It's the city that never sleep, the city we all dream about visiting at least once in our lives. I was recently fortunate enough to visit New York City with family and friends. We explored the famous 5th avenue, visited the 9/11 memorial, went to The Rockette's performance in Radio City Music Hall, and spent a few hours in Brooklyn. Below are six reasons to visit New York City.

1. Times Square

Surrounded by buildings and flashing billboards, Times Square is the nucleus of New York City. And yes, it was as awesome as it looks on TV and in movies. It's a must see for tourists visiting the city.

2. The Food

In New York, there are several different hot dog and foreign food vendors on the streets to choose from. However, if you're looking for a sit-down restaurant, AOA Bar Grill and Pizza is the perfect place to try. It's relatively cheap but very tasty.

3. 9/11 Memorial

Originally coined as “Ground Zero,” what is now called the 9/11 Memorial is another must-see for anyone visiting New York. 9/11 is an important part of our country's history, and anyone visiting the city should take the time to stop by the memorial and pay their respects to those who lost their lives. Everything about it is absolutely breathtaking.

4. The Rockettes

The Rockettes are a famous dance group that perform in Radio City Music Hall. When I visited, we were fortunate to see a wonderful performance about the true meaning of Christmas. The dancers were in beautiful costumes, the orchestra played wonderfully, and the vocalists were incredible. This show is a classic and a must see.

5. Brooklyn

Brooklyn was, in my opinion, the best area in New York. It's full of old buildings, trees, and local restaurants. It's significantly less noisy and a lot less crowded than most of New York City. It's the perfect place to go if you are hoping for a downtown experience.

6. Family

Places like New York are the perfect place to visit with family and friends. Not only do you get to experience sites such as the 9/11 memorial or Times Square, but you also get to experience the city life together.

Everyone should visit and experience this city at least once in their life. It was eye opening, and completely different from the small town I'm used to. Nevertheless, I believe it is important to experience life outside of our hometowns, and this city is the perfect place to do so.