When wandering the streets and avenues of the Big Apple, it is not unusual to stumble upon a film crew, hard at work on the next big-screen blockbuster or the latest episode of Friends. The city location gives a production grit and glamour, the end result is that the city's image is spread throughout the world, making it one of the most familiar-looking places in the world. (New York's film and television industries spend in excess of $2.5 billion per year, playing an integral part in the city's economy.) New York City is possibly most famous for its skyscrapers, which provide a backdrop to the neuroses of Jerry Seinfeld and the drama of NYPD Blue. At 1,350 feet, the World Trade Centre takes the lead.
Whether or not this is your first visit to the city, the AA's Spiral Guide makes for a good travelling companion. Though small enough to fit into your rucksack pocket, it squeezes in 200 fact-filled pages, including glossy fold-out maps, chapters on Midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building and Central Park and a useful section on practicalities, such as currency and foreign exchange, consulate contact info and tips on travelling with a disability.
