TO LISTEN TO CURRENT OR PAST SHOWS, CHECK OUT THE LET'S TALK TRAVEL PODCAST PAGE! 
Every week "Let's Talk Travel" host Sandy Fenton takes the audience to a different vacation destination with the travel experts sitting in the studios as guest co-hosts. 
WHAT TO SEE & DO
Many people visiting New York City go to Times Square only and never go anywhere else. Although a must-see NYC attraction, there is so much more to NYC than Times Square. I highly recommend having a plan-of-action so you don't find yourself being overwhelmed and walking around in circles. (There are several good NYC tour books you can buy or borrow from the library.)
Even if you've done it before, nothing compares to a Statue of Liberty , Ellis Island, Gray Line double-decker city bus or a Circle Line boat tour. You'll get a good lay of the land, plus a connection to how life really was for the early immigrants hoping for a new life.
Everyone loves the festive atmosphere at Rockefeller Center - with the sunken ice skating rink and gigantic Christmas tree. For the past 75-years, the world-famous Rockettes have kicked it up for the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall and the New York Ballet brings the much loved "Nutcracker" to Lincoln Center. (Make your reservations now as the best seats and times sell out quickly.)
New York is my very favorite walking city and although part of the wow-factor can be found simply staring up at all the skyscrapers and down the congested streets and sidewalks, there are several specialized walking tours available.
We recently walked and toured the opulent Upper East Side , home to the richest zip code in the world - 10021. Our walking tour company, "Beyond Times Square", not only pointed out all of the mansions, private clubs, and embassies but gave us a history lesson on the architecture, culture and the high-society lifestyle of the area.
A stroll along Fifth Avenue will bring you by some of the most famous sites (Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center) and most famous stores in the world (perfect for Christmas or window shopping): Cartier, Gucci , FAO Schwarz, Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany & Co., and of course, Saks Fifth Avenue. (Although many NYC experts say if you have only one store to visit in NYC, make it Bloomingdales.)
Following your crowded Fifth Avenue walk, you can slip inside the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States, St. Patrick's, for a few moments of quiet reflection.
I also like walking, shopping and people-watching through some of the fun and lively neighborhoods such as Chinatown & Little Italy (affordable dining and shopping) ; Tribeca & SoHo (sidewalk cafes) and Greenwich Village (celebrity moms with their kids). And don't forget to squeeze in a long winter walk through Central Park, stopping at some of the 50 sculptures, Strawberry Fields, the Zoo and Wollman Rink.
New York is a city of museums, and between 82nd and 104th streets the area is known as "Museum Mile" with the largest art collection in the US, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Opened in 1874, the Met is considered the giant among all NY museums and is a must-see, even for visitors who are not art lovers. The American Museum of Natural History, the museum of Modern Art and Frank Lloyd's masterpiece, the Guggenheim Museum shouldn't be missed.
Just about every visitor to NYC wants to see a "show" and Broadway, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall all offer world-class venues for the performing arts. Save time (and energy) and book your ticket before arriving in NYC. I've found great Broadway and Off-Broadway information at the following websites : www.playbill.com ; www.broadwaybox.com and www.braodway.com.
And last but not least, I recommend taking Amtrak from Harrisburg or Lancaster to NYC. There are several daily departures and you don't have to worry about traffic, parking or the weather. Remember, there is no food service between Harrisburg and NYC, so be sure to bring a bottle of water and a snack - especially for the kids. You can check out all of the special rail fares (AAA members, students and senior citizens get a discount) by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL or go to www.amtrak.com. For more NYC information, check out www.aaacp.com and click on "City Packages" - "Holiday Time in NYC" or www.nycvisit.com
Many people visiting New York City go to Times Square only and never go anywhere else. Although a must-see NYC attraction, there is so much more to NYC than Times Square. I highly recommend having a plan-of-action so you don't find yourself being overwhelmed and walking around in circles. (There are several good NYC tour books you can buy or borrow from the library.)
Even if you've done it before, nothing compares to a Statue of Liberty , Ellis Island, Gray Line double-decker city bus or a Circle Line boat tour. You'll get a good lay of the land, plus a connection to how life really was for the early immigrants hoping for a new life.
Everyone loves the festive atmosphere at Rockefeller Center - with the sunken ice skating rink and gigantic Christmas tree. For the past 75-years, the world-famous Rockettes have kicked it up for the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall and the New York Ballet brings the much loved "Nutcracker" to Lincoln Center. (Make your reservations now as the best seats and times sell out quickly.)
New York is my very favorite walking city and although part of the wow-factor can be found simply staring up at all the skyscrapers and down the congested streets and sidewalks, there are several specialized walking tours available.
We recently walked and toured the opulent Upper East Side , home to the richest zip code in the world - 10021. Our walking tour company, "Beyond Times Square", not only pointed out all of the mansions, private clubs, and embassies but gave us a history lesson on the architecture, culture and the high-society lifestyle of the area.
A stroll along Fifth Avenue will bring you by some of the most famous sites (Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center) and most famous stores in the world (perfect for Christmas or window shopping): Cartier, Gucci , FAO Schwarz, Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany & Co., and of course, Saks Fifth Avenue. (Although many NYC experts say if you have only one store to visit in NYC, make it Bloomingdales.)
Following your crowded Fifth Avenue walk, you can slip inside the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States, St. Patrick's, for a few moments of quiet reflection.
I also like walking, shopping and people-watching through some of the fun and lively neighborhoods such as Chinatown & Little Italy (affordable dining and shopping) ; Tribeca & SoHo (sidewalk cafes) and Greenwich Village (celebrity moms with their kids). And don't forget to squeeze in a long winter walk through Central Park, stopping at some of the 50 sculptures, Strawberry Fields, the Zoo and Wollman Rink.
New York is a city of museums, and between 82nd and 104th streets the area is known as "Museum Mile" with the largest art collection in the US, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Opened in 1874, the Met is considered the giant among all NY museums and is a must-see, even for visitors who are not art lovers. The American Museum of Natural History, the museum of Modern Art and Frank Lloyd's masterpiece, the Guggenheim Museum shouldn't be missed.
Just about every visitor to NYC wants to see a "show" and Broadway, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall all offer world-class venues for the performing arts. Save time (and energy) and book your ticket before arriving in NYC. I've found great Broadway and Off-Broadway information at the following websites : www.playbill.com ; www.broadwaybox.com and www.braodway.com.
And last but not least, I recommend taking Amtrak from Harrisburg or Lancaster to NYC. There are several daily departures and you don't have to worry about traffic, parking or the weather. Remember, there is no food service between Harrisburg and NYC, so be sure to bring a bottle of water and a snack - especially for the kids. You can check out all of the special rail fares (AAA members, students and senior citizens get a discount) by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL or go to www.amtrak.com. For more NYC information, check out www.aaacp.com and click on "City Packages" - "Holiday Time in NYC" or www.nycvisit.com
