boys or Wicked, or the emotionally super-charged Spring Awakening. Your tour leader may also help you obtain discounted admissions to the theatre.
The Museums
If your senses have been sated to full satisfaction from hitting other cultural landmarks, its time you visited New Yorks more solemn, yet still exciting, destinations. And here we speak of the museumsthe city is home to some of the worlds leading repositories of art and historical artifacts.
If there is only one museum you can include in your walking holiday, then it should be the Museum of Modern Art - often endearingly referred to as MoMA. Opened in 1929 with the sole mission of showcasing contemporary art, the MoMA has everything to satisfy the curiosity and artistic sensibilities of people of all ages; the museum has an incredibly diverse collection of modern paintings, sculpture, even films. But if you have time, you should also include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, often simply called the Met, which currently holds more than 2 million art pieces from around the world. Or the American Museum of Natural History, which, although among the countrys oldest museums, always makes it a point to offer new exhibits designed to appeal to even casual visitors.
