New York is the top tourist destination in the U.S.  It appears people like the big city and angry crowds over the beaches and Disney World.  I still haven’t not gone there myself yet, but it is one of the destinations I plan to go in the future.

New York beats Orlando for most popular U.S. destination

While the once most-visited Orlando boasts year-round sunny skies, adventurous theme parks, and a multitude of family attractions, it’s New York that takes the cake in the most popular US destination. More than 45 million tourists visited the Big Apple in 2009, and tourist officials predict even more of an upswing – precisely 3.2 percent more – in the following year, according to USA Today.

There are plenty of reasons that tourists book flights to New York all year round. In the winter, Rockefeller Center illuminates with an enormously lit Christmas tree and an inviting skating rink for the public. Shoppers come in droves to explore New York’s unparalleled retail displays, and glamorous hotels put on holiday promotions to help visitors ring in the New Year in Times Square.

Spring and fall bring breezy, cool weather, and distinct fashion shows from top-notch international designers. Summertime brings celebrities and socialites to the Hamptons, but gourmet restaurants, world-class museums, and diverse nightlife keep you going in this spinning metropolis no matter what season.

Bold art and Broadway shows makes this city’s edge come alive with color and music. Explore the gritty and stylish streets of Greenwich Village, and revel in academia of schools like NYU and Columbia.    –more

Related New York travel articles

• New York Regains Spot at Nation’s Top Destination (abcnews.go.com)
• Linkage: Tourists Love Us; Tiger Prowling Columbus Circle, More! (curbed.com)

Image by Jose P Isern Comas via Flickr

Family Friendly Cities and Towns – Best Places to Travel With Kids

By Terry Talim

Child friendly cities can be found all over the world. They provide a wide range of family activities, some educational and others just plain fun. Most child-friendly cities are quite affordable and it is quite simple to get to them.

If we talk about kid friendly cities in the United States, we should say a few words about San Diego.The Wild Animal Park in San Diego is really worth seen. A popular sleepover program called “Roar & Snore” which helps make the other south, the Californian city of the best places in America for a family holiday.You’ll find many attractions and activities in San Diego.There are theme parks, unlimited outdoor sports, great ball League teams, Balboa Park with its museums, and certainly a very beautiful beach.

You can also visit Orlando with its theme parks or Washington, D.C. with all that civics and history, or New York with all the “Big Apple”.

Another place to talk about is Chicago.There are no theme parks or famous landmarks, but still it can be called a kid friendly city. Surely it depends on the interest of a particular child, but for some children, who can appreciate the world-class art, architecture and most incredible iconic American team sports, Chicago is a good choice.The Art Institute, the Cubs at Wrigley, the Skywalk on the 94th floor of the John Hancock building can also impress the children very much.You’ll also come across the elevated trains, water taxis and more than a hundred miles of bike paths.Tourist office of the city has created a special interactive audio guide, which is called ” Chicago for Kids”. It can be downloaded on an iPod or similar device. And of course, you will find lots of useful information there that will not let you be bored in Chicago.

Las Vegas is often called a “Disneyland for adults”. However, there is no end of activities provided for children. So if you plan to stay in Las Vegas for a few days, then first of all you should have the sheer wonder of just wandering around the strip. There is also the Flamingo gardens, fountains of Ballagio, and high-flying circus at Circus Circus. Do not miss the chance to visit M&M’s World Shopping Center Showcase, Mount Charleston, the MGM Grand Lion Habitat, the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at Mirage. Besides there is a fun children’s park at Town Square.

Click here to read more about kid friendly cities and child friendly places to travel.

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