Classic Americana: New York City

Walt Whitman said it best in his 1990 poem, "Manhattan": "A million people manners free and superb—open voices—Hospitality—the most courageous and friendly young men …City of hurried and sparkling waters! City of spires and masts! City nested in bays! My city!"

Photo credit: Empire State Building and Manhattan skyline (Photodisc/Getty)

Trip Guide to Newark Liberty International Airport

Spare yourself the headaches of Manhattan traffic, not to mention a $50-$70 cab fare, by using Newark Liberty International Aiport’s AirTrain for your trip into the Big Apple. The service connects EWR terminals with connecting rail routes into Manhattan and other New York/New Jersey boroughs, as well as Amtrak service to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. to the south. When you buy a NJ TRANSIT or Amtrak ticket to or from Newark Liberty International Airport Station, that ticket includes the $5.50 AirTrain Newark fee. Children under age 5 ride for free. Journey time to Manhattan's Penn Station is approximately 30 minutes; one-way fare costs $15. AirTrain operates daily throughout the year, with trains departing every three minutes between 5 a.m. and midnight.

Photo credit: Newark Liberty International Airport's AirTrain (courtesy, The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey)

Albany: New York City's Historic Neighbor

Although its neighbor to the south is slightly better known, Albany is the capital of New York state, and it has a majestic Capitol building to prove it. Completed in 1899, the New York State Capitol Building was the work of three teams of architects and cost upwards of $25 million—the most expensive government building of its time.

Photo credit: Albany, New York (Corbis)

Top 5 Cheap City Getaways

Take advantage of freebies and think like a local to experience these five big cities on a small budget.

New York
If you stay in a family-friendly hostel or funky bed and breakfast, use public transportation, and scout for deals on food, a trip to NYC can be surprisingly cheap.

Chicago
Don't overlook city passes, use the El when you can, and keep in mind that some of Chicago's most beloved attractions, like the Lincoln Park Zoo and Millennium Park are free.

New York City Escapes: Lake Placid Olympic Center Bobsled Ride

Take a ride on the 1980 Olympics bobsled track in Lake Placid, New York, with a professional driver and brakeman. The Olympic Center at Lake Placid offers a safe, thrilling experience, starting from the half-mile mark and passing through the famous Zig Zag turns at about 90 mph. If you prefer a solo ride, the Luge Rocket is a semi-enclosed luge sled that patrons can pilot through 16 heart-quickening curves.

Photo credit: Lake Placid, New York (Mark Kurtz/Olympic Regional Development Authority)

Travel Icons: The Statue of Liberty

What would America be without the Statue of Liberty? After 123 years, the nation's most indelible and recognizable symbol of political freedom continues to inspire visitors to New York's Liberty Harbor. And with both the base and the crown of the monument now reopened following the 9/11 attacks, the grounds of Liberty Island once again reverberate with the voices of visitors from around the world.

Photo credit: Statue of Liberty, New York City (Photodisc/Getty)

A Bit About Brooklyn, New York

The most populous of New York City's five boroughs, Brooklyn emerged out of a small Dutch fishing village, "Breuckelen," founded in the 1600s. From these humble beginnings, Brooklyn expanded over the next 400 years into a metropolis. If it wasn't incorporated into New York, Brooklyn would be the fourth-largest city in the United States, with more than 2.5 million inhabitants.

Photo credit: Brooklyn Bridge, New York (Corel)