Touring New York and Big Apple Attractions, by Melody Schubert

When savvy New Yorkers and visitors want to get an in-depth and insiders look at the city, they often turn to the fabled walking tours of the Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS). The Municipal Art Society of New York is proud to take travelers visiting New York on behind-the-scenes walking tours throughout the city.

Whether you tour through the East Village and Village where you learn how Manhattan's 1811 street grid plan was adjusted to meet the layout of colonial-era streets or explore lower Manhattan and learn about the legacy of urban preservationist Jane Jacobs, a tour of New York will be a memorable trip.

New York is filled with wonderful sights and famous attractions. In fact it would be almost impossible to see everything in a day or two. On your first visit to New York think about what the major sites you'd like to visit, and if time allows, visit a few off-beat sites along the way. Yet, the question remains, where to begin? Here are some suggestions:

* A double-decker bus tour is a good way to get oriented. Gray Line New York Tours lets you get off at top attractions and re-board a later bus to continue your exploration.

* Visit the Statue of Liberty or simply view it from the water on a cruise or from the free Staten Island ferry. However you do it, seeing the city from the water is unforgettable. The Ellis Island Immigration Museum, near the Statue of Liberty, conveys the experiences of the forebears of nearly one in four Americans.

* While in the downtown area, explore the South Street Seaport, which has many restaurants and shops on the water and beautiful views of the Brooklyn Bridge.

* The evening may be spent wandering through SoHo with its stylish art galleries, boutiques, and bistros housed in historic cast iron buildings among cobblestone streets or soaking up the student and artist atmosphere in Greenwich Village. See Stanford White's Washington Arch at the Fifth Avenue side of Washington Square Park. Have an espresso in a Bleecker Street coffee shop or an ethnic meal at any number of Thai, Indian, French, Polish, Japanese restaurants. Founded in 1883 the Municipal Art Society of New York believes that the physical city -- its light, air, land, and open spaces -- and its sensible development are critical to New York's continued economic health and social well-being.