Manhattan, New York City

Understand the layout. Most of Manhattan is laid out as a simple grid. Numbered AVENUES run North-South, or uptown and downtown, as the natives like to say. Numbered STREETS run East-West, or crosstown. Fifth Avenue runs up the middle of Manhattan, and divides it into East and West.

Understand the exceptions. Broadway is the major exception to the rule. It's a major uptown-downtown route, but it also cuts across town, which can be either helpful or confusing. The grid system falls completely apart in lower Manhattan, so make sure you have a clear route in mind to get around in this part of town.

Understand access. Manhattan is an island, which means that you need to travel over a bridge or through a tunnel to get on or off the island. When you want to get in or out of Manhattan, take time to figure out which crossing is your best bet, and plan your route accordingly.

Understand thoroughfares. Manhattan has two North-South highways on either edge of the island. Some cross-town streets are wider than others and handle more traffic, especially 14th, 23rd, 34th, and 42nd streets.

Think neighborhoods. Manhattan is a place of neighborhoods -- Greenwich Village, Upper East Side, Chinatown, Little Italy, Wall Street, Times Square, and so many others. Take a look at maps to get familiar with the names neighborhoods you'll be visiting...it makes it easier to ask for directions and even recommendations (what's a good restaurant in Soho?).

Know the rules. NO RIGHT ON LIGHT. I think NYC is the only jurisdiction in the US that does not allow right turns on a red light. So don't do it.

Be...ummm....firm. Manhattan is a pedestrian's town, and you can spend half an hour at an intersection waiting for pedestrian traffic to break. Don't run anyone down! But sometimes you have to assert yourself with a quick-but-polite beep of the horn in order to work your way through.

Park thoughtfully. Don't leave valuables visible in the car, and don't park someplace where there won't be pedestrian traffic walking by your car. Pay careful attention to posted (and often confusing) parking rules, so you don't wind up with a ticket. Consider using a garage.

Most of all, enjoy your visit. It's just might be the world's greatest city