Top Ten Reasons to visit NYC

1 - It’s flat. Well, most of it anyway. That means you can ride the new dedicated bicycle paths either around the rim of the island or right through the center without strain until you get to about 72nd Street when it starts to climb, at first gently then seriously.

2 - It's friendly. Stand on a street corner squinting at a map and the natives will approach offering help. Guaranteed.

3 - Free Stuff. Or nearly free. Weekends in spring, summer and early fall hop on the free Governor's Island Ferry and explore this former Coast Guard base. Enjoy fabulous views of Lady Liberty and the harbor, eat some great ethnic food from the carts. Check out the fabulous concerts at the man-made beach if you want to stay late for some rock and roll.

4 - The Brooklyn Bridge. One of the great walks in the world. Just stay out of the bike lanes. The bikers fought hard for dedicated lanes and are aggressively territorial. Best direction: Brooklyn to Manhattan.

5 - The views & sights. Whether the open deck of Empire State Building, or the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, or the top step of the new red glass staircase in Times Square, or the impossibly hip bar atop the Gansevoort Hotel, or the sensational terrace bar at 230 Fifth, or the Salon de Ning atop the Peninsula Hotel, get high. Stay for sunset, or in some cases, sunrise. Serious bars close at 04:00 Harlem - Sunday gospel service is a must.

6 - Central Park. Bike it, walk it, run it. Buy a picnic lunch at the fabulous Whole Foods store at Columbus Circle and loll on the grass. Catch a free performance of the Metropolitan Opera in summer or rent rollerblades all year long. And, please, put a buck or a fiver in the buskers' hats.

7 - Ground Zero. See what's going on and up. It's part of your generation's history. View it best from the gorgeous windows at the World Financial Center's Wintergarden.

8 - Broadway, on and off. Get your half priced tickets at the booths at the South Street Seaport unless you are homesick for queuing and prefer Times Square.

9 - Weather. Most of the time it's fabulous.

10 - Shopping. Shopping. Shopping. Jeans. Trainers. Electronics. Stuff is usually 30% or more cheaper in NY. And the tax is only 8.75%. And the international visitors' centers at Macy's and Bloomingdales offer 11% discount cards taking care of more than the tax.