Best Attraction: If you have time to do only one thing on your visit to New York, sail to the Statue of Liberty. No other monument embodies the nation's, and the world's, notion of political freedom and economic potential more than Lady Liberty. It is also the ultimate symbol of New York; the personification of the city's vast diversity and tolerance. Note: At press time, visitors can tour the grounds only at Liberty Island; the statue itself had not yet reopened to visitors. Whether this status will change is unknown at press time. Even if it doesn't, standing at the feet of Lady Liberty makes a more-than-worthwhile journey, especially in these reflective, patriotic days.

Best Building: Empire State Building. Like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, once again the tallest building in New York, is one of the city's definitive icons.

Runners up include the chrome-topped Art Deco masterpiece, the Chrysler Building, and the oddly shaped Flatiron Building.

Best Street: This was a tough choice. Fifth Avenue has the reputation, but has lost some luster the past few years with the proliferation of chain and theme stores, so my pick is Broadway. Beginning at the southern tip of the island downtown, Broadway runs from Wall Street, up through Chinatown, Soho, and Greenwich Village, past the Flatiron building at 23rd Street, into the heart of Times Square and then up to Columbus Circle, past Lincoln Center and the Upper West Side, all the way to the northern tip of the island. No street captures the diversity of Manhattan better than Broadway.

Best Bridge: Manhattan has five major bridges connecting the island to other shores and easily the most historic and most fascinating is the Brooklyn Bridge. For a close up look at what was a marvel of civic engineering when it was built in 1883, and a true New York experience, take the walk across the bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn.

Best Historic Building: Despite all the modern steel and glass skyscrapers in New York, there are still many historic marvels standing and the best of those is the beaux arts gem, Grand Central Terminal. This railroad station, built in 1913, was remarkably restored in the 1990s to recapture its initial brilliance. Even if you don't have to catch a train, make sure you visit.

Best Museum: American Museum of Natural History. You can spend your entire visit to New York at this 4-square-block museum; there is that much to see. From the famed dinosaur halls to the newly renovated Hall of Ocean Life, the Museum of Natural History houses the world's greatest natural science collection.

Best Art Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art. Not only the best art museum in New York, but the best in North America as well. The number of masterworks housed here is mind-boggling.

Best Park: Though New York has many very wonderful parks, there is no real competition here. Central Park is one of the world's greatest urban refuges; a center of calm and tranquility amongst the noise and bustle that is Manhattan.

Best Place to Take the Kids: Again it is Central Park. With a lovely carousel, a zoo, two ice skating rinks, numerous playgrounds and ball fields, Central Park is a children's wonderland.

Best Neighborhood to Stroll: Though I'm partial to the Upper West Side, I have to give the nod here to Greenwich Village. With its historic streets, hidden cafes, cozy restaurants, and eccentric characters, Greenwich Village is a constant, but pleasant, barrage on the senses.

Best Jogging Path: The Reservoir in Central Park. Also known as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, this 1.6-mile path is the preferred path of presidential candidates among others.

Best Parade: New York is famous for its parades, most notably the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the St. Patrick's Day Parade, but the best parade in New York is the lesser-known West Indian Labor Day Parade. Held on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, this is the biggest parade in New York. The music -- calypso, soca, reggae, and Latin -- the amazing carnival costumes, and the incredible Caribbean food makes this an unforgettable experience. If you are lucky enough to be here on Labor Day, don't miss it.

Best Street Festival: Held for one weekend (usually in the middle of May), the Ninth Avenue Food Festival is the perfect illustration of the ethnic diversity in the city. You'll be able to taste foods from local restaurants and cuisines from Afghani to Peruvian.

Best New Year's Eve Celebration: Fireworks in Central Park. Avoid the madness of Times Square and head to Central Park where, at midnight, fireworks are set off and a midnight running race commences.

Best Performance Space: There are few greater performance spaces in the world than Carnegie Hall. Visually and acoustically brilliant, Carnegie Hall regularly attracts an amazing array of talent. Just never ask a New Yorker how to get there (practice, practice, practice).

Best Jazz Club: Village Vanguard. The acoustics and sight lines aren't great, but you can't do better for finding consistently good quality jazz. The Vanguard is a New York institution.

Best Comedy Club: Gotham Comedy Club. Comfortable and sophisticated, this place is much more accessible than Caroline's. And the talent's not bad either; legends Jerry Seinfeld and Robert Klein have toned their acts here lately.

Best Underground Musicians: You can hear a wide variety of music played by undiscovered talent in subway stations, much of it very good. My favorite is Classic Soul, a melodious doo-wop group. Try to catch them, or others, at one of the major subway stations like Columbus Circle, 34th Street, Times Square, or Union Square.