A foodie destination like no other: New York City

(ARA) - If you wanted to travel the world by going to only one place, New York City would be the place to do it. For centuries, it has acted as the gateway to America for people across the globe, and even today, immigrants from almost every imaginable country come here to start a new life. Foodie travelers should make it a priority to taste their way through the city, because New York City is seasoned and spiced with the culinary traditions of countless cultures.

Name a famous chef, and it's pretty likely that, if their restaurant empires aren't headquartered in New York, they have an outpost here. Whether you save up for one special night at a top-of-the-line restaurant or put your year's vacation budget toward trying multiple hotspots, dining at a top-flight restaurant is an essential part of any foodie's trip.

You'll be able to choose from plenty of styles - from the classically styled French bistro Les Halles, made famous by Anthony Bourdain, to the ultra chic and sleek beauty of Eric Ripert's seafood-driven Le Bernardin (often included on "best restaurant in the world" lists) - you'll find a spot for every possible whim of your tastebuds. Other top choices are Mario Batali's Italian restaurants, Babbo and Del Posto, Japanese-inspired restaurants like Momofuku and Masa or the Scandinavian star Marcus Samuelsson's Aquavit, to name a tiny fraction.

However, you don't have to spend your life savings to get some of the best eats of your life. In Manhattan, you'll find plenty of options, but don't forget to investigate Brooklyn, Queens and other boroughs. You could almost eat your way around the world in a day, trying treats like Turkish baklava, Korean bi bim bap, Spanish tapas, Moroccan tagines, Indian dosas and more - almost always made by people who emigrated from those countries, bringing their traditions with them.

If you want to venture outside of Manhattan, you'll still find plenty of New York City hotels to call home as you explore the boroughs for their exceptional cuisine - which often comes in more modest, if no less tasty, packages. A good rule of thumb is that even if the restaurant looks like a hole in the wall, if it's packed to the doors, you're probably in for a good meal.

A number of New York City hotels are keen to get in on the high-stakes restaurant game, and they're doing it to great effect. From big-name chefs to up-and-comers, you can bet that the big-name hotels aren't going to let any hacks head their kitchens - and that means tastier meals for you.

At the St. Regis, you'll find one of Alain Ducasse's restaurants, Adour, serving his famed French cuisines. And if you want more big-name dining, head for L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon at the Four Seasons or Todd English's Olives at the W Hotel Union Square. Asiate at the Mandarin Oriental also garners rave reviews.

To get your trip off to the right start, look for cheap flights and good rates on New York City hotels on travel Web sites like Travelocity.com. Try searching by location, price or star rating to get exactly the room you want, right where you want it.

Courtesy of ARAcontent