text:
Metro Manila

Metro Manila (Filipino: Kalakhang Maynila), on the island of Luzon, is the national capital region of the Philippines. With a population of about 24 million people (2015), it is the smallest and most populous administrative region of the country, contributing 37% of the Philippines' GDP. It is the country's center of administration, business, education, diplomacy and entertainment, a huge metropolis with massive social contrasts which may even exceed those in Latin America, and are reflected in the contrasts of urban landscapes.

With massive traffic jams and a reputation for insecurity relative to other Southeast Asian cities, Metro Manila is often considered to be a challenging city to explore, but in reality, the contrasts are precisely what makes the city a great destination to both most spoiled and the most adventurous travellers.

Expect local customs and behaviours to be different from the rest of the Philippines. Metro Manila locals are more sophisticated than those in the countryside, yet expect customs, behaviors, and situations that may upset first-time visitors.

Cities
Metro Manila is home to the country's business districts, wealth extremes and major shopping centers, with a combined population of 11 million and growing.
 * — Metro Manila's historical core, although partly dilapidated by World War II, contains a rich colonial history, a vast collection of excellent museums and monuments, as well as some of the city's most colourful, vibrant neighbourhoods
 * — The largest and most populous city of Metro Manila and its major Information Technology hub is where the Quezon Memorial Circle is located, as are important universities, government buildings, and gigantic shopping malls
 * — The main hub of people from the Northern Philippines. Known to be one of the 4 original cities of Metro Manila, along side Manila, Quezon City, and Pasay City
 * — Containing the Entertainment City with four giant casinos and attached shopping malls and entertainment venues
 * — Home to the gigantic Mall of Asia and the attached music venue and festive amusement park, and to the Resorts World Manila casino and integrated resort
 * — A city named after the river next to it, the Pasig River. It is an industrial town with a booming business district in the uptown Ortigas Center. Downtown Pasig is home to more rustic churches, American period houses, and excellent cuisine.
 * — Metro Manila's largest business district famous for its tall buildings, luxurious hotels, vast shopping malls, lively entertainment spots, and numerous restaurants, but also containing the historic Poblacion neighbourhood which is the city's Koreatown
 * — Nicknamed the shopping capital of the Philippines for its collection of numerous shopping centers.
 * — First a thriving fishing community which slowly developed into an urbanized city. Contains one of the city's wealthiest and most pedestrian-friendly areas, the Bonifacio Global City (BGC), the McKinley Hill neighbourhood with its copies of Italy, and the beautiful and serene Manila American Cemetery and Memorial

Understand
Locals and foreigners refer to Metro Manila simply as Manila. Administratively speaking, however, "Manila" is the name of one of the cities that composes the Metro Manila. Consisting of 16 cities and 1 municipality in 630 km², the metro is the national capital region, and the center of Philippine culture, arts, commerce, industry, and tourism. Metro Manila likewise serves as the pivot point to other exciting, popular destinations in the Philippines such as Boracay, Cebu City, and Davao City.

Metro Manila is a multi-polar city with major business, shopping and leisure areas scattered across the city, rather than concentrated in a compact Downtown. However, southern Metro Manila containing Makati, Bonifacio Global City and the Entertainment City contains a large share of the city's most upscale areas and wealthiest residents, whereas Manila city proper concentrates much of the city's historical heritage and cultural options.

Metro Manila is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, and further observation can mean Manila further grows into the suburban sprawl in the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, and even Batangas, along the expressway corridors composed of North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in the north, and Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEx), South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), and Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR Tollway) in the south. This travel guide, however, covers only the area that form Metro Manila, and all nearby suburbs outside it are part of their respective provinces.

First-time travellers to developing metropolises will meet Metro Manila with culture shock; you may find yourself around cacophonous traffic, crowding, urban blight, corruption, and jarring behaviors. That's why Dan Brown labelled Metro Manila as the "gates to hell" in Inferno after a character told her experience as a NGO worker in the metro's slums (spoiler alert!), despite the public backlash when it made headlines. Once you got around the chaotic environment, you may find that cultural diversity abounds. Staying in sterile areas of the metro, avoiding travel during rush hour or rough weather, and maintaining a high level of vigilance can help you get around hassle-free.

People
Unlike some other Asian cities, in Metro Manila most people can speak English, can read and write in Roman text, do not feel comfortable with chopsticks, and enjoy more watching basketball and boxing rather than football and badminton.

Manila has a unique blend of Asian and Western elements: many Western elements are an intrinsic part of the Filipino identity and culture, rather than being introduced during the city's modernisation and integration to the globalised world. This blend can be found in the language (e.g. written English vs. spoken Tagalog), in the religion (e.g. Christian mausoleums sitting next to Buddhist ones at the Manila Chinese Cemetery in Santa Cruz), in the cuisine and many other aspects of day-to-day life — for instance, both trishaws and American World War II vehicles are used as major forms of public transportation.

Chinese influence is also large, and fundamentally different from other Southeast Asian countries in the sense that many Filipino-Chinese have adopted Christianity and both integrated themselves to and shaped the Filipino culture, rather than forming a separate community.

Metro Manila's population is a diverse mix of multi-racial people and people from different classes — from the richest businessmen to the poorest of the poor. The streets of Binondo in Manila is Metro Manila's Chinatown, while the district of Paco is known as Little India and Japantown. European and American enclaves are found in Business districts where urban life is enjoyed and quite similar to the western lifestyle. Koreans forever everywhere and anywhere have resulted in Koreatown which is in Makati City's Burgos St. which features many Korean restaurants, shops and groceries. The growth of immigrants is due to the cheap cost for education and living in the Philippines. This is also a home to many of the rich and famous which most reside in Forbes Park, and is home to many homeless and the poorest of the poor who seek job opportunities in this metropolis. Efforts have been made to clear slums in order to clean the Pasig River which have been reportedly successful and sustainable.

Religion
Religion is a major key role in a local Filipino's life, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian temples are found, the Golden mosque is in Quiapo; the Filipino-Muslim district, while cathedrals, churches and chapels of various Christian denominations are scattered around mostly of Roman Catholic faith. Processions of holy images are carried through in some cities of Metro Manila and during these times streets are crowded with a little space to move around or sometimes no space to move around.

Economy
Metro Manila is a haven for investors and businessmen and the region accounts about 30% of the total GDP of the Philippines. It is also where major Filipino companies have their headquarters. Business, commercial and financial districts include Makati, Ortigas (Pasig and Mandaluyong) and Taguig, which is where the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSEi) is located.

Orientation
It sits near two notoriously dangerous volcanoes: Mount Pinatubo to the north, which made headlines in 1991 when it spewed dust all over the world and dropped global temperature by 2°, and Taal Volcano to the south which makes headlines every decade or so. What's more, it lies in the path of the tropical monsoon bringing typhoons during the second half of the year. It is fringed to the south by the idyllic lake Laguna de Bay — a veritable scenic showcase of Hispanized native folk and traditional culture, and farther south by cool and refreshing Lake Taal.

Talk
Communication with the locals is easy because almost everyone is bilingual. Filipino is the language of the locals. It is the chosen language at home to most. It is also the language of the media and movie industries as Manileños watch TV and movies and read newspapers in Filipino.

English is widely spoken in urban areas of the Philippines. It comes second as a medium of instruction in any institution. It is the language of the government, and the preference for written communication, be it in school or business.

Taglish ("Tagalog-English") is effectively a mix n' matching English words and phrases with Tagalog and vice versa, and is part of everyday life of Manileños. It is frowned upon by the official education system but common in day-to-day life and on media, including movies and operas.

Spanish-speakers may recognize some words in Tagalog, since some of its vocabulary is Spanish-derived. In Binondo, Manila's Chinatown district, Hokkien is widely spoken by Chinese-Filipinos, although English and Filipino are most commonly spoken at home. Mandarin is often used for ceremonial or official purposes by the Chinese-Filipino community but not widely spoken; similarly to the way that Arabic is used by the Filipino-Muslim community.

Manila's economic growth has attracted people from provinces with a delusion that a better life can be attained in the city, these people had brought a diversity in Manila's culture from their hometowns with tongues that speak Ilocano from the Ilocos regions, Kapampangan from Pampanga, Bicolano from the Bicol Region, Hiligaynon from Western Visayas, Cebuano from Cebu and Waray from Leyte and Samar.

By air
Metro Manila is served by two airports: the nearby Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), and Clark International Airport in Pampanga.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), 8 km south of Manila in Pasay and Parañaque, is the main airport serving Metro Manila. The airport is divided into four terminals: Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4 (previously known as the Domestic Terminal). Terminal 1, long regarded as the one of the worst airport terminals in the world, has recently been renovated. The newer Terminals 2 and 3 are regarded as being far nicer with more amenities to boot.

A variety of public transportation options connect the airport with Metro Manila.

 * Taxi: You can hail a yellow airport taxi at the arrivals area of all terminals. You can hail a white city taxi at the departure area of Terminal 3. You can hire a coupon taxi with fixed rates according to your destination at the information desk.
 * Jeepney: Jeepneys that serve Terminal 3 will have "NAIA Terminal 3" written on the side route panel. Jeepneys that serve Terminals 1 and 2 will have "MIA" written on the side route panel.
 * Hotel bus: Major hotel representatives can provide chauffeur services on arrival.
 * Local bus: Route 43/PITX-NAIA Loop buses operate counter-clockwise services between the airport terminals and Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX). The stopping pattern is Terminal 1 > Terminal 2 > Terminal 4 > Terminal 3 > PITX > Terminal 1.
 * Express bus: Genesis/UBE Express buses operate direct services between the airport terminals and various locations in Metro Manila. The routes provide complimentary WiFi, GPS tracking, and more comfortable seats.
 * Train: LRT Line 1's Baclaran station is approximately 1.5km from Terminal 4. No shuttle bus is provided.

Clark International Airport
Clark Airport in Angeles City, Pampanga is 85 km north of Manila and is a popular hub for low-cost carriers. AirAsia, Cebu Pacific and SEAIR maintain hubs at Clark.

Some airlines which serve Clark have dedicated bus transfer services that transport passengers between Metro Manila and the airport via the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx). There are also four daily direct buses operated by Philtranco between Clark and its terminal in Pasay via SM Megamall in Mandaluyong, which costs (to SM Megamall) or  (to Pasay). Jeepneys also connect the airport to bus terminals in Angeles, where it is possible to take a bus to Manila.

By boat
All ferries and most boats serving Metro Manila dock at the Port of Manila in Manila proper, which is divided into two halves: the North Harbor on the northern side of the Pasig River in Tondo, and the South Harbor on the southern side beside Ermita and Intramuros. 2GO Travel, the largest ferry operator out of the Port of Manila, operates out of the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal at Pier 15 in the South Harbor, though a few ferries operate from Pier 4 in the North Harbor, which was expanded with the construction of the newly-opened Manila North Port Passenger Terminal. Cruise ships docking in Manila will dock at either terminal, though most dock at the Super Terminal.

Some boat services do not dock at the Port of Manila: these include Sun Cruises ferries to Corregidor Island, which dock beside the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in Pasay, and boats to Cavite and Bataan, which dock at the SM Mall of Asia further south.

By car
Metro Manila is the center of the Philippine highway network; most roads lead to Manila, and signs in most major highways of Luzon often use Manila as a control city.

The Philippines' two major expressways: the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), terminate in Manila. NLEX terminates at the Balintawak Interchange in Quezon City, while SLEx terminates at the Magallanes Interchange in Makati, with a further expressway-like segment continuing on as the Osmeña Highway between Magallanes and Quirino Avenue in Paco, Manila; the two are connected together by Skyway Stage 3, a six to seven-lane elevated highway passing through the edges of Manila city proper. A third expressway, the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEx, also Coastal Road) which connects Metro Manila and Cavite, terminates at the intersection with NAIA (or MIA) Road in Parañaque, and continues on as Roxas Boulevard.

Other major at-grade highways of the Philippines also terminate in Metro Manila. The MacArthur Hwy (Rte 1 and 2, also the Manila North Road) to northern Luzon, which for much of its length runs parallel to NLEx, terminates at Monumento in Caloocan, The Manila East Rd, connecting Metro Manila, Rizal and Laguna, terminates in Pasig. Asian Highway 26 passes through Manila, with two routes from NLEX Balintawak to SLEX Magallanes: the signed main route follows EDSA, and an unsigned alternate route via Radial Road 10 and Roxas Boulevard, and the Skyway.

While it does not reach Metro Manila, the Nautical Highway System (or RORO, after the roll-on, roll-off ferries used on the sea routes) connects with the highways to Manila.

By bus
Provincial buses to Metro Manila from other parts of the Philippines are cheap and efficient, and a common way to travel between cities in Luzon. It is also the center of the intercity bus network; a bus trip across Luzon will involve transiting through Manila.

With the government drive to decongest Manila's roads, company-owned terminals are being closed and provincial buses being rerouted to new central bus stations. As of 2022, there are four designated terminals, most with good connections to local transportation. There are also other major bus terminals like Park N' Ride Lawton and South Station, but they have been relegated to local buses, jeepneys and vans.

Aside from provincial buses, there are also luxury express buses from other cities in Luzon, the majority terminating at PITX or NLET; some of those are NLET-San Fernando (La Union) (on Metro Manila North Transport), PITX-Baguio City (on Pangasinan Solid North), PITX-Batangas City (on RRCG), and PITX-Lipa (on ALPS). There are also routes from other cities to the central business districts at Makati, Bonifacio Global City and Ortigas Center, and between NAIA and Sangley Point Airport or Clark.

By rail
Philippine National Railways (PNR) has temporarily suspended all commuter services to/from Metro Manila.

Rail service will be restored with the opening of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR). The route will stretch from Clark Airport in the north to Calamba in the south. Part of it is nearly complete, with operations between Malolos and Valenzuela to begin in 2025.

Get around
Public transportation is the best way to get around Metro Manila, however, quality and service frequency tends to be bad unlike in Europe and East Asia. If looking for route options, you can look at Google Maps or Sakay.ph, but Google Maps generally do not have schedules for jeepneys. Driving is not for the faint of heart.

Beep card

Beep is a prepaid smart card used to pay fares for the LRT, MRT, and some buses. Consider buying a Beep card if you are planning to use public transport extensively during your stay. Using the card is straightforward, and works the same way as similar cards in other major cities.

Although primarily used on the LRT and MRT, it is possible to use Beep cards to pay fares on:

 * The BGC Bus system in Taguig
 * Both regular and point-to-point city buses
 * Some modern jeepney routes with vehicles fitted with card readers.

You can also use a Beep card to pay for goods at 7-Eleven, Uncle John's, FamilyMart, and Circle K stores in most parts of Metro Manila, and pay tolls on the North Luzon and Manila–Cavite expressways, avoiding the hassle of bringing bills or coins for payment. Beep cards are also accepted at Binalot restaurants and Robinsons MovieWorld cinemas.

Beep cards are available for purchase at LRT and MRT stations, as well as convenience stores and bus terminals around Metro Manila. The card can hold a maximum amount of and can be topped up ("loaded") at LRT and MRT stations, FamilyMart stores, Bayad Centers, SM Bills Pay locations, and some major pawnshop chains. The card's balance is displayed once tapped against a reader.

Rapid transit

Metro Manila's three metro lines are arguably the fastest way to get around the city, capable of zipping through the city's perennially congested streets.

Line 1 is operated by the privately-owned Light Rail Manila Corporation, and is notable for being the first rapid transit line in Southeast Asia. Line 2 is operated by the state-owned Light Rail Transit Authority, and extends from Recto to Antipolo. Line 3 is operated by the nationally-owned Metro Rail Transit Corporation, and extends along Metro Manila's busiest transit corridor.

 * LRT Line 1 (LRT-1, colored green in maps), serves Manila, Caloocan, Pasay and Quezon City, zipping above Taft and Rizal avenues, and EDSA, in a general north-south direction. This line is particularly useful for reaching key tourist areas, including Malate, Ermita, Intramuros, Binondo and Quiapo.
 * LRT Line 2 (LRT-2, colored blue in maps), serves Manila, Quezon City, Marikina and San Juan, going over Recto Avenue, Magsaysay Boulevard, Aurora Boulevard and the Marikina–Infanta Highway in a general east-west direction. Although this line serves very few areas important to tourists, it does serve Quiapo and Cubao.
 * MRT Line 3 (MRT-3, colored yellow in maps), serves Pasay, Quezon City, San Juan, Makati and Mandaluyong, running along the median of EDSA in a rough semi-circle. Notably, this is the only line that does not serve Manila proper. This line broadly serves the four major commercial areas of Metro Manila: Cubao, Ortigas Center, the Makati Central Business District and the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, as well as Quezon City's Triangle and Scout Areas.

Trains start running at around 5:30AM, while the last trains stop just after 11PM. Trains can get very crowded during rush hour, and while the journey itself can be fast, expect to wait a long time before riding. Like other overpopulated cities in Asia, you should be prepared to be surrounded by other people. Expect long queues at the entrance as security personnel will check to see if bags are loaded with prohibited items, and while trains are air-conditioned, the sheer number of people riding at any one time can mean long, hot rides during rush hour. Be mindful of your personal belongings as pickpockets are not uncommon, and if you have a backpack, put it in front or on your feet to reduce the space you take up. Women (including those that are pregnant or with children), students, disabled persons, and the elderly must be given priority in seating. All three lines also have women-only sections where you, if you are male, must watch out for.

Fares for the trains start, and increase in increments of depending on the distance. Entering the system requires either a Beep card or a single-journey card, which can be purchased either from manned kiosks or ticket machines and are collected at the end of the journey. There are no free transfers between the three lines, and each transfer will count as two separate fares.

A newer line, the MRT Line 7 between North EDSA in Quezon City and San Jose del Monte will open in 2022, but will generally be of interest only between North EDSA, Diliman and Novaliches. The Philippines's first subway, the Metro Manila Subway is under construction, and will pass around the major CBDs of North Triangle and Cubao in Quezon City, Ortigas Center in Pasig, and BGC and the future Arca South in Taguig; it is planned to connect with the future NSCR in Taguig. Another subway is under construction within Makati; it will have a transfer with the Metro Manila Subway but it would be otherwise self-contained.

Commuter rail

Philippine National Railways (PNR) has temporarily suspended all commuter services to/from Metro Manila.

Rail service will be restored with the opening of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR). The route will stretch from Clark Airport in the north to Calamba in the south. Part of it is nearly complete, with operations between Malolos and Valenzuela to begin in 2025.

By bus

City bus

City buses are operated by a multitude of private franchised operators, providing a cheap but slower way of exploring the metro.

Bus lines in Metro Manila are mostly run by high-floor air-conditioned coaches, as well as non-AC versions with an exit door, but to improve safety and better serve people with disabilities, brand-new ultramodern low-floor buses are being phased in, and the non-AC "ordinary" buses are slowly being removed from service or retrofitted with AC. Routes are numbered and color-coded, and the primary destinations should be easily found in the front and the sides of the bus.

The city bus network is centered on three major hubs, PITX (in Parañaque), One Ayala (in Makati), and Monumento (in Caloocan), but there are many routes that bypass those. Some routes, particularly those serving the suburbs, ply the expressway for part of the route, and five routes also supplement the LRT and MRT. All routes operate daily, 24/7 and frequency is high; usually, the next bus arrives within 5 minutes or even within a minute or two in the busiest routes.

Instead of riding regular city buses, you can also take luxurious express buses, branded Premium Point-to-Point Bus Service or simply P2P. These new routes provide limited or no-stop services between malls, central business districts, and major transit hubs, and are priced higher than regular buses. Schedules and terminals can be found at the official P2P Bus website.

Fares are normally paid in cash and you get tickets from the conductor, but it is possible to pay with Beep or another smart card such as TripKo, which you can purchase from bus stations. Food and drinks are generally allowed as long they aren't smelly or messy; except in the big bus stations, expect peddlers who will hop onto your bus at a major stop. There is little to no space for luggage, however.

Bus rapid transit

Metro Manila also hosts the Philippines first bus rapid transit (BRT) line, the EDSA Busway, utilized by the EDSA Carousel (line 1), one of the new bus routes operating since 2020. The Busway, served by low-floor buses and a part of a future BRT network, runs from PITX to Monumento using the innermost lanes of Metro Manila’s busiest highway, EDSA, and complements the MRT-3. Boarding is through bus stops placed at the highway’s median island. As of January 2023, the line collects fares; you can either pay in cash or with Beep.

By taxi
Taxis are very affordable by western standards but pretty expensive for locals and almost all are now air-conditioned and use a meter to compute for the final fare. The taxi rates start at as the flagdown rate plus  for every kilometre and  per each minute of travel (whether the vehicle is stuck in traffic or moving, as of Nov 2022). This means that travelling a certain route under heavier traffic conditions will cost you more than travelling the same route under lighter traffic.

Some drivers may take advantage of tourists, but closer regulation by authorities and even by mall operators, as well as the competition with Grab, are curbing this practice slowly. Many taxis are in a poor state of repair and drivers drive erratically. There is a hotline to report bad taxi drivers. Take note of the cab name and number. Mall operators also closely monitor the operations of taxis that use their taxi racks by ensuring that cab drivers do not choose only passengers bound for nearby destinations. Do not hire taxis waiting at bus terminals; they will charge you double the usual fare in the hope that confused tourists will accept it. Just walk out from any main bus terminal, and you will find plenty of cabs.

During rush hour, drivers will ask for a minimum fare higher than what the meter requires you to pay, and drivers will hesitate to drive you if your destination involves EDSA or a CBD; it is extremely difficult to hail a cab during these hours. During the early morning, passengers are strongly advised to bring smaller denominations of bills (and coins) or pay with credit card using Grab (see e-hailing section) as drivers usually don't have change.

By ride-hail
The ride-hail app Grab is ubiquitous in Metro Manila, and basically the only choice after Uber pulled back from Southeast Asia in 2018. Basically you can use Grab to order a "GrabCar" (with fixed fare) or a regular taxi with metered fare (plus for booking a cab through the Grab app, as of Nov 2022); for the latter, you can check the most likely range of fares beforehand to evaluate which is the most economical option. Many hotels will just use the Grab app when you request a taxi in the reception.

There are also motorcycle ride-hail apps, such as Angkas or JoyRide, which are popular among locals because they can easily maneuver through the congested streets of the city. However, be prepared to be exposed to the elements. In case of rain, the rider will provide a poncho for you to use.

A data plan or Wi-Fi is required to use ride-hail apps, but Manila's airport and many shopping malls have kiosks where you can order a ride without an internet connection.

By jeepney

In addition to buses, jeepneys are widely available. Despite having a reputation for being crowded and inefficient, they serve the nooks and crannies of Metro Manila that regular city buses cannot.

Once inside, pay your fare directly to the driver by telling him where you want to get off and how many people you are paying for. If you are seated far from the driver, say bayad [po] while extending the hand with your fare to the driver and someone will readily take your fare and pass it until it gets to the driver. Giving back of change or (sukli) if the fare given is in a large denomination will come in a similar manner, and a polite expression of "thank you" or salamat [po] as a sign of gratitude is encouraged.

The fare structure begins with a minimum fare for the first four kilometers and increases every additional kilometer thereafter. Minimum fare is and the rates goes higher depending on your destination to  (as of Jan 2019). Do not expect that a driver will be able to give change for large denominations, e.g. or.

You can also request the driver to inform you that you are near to your destination. Jeepney stops exist, but they can drop you anywhere as long it is safe and is not prohibited by signs. Say para [po] or clink coins at the grab rail to signal to the drive you need to get off.

Jeepneys are designed to carry small people - and can get very cramped for anyone over tall particularly if the jeepney is fully loaded! This arrangement is cramped even for the size of the locals who are small by Western comparison and some would regularly complain. Though not widely practiced, some people would pay for the price of two to avoid getting cramped by someone else as the fares are anyway extremely cheap. Jeepneys usually seat anywhere from 0 to 30 people.

Modern jeepneys, which take the form of minibuses, have higher headroom and standing space, far more convenient than the traditional vehicles. Some modern jeepneys do retain the design of the ubiquitous vehicles, but with air conditioning and a front side door, resembling a bus. You can use a smart card such as Beep to pay for modern jeepney rides, but you can still pay with cash and coins.

By van

UV Express (formerly called GT Express or FX) is a passenger van shuttle service, with fares more expensive than buses, but cheaper than taxis and jeepneys. Like jeepneys, they run fixed routes between terminals, but with pick-up and drop-off limited to a kilometer from their terminal. They can carry up to 10 passengers, but is hardly useful if you are carrying luggage, where a taxi is more comfortable. Also beware of unlicensed and unmarked passenger vans that tend to congregate around informal terminals at malls, as they compete illegally with legitimate vans as well as buses and jeepneys and can be unsafe; they might charge you twice in the fare.

By tricycle
Tricycles (motorcycles with modified side cars) These are common for short trips in areas where jeepneys do not travel. In Manila proper you are unlikely to see any. However, in outlying suburbs and towns they are more common. Other variants are the pedicab, which is merely a bicycle with a side car, and the kuliglig, which is a pedicab equipped with an outboard motor (though the latter has almost been phased out due to noise concerns). Electric trikes or CNG-powered Bajaj tuk-tuks can be sighted in parts of the metro.

On foot
Like most large Southeast Asian cities, Manila is definitely not a city made for pedestrians. Street sides are often infested with vendors and peddlers, dirty or smelly, sidewalks may be obstructed by merchandise, utility poles and other hindrances, and crossing the street requires double attention even when pedestrian lights are green. Yet, as in most cities in the world, walking can still be the best way of getting close to the local daily life, as long as you take precautions about traffic and safety.

Jaywalking is illegal in most places, with a penalty of a fine or community service, but it remains quite common in the poorer cities. Enforcement of this law also varies from city to city.

Surprisingly, Manila has a few very pedestrian friendly-areas, such as Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and the Ayala Center in Makati, with ample pedestrian walkways, shelter and traffic rules that seem to work. In particular, the Bonifacio High Street in Taguig is a lively and charming pedestrian street with plenty of shops, gardens, alfresco bars and restaurants, and open-air contemporary art that definitely deserve a stroll on both day and night.

By car

The metropolis has an extensive system of highways connecting the various cities and municipalities. Most of the major thoroughfares are numbered with one or three digits on white shield signs. Smaller arterial roads, generally called "secondary roads" usually are not numbered. Key routes infamously congested EDSA (which carries Asian Highway 26 and Route 1 across the region), C-5 Road (Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, Route 11), Roxas Boulevard (Routes 120 and 61) and Route 170 (which includes Taft Avenue, España Boulevard, and Quezon and Commonwealth Avenues.)

However, driving in a private car is not recommended for people who are unfamiliar with Manila because many drivers there ignore traffic rules. Parking tends to be scarce, and can be expensive in downtowns and CBDs. Public transit is very cheap, but it gets crowded during the morning and afternoon rush hours (7AM to 10AM and 4PM to 7PM). Traffic also tends to crawl during these times so best avoid being on the move in these occasions. Just like any city in Southeast Asia, drivers in Manila tend to be reckless, but road signs are very common, though some are not that visible, and are also well abided and respected by at least 75% of Manila drivers.

Traffic congestion is a major problem, as worse as those in São Paulo and Jakarta. If driving on your own, you may stick on finding alternate routes, especially the Mabuhay Lanes, but, as with the rest of Metro Manila, expect traffic congestion, obstructions and construction on those routes. EDSA (from Caloocan to Pasay via Quezon City), C-5 (Taguig to Valenzuela via Quezon City), Alabang-Zapote Road (between Las Piñas and Muntinlupa), and Dr. A. Santos Avenue (Sucat Road) and Ninoy Aquino Avenue (all in Parañaque) are all notorious for congestion, usually rush hour traffic (see above); better take alternate routes if possible, but if your destination is found along those roads, please expect hours for traffic to move smoothly. Cities with many gated communities, like the suburban cities of Las Piñas and Parañaque, tend to have traffic jams as worse as EDSA's, and unless your vehicle have a sticker issued by the homeowners' association or local government (which you can only get if you have a residence or frequently visit a location inside the subdivision[s] covered), there is no choice but to drive through the already clogged roads.

Traffic enforcement across the region is handled by the national police, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local traffic police forces. Speed cameras are uncommon, but there are traffic monitoring cameras at most signal-controlled intersections. Corruption remains common, often involving local traffic cops.

When driving, watch out for jaywalkers. Be also aware when driving in narrow streets, where children usually play, given Manila is a crowded metropolis. Be also aware of the regionwide road space rationing ("number coding") scheme, where some vehicles are not allowed to ply Metro Manila streets from 7AM to 10AM, and from 3PM to 7PM, Mondays to Fridays, i.e. cars with license plates ending in numbers 1 and 2 should not go out of the street on the said schedule every Mondays, 3 and 4 every Tuesdays, and so on and so forth. Makati however observes the scheme throughout the day.

Dedicated left turn lanes are rare, the left lane can turn into turning lanes with little warning, and left turns are rare than rights in some cities. Some major thoroughfares, like EDSA and Commonwealth Avenue, have left turns provided by U-turn slots instead of a direct turn through the intersection. In EDSA and Commonwealth Avenue, dedicated public utility vehicle and motorcycle lanes are implemented, and are monitored remotely through CCTVs.

Gas prices are relatively comparable to those in the U.S. (except prices are by the liter) but expensive in the eyes of locals. Fuel prices fluctuate on a weekly basis.

By ferry
A passenger ferry service operates between cities along Pasig River.

City walks
Manila might not generally be a place to take a leisurely stroll, but it has interesting neighbourhoods that definitely deserve to be explored on foot:
 * Intramuros, the Spanish-built walled city that is the historical center of Manila. Largely destroyed during the World War II, it is not a charming colonial city center in the likes of Vigan, but a fascinating place where memories of the past and the realities of the present mix;
 * Binondo is Manila's bustling Chinatown with an unmatched festival of colours, tastes, and smells;
 * Makati's Poblacion is the historical core of Makati, containing both Metro Manila's Koreatown and hipster areas popular among backpackers;
 * Makati's Ayala Center is a large cluster of shopping malls in Metro Manila's most important business district, which is itself an eye candy for skyscraper afficionados;
 * Bonifacio Global City is an ultramodern business, commercial and affluent residential district in the likes of Singapore, and likely the most pedestrian-friendly area of Metro Manila.

Plazas, Parks and Nature Reserves
When it comes to parks, Luneta Park and Intramuros are the most popular destinations. Luneta Park (also called as Rizal Park and Rizal Monument) is home to the Rizal monument; a statue of the Philippines' national hero, Jose Rizal. It is one of the most significant and most important places in Philippine history from the Spanish colonial era to the EDSA revolution. The walled former city of Intramuros served as a settlement for the Indianized-Malay-Muslims, then it was taken over by the Spanish and fell into ruins during the World War II, it is one of the most popular icons of the Philippines. See Plaza de Roma in Intramuros where a statue of King Carlos IV of Spain stands, Plaza de Goiti or now known as Plaza Lacson is where a statue of Arsenio Lacson; said to be one of Manila's greatest mayor stands, next to it is Roman Santos building which would again make you think you're somewhere in Rome, Italy because of it Greco-Roman architecture. Plaza Miranda stands infront of Quiapo Church in the Filipino-Muslim district of Quiapo, an unfortunate event occurred here on 1971; the Plaza Miranda bombings. Manila Zoological and Botanical Gardens is one of the oldest zoos in Asia. It is criticized for its inadequate care towards animals and its dirty surroundings and animal rights activists are demanding to free the animals due to this while Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center have rare animals such as water monitors and the Philippine deer, it also treats injured animals even if it isn't part of their zoo. La Mesa Dam EcoPark is the haven for most Filipinos after a tiring week of work and a getaway from the noisy and polluted metro, not only is it an ecopark but is also a dam which provides water to Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Manila Ocean Park is larger than Singapore's Sentosa Underwater World, construction is incomplete however it had already opened to the public, tickets cost for a child,  for adults. Quezon Memorial Circle is a shrine and a national park, it is where the remains of late President Manuel Quezon and his wife are rested. While Greenbelt Park is in Makati and is worth seeing.

Places of worship
Religion is one of the major aspects of life of a Filipino, the diverse population of the Philippines follows the world's major religions; Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and some following the Jewish faith and part of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, some forms of paganism, animism or any other kind may somehow exist. Manila's population follows almost all of those religions.

Christian faith
See Basilica Minore de la Immaculada Concepcion or Manila Cathedral in simple words in Intramuros, it is a historic church which served 2 funerals for 2 Filipino presidents and for bishops' funerals. Basilica Minore de San Lorenzo Ruiz or Binondo Church in Chinatown caters to Chinese Filipinos, seen here is the synchronization of Western architecture, Catholic faith and Chinese influences. Our Lady of China chapel is in this church. See the miraculous Black Nazerene or Itim na Nazareno in Basilica Minore de Jesus Nazareno or Quiapo church which is believed to give miracles and blessings. During January it is crowded as are the streets of Metro Manila, as a procession is held, during Fridays the church is filled with devotees.
 * San Sebastian Basilica Minore de Mount Carmel
 * Epifanio de los Santos Shrine

Churches and sanctuaries

 * Santuario de San Antonio
 * Santuario de San Antonio
 * Santuario de San Antonio
 * Santuario de San Antonio

Other faiths
The Golden Mosque is in the Quiapo district which is somehow the Filipino-Muslim district of Manila, its dome is made of gold and is built in order of the Marcoses.

Museums

 * The National Museum of the Filipino People
 * Metropolitan Museum
 * Filipinas Heritage Library
 * Ateneo Art Gallery
 * Ayala Museum
 * Lopez Museum
 * The Museum at De La Salle University-Manila
 * Museum of Contemporary Art and Design at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

Cemeteries
While some might consider creepy to visit cemeteries as a tourist, some of Manila's cemeteries easily stand among the cities' most impressive sights. The most famous are the Manila Chinese Cemetery in Santa Cruz, a real "city of the dead" with intricate and ornamented mausoleums, and the sombre Manila American Cemetery and Memorial and Heroes' Cemetery in Taguig dedicated respectively to the American and Filipino soldiers who died in the Philippines during the World War II. The Manila North Cemetery in Santa Cruz, a bizarre but fascinating "slum-cemetery", is not a place for independent sightseeing but can be visited via a guided tour.

Monuments

 * Monumento de la Revolucion
 * Rizal Monument
 * People Power Monument
 * Quezon Monument
 * Bonifacio Monument

Festivals
You can find almost all major festivals in Metro Manila. There are two New Years. The Gregorian New Year every January, is characterized by noise and merrymaking; the crackles and bursts of firecrackers and fireworks complete the Filipino New Year, believing it will scare misfortunes away, but can be dangerous and messy, with the day after characterized by scattered debris, used fireworks barrages and unexploded firecrackers, smoke, trash, and the most dreaded result, injured celebrators, victims of their firecrackers, and fires. Then, there's the Chinese New Year, at various dates between January and February, with the firecrackers and the Dragon Dance; Filipino Chinese offer money inside ampaw (red envelopes) and eat sticky but tasty tikoy.

There are many religious festivities held annually. The Feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila every January draws millions into Manila, where devotees flock to touch the wooden statue. The festivities begins with the tradition of pahalik, where devotees kiss and rub their towels onto the image, and the actual procession, Traslación every January 9, is a very crowded situation, where personal space is almost unimportant, as people climb into and pull the carriage (andas) from the Quirino Grandstand, through parts of Manila, and back into Quiapo Church. Another major festival is the Watah Watah Festival, part of the Feast of St. John the Baptist (San Juan Bautista) in San Juan, characterized by dances, and most notably, water fights at the streets, reminding you of Songkran in Thailand or Holi in India, so be warned, it's not a spectator sport for the ordinary tourist, especially if you look obviously foreign.

Cinemas
Metro Manila has good cinemas, with the average ticket price at about, a bargain to Western standards but slightly steep to the average Filipino. Most cinemas are rather part of mall chains, and gone are the glory days of downtown movie houses. Old-style cinemas found at the heart of cities are now rare to find, but most have become seedy locations that show illicit X-rated, hardcore porn films. Modern Philippine cinemas are up to the modern standards, and expect wearing 3D glasses on some Hollywood films. IMAX cinema can be found at malls at various points in the metro.

Gambling
Metro Manila is one of Asia's largest gambling hubs, containing no less than twenty casinos. Some of them have true Las Vegas or Macau standard, being not only casinos but also integrated resorts, entertainment venues and luxury shopping malls. These are mostly in the Entertainment City district of Parañaque, including the Solaire, the City of Dreams, the Okada and the future Westside City, whereas the Resorts World Manila is in the Newport area of Pasay.

Horse racing is no longer hosted at tracks in Metro Manila. The two major racetracks, the Santa Ana Racecourse in Makati and San Lazaro Leisure Park in Manila are converted into malls and commercial property (SM City San Lazaro and The Circuit Makati respectively), and are moved to Carmona and Naic in Cavite, respectively.

Sports
Metro Manila has a lackluster sports scene compared with other large Southeast Asian metropolises, but it is the center of Philippine sports. Large sports arenas do exist, like Araneta Coliseum, Mall of Asia Arena, PhilSports Arena, and San Juan Area (Filoil Flying V Arena), but the number did not catch up with the increasing population. Unregulated urbanization are also suspect, so spaces better suited for sports activities instead gave way to large mall complexes lacking any space for sports activities. That said, there is a vibrant sports scene, centered on the Philippines's favorite sport, basketball.

Buy
There are generally two kinds of shopping destinations in Manila: the mall and the tiangge ("chang-ghe").

Shopping malls
The Manila mall is more than just a shopping experience but a cultural destination as well. The largest malls in Metro Manila are practically their own cities within the city: complete with boutiques, supermarkets, department stores, restaurants, cinemas, medical facilities, hotels, schools, offices, gyms, serviced apartments, spas, convention centers, art galleries, bowling alleys, museums, ice skating rinks, and even a chapel for Sunday masses.

SM Mall of Asia in Pasay is the largest mall in the Philippines and 5th largest mall in the world. The second largest mall in Metro Manila is SM North EDSA in Quezon City, followed by the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong. The Ayala Center in Makati is not a single mall, but a cluster of four large shopping malls which combined might offer more shopping options than the aforementioned super-malls.

While the typical image of shopping malls are of bland concrete boxes, many malls in Manila use innovative architecture and concepts including large open spaces, contemporary art exhibitions, and popular markets. In particular, the Bonifacio High Street in Taguig is a real "shopping mall turned into a pedestrian street", the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay contains a bustling amusement park facing the Manila Bay, Festival Alabang in Muntinlupa contains a park with a river, and the Venice Grand Canal in Taguig is, well... a replica of Venice.

Eastwood City, McKinley Hill and Newport Mall are also some of the well-known malls by Megaworld Lifestyle Malls that are located in different parts of the Metro Manila. People usually go there because of their distinct architectural designs and concepts.

Tiangge
However, if you wish to experience the "ultimate Manila shopping experience", one has to shop at a tiangge. Tiangges are small makeshift stalls clustered together that sell anything and everything you can imagine think bazaars). But at bargain basement prices. In these places, one has to haggle, particularly if you are buying wholesale (defined as at least six pieces of the same item). The best tiangge complexes are in the Greenhills Shopping Center, Tiendesitas, Market! Market!, St. Francis Square, Tutuban Center Mall, Divisoria Mall, and 168 Mall. Go crazy buying quality clothes and shoes, pretty fashion jewelry and things for the house at very reasonable prices!

Eat
A tourist or visitor may be amused or perplexed to see Filipinos eating most of the time. Apart from the three major meals of the day, there are snacks in the morning and in the afternoon called merienda which are an integral part of a typical Pinoy's everyday life. Metro Manila's diverse racial community had brought the rise to international cuisine, from just one corner of the street a Filipino would be eating Shawarma (more commonly known as Doner or Kebab for some westerners), another one would be enjoying his kimchee, while others would enjoy their night with sushi, some would desire Indian and Thai curry for their lunch while some would prefer the typical American breakfast in fastfood stores. For Chinese cuisine go to Chinatown where they serve Hokkien dishes; American steakhouses, high class Japanese, Korean, Indian and Thai restaurants that lurk around Makati, Koreantown have cheaper options as does Japantown (Little Tokyo). Usually if you prefer to splurge, Makati is one of the best options. Typical Filipino cuisine and streetfood are found in the streets of Manila which provide the best options, the cost could be US$1-2 per serving or even lower.

Filipino fastfood
America's influence is palpable in the Philippines, and you'll be hard pressed to find a mall without the requisite McDonalds and KFC. Filipino fastfood chains that capture the essence of Filipino food compete strongly for Philippine tastebuds however, and they may be a safe place for the tourist to try the local fare. The following are a list of fastfood chains that have branches all around the Metro, and in many cases around the country.

Where to eat
 * Greenbelt Lifestyle Center - the widest selection of food choices, which also happen to be the trendiest and most unique, can be found in the Greenbelt Area at heart of Ayala Center in Makati City. With everything upscale, you can find yourself munching tapas with a glass of sangria or having a gastronomic delight of french treats.
 * Tomas Morato - Before midnight strikes, the strip is becoming increasily famous among locals for comedy bars. However, restaurants with gastronomic delights of every kind or dish abound from end-to-end.
 * The Promenade at Greenhills
 * Baywalk - This used to be the most famous location for an abundance of affordable, delightful street food, by the bay. However, it has been closed by the city government for certain issues. Nevertheless, a visit to this area provides a different perspective of the old city of Manila.
 * Eastwood City - Peppered with a lot of choices that offer comfortable dining in airconditioned or al fresco style, this place appeals to the upbeat, on-the-rise professionals and more affluent members of the Filipino society. There are lots of things to enjoy from good food, music, to midnight movies and shopping. Very appropriate for the night owls and nearby universitarians.
 * The Fort Strip and Serendra in Global City, Taguig - Trendy, classy, isolated yet warm, surprising and fulfilling. From Makati City, it is easy to reach the newest dining and entertainment hub in the Metropolis by private car or cab.
 * Tiendesitas - literally "little stores", This place seems to have been primarily built with returning Filipinos in mind and for foreigners interested in some kind of cultural immersion. It is a confluence of some 450 traders from the three major islands of the Philippines, namely Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, selling specialty merchandise. So much to choose from but the food pavilions are the busiest.

Drink
The epicenter of Metro Manila's famous nightlife is the Greenbelt in Makati where some of the city's best restaurants, cafes, bars and karaoke joints cluster around a park in the middle of the main business district. The Fort, Serendra and Bonifacio High Street are three different clusters that offers high-end restaurants, bars and shops in the nearby city of Taguig. Bohemian Malate and the adjoining Baywalk contain a variety of venues serving a combination of food, comedy, alcohol and live music in Manila. Other nightlife clusters in the Metro are Eastwood, Araneta Center, and Timog all in Quezon City.

The introduction of American hip hop music has had a noticeable effect on Philippine night life, serving as the soundtrack to a high-spirited Manila youth culture. Many nightclubs now rival first-world standards both in terms of luxury and vibrancy.

Additionally, there are numerous venues in which to catch elements of an active Philippine alternative rock community. Some venues, such as saGuijo Cafe in Makati have risen to some prominence.

Sleep
Check city articles for listings

Due to Metro Manila's horrible traffic, those who came for business are advised to stay in the business district they are visiting or as near as possible. Backpackers tend to favour Malate or Makati's Poblacion as they are both atmospheric areas with cheap food, bars, and accommodation. Those who want to avoid the gritty side of Manila typically stay in more affluent districts such as Makati's Ayala Center or Bonifacio Global City.

Standard hotels range from to, but you can spend more if you want to stay in a luxurious place. Popular hotels such as Shangri-La and Mandarin Oriental are found in Manila and Makati while Marriot hotels just opened a branch in Newport City. Hotels include common frills such as laundry service, telephone, and TV. Motels have a bad reputation and perception by Filipinos as they are viewed as meeting places for illicit sex and things, but they are a cheap option. Condominiums, now easily rented even for short stays via websites such as Airbnb and Booking.com, are found around financial districts and often near commercial establishments.

Stay safe
Metro Manila has its share of common problems for first-time travellers: opportunistic robbers and pickpockets, corrupt cops and bureaucracy, run-down residential areas and shanty towns, and chaotic traffic. If you are first time travelling into the region (or not used to chaotic conditions in other places), keep your guard up at all times. The metro has its numerous rough areas where you are unlikely to visit.

Crime
Violent crime is quite evident in some parts of the metro, but this usually happens among locals, and tourists should not worry a lot, since there are many police and frequent police patrol cars within Metro Manila, especially tourist areas.

Bag-snatching is also common, but, of course, common sense will reduce that threat. Most victims are rich locals.

Theft is prevalent, but common sense will help. Avoid wearing jewelry or flaunting electronics when going to crowded areas. Avoid leaving your valuables inside vehicles, even in secure areas, as criminals may break the windows to steal items.

Beware of the dreaded budol-budol scam; most cases of this happen here. Foreigners are rarely targeted, but don't just accept offers from strangers, especially if they look too attractive.

There are at least 7 major slum areas throughout the metro, but a close observation will make you think there is a lot more, including decrepit communities rising beside rivers and creeks, and a few just lie near tourist hotspots or business districts. Large residential barangays or districts can be as seedy as slums; Tondo and San Andres Bukid in Manila, Commonwealth in Quezon City, and Baclaran and Kabihasnan in Parañaque are just a partial list of such spots, abounding with criminals, drug addicts, and delinquent youth. If you see makeshift houses, narrow alleys, and mangled electricity wires, turn around and go back.

Corruption
Metro Manila has a legendary reputation for street-level corruption, but this is changing. PNP and MMDA has since adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward bribery and extortion, but, corruption remains on local traffic police in some cities. That said, it's now risky to bribe, and some foreigners have been arrested for doing so.

Scams
Metro Manila is not known for scams, but with a bit of common sense, they can be avoided.

The most common scams involve taxi or tricycle drivers, and are not limited to overcharging. Some taxi drivers steal luggage from unwary passengers, and some women have been robbed or raped after riding fake taxis or unlicensed tricycles.

Counterfeit money is common, and many small shops display pieces of fake bills as a warning to customers.

As of 2020, a local variant of the squeegee scam has been reported around Metro Manila, and involves "wiper boys'' who will splash murky water on your car's windshield, wipe them off after, and soon demand payment, with threats they would break your car windows or wreck your hood.

Women travellers
Street sexual harassment cases in Metro Manila is alarmingly high, and women travellers must exercise caution when walking alone. Many streets around Metro Manila are filled with male bystanders, and there are chances you might get sexually harassed, most commonly through simple cat-calls and common wolf whistles, especially if you are dressed scantily (e.g. short shorts, miniskirts/dresses, spaghetti straps). Groping is a risk in crowded locations like street markets and trains. Despite a more liberal culture, dress conservatively so you can blend with the locals and avoid unwanted sexual attention. Wearing a short sleeved blouse, jeans, or a skirt or dress with the hem below the knee will suffice. Plus, learning some key words to shout (e.g. Manghihipo! Manyak!) in case someone gropes you can help.

Women travellers are not advised to take a taxi at night alone: you might fall victim to theft, especially in cases where the driver will spray chloroform to the air conditioner where you will suddenly fall asleep and wake up with your valuables stolen (or in some cases, raped). The same also goes with tricycle drivers, but most victims are primarily call center workers or students.

Terrorism
The region has a high risk for terrorist attacks; security measures have been heightened, with car trunk inspections, metal detectors and bag checks being mandatory in many locations, like malls, office towers, and public transport stations. You are more likely to get hurt or killed in a road accident than a terrorist attack, as bombings are far rare (the latest attacks in Metro Manila that happened are the Rizal Day bombings in 2000 and the Valentine's Day bombings in 2005).

Stay healthy
Tap water provided by the metro's major water service providers Maynilad and Manila Water is usually safe to drink, but quality varies by place, and locals usually boil them just to be safe.

Air quality in Metro Manila is not as worse, but can deteriorate during the cool season (especially on New Year's Day). Areas around major road intersections (e.g. Cubao, Pasay Rotonda) usually have the worst air quality.

Be also aware of stray dogs, but they are not a problem in financial districts such as Makati CBD and Taguig and can be seen only in residential outskirts and non-commercialized suburbs of Metro Manila.

Respect
People in Metro Manila have a reputation for snobbery; Manileño folks call country people promdi (from the English phrase from the [province of]) because of different customs. It is best to behave like a laking Maynila (one brought up in Manila) so you can easily get around.

Public views of affection are tolerated, but making out is far from socially acceptable, even in this liberal region of the Philippines. You can make out in public in Luneta and other major parks of its size, but this is not without risk. Making out in public may offend Filipino sensitivities, and some locals will not hesitate to call 911 and turn you in into the police for scandalous behavior. Holding hands are rather acceptable, even to locals.

Public courtesy goes a long way. You must give a seat to women, students, old people and disabled persons in public transport. Jeepneys, buses, and trains have priority seats reserved for them; trains have a women-only car at the front end, not exclusively for women, but also for elderly and disabled people. You will be told to move into the second car (or the middle of the platform at the station) if you go into the women-only area.

Metro Manila has the most relaxed dress code among all places in the Philippines; wearing shorts or tank tops is often acceptable, but without calling unwanted attention depending on place. Churches and government offices follow a strict dress code, where shoulders, armpits and knees must be covered, that means, tank tops, miniskirts, and skimpy shorts are not allowed; you will be refused entry in government offices, while you will not be allowed to take the Holy Communion in churches. Caps and slippers are also prohibited from being worn in those places.

Electricity
Metro Manila has power 24 hours a day, but there is the possibility of blackouts, either due to natural disasters or unscheduled power plant maintenance. Most outages only last a few hours, but blackouts days or weeks long is a possibility when a very strong typhoon strikes the metro. Meralco (Manila Electric Company) is the only power utility serving Metro Manila; check their website (or some local TV news broadcasters) for any scheduled outages. Most hotels around the metro will have a backup generator in case power goes out. Malls and other large establishments will usually have one also, so they can operate normally while lights are out elsewhere.

Media
Metro Manila is the center of the Philippine media market, and the major television stations are GMA, ABS-CBN, and TV5. Most media are provided in Tagalog, though there are also predominately English-language media.

 * Broadsheet newspapers, like The Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer and Manila Bulletin, are almost published in English.
 * There are also free-to-watch television channels that always broadcast most programming in English, such as CNN Philippines (channel 9) and ETC (channel 21). CNN Philippines has newscasts every morning, noon and evening.

Plastics and Styrofoam
Some cities already banned the use of plastics and Styrofoam for packaging, for example, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa. The rest of Metro Manila, including Manila and Quezon City, still permit their use. It is advisable to bring your own cloth bag when shopping; most supermarkets will offer one for a fee.

Embassies and consulates
Being the national capital, Metro Manila hosts a large number of embassies. A majority of them are clustered in Legazpi Village and Dasmariñas Village in Makati City and in Bonifacio Global City in the adjacent Taguig City. There are others in other parts of Metro Manila as well:
 * 🇦🇷 Argentina
 * 🇦🇺 Australia
 * 🇦🇹 Austria
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇮🇩 Indonesia
 * 🇯🇵 Japan
 * 🇲🇾 Malaysia
 * 🇳🇱 Netherlands
 * 🇳🇴 Norway
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
 * 🇸🇬 Singapore
 * 🇰🇷 South Korea
 * 🇹🇼 Taiwan
 * 🇹🇭 Thailand
 * 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States
 * Vietnam

Go next

 * Bulacan
 * Rizal
 * Cavite
 * Laguna

title: Metro Manila


text:
Metro New York

Metro New York or Greater New York, also called the Tri-State Area (though it's not the only area so-called in the U.S.), is the massive metropolitan area around New York City in the states of New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It is the biggest and wealthiest metro area in the United States.

Cities

 * - Possibly the most well known and celebrated city in the world, New York is a city of towering skyscrapers, ethnic diversity, international corporations, and incomparable culture.
 * - The largest city in Connecticut.
 * - An old city on the Hudson with great views of the Midtown and Downtown Manhattan skylines.
 * - Just across the Hudson River from Lower Manhattan, home to Liberty State Park, where ferries leave for Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
 * - Best known as the home of Yale University but a fair-sized city and in no way just a college town.
 * - New Jersey's largest city, home to Newark Liberty International Airport, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark Symphony Hall, Newark Arena, and the Newark Museum.
 * - home to trendy SoNo and the Maritime Aquarium.
 * - The seat of government for Westchester County, its downtown has been redeveloped with upscale housing and retail.
 * - Undergoing major development along Hudson River, but Getty Square, its traditional center only a few blocks to the east of the Hudson River, is down-scale.

Other destinations
New York City
 * - With portions in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Sandy Hook, this collection of parkland is home to wondrous views of nature and many family activities.

Long Island
 * - An all-pedestrian summer resort island off the coast of Long Island with Fire Island National Seashore

Gateway
 * - Majestic cliffs rising sharply on the western bank of the Hudson River with numerous viewpoints, trails and camp sites.

Hudson Valley
 * , the country's only government-owned amusement park.

By plane
Metro New York is served by two large airports in New York City and one in Newark, New Jersey ( for all airports) which is well connected by air with flights from almost every corner of the world. John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport are large international airports while LaGuardia Airport is a busy domestic airport. All three airports are run by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. There are also several small airports in the region.

John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport is in the borough of Queens in the eastern part of New York City. Many international airlines fly into JFK and it is a major international hub for Delta Air Lines (Terminals 2 and 3) and American Airlines (Terminal 8). Air France and Lufthansa (Terminal 1), British Airways (Terminal 7), and Virgin Atlantic (Terminal 4) each provide several flights daily into JFK. JetBlue, a large low-cost carrier, occupies Terminal 5. A free AirTrain connects the terminals. Always make sure you know which terminal your flight arrives at or departs from.

Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport  is in Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey. The airport has three terminals labeled A, B, C. Terminal C is the home of a major United Airlines hub. Most other international airlines use Terminal B while domestic flights are from Terminal A but there are exceptions, so check your terminal before you head for the airport.

LaGuardia Airport
LaGuardia Airport is a smaller, older airport in Queens, providing many of the domestic services for the area including the frequent shuttles to Boston and Washington, D.C.. Direct flights are available to all large and most small airports east of the Mississippi, with a few international flights to Toronto and Montreal. The Marine Air Terminal, the terminal used by Delta Air Lines for shuttle services to Washington D.C. and Boston, is one of the oldest, still-in-use, airport terminals in the world.

Other airports
Long Island MacArthur Airport (Islip Airport), in Ronkonkoma (Town of Islip) on Long Island, is served by Southwest Airlines, a major discount carrier in the US. American Airlines has a minor presence at the airport. The Long Island Railroad offers a discount package for MacArthur Airport travelers on its website.

Westchester County Airport, near White Plains, NY, is served by several airlines. It is most convenient to Westchester County and adjacent areas of Connecticut.

Metro New York is also served by Teterboro Airport, in Teterboro, NJ, though this airport is used primarily for general aviation and receives no commercial flights.

By train
Amtrak,, operates from New York Penn Station, directly under Madison Square Garden, on 34th Street between 7th & 8th Avenues. Popular trains leaving during rush hours can fill up quickly; it is a good idea to make reservations online, or via phone, and pick up your ticket using a credit card or your confirmation number at one of the electronic kiosks located throughout the station. On some of the non-business routes, for example New York to Montreal, Amtrak takes more time and costs more money than taking the bus or renting a car. Check and compare schedules and prices before booking.

Amtrak's Acela express train provides regular fast commuter service between major points along the east coast such as Washington, D.C., Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Haven, and Providence. Amtrak services are also available to points along the East Coast down to Florida, to points between New York and Chicago, including Pittsburgh and Cleveland), to New York State including Albany, Rochester, Buffalo and Niagara Falls, and to Toronto and Montreal in Canada. Service to California takes 3 days and requires a change of train in Chicago.

Amtrak's ClubAcela, located near the big security desk in Penn Station, offers complimentary drinks, wi-fi access, newspapers and magazines, and clean bathrooms. Access to the club is granted to travelers with sleeper tickets, First Class Acela tickets, or Amtrak GuestRewards SelectPlus membership.

By train
Metro New York is served by three commuter railroads.

 * Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) operates between New York Penn Station and Long Island with New York City stops at Jamaica Station, Long Island City, Hunters Point in Queens, and Atlantic Terminal station in Brooklyn.
 * Metro-North Rail Road (Metro North) operates between Grand Central Terminal and points north and east of the city all the way to Connecticut. Trains also stop at the Harlem station on 125th street and Park Avenue in Manhattan. The New Haven line serves cities along the coast with branch lines to Danbury and Waterbury. The Hudson Line serves points along the Hudson River to Poughkeepsie. The Harlem Line serves Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess Counties to Pawling and Wassaic.
 * New Jersey Transit operates between New York Penn Station and points in New Jersey. The Northeast corridor line goes to Princeton and Trenton. Services are also available for points along the Jersey Coast and, with a transfer in Secaucus, to points north of the city (in New Jersey and New York State west of the Hudson).

See
Many of the attractions of Metro New York are in New York City, the most populated metropolitan area in the United States.

Landmarks
Naturally, Manhattan possesses the lion's share of the landmarks that have saturated American popular culture. Starting in Financial District, perhaps the most famous of these landmarks is easy to spot - the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of the nation standing atop a small island in the harbor, and perhaps also the most difficult attraction to access in terms of crowds and the long lines to see it. Nearby Ellis Island preserves the site where millions of immigrants completed their journey to America. Within Financial District itself, Wall Street acts as the heart of big business being the home of the New York Stock Exchange, although the narrow street also holds some historical attractions, namely Federal Hall, where George Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the United States. Nearby, the World Trade Center Site is undergoing construction of a memorial to the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Connecting Financial District to Downtown Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge offers fantastic views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines.

Moving north to Midtown, Manhattan's other major business district, you'll find some of New York's most famous landmarks. The Empire State Building looms over it all as one of the tallest buildings in the city, with the nearby Chrysler Building also dominating the landscape. Nearby is the headquarters of United Nations overlooking the East River and Grand Central Terminal, one of the busiest train stations in the world. Also nearby is the main branch of the New York Public Library, a beautiful building famous for its magnificent reading rooms and the lion statues outside the front door; and Rockefeller Plaza, home to NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall, and (during the winter) the famous Christmas Tree and Skating Rink.

Still in the Midtown area but just to the west, in the Theater District, is the tourist center of New York: Times Square, filled with bright, flashing video screens and LED signs running 24 hours a day. Just to the north is Central Park, with its lawns, trees and lakes popular for recreation and concerts.

Museums and galleries
New York has some of the finest museums in the world. All the public museums (notably including the Metropolitan Museum), which are run by the city, accept donations for an entrance fee, but private museums (especially the Museum of Modern Art) can be very expensive. In addition to the major museums, hundreds of small galleries are spread throughout the city, notably in neighborhoods like Chelsea and Williamsburg. Many galleries and museums in New York close on Mondays, so be sure to check hours before visiting. The following is just a list of highlights; see district pages for more listings.

Arts and culture
New York City is home to some of the finest art museums in the country, and in Manhattan, you'll find the grandest of them all. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in Central Park has vast holdings that represent a series of collections, each of which ranks in its category among the finest in the world. Within this single building you'll find perhaps the world's finest collection of American artwork, period rooms, thousands of European paintings including Rembrandts and Vermeers, the greatest collection of Egyptian art outside Cairo, one of the world's finest Islamic art collections, Asian art, European sculpture, medieval and Renaissance art, and antiquities from around the ancient world. As if all that wasn't enough, the Metropolitan also operates The Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan, houses a collection of medieval art and incorporates elements from five medieval French cloisters and other monastic sites in southern France in its renowned gardens.

Near the Metropolitan, in the Upper East Side, is the Guggenheim Museum. Although more famed for its architecture than the collection it hosts, the spiraling galleries are ideal for exhibiting art works. Also nearby is the Whitney Museum of American Art, with a collection of contemporary American art. In Midtown, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) holds the most comprehensive collection of modern art in the world, and is so large as to require multiple visits to see all of the works on display, which include Van Gogh's Starry Night and Picasso's Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, as well as an extensive industrial design collection. Midtown is also home to the Paley Center for Media, a museum dedicated to television and radio, including a massive database of old shows.

In Brooklyn's Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Museum of Art is the city's second largest art museum with excellent collections of Egyptian art, Assyrian reliefs, 19th-century American art, and art from Africa and Oceania, among other things. Long Island City in Queens is home to a number of art museums, including the PS1 Contemporary Art Center, an affiliate of the Museum of Modern Art, and the Museum of the Moving Image, which showcases movies and the televisual arts.

Science and technology
In New York City, no museum holds a sway over children like the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan's Upper West Side. Containing the Hayden Planetarium, incredible astronomy exhibits, animal dioramas, many rare and beautiful gems and mineral specimens, anthropology halls, and one of the largest collections of dinosaur skeletons in the world, this place offers plenty of stunning sights.

Near Times Square in the Theater District, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum takes up a pier on the Hudson River, with the aircraft carrier Intrepid docked here and holding some incredible air and space craft.

Over in the Flushing district of Queens, on the grounds of the former World's Fair, is the New York Hall of Science, which incorporates the Great Hall of the fair and now full of hands-on exhibits for kids to enjoy.

Eat
See the individual city or district articles.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Metro New York


text:
Metropolis

Metropolis is a small city in Southern Illinois probably named out of wishful thinking which hasn't really been borne out. The town's current claim to fame is as the host for a floating riverboat casino run by the Harrah's casino chain of Reno, Nevada. The town has also capitalized on its name by erecting what is referred to on road signs as a Giant Statue of Superman of DC Comics fame. In fact though the statue is called giant it's less than half as tall as the statue of Big John the grocer which is found in front of the Big John's supermarket on the way into town.

By plane

The nearest airport with commercial flights is Barkley Regional Airport, which serves the larger city of Paducah across the river in Kentucky. However, most locals prefer to fly out of either Lambert-St. Louis International Airport or Nashville International Airport, both of which are roughly a three-hour drive.

See

 * The thing to see is the Super Museum, which houses an impressive collection of Superman memorabilia from comics, films, and television.

Do
The Americana Hollywood Museum is also located in Metropolis. It contains displays of items used in various movies, television shows, and live performances.

John Wayne, Pamela Anderson, Houdini, Lost in Space, various monster movies, Finding Nemo, and many other displays are set up.

Sleep

 * Baymont Inn (formerly the Amerihost Inn), 203 E Front St - has a pool, hot tub, hot breakfast, and many other amenities.

title: Metropolis


text:
Metropolitan Alabama

Metropolitan Alabama is the central region of the U.S. state of Alabama. As the name suggests, Metropolitan Alabama is home to Alabama's biggest urban area, the Birmingham metropolitan area, but also includes other towns and rural areas.

Cities

 * - the largest city in Alabama
 * - site of much of Alabama's 20th-century steel industry; in decline since the 1960s
 * - Noccalula Falls and Lookout Mountain
 * - a suburb south of Birmingham; home of Samford University
 * - another Birmingham suburb
 * - home to The University of Alabama, former state capital, Mercedes Benz USI, several museums, and Dreamland BBQ
 * - Noccalula Falls and Lookout Mountain
 * - a suburb south of Birmingham; home of Samford University
 * - another Birmingham suburb
 * - home to The University of Alabama, former state capital, Mercedes Benz USI, several museums, and Dreamland BBQ
 * - another Birmingham suburb
 * - home to The University of Alabama, former state capital, Mercedes Benz USI, several museums, and Dreamland BBQ
 * - home to The University of Alabama, former state capital, Mercedes Benz USI, several museums, and Dreamland BBQ
 * - home to The University of Alabama, former state capital, Mercedes Benz USI, several museums, and Dreamland BBQ
 * - home to The University of Alabama, former state capital, Mercedes Benz USI, several museums, and Dreamland BBQ
 * - home to The University of Alabama, former state capital, Mercedes Benz USI, several museums, and Dreamland BBQ
 * - home to The University of Alabama, former state capital, Mercedes Benz USI, several museums, and Dreamland BBQ

Other destinations

 * - In the spring of 1814, General Andrew Jackson and an army of 3,300 men attacked 1,000 Upper Creek warriors on the Tallapoosa River. Over 800 Upper Creeks died defending their homeland.

By road
Interstates 65, 20, and 59, and US routes 31, 43, 11, 280, 78, and 278 lead into Metropolitan Alabama. This is the best way to get in.

By air
Birmingham International Airport in Birmingham serves Metropolitan Alabama.

By train
Amtrak's Crescent line has daily stops in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Anniston.

title: Metropolitan Alabama


text:
Metropolitan area airport codes

In addition to individual-airport codes, IATA, the FAA, and various booking engines have assigned "metropolitan area codes" which represent several airports serving a metropolitan area. Not every region served with multiple airports is assigned a location identifier, however, nor are all IATA-recognized facilities necessarily included; furthermore, the inclusion or exclusion of a facility may depend on the booking system.

For example, the code, representing the New York City area, includes flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport  and LaGuardia Airport. In some systems, Westchester County Airport is also included; however,  (New York Penn Station),  (Islip Airport), and  (West 30th Street Heliport) are generally not.

Booking travel
Metropolitan area airport codes are handy for simplifying flight searches into or out of a region. Some booking engines which include airports based on distance from a point can be tricked into extending the search through use of the city code.

Extra caution is advised when booking connecting flights, however, as the inbound leg may arrive at a different airport from the outbound leg, necessitating a ground transfer that may be costly or time-consuming. In particular, many major cities channel most international flights through one airport and most domestic or short-haul flights into a different one.

Smaller domestic airports are more likely to be served by low cost airlines but that might also force you to re-check your luggage. Ask your airline if they allow interlining tickets — checking your luggage through to the final destination on multiple tickets.

List of airport area codes
Metropolitan areas are organised alphabetically, first by continent then by city. Many flight search engines may not recognise all these group codes when making queries.

Asia

 * Beijing, China
 * Beijing Capital International
 * Beijing Daxing International

 * Jakarta, Indonesia
 * Soekarno-Hatta International
 * Halim Perdanakusuma

 * Osaka, Japan
 * Kansai International
 * Itami

 * Sapporo, Japan
 * New Chitose
 * Okadama

 * Seoul, South Korea
 * Incheon International
 * Gimpo International

 * Tokyo, Japan
 * Tokyo Narita
 * Tokyo Haneda

Europe
Now only referring to Berlin Brandenburg Airport
 * Berlin, Germany

 * Bucharest, Romania
 * Bucharest Otopeni
 * Bucharest Baneasa

 * Basel, Switzerland and Mulhouse, France: - This is a special case as all codes refer to (separate areas of) the same airport, which is shared between France and Switzerland. Flights may be priced (and treated) differently depending on the airport code you book. All flights from France to MLH are treated as domestic flights, while flights from France to BSL are not. For search engines that can handle it, EAP should find quotes for both BSL and MLH
 * Basel
 * Mulhouse

 * London, United Kingdom
 * London Biggin Hill (small general aviation airfield)
 * London City
 * London Gatwick
 * London Luton
 * London Heathrow
 * London-Liverpool Street Station (British Rail Terminal for STN)
 * London-Paddington Rail Terminal (British Rail Terminal for LHR)
 * London-St Pancras Rail Terminal (Eurostar and British Rail Terminal for LTN)
 * London Southend
 * London Stansted
 * London-Victoria Station (British Rail Terminal for LGW)
 * London-Waterloo Rail Station (former Eurostar)

 * Milan, Italy
 * Malpensa International
 * Linate

 * Moscow, Russia
 * Moscow Sheremetyevo
 * Moscow Domodedovo
 * Moscow Vnukovo

 * Paris, France
 * Charles de Gaulle (Roissy)
 * Paris Orly
 * Le Bourget

 * Rome, Italy
 * Leonardo da Vinci International (Fiumicino)
 * Giovan-Battista Pastine International (Ciampino)

 * Stockholm, Sweden
 * Arlanda
 * Skavsta AB (Nykoping)
 * Bromma

North America

 * Chicago, United States of America-
 * Chicago O'Hare International
 * Chicago Midway International

 * Detroit, United States of America-
 * Detroit Metro Wayne County

 * Willow Run/Ypsilanti

 * Houston, United States of America QHO - Recognized in Sabre and ITA but not IATA
 * Houston Bush Intercontinental
 * Houston Hobby

 * Los Angeles, United States of America QLA - Recognized in Sabre and ITA but not IATA
 * Los Angeles International
 * Ontario International
 * John Wayne Orange County
 * Burbank

 * Miami, United States of America QMI - Recognized in Sabre and ITA but not IATA
 * Miami International
 * Ft. Lauderdale International
 * Palm Beach International

 * Montreal, Canada
 * Pierre-Elliott Trudeau International
 * Central Station

 * New York City, United States of America
 * John F. Kennedy International
 * Newark Liberty International
 * La Guardia Airport
 * Westchester County/White Plains Airport

 * San Francisco Bay Area, United States of America QSF - Recognized in Sabre and ITA; elsewhere, represents Ain Arnat Airport in Setif, Algeria
 * San Francisco Bay Oakland International
 * San Francisco International
 * Norman Y. Mineta San José International

 * Toronto, Canada
 * Lester B. Pearson International
 * Billy Bishop Toronto City

 * Washington DC, United States of America
 * Washington Dulles International Airport
 * Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
 * Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport

South America

 * Buenos Aires, Argentina
 * Ezeiza International Airport
 * Aeroparque Jorge Newbery

 * Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
 * Galeão - Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport (better known as Galeão International Airport)
 * Aeroporto Santos Dumont

 * São Paulo, Brazil
 * Aeroporto Internacional Guarulhos
 * Congonhas International Airport
 * Viracopos International Airport

title: Metropolitan area airport codes


text:
Metro Valley

Metro Valley is in West Virginia.

Cities

 * (Upper Falls)
 * (Upper Falls)
 * (Upper Falls)
 * (Upper Falls)
 * (Upper Falls)
 * (Upper Falls)
 * (Upper Falls)
 * (Upper Falls)
 * (Upper Falls)
 * (Upper Falls)
 * (Upper Falls)
 * (Upper Falls)
 * (Upper Falls)
 * (Upper Falls)

title: Metro Valley


text:
MetroWest

MetroWest is a region just west of Greater Boston in Massachusetts.

Cities

 * — Visit Old North Bridge, where the famed "shot heard 'round the world" was fired.
 * — This sprawling former manufacturing town is a suburban tech hub with an ethnically diverse population.
 * — The largest shopping area in the state, suburban malls stretch along Route 9 mile after mile.

Towns

 * —
 * —
 * —
 * —
 * —
 * —

Get in
By car, you'll be using the Mass Pike (Interstate 90), coming from Boston, or from Worcester, Springfield, and Hartford.

Get around
Having a car will be the easiest way for most people to get around.

By bicycle
To the north you'll find the popular Minuteman Bikeway which ends in Bedford. From there, many follow the Reformatory Trail to Concord, but a great alternate is the Battle Road Trail. This hard packed dirt path cuts through the National Historic Park and retraces the initial skirmishes of the Revolutionary War. To the west the fantastic Bruce Freeman Rail Trail connects Concord with Lowell, and the excellent Mass Central Rail Trail ends in Wayland (for now), and will carry you through to Boston. To the south, the impressive but less visited Assabet River Rail Trail runs south from Acton and is always scenic. Finally, the Upper Charles and Cochituate Rail Trails await connections. There are also many opportunities for mountain biking in the region's State Parks and other natural areas.

See

 * Minute Man National Historical Park

Museums

 * DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park
 * Gropius House

With children

 * Discovery Museum
 * Drumlin Farm
 * Fun and Games

Parks
Ashland State Park, Hopkinton State Park, Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle, Walden Pond State Reservation and Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, Callahan State Park in Framingham, Lake Cochituate State Park in Natick.

Shopping malls

 * Natick Mall, Jordan's Furniture, Sherwood Plaza, Cloverleaf Mall in Natick.
 * Shopper's World, Framingham Mall, Framingham Plaza in Framingham.

Drink

 * Rail Trail Flatbread and Medusa Brewing Co in Hudson.
 * Jack's Abby Brewing in Framingham.

Sleep

 * Longfellow's Wayside Inn in Sudbury.

Go next

 * Merrimack Valley — Along the mighty Merrimack river you'll find 19th-century industrial mill towns blended with modern suburbs, rural farms, and quaint orchards.
 * Greater Boston — The most populated region in New England, this is the urbanized collection of towns that tightly surround the eponymous city.
 * Bristol-Norfolk — A collection of forests, rural communities and bedroom suburbs on the way to Providence, Rhode Island.
 * North County (Massachusetts) — Urban grit and college town vitality combine to create a cosmopolitan flavor.
 * Blackstone Valley — Dotted with mill towns, many retaining impressive examples of 19th century industrial architecture.

title: MetroWest


text:
Mettupalayam

Mettupalayam is a municipality of Coimbatore district. It is situated at the foothills of Nilgiris on the bank river Bhavani on Coimbatore-Guddalor State Highways. Mettupalayam Municipality was formed in the year 1948. Subsequently, Mettupalayam Municipality has been upgraded as Ist Grade Municipality from 1.4.1978.

By road
Coimbatore Road, Sathy Road, Ooty Road, Annur Road are the 4 major highway roads connecting Mettupalayam.

By rail
Mettupalayam Railway Station Connects Coimbatore and Udhagamandalam. The two major trains connecting Mettupaalayam are: Mettupalayam to Chennai Central - Nilgiri Express train (Via Coimbatore, Erode, Salem) and Mettupalayam to Ooty - Hill Train (Via Coonoor).

By plane
Coimbatore Airport is about 45 km from Mettupalayam.

See

 * Black Thunder This theme park is the main place of interest. It is in the Ooty main road, 4 km from mettupalayam central.
 * Bhadrakaliamman temple Arulmighu Vana Bhadrakaliamman Temple is situated at thekampatti village, 5 km from mettuplalyam central.

Buy
Potatoes, Tree saplings, Bhavani water, Narasus coffee, Tea dust etc., forestry tree cultivation details

Connect
B.S.N.L cellular (mobile) network is available here. India post has its post office here. It has courier service all over India. It also sells stamps, postcards, inland letters and postal envelopes.

Go next

 * Mysore
 * Kollegal
 * Chamarajanagar

title: Mettupalayam


text:
Metz

Metz is in the Grand-Est region of France and in the Moselle departement that borders Luxembourg and Germany.

Understand
Due to its German heritage and military tradition, Metz has yet to earn much respect in the eyes of the French. Most of the criticism about Metz is clichéd and unwarranted; in fact, Strasbourg has stronger German heritage yet has been overwhelmingly embraced by the French and visitors alike.

Metz and the rest of the region offer much to view of historical interest, as well as a well-rounded shopping scene, ranging from the low- to high-end and including a great Saturday farmers' market.

History and name
This location has been inhabited from the days of early man, and was subsequently settled and fought over too many times to name. The first known permanent settlers in the area were a Celtic tribe known as the Mediomatrici. They found that the area was rich in resources, and supposed it easier to defend, as the confluence of the Seille and Moselle rivers created several islands at this spot. The area became known as the Oppidum of the Medioatrici until the Greco-Roman times, when the city was incorporated into the Roman Empire and become known as Divodurum Mediomatricum, meaning the "Holy Fortress of the Mediomatric". Later, the name evolved to Mediometrix. In the 5th century the name evolved into 'Mettis', which ultimately evolved into 'Metz'.

Metz was the birthplace of the Carolingian Dynasty before becoming the capital of the burgeoning Kingdom of Lotharingia (855-958 AD); then it was the capital of the Duchy of Upper Lorraine (959-1233), before breaking away to form an independent city state during the high Middle Ages (1234-1552). As such, Metz was one of the most powerful cities in feudal Europe, and this rich cultural history can still be seen, particularly in its grand Cathedral and its beautiful old town built using the "pierre de Jaumont", a local yellow-colored limestone.

Tourism information

 * Metz city website
 * Metz Tourist Office

Talk
Although Metz is close to Luxembourg and Germany, locals are not fluent in German and speak French as in any other French city. The local German dialect (Platt) is spoken in some parts of northern and eastern Moselle but spoken in Metz infrequently.

By car
Metz lies along the A31, north of Nancy and south of Luxembourg. From Paris or Strasbourg, take the A4 to the A31; Metz is just to the south.

By plane

 * If you are feeling adventurous or do not mind taking your time, you can also fly from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Strasbourg, and Saarbrücken airports.
 * If you are feeling adventurous or do not mind taking your time, you can also fly from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Strasbourg, and Saarbrücken airports.
 * If you are feeling adventurous or do not mind taking your time, you can also fly from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Strasbourg, and Saarbrücken airports.

By train
If you have a Eurail pass you will probably not be able to leave for a few weeks (you must make reservations way in advance).

The train from Luxembourg costs €16.50.

By car
Driving in the centre of town is not recommended. Park in one of the parking areas (well-marked from the main roads in) and walk or use public transport.

Be aware of immigrant beggars in parking areas offering to watch your car and approaching you at ticket machines when your wallet is in your hand. Local police refuse to prevent this activity even though they accept it is illegal and keeps visitors away.

On foot

 * This is an easy city to navigate on foot as most any-place is a short walk and it takes less time to walk than to spend time looking for parking.
 * Take a downtown map if you do not know your way around, however, you will find it easy to learn the layout and will very soon be comfortable on your own.
 * Take your time and enjoy the varied sights and sounds of this city. Its buildings are varied in design, style and age with fun and fanciful details you will miss if you are not looking.
 * Everything in the city centre is easily accessible on foot, and much of the main downtown/shopping area is pedestrian. There are a few hills, though!

By bicycle

 * Bikes are also a great way to get around, though the same comment about hills applies here too.
 * If the weather is nice, rent a bike and head south along the river Moselle in the direction of Nancy or Thionville. Paths are well-marked, well-maintained, and mostly flat.  Bikes are available next to the train station or across the street from the cathedral.  Cost is €10 per day (but requires a credit card number or cash deposit of €100 per bike).

Do

 * In December, Christmas markets can be found in many places. They are the best places to drink hot mulled wine (vin chaud).
 * Drive down Foch street and check out the apartment and homes built by the former wealthier inhabits of the city.
 * Attend a performance of The Metz Philharmonic Orchastrata\ra.
 * Visit the Metz TI center
 * Take "The Little White Train" city tour (Starts in front of the TI Center)
 * Football: FC Metz were promoted in 2023 and now play soccer in Ligue 1, the top tier in France. Their home ground (capacity 25,600) is 2 km southwest of city centre.
 * Other professional sports teams include H2ML (women's handball), SMEC (men's handball and table tennis), RC Metz (rugby). If you want to see ice hockey games, you can drive to Amneville which is home of the "Amneville Galaxians".

Buy

 * A book at the TI Center for the kids that illustrates the story of the St. Clement and the dragon.

Budget
All these are in the city centre:

Stay safe
Metz is quite a safe town. Even so, it might be a good idea to avoid suburbs like Borny or St Eloy, and the old town's small alleys by night.

In the centre, some people are likely to ask you to give them some money or a cigarette. Feel free to say no.

Don't walk from Lafayette to Resam (Résidence Arts & Métiers de Metz-Technopôle) late at night.

Connect
As of June 2022, Metz has 5G from all French carriers.

Go next

 * Amnéville, small town 10 km north of Metz, that features an indoor skiing hall, a casino, two thermal centers, a zoo, a large swimming pool, an ice-rink and the largest arena in eastern France, all in the same area.
 * World War II Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial: Take Highway N-3 about 45 kilometers (28 miles) east to Saint-Avold then go north on Highway N-33 for 1.2 kilometers (3/4 mile). Open daily except for December 25 and January 1; 09:00-17:00. The cemetery is the second largest American cemetery in Europe and is the final resting place for 10,489 American military dead lost during the drive to push the Germans from France.  A monument is inscribed with the names of 444 Americans whose remains were never found or identified.  The memorial contains mosaic maps of World War II campaigns. Free. The largest American Cemetery and Memorial is in Meuse-Argonne France, which covers, rest the largest number of American military dead in Europe, a total of 14,246. Most of those buried here lost their lives during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War I. It is one hour and 15 minutes away from Metz.
 * Thionville, 30 km north of Metz, is Moselle's second largest town.

title: Metz


text:
Meulaboh

Meulaboh is a remote city in the province of Aceh in Indonesia. It is located on the western Indian Ocean coast of Sumatra island, about 175 km southeast of the provincial capital Banda Aceh. Meulaboh is among the hardest hit areas by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.

title: Meulaboh