Overview of New York City: Lay of the LandWhen most people think of New York City, they think of soaring skyscrapers,
Broadway shows and Times Square on New Year's Eve. This narrow perspective centers on Midtown, but the Big Apple has so much more to offer. Manhattan is just over 13 miles long and only 2 miles at the widest point, but it is packed full of diverse neighborhoods and endless dining and shopping options. Central Park One of the more famous NYC destinations, Central Park is a misleading name. It is actually located in the northern portion of Manhattan, flanked by the brownstone
lined streets of the Upper East and West Sides. The park is larger than many imagine, and it is possible to get lost in some parts of the Rambles, or at least temporarily fooled into believing you are no longer in the US's largest city. Where the Tourists Congregate Fifth Avenue's exclusive stores, the Museum of Modern Art and Rockefeller Center all reside in Midtown Manhattan. While it is one of the most crowded parts of town and is surely responsible for many of the
city's stereotypes, a visit to New York wouldn't be complete without a walk through Times Square. Locals, however, avoid it like the plague. Below 14th Street Some of Manhattan's best dining and shopping destinations exist below 14th Street. Called "downtown" by the locals, this area encapsulates a dizzying and diverse array of neighborhoods: the hip East and exclusive West Village, the trendy Meatpacking District, cast-ironed faced Soho, triangular Tribeca, dense
and dirty Chinatown as well as Lower Manhattan, the former location of the World Trade Centers. The East Village and Lower East Side attract a youthful crowd at night with their plethora of bars and affordable restaurants, and East 9th Street offers treasures for shoppers looking to score something authentically NYC. If chain stores are more your thing, walk over to Broadway between Astor Place and Houston and shop 'til you drop at H&M, Top Shop and Urban Outfitters.
Outer Boroughs Don't spend all of your time in Manhattan. Consider trekking out to Queens for a lesson in culture; try Greek food in Astoria or Indian food in Jackson Heights. Brooklyn offers stunning views back to Manhattan from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade but this borough is a destination on its own. Shop and dine on Smith Street in Boerum Hill or hang out with hipsters in bohemian Williamsburg. Ride the ferry out to Staten Island for free and sip cheap beer while gazing at
the spectacular panorama, or head up to Harlem for a plate of fried chicken and waffles. List of House Sitters available for New York City USA | 
