Any trip to New York should take in the upmarket destination of Fifth Avenue where you can shop till you drop before relaxing in Manhattan's famous Central Park. The setting of countless Hollywood films from ‘Barefoot in the Park' to ‘Serendipity', it manages to cover over 800 acres.



Most famous for its exclusive shops and boutiques, Fifth Avenue also hosts an array of legendary attractions. But no trip to New York would be complete without visiting the Empire State Building, one of the ten tallest buildings in the world at 1250 ft. With 102 floors it even has its own zip code, and it is possible to visit the very top and take in panoramic views of New York.



You will also pass the impressive facade of the New York Public Library en route, which played a prominent role in the film 'The Day After Tomorrow'. It takes up two blocks, on one corner of which is the renowned 42nd Street.



If you are seeking culture then there are a host of important museums along Fifth Avenue's so-called Museum Mile. The main highlight is the Metropolitan Museum of Art, known locally as The Met. Amongst its millions of objects which cover the span of human history look out for its outstanding collection of American art including the iconic painting, Washington Crossing the Delaware.



Moving on past the palatial Vanderbilt houses you arrive at Fifth Avenue's luxury shopping emporiums. Here you will find designers such as Chanel and Gucci, department store Saks Fifth Avenue and prestigious jewellers Harry Winstone and of course, Tiffany's.



If you are planning a holiday that involves plenty of shopping, then it is good to know that there are many New York hotels nearby if you want to stagger back with your treasures before venturing into the park.



Central Park is a National Historic Landmark which opened in 1855 where you can explore the extensive walking parks or pay a visit to Central Park Zoo with its Arctic, temperate and tropical zones. One of its more modern highlights is an indoor rainforest or you can go to the other extreme by visiting the cool penguin pool.



On summer's evening's crowds throng to the Delacorte Theatre to take in open-air performances of Shakespeare and other plays during the Shakespeare in the Park Festival. Not only do they often contain famous actors - past casts have included Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline - but the performances are free of charge. Don't wait till evening to get your tickets though, they go on sale at the box office at one o'clock each day and always sell out quickly.



Of course, with everything from shopping to theatres, there really is so much to do on a trip to New York. In the end that is true regardless of which area you choose to spend most of your time exploring.



Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.