The World’s 5 Most-Visited Tourist Attractions
November 29th, 2011
Times Square, NYC. Photo: Flickr/Loozrboy
Of all the cities in the world, only a few will fall on Travel and Leisure’s list of the world’s 50 most-visited tourist attractions. Looking for something spectacular? Millions of annual visitors can’t be wrong – check out the 5 Most-Visited Attractions around the globe:
- Times Square, NYC (39,200,000 visitors/year): An impressive spectacle of neon lights, megastores, Broadway shows, taxis, and countless people. In 2009, pedestrian-only areas with tables and seating were added to space to hang out in the bustling crowd.
- Central Park, NYC (38,000,000 visitors/year): 850 acres of green, right in the middle of Manhattan. People flock to the park to relax on the Great Lawn, visit the zoo, take a carriage ride, climb to the top of 19th-century Belvedere Castle, or enjoy one of many other attractions.
- Union Station, Washington, D.C. (37,000,000 visitors/year): Since 1907, around 12,000 passengers a day ride this massive station, which features a distinctive mix of Classical to Beaux-Arts to Baroque. But Union Station is also a shopping destination—with over 70 retail stores housed inside, it’s definitely a D.C. must-see.
- Las Vegas Strip (29,467, 000 visitors/year): There’s more to Vegas than gambling. Right in the heart of Sin City you’ll find the Bellagio fountains, plenty of shopping, and some of the most entertaining people-watching in the world.
- Niagara Falls, NY & Canada (22,500,000 visitors/year): It may not be the tallest waterfall in the world, but Niagara Falls spews 6 million cubic feet of water every minute, which makes it one of the most powerful. It’s also more accessible than many other major falls, which makes it easy for millions to visit.
Want to check out one of the world’s busiest tourist attractions? You’ll probably need a quiet place to relax at the end of the day. >> Stay with Courtyard.
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The 25 Most Photographed Places in the World
July 8th, 2011
Have camera, will travel: whether it’s in the form of a DSLR, point-and-shoot, or the ubiquitous cameraphone, chances are you’re toting a camera and snapping pics on-the-go. Recently, Cornell researchers analyzed 35 million Flickr photos to determine the most photographed cities. The number one spot? None other than New York City.
Considering the landscape, it’s not so surprising. Home to landmarks like the Empire State Building, Times Square, and Statue of Liberty, New York is a boon to shutterbugs. Interested in shooting the road less taken? Try Fort Tryon Park, with views of the Hudson River and George Washington Bridge; Fifth Avenue at 57th Street, the high-end luxury shopping Mecca with Louis Vuiton and Tiffany’s right on the corner; Central Park above 86th Street, where you can avoid much of the hustle and bustle; or Coney Island, with the iconic Wonder Wheel, Cyclone roller coaster, and boardwalk filled with stands offering every fried food imaginable.
The full 25 picturesque cities:
The 20 Best Cities for Pizza in America
July 8th, 2011
[Photo: Flickr/The Pizza Review]
Whether your allegiance is to thick- or thin-crust, nobody can deny the appeal of a nice, hot slice of pizza. Travel and Leisure has identified the best pizza cities in America, with the Chicago deep-dish and classic New York slice emerging as the top two.
Chicago
While there are plenty of Windy City pizzerias serving thin-crust pizza, the better-known pie is “deep-dish,” named so for a reason. Think thick, puffy crust that stands two to three inches high, forming a veritable bread bowl to hold copious amounts of cheese, sauce and toppings within. Reports are that deep-dish pizza was first created at Pizzeria Uno in 1943 by the chain’s founder. Word to the wise: if you’re averse to sloppy eating, there is no shame in using a fork and knife.
New York City
Perhaps the opposite of Chicago’s deep-dish is the Big Apple’s thin-slice. Flat, wide, and thin, New York-style pizza slice was developed in the early 1900s and is made to be folded in half, making it an ideal street food. And about those countless “original” Famous Ray’s in the city – our suggestions is to just focus on the eating and not worry about whether it’s actually the original.
The full list of the 20 best pizza cities in America:
Top 5 Free Things to Do in New York City This Summer
July 6th, 2011
If New York City is on your travel agenda this summer, you’re in luck. Though the Big Apple is oft cited for its exorbitant prices, the city’s host to a boon of free activities every summer. Our 5 favorite freebies are below, and if you’re headed that way this summer, now you can get 15% off your stay at Courtyard New York Manhattan/Fifth Avenue, Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East, Courtyard New York Manhattan/Times Square South, Courtyard New York Manhattan/SoHo, or Courtyard New York Manhattan/Upper East Side.
1. Check out the beaches
What’s summer is complete without a trip to the beach? When you’re ready to get out of the concrete jungle and sink your feet into some sand, head for the islands – and by that, we mean places like Long Island, Governor’s Island, Fire Island and Coney Island. Once you get there via a paltry subway fee or a gratis ferry, you can find everything from a theme park/boardwalk/arcade/women selling mangoes on a stick (Coney Island) to art installations and a beachside tiki bar (Governor’s Island).
2. Catch a free concert
Jazz, rock, hip-hop, electronic, indie, folk – it’s all here, and it’s all free. Often staged in parks or on riverside piers, Summerstage showcases smaller names as well as big headliners— think Yo-Yo Ma, Funkmaster Flex, and the Friendly Fires — that you’d have to shell out for anywhere else.
3. See an outdoor movie
Pack a picnic, grab a blanket, and get ready to sidle up next to a few dozen of your fellow New Yorkers. During the summertime, a variety of movies are projected onto giant screens in parks across the city. Whether you prefer newer releases (“The Social Network”), family-friendly fare (“Despicable Me”), or the classics (a Hitchcock flick), there’s a show for everyone.
4. Get into the museums, gratis
NYC museum generally have a fee, but during the summer you can see Goethe and Picasso for free (or pay-what-you-wish) on select days. Check the calendar to get your culture fix on the cheap.
5. Get fit for free
Yes, we all know that walking is free (and in NYC, you end up doing plenty of it). But during the summer, a few events are thrown to encourage physical fitness. Get your morning sweat going with a run (led by a Guinness world record-breaker!) or free yoga class. If you love to bike, the city shuts down streets on select days to make them bicycle-only, so you can ride without fear of colliding with a taxi. And if you’re more a water-dweller than a land-lubber, head out to Brooklyn for free kayaking in the river.
Headed to New York? Stay with us and get 15% off at our five Courtyard properties in Manhattan:
- Courtyard New York Manhattan/Fifth Avenue
- Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East
- Courtyard New York Manhattan/Times Square South
- Courtyard New York Manhattan/SoHo
- Courtyard New York Manhattan/Upper East Side.
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The 10 Best Weekend Food Trips in America
June 22nd, 2011
Some of us plan trips around city attractions; others plan trips around city menus. Whether you’re looking for winery tours in Sonoma, CA, or the freshest seafood in Maine, TastingTable has mapped out the 10 best foodie roadtrips in the U.S. – just bring your appetite and extra Wet-Naps.
Seafood
Portland, ME
Maine is known for it’s lobster, of course — but there’s also plenty of scallops, clams, oysters and other sea brethren that more than deserving of a taste, too.
Italian Food
New York, NY
Little Italy, chicken parm, and the classic New York slice: Manhattan and its surrounding boroughs know how to do Italian justice this side of the Atlantic.
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