Living on the edge of Central Park seems to certainly have it's perks; however I don't think endless streams of tourists can be counted among them. The street is, of course, beautiful – with lush trees, and beautiful modern and classic architecture all living side-by-side.

I'm very perplexed by the double-decker tour buses that ride around up here. This is one area of town where it's significantly more enjoyable to walk around at street level. There isn't much to absorb from afar. Sure, the park looks nice, but what good is it if you don't at least walk in at some point? And while the Frick is a great building to look at, it's even better if you go inside.

This is not a problem unique to this area. The city is facing an epidemic of lazy tourists. Sitting on a bus as it zips around town is one of the worst ways to get a feel for Manhattan. You don't get to see the shops, you don't get to smell the food, you don't get to even see the texture on the cobblestones.

New York is a walking city, it's that simple. You can visit here, not spend a dime, and have a fantastic time by simply walking the town. As long as people take the proper precautions and keep an eye out, they'll be as safe as they are on any bus. If you have it in you, it shouldn't take longer than a few hours to walk from The Battery up to the southern end of Central Park. And no more excuses for getting lost – not with this blog at your disposal!