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Spring Sightseeing Special

Whether this is your first visit to Manhattan or your one-hundredth, there’s always something new on the sightseeing scene, or an old favorite it’s time to revisit. Here are some of the city’s top tours and attractions.

A favorite way for tourists and New Yorkers alike to take in the breathtaking sights of New York City is to hop on a boat and view the glittering skyline from the water. For the 2007 season, Circle Line Downtown's harbor cruises include the one-hour narrated harbor cruise aboard the luxury yacht, Zephyr, and New York Yankee Ferry aboard Patriot. There’s also the 30-minute speed boat thrill ride aboard the Shark (beginning May 5) and the Downtown Liberty Cruise one-hour experience aboard the famous legacy ferry Miss New York. Each cruise is an experience of getting away -- just far enough away -- to create countless, everlasting moments. Call 866-9CLINE1 for reservations. Circle Line also provides year-round passenger transportation by boat for park visitors to the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum on Ellis Island. The ferry leaves Battery Park frequently between 9:30am and 3:40pm during the week, and more frequently on the weekends. For ferry tickets, call 866-STATUE4 or visit
www.statuereservations.com. And be sure to vote for the Statue of Liberty as one of the “New 7 Wonders of the World” at www.new7wonders.com. 866-9CLINE1, www.circlelinedowntown.com

After being closed for 20 years, Top of the Rock’s dazzling, 360-degree indoor and outdoor views were opened to the public in November of 2005 with three decks featuring outdoor terraces and indoor space. They also offer two ticketing options that combine admission to neighboring attractions at a reduced price. The Rock Pass includes adult admission to Top of the Rock, the NBC Studio Tour (49th St. btw. Fifth & Sixth Aves.), and the Radio City Stage Door Tour (Sixth Ave. btw. 50th & 51st Sts.) for $45 (a 17% savings), and is available at the box offices for all three venues. If the Museum of Modern Art is on your agenda, purchase a $30 combination ticket that provides access to both Top of the Rock as well as MoMA, available exclusively at the Top of the Rock box office. 30 Rockefeller Plaza, W. 50th St. btw. Fifth & Sixth Aves., 877-NYC-ROCK; www.topoftherocknyc.com

Escape reality with On Location Tours, New York City’s only TV-and-movie tour company. Take a tour past the doorsteps of your favorite television and movie characters and real-life celebrities. Bus tours include New York TV and Movie Sites, “Sex and the City” hotspots, “Sopranos” sites, or take a walking tour of Central Park’s movie sites. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling 212-209-3370 or online at www.screentours.com.

Get a glimpse of the city from high above on one of many modern jet helicopter flights offered by Liberty Helicopter Tours. They feature breathtaking views of Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and many other sights and landmarks. There are many different packages to choose from, including A Taste of New York (5-7 min.), the Big Apple (10-12 min.), and New York, New York (15-17 min.). Pier 6 & the East River, 212-967-6464

See New York from the top with CitySights NY’s buses -- double-deckers that are top-seating-only, so everyone gets an unobstructed view of the attractions. Buses are furnished with state-of-the-art sound systems and urban storytellers who offer interesting facts about all of the city’s famous faces and places. Tours are available in Italian, French, German, and Spanish by way of an audio headset that plugs into a player at each seat where passengers can dial into the language of their choice. 212-812-2700

New York Party Shuttle combines driving and short walks with a ferry cruise past the Statue of Liberty. Their new tour -- Discover Uptown: Harlem and More -- visits 125th Street, Harlem’s commercial center and home to the Apollo Theater and Bill Clinton’s office. You’ll see famous churches such as Abyssinian Baptist, walk down the brownstone-lined streets of Striver’s Row, and see famous dance halls and cabarets associated with Harlem’s great jazz heritage. The tour also stops at Morningside Heights, home to Columbia University, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine (the world’s largest Gothic cathedral). 212-277-8018; www.newyorkpartyshuttle.com

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