Yankee Stadium Whether you love the Yanks or love to hate them, you'll be swept up by the beauty of their ball field. From the gorgeous, terraced stands to the majestic Monument Park, you'll feel the tradition in which the building is steeped. The intelligent design means there isn't a bad seat in the park. (OK, the bleachers are a bit distant.) Just remember to bring earmuffs if you don't like profanity. 2. Madison Square Garden 3. Central Park 4. Bowlmor Lanes 5. Belmont Park

A hot dog and pretzel stand Better than filet mignon, and, if you're lucky, your dog will come with a side of delicious New Yawk banter. Chat while you're waiting on line, linger and savor your meal by the curb -- this is the true taste of the city. You're likely to see anyone from a Trump to a truant at the hot dog stand, which is one of the city's great equalizers; and it's cheap, too. 2. Cathedral of St. John the Divine 3. CBGB, home of underground rock. 4. Times Square 5. Coney Island

Chinatown Go with an open mind and open eyes and find some small place filled with locals. You'll eat superbly, for not much dough, and feel as if you've been transported to a far away place. Stroll around the neighborhood and stop for an ice cream when you're finished with your meal. 2. Windows on the World, World Trade Center 3. Mickey Mantle's, Central Park South 4. Lucky Cheng's, First Avenue 5. Park Avenue Country Club, Park Avenue South

Back of a taxi Sure, sure, the yellow cab is part of the fabric of New York City, but you're better off admiring their shiny coats of paint from the outside. A musty odor and a reckless driver are about the only frills you're likely to get for the steep price of being driven from one place to another (it's two bucks before you travel a foot). Stick to the subway -- which is, by and large, safer than cabs -- or, better yet, walk. 2. Statue of Liberty 3. Times Square on New Year's Eve 4. Hard Rock Cafe 5. Tree-lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center

Jackie Robinson in the summer of '47 Of all New York's many shining times -- sports related and not -- this city has never stood prouder than when Jackie came to Flatbush. At the forefront of the Civil Rights movement, New Yorkers, led by Dem Bums, showed the rest of America how to live in harmony. Ebbets Field was one of the few public places in the country where whites and blacks openly embraced. And, brother, could Jackie play. 2. Lou Gehrig's "Luckiest Man" Speech, 1939 3. Secretariat wins the Belmont by 31 lengths, 1973 4. Mets win World Series, 1969 5. Jets win Super Bowl III, 1969 5a. Rangers win Stanley Cup, 1994 5b. Ball goes through Bill Buckner's legs, 1986