This building (hopefully) needs no introduction. It's almost synonymous with New York, and a trip to its 86th floor observation deck is one of the most quintessential things someone can do on a trip to the Big Apple. If heights don't make your knees too shaky, head all the way up to the 102nd floor – it's a sight to behold.

New York City is defined by the unique personality of each of its neighbourhoods. With Contiki, you’ll get to know the three that have commanded the world’s attention, each of them wildly different. The urban shopping district of Soho is known for its well-preserved buildings and abundant art spaces, whilst Greenwich Village is a hubbub of diversity where the city's creative counterculture movement was manifested. Lastly, we’ll delve into the uber-hip neighbourhood of TriBeCa, with its cobblestone streets, trendy eats and opportunities for celeb-spotting. Having gotten to grips with the ‘real’ New York, you’ll go home feeling like a local.

This stretch of road along prestigious Fifth Avenue features all of New York’s finest museums and art institutions, and is pretty much the only road you need to visit if you’re pressed for time. Where convenience meets education, this road is your one-stop shop for culture seekers. Museums on this road include the Guggenheim, which will wow you with bold art and inspire you with contorting sculptures against the pristine backdrop of each room, painting the full picture (pun intended) of the artistic genres of our time. Also on Museum Mile you’ll find the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which features art, relics, sculptures and artefacts that span both cultures and eras.

Evoking a little ‘breakfast at Tiffany’s’ glamour, we’ll head to the heart of New York high fashion: Fifth Avenue. Ok, your pockets may be a little tight, but style is an attitude daaarling. We’ll window shop til we drop, marvelling at designer bags and even paying a visit to Tiffany's to gawk at a few diamonds (they are a girl’s best friend, after all.) To inject a little culture into the afternoon, we’ll wander over to St Patrick’s Cathedral, it’s intricate Gothic decor a shocking contrast to the contemporary high-rise buildings that surround it. Last up, the Rockefeller Center, famed as the venue for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree (and that scene from Home Alone 2).

What would a trip to New York be without a visit to lady liberty herself? This iconic neoclassical statue that stands in New York Harbour is an emblem of freedom and opportunity, but not many people are aware that this is actually the handiwork of the French (that talented bunch.) Nevertheless, there are few experiences more rewarding than standing in front of this awe-inspiring green female icon. With a tour around the statue and a pop into the monument museum, you’ll have all your pressing questions answered (including how the hell did they get it up there?) and leave feeling satisfied.

The spectacular nature of the world-famous Empire State Building will likely be the highlight of your New York tour. As well as being an obvious bucket list tick, climbing the 86 floors of this 1930’s art-deco skyscraper is a pretty epic experience in itself. You haven’t experienced New York until you’ve gained a panoramic view of the entire city, offering a new vantage point of this concrete jungle and channelling ‘King Kong’ vibes. You’ll also get to know the history of the buildings in the built-in exhibits to expand your understanding of the city. Vertigo sufferers, you can maybe sit this one out…

On paper, New York’s Chelsea Market is the city’s meatpacking district. But in reality, it’s so much more than that. This enclosed urban food court, grocery store and shopping mall in the heart of Manhattan is home to some of the city’s best eats including authentic German currywurst, creamy gelato, decadent lobster and of course, New York’s favourite: pizza by the slice. Aside from the flurry of high-end stores (think Anthropologie) the exposed brickwork and quintessentially rustic New York interior will make you feel like you’ve gone back in time. But the constant ever-changing hub of pop-ups and samples will ensure you’ll always find something fresh and new here.

On your Contiki tour, it’s more than likely that you may have already found the Samantha to your Carrie - or vice versa. But nowhere else in the world can you truly channel the female power of this dynamic foursome than in their hometown, New York City. What exactly does a Sex and the City tour involve? We hit up all the pivotal and most recognisable spots from the show including bars, apartment stoops, cupcake shops and of course boutiques, all washed down with a classic cosmo (or 3.) You’ll be so inspired you’ll likely want to watch the show all over again…

The New York bridge is one of the city’s most instantly recognisable landmarks, and one of the country’s oldest roadway bridges, spanning the East River and connecting the trendy neighbourhoods of Manhattan and Brooklyn. While of course the bridge is covered in cars, it's more pedestrian friendly that you’d expect. Exploring on two feet will offer you an unbelievable skyline view. With your pastrami bagel and coffee in hand, why not kick off a perfect day with a leisurely stroll? For added magic, an early rise will mean perusing the bridge at sunrise and seeing the city basked in a warm glow.

Who said being in the middle of a city means we can't reconnect with nature? Central Park is 843 acres of gorgeous urban park life and another iconic New York landmark. It’s the perfect place for a stroll, but a romantic alternative is to hire a rowing boat on the mini lake in the centre of the park. As well as being a workout for your arms, you can even hire boats that accommodate four people if you and your travel squad just can’t bear to be separated. You'll be able to get a closer view of the parks teeming wildlife, including herons and waterfowl.