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Discover the South Street Seaport

Today, street performers -- jugglers, violinists, unicyclists -- cavort on cobblestone roadways, while indoor entertainment includes everything from galleries and eateries to the South Street Seaport Museum. This is much more than a seaport: It is a complete shopping experience. Popular national chains are side-by-side with small specialty shops. The cobblestones lead to Schermerhorn Row, the first block in the country to be lit by electricity. Today it offers restaurants, a pub, fine specialty stores and museum visitor center. The sloping roofs and tall chimneys of the buildings that line the street define the seaport with 19th century charm. Step aboard the tall sailing ships -- the Peking or the Wavertree -- or try a schooner, such as the Lettie G. Howard. The schooner Pioneer, launched in 1885, carries visitors across the New York Harbor ($16 per cruise). At night or in the pre-dawn hours, examine fresh seafood at the Fulton Fish Market -- right on the docks. Sail around Manhattan. Board the ships at the end of Pier 15 and 16. Stroll, or dine, along Pier 17, and look out at the sea.

Visit the Great Neighborhoods of Lower Manhattan

The great neighborhoods of Lower Manhattan are huddled so closely together that you can walk them in an hour, but you won't want to. You will want to take your time and savor the delicacies, breathe in the aromas, revel in the rich colors and delight in the bargains.

Bohemian: that's the atmosphere at Greenwich Village. Nestled between the skyscrapers of lower and mid-town Manhattan, the Village is distinguished by its two-story brownstones and winding streets, in stark contrast to the grids of Manhattan. The Village roads follow paths that date back to colonial times, when they were boundaries along tobacco farms. Today, the Village is a shopper's adventure. Sixth Avenue and Christopher and Bleecker streets have, within walking distance, a plethora of quaint shops that sell records, old books, offbeat clothing, ephemera and works by classic and contemporary artists. Searching for great entertainment? You can find it in the Village, in an assortment of jazz cellars, coffee houses and small boutiques. The music can be anything from blues and jazz to rock, folk and more. Grove Street is known for four adult-oriented piano bars, where the clientele ranges from the conventional to the deliberately outrageous. Coffee shops dating back to the Beatnik era dot Mac Dougal and Bleecker streets. This is the place to sample a cappuccino, delicate pastry or health food concoction.

South of Greenwich Village is SoHo, once an industrial district, now a haven for artists. The huge buildings have been transformed from manufacturing plants into lofty artist studios. Above street level are galleries prized by artists for the lighting and vast openness. Visitors to the area will want to see Washington Square, with Greek Revival houses that are among the nation's finest. A tour of the Cast-Iron Historic District will impress admirers of unique architecture. The invention of the elevator -- the device that made it practical to construct the today's modern towers -- inspired the first skyscrapers in this neighborhood, buildings that stood high above the two-story Greenwich Village homes. In addition to its architectural allure, SoHo also offers great shopping, art galleries and fine restaurants. Shoppers throughout New York City travel to Broadway south of Spring Street for Dean and DeLuca's, world famous epicurean center famous for its jams, teas and pastries.

Pay close attention to Little Italy, located (with SoHo) directly to the south of Greenwich Village. Once distinguishable for its residents of Italian heritage, today it embraces a multitude of ethnic backgrounds. Mulberry Street is at the heart of Little Italy, nestled between Grand Center Streets. This spot in the city has hundreds of cafes with everything Italian, from pasta to pesto to pastries. June and September are festival times, with visitors and residents alike feasting on sausage, cheese and pasta delights. This is a place to grab a sidewalk table and watch the crowds.

To walk from Little Italy to Chinatown -- home of one of New York City's fastest growing ethnic communities -- simply cross Canal Street. For the true flavor of Chinatown, stroll up Mott, Pell and Bayard streets. This is the center of New York's Chinese community, with bustling streets presided over by Buddhist temples. The aroma of Chinese delicacies is pervasive -- Peking ducks, dim sum and szechuan delights can be enjoyed throughout this city within a city. After eating, shop along the streets for silk, bamboo and other Asian specialties.

The Lower East Side Tenement Museum, 97 Orchard Street (Delancey and Broome), stands as a monument to the urban immigrant community that has for generations entered the country through New York City's harbors. The Lower East Side is the original melting pot, and is still home to newcomers to this country. Savvy shoppers on a bargain hunt can choose goods from push carts or from the factory buildings on Oxford and Delancey streets.