Getting there Many airlines fly several times a day from the UK to New York. It's Virgin Atlantic's bread-and-butter route. Most return flights leave the Big Apple at night and arrive the following day. British Airways has launched an impressive twice-daily, all-business service from London City airport.

Business climate On the surface, New York appears to have dodged the worst of the crash. Restaurants remain packed and hotels are busy. Look closely and the ghosts of Don Draper and his fellow Mad Men still stalk the more glamorous bars and clubs. Start-ups without expensive property requirements also thrive.

Don't miss The walking—from a stroll in Central Park to a tour of the shops, New York is great for getting around on foot. The cocktail scene in the city is thriving. If you can find it, Milk & Honey offers some of the best. At Ground Zero, the scene of 9/11, there is an odd atmosphere as hawkers sell gaudy trinkets and souvenir booklets while visitors show their respect by paying to look at the gigantic building site.

Culture The major galleries and museums are impressively maintained with well-crafted displays. Entire days can be lost wandering through the Metropolitan, the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim. But there are also many smaller museums, of which the Frick Collection is one of the best. Small galleries thrive in Soho and Greenwich Village. There is also a buzzing music scene, with everything from small bands to classical orchestras playing most nights. Jazz legends still line up to play Birdland and the Village Vanguard.

Shopping New York remains the home of the department store. Within a swing of a Marc Jacobs bag are Bloomingdale's, Barneys, Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue. The Upper East Side south of Central Park is home to the brands associated with the Sex and the City girls. Head to Soho for more affordable brands in a funky area, while the revitalised Meatpacking District offers tasteful designer chic. Century 21 offers several floors of designer gear at sale prices in what they refer to here as a "thrift-store setting".

Where to stay The Pierre on Fifth Avenue has been recently revitalised and provides old-school comfort while the Plaza Athénée, just five blocks to Midtown Manhattan, offers one of New York's more unusual hotel bars; the Mark hotel at 77th and Madison Avenue has re-opened with designs by Jacques Grange; Soho House in the Meatpacking District is stylish and relaxed while the Standard showcases the sort of edgy, high-end design that can make your eyes bleed.

Eat like a local Le Caprice opened at the Pierre last year and is already one of the city's hottest tables; but it's hard to beat lunch at the Upper East Side's Sant Ambroeus, where the spaghetti bolognese is legendary. For a cheap and noisy, late-night treat, check out Chinatown's Hop Kee.