PlanetHop! loves to feature unique destinations from around the world, which are vivrant, historic and, of course, memorable.  These are the sort of spots that cannot be fully appreciated in just one visit.  They beckon a return trip.  Often these destinations include the many multi-cultural neighborhoods found in large cities such as Paris, Sydney, Vancouver, Los Angeles - the list is pretty extensive.  But perhaps no city is as diverse as New York City, which is a melting pot of dozens of cultures, including a totally unique showcase like Jackson Heights in the Burough of Queens.  Your mouth may water, and you may rush out to book that plane ticket after reading this article - but first, read on...

Get a crick in the neck as you stare up at the granddaddy of all skyscrapers, New York's Empire State Building. While the new breed of structures has pushed the envelope to nearly twice the height, there is still something refined and classic about an original. The observation deck on the 86th floor is nearly as famous as the building itself, having starred in no less than a dozen movies and been visited by over 100 million PlanetHoppers! This is arguably the best place in all of Manhattan to get a bird's eye view of the greatest city in the world.

Join one of the world's ultimate parties when you celebrate New Year's Eve in New York's Times Square. This ranks up there with the greatest parties of the modern day and is capped off when the light-encrusted Times Square Ball descends to welcome in the new year. There's just a few things you should keep in mind when you decide to enter the chaos. First, dress warm because it can be absolutely freezing. Second, don't leave the square before midnight, because they close it off to any new entrants at about 9 pm and finally, don't forget to find someone to share that special new year's kiss with!

Gaze upon the Statue of Liberty and imagine the generations of immigrants who sailed into New York City in search of a better life.  Follow the computerized histories of the millions who entered the United States through the Ellis Island Immigration Center in hopes of finding the fabled "streets paved in gold".  To many this will always be the gateway to America and no trip to the United States of America could ever be complete without a visit to Lady Liberty.