By Lisa Soar

New York - the city that never sleeps with an architectural icon around every corner and enough shops to exhaust even the most die-hard of fashion slaves - Lisa Soar took a trip stateside to savour the delights of America's number one city.

The first glimpse of the Hudson river and the land of hope and freedom can't have been that dissimilar to the view for thousands of immigrants who sailed towards Ellis Island in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

As the plane banked to land at JFK airport there was a fleeting sight of the Manhattan skyline, turning my American dream into reality.

New York city at Christmas time has always been one of the pins stuck firmly on my must-visit' map, and this trip was to live up to all expectations.

I'm sure my journey across the Atlantic was a far cry from the hardship of conditions for the families on board the ships which dared to promise a new life after weeks at sea. I'd enjoyed a flight of seven hours, my every need attended to, watching the latest film and enjoying a glass of wine or two.

Sitting in the yellow cab on the way to the hotel just off Times Square it felt like an episode of Cagney and Lacey, although without the 80s hairdo and leg warmers.

Everything was exactly as I'd imagined. The traffic lights swinging in the wind; the long, straight avenues stretching away into the distance; people wrapped up in scarves and hats bustling to work; hot dog and pretzel stands on every corner and wafts of steam rising from the subway ducts.

New York City comprises five boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. There are more than 8.2 million residents within an area of 322 square miles which makes New York City the most densely-populated major city in the United States.

A five-night stay equated to an itinerary of the must-see historic attractions, iconic sights and bargain hunting in the multi-storey shops.

After the flight, a quick recce of Times Square and a meal in the hotel's French-themed restaurant was about as far as my stamina would allow me.

I woke at 4am. I looked out of the window to see snow falling - exactly how I'd pictured New York. Excited but still exhausted I went back to sleep for a few hours.

At dawn of the first day a layer of snow lined the streets, but a rain that I'm more used to in Pembrokeshire was falling. Definitely a day for the museums and galleries.

First on the agenda was the American Museum of Natural History.

OK, so I love dinosaurs. In spite of being over 30 they still fascinate me. And I don't care if that is a little sad. The Rough Guide had promised the largest collection of dinosaurs in the world and it didn't disappoint. But there was so much more to this museum have your mind boggled by the space centre and take time to stand back and enjoy the views in the hall of African mammals. The life-size family of elephants is awesome.

After lunch in a nearby diner - my boyfriend thought his huge American ribs were part of a specimen from the museum - it was on to the Guggenheim.

Everyone has their own taste in art and most of the exhibits here didn't suit mine. With scaffolding enclosing the outside of the building, it was only the interior structure which left a lasting impression.

A walk down Fifth Avenue led to St Patrick's Cathedral. Built in 1888 it sits surrounded by the glamour of this most famous of American streets.

A few paces on and visitors can't miss the Rockefeller Center. It takes up the entire block between Fifth and Sixth avenues. Since 1931 a huge Christmas tree has been on display and beneath it is an ice rink, adding to the Christmas charm. Crowds gathered to get a glimpse of the skaters, the twinkling lights and a chance to take their holiday snaps.

Day two and next up was the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

New York - the city that never sleeps with an architectural icon around every corner and enough shops to exhaust even the most die-hard of fashion slaves - Lisa Soar took a trip stateside to savour the delights of America's number one city.

The first glimpse of the Hudson river and the land of hope and freedom can't have been that dissimilar to the view for thousands of immigrants who sailed towards Ellis Island in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

As the plane banked to land at JFK airport there was a fleeting sight of the Manhattan skyline, turning my American dream into reality.

New York city at Christmas time has always been one of the pins stuck firmly on my must-visit' map, and this trip was to live up to all expectations.

I'm sure my journey across the Atlantic was a far cry from the hardship of conditions for the families on board the ships which dared to promise a new life after weeks at sea. I'd enjoyed a flight of seven hours, my every need attended to, watching the latest film and enjoying a glass of wine or two.

Sitting in the yellow cab on the way to the hotel just off Times Square it felt like an episode of Cagney and Lacey, although without the 80s hairdo and leg warmers.

Everything was exactly as I'd imagined. The traffic lights swinging in the wind; the long, straight avenues stretching away into the distance; people wrapped up in scarves and hats bustling to work; hot dog and pretzel stands on every corner and wafts of steam rising from the subway ducts.

New York City comprises five boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. There are more than 8.2 million residents within an area of 322 square miles which makes New York City the most densely-populated major city in the United States.

A five-night stay equated to an itinerary of the must-see historic attractions, iconic sights and bargain hunting in the multi-storey shops.

After the flight, a quick recce of Times Square and a meal in the hotel's French-themed restaurant was about as far as my stamina would allow me.

I woke at 4am. I looked out of the window to see snow falling - exactly how I'd pictured New York. Excited but still exhausted I went back to sleep for a few hours.

At dawn of the first day a layer of snow lined the streets, but a rain that I'm more used to in Pembrokeshire was falling. Definitely a day for the museums and galleries.

First on the agenda was the American Museum of Natural History.

OK, so I love dinosaurs. In spite of being over 30 they still fascinate me. And I don't care if that is a little sad. The Rough Guide had promised the largest collection of dinosaurs in the world and it didn't disappoint. But there was so much more to this museum have your mind boggled by the space centre and take time to stand back and enjoy the views in the hall of African mammals. The life-size family of elephants is awesome.

After lunch in a nearby diner - my boyfriend thought his huge American ribs were part of a specimen from the museum - it was on to the Guggenheim.

Everyone has their own taste in art and most of the exhibits here didn't suit mine. With scaffolding enclosing the outside of the building, it was only the interior structure which left a lasting impression.

A walk down Fifth Avenue led to St Patrick's Cathedral. Built in 1888 it sits surrounded by the glamour of this most famous of American streets.

A few paces on and visitors can't miss the Rockefeller Center. It takes up the entire block between Fifth and Sixth avenues. Since 1931 a huge Christmas tree has been on display and beneath it is an ice rink, adding to the Christmas charm. Crowds gathered to get a glimpse of the skaters, the twinkling lights and a chance to take their holiday snaps.

Day two and next up was the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

9:22am Tuesday 26th February 2008

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