When Brandon Stanton started a photoblog in 2010, he had no idea it would grow into the viral phenomenon that is 'Humans of New York.' Stanton's catalog of lives lived and lives yet to be is proof that New York is a city made special by the people who pound its streets, travel in its iconic yellow cabs, and eat at its multitude of gastronomic delights.

To summarize this city in words is like trying to count the stars in the night sky. This is a city of such vibrancy, life, and animation as to render analysis almost futile. The city itself - nestled on America's Atlantic Eastern Coast - is split into five distinctive neighborhoods, each with its own taste, style, and cultural scene.

Manhattan is the universal image of New York, with its iconic skyline, enormous Central Park, and - of course - The Empire State Building. But there is so much to this borough, from quirky independent stores selling boutique clothes in West Village to the hipster mecca of the NoMad district. Head north, and you'll arrive in The Bronx, eternally famous for birthing hip-hop music and also where you'll go to watch the Yankees, New York's baseball team.

There's a reason New York is considered 'The City That Never Sleeps,' at night bars, clubs, and restaurants buzz with activity as locals and tourists alike drink America's finest cocktails and dine out at Michelin-starred restaurants or a foodie favorite, newly opened The Musket Room. When it comes to fine dining in the city, you'll be eating cuisines from all over the world. From Sichuan spicy mung bean salad at Alley 41 to Vietnamese broths at the Madame Vo, New York is a global kitchen and home to many of the world's most visionary chefs. While most Michelin stars are found in Manhattan, gems are popping up around the city, notably, French-Italian brasserie Francie, a Brooklyn hangout helmed by Chris Cipollone, formally of Piora, a New York favorite.

A great night in New York is never complete without a trip to the theatre, where the world's top musicals and plays perform to consistently packed auditoriums. Broadway and Off-Broadway productions are synonymous with theatrical excellence. From new Tony Award winners like "A Strange Loop" to long-running crowd-pleasers, the city's creative class offers a rich menu of productions to experience. The nightlife in New York is just as vibrant. When you leave the theatre with pure joy, head to one of New York's many bars or nightclubs and dance the night away.

Brooklyn's Avant Gardner is as good as it gets for a classic night out. Their no-frills approach to clubbing appeals to purists who value musical quality over ostentatious design: For high-quality electro-bangers, this is your place. If you fancy unleashing your naughty side, head to luxe, Duane Park in the Bowery for some upscale risqué burlesque and craft cocktails served in an opulent setting.

Unsurprisingly, New York City has no shortage of luxury hotels. The Carlyle offers old-school charm and exquisite service, precisely what you'd expect from this iconic bastion of Upper East Side elegance that has captivated the world's most sophisticated travelers. With a focus on wellness, the Equinox Hotel provides a contemporary ultra-luxurious stay styled around Equinox's mantra of 'high-octane' living for the health-conscious traveler. It's home to the brand's largest fitness center and a vast open-air pool with beautiful views of New York. If boutique is more to your taste, stay at The Maker, a magnificent downtown hotel between Chelsea and the West Village. Inspired by the creatives native to the Hudson Valley, The Maker Hotel brings a truly unique bespoke experience infused with old-world bohemian glamor.

No guide to New York City would be complete without touching upon the world-class shopping offered here. People come from around the globe to buy the latest from the world's most respected artists and designers. Brooklyn is brimming with boutique fashion. Just walk around Cobble Hill to absorb the chic local vibe. However, for high-end fashion, drop in at Bergdorf Goodman or stroll down the iconic fifth avenue, which runs the length of Manhattan, and pick up the hot off-the-runway pieces from famous brands, including Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, and many more. New York has an ever-expanding abundance to choose from.

If you need a break from shopping, The Museum of Ice Cream is a joyful Manhattan gem, where you can eat all the ice cream you want while immersing yourself in an ice cream-themed playground-meets-art installation featuring the city's highest indoor slide. If you have a sweet tooth, children, or both, a visit to Economy Candy on Lower East Side might be the best part of your trip. They stock an obscene number of sugary delights. "If we don't have it, they don't make it anymore," Economy Candy's third-generation proprietor, Mitchell Cohen, once told the New York Daily News. "And if they do, we'll find it." The store is a virtual time machine, spanning the decades since 1937, when it first opened.

New York has inspired many great songs, films, and musicals over the years and has been home to some of the most loved entertainers from Madonna and Robert de Niro. New York is the zeitgeist of the western world and a glorious destination for luxury travel. To get a taste of this metropolitan wonderland, equip yourself with an open mind.