Your 18th birthday is a special day because it marks the end of your childhood and the beginning of your life as a grown-up; therefore it should be celebrated in style. That's why a day or evening spent in New York would be an ideal way to make your passage into adulthood a fun and memorable event.

What better way to celebrate your 18th birthday than investing in a new wardrobe? New York City has some of the best shopping districts in the world to suit every budget and style, so you could gather a group of your best friends and spend a day or even a weekend hitting the shops.

Visit the area of Soho for the newest and hottest trends and fashion outlets, North of Little Italy (Nolita) for funky boutiques, and the East Village for bohemian and hippie-chick clothes, says Frommers.

New York City is as cosmopolitan as it gets, its residents are a melting pot of nationalities from all over the world, and this reflects in the food on offer. If you are a food lover, spend your 18th birthday sampling the food from around the globe as you tour the city.

For Chinese, hit Chinatown and look out for small and basic-looking eateries filled with local New Yorkers; these are usually the best, says travel operator Alex Blunt. If you're craving Italian food, head to Soho or Nolita for an authentic slice of pizza or lasagna hot from the oven. You'll find great sandwiches and snack foods in Greenwich Village, vegan food at s'Nice between 45 Eighth Ave at West 4th Street, and cafe culture to rival Paris in the area of Chelsea.

Spend your 18th birthday seeing the sights of New York City with a special friend and take a camera to record what you see. Start by taking a horse-drawn carriage through Central Park. Then enjoy a boat ride on The Lake in the park if it's summertime, or doing some ice-skating at the rink there, if you visit during winter.

Take a walk around Times Square, absorb the hustle and bustle of the busy crowds and have a hot dog and a soda from a street vendor to toast your birthday in true New York style. A trip to the top of the Empire State Building to see the city from above would be a great way to finish off your day. Better still, if you have the budget, organize a helicopter flight as the sun sets and make sure you fly over the Statue of Liberty.

A wonderful way to spend the evening of your 18th birthday in New York would be to go to a live show. The city is renowned for the quality and breadth of its entertainment; with everything from music, theater and comedy to sports, there is something to suit all tastes and interests.

You could get dressed up with your friends and go to see a musical, laugh out loud at a stand-up comedy show, enjoy some world-class jazz music, or cheer on your favorite sports team at a live game. Whatever suits you, a live show in New York is bound to make your special day a memorable one, too.