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New York City has some of the most iconic tourist attractions in the world, including the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Empire State Building. This makes it a sightseeing dream. Most of the top attractions are in the borough of Manhattan, but The Botanic Gardens in the Bronx and Coney Island are also well worth a visit, so it’s worth thinking about venturing further afield during your visit.
Strap on a pair of comfortable shoes — here are our 13 can’t-miss attractions in NYC.
1. Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is arguably New York City’s most iconic sight and a must-do for first-time visitors. This world symbol of freedom was a gift from France on America’s 100th birthday and is one of the world’s largest statues, standing just over 46 meters tall from the base to the torch.
The best way to appreciate the Statue of Liberty is to take a short boat trip to Liberty Island to see it up close. Wander around the base of the statue, and if you reserve in advance, it’s possible to take a guided tour up to the pedestal or the crown.
Tours to the Statue of Liberty usually stop at Ellis Island on the Hudson River, where thousands of immigrants were processed before entering the United States. The Immigration Museum tells its stories in fascinating detail.
The Staten Island Ferry is another great way of seeing the Statue of Liberty up close as the ferry route brings you right past the Statue, with great views of Manhattan and Battery Park on the return journey. The ferry makes dozens of trips a day, leaving every 20 minutes or so, and it is completely free!
2. Central Park
Central Park is another must-see destination in NYC. You can walk, cycle, or even take a carriage ride through this world-famous park. It was the first major landscaped urban park in the USA back in 1853 when wealthy New Yorkers would stroll through the park and gossip with their neighbors. Although it looks all natural now, almost all of the hills, woodlands, and forests were created from scratch by 19th-century landscapers.
The park is huge at half a mile wide and 2.5 miles long. It attracts around 42 million visitors every year, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. Just be careful you don’t get lost!
There are many attractions within the park itself. The Central Park Zoo is home to a number of rare and unusual species, including polar bears and snow leopards. In winter, you can lace on some skates and try ice skating. The park’s west side is known as The Ramble, a 38-acre wilderness area with winding trails, rocks, and streams. This is a fantastic place to spread out a blanket for a picnic in the warmer months.
The American Museum of Natural History can be accessed through Central Park West. Filled with show-stopping displays, including a 94-feet long blue whale, this expertly curated museum is brimming with interesting artifacts.
On the other side of Central Park is New York’s Guggenheim Museum, occupying a nautilus-shaped, Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building on the corner of Fifth Avenue and East 89th Street. The building itself is a work of art, but the Guggenheim is also home to collections of masterpieces by Monet, Picasso, and Chagall.
3. Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Center is a Big Apple landmark — a vast entertainment and shopping complex in the middle of Manhattan. The centerpiece is the 70-story 30 Rockefeller Plaza, an Art Deco skyscraper offering stunning views over Manhattan.
Head to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, which is spread over three floors with both indoor and outdoor viewing spaces. The historic Rainbow Room is located on the 65th floor and is a great spot to splash out on fine dining and fancy cocktails. Tickets can be purchased in advance and are flexible if your plans or the weather changes.
In winter, there is an outdoor skating rink at the base of the tower. This is a great spot if you are a novice or first-time skater, as there will be plenty of others just like you! A huge Christmas tree is erected in front of the skating rink from Thanksgiving onwards.
4. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
MoMA has two locations: MoMA in Midtown Manhattan and MoMA PS1 in Queens. MoMA was founded in 1989 and houses a varied collection of modern and contemporary art. Other attractions include a cinema screening art-house films, and a sculpture garden with works by Picasso and Rodin. On Fridays, entry is free, which might appeal as the standard entry fee isn’t cheap.
If you visit MoMA, make sure you spend some time at St Patrick’s Cathedral, which is just a few minutes walk away. NYC’s greatest Cathedral welcomes visitors of all faiths, and tours run throughout the day.
Over the river, the MoMA PS1 in Queens presents over 50 exhibitions each year, with artists’ retrospectives and site-specific installations on display. It also offers a full schedule of music and performance programming. The museum is housed in a distinctive Romanesque Revival building (a former public school) and hosts a popular Saturday afternoon summer party called Warm Up.
5. Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Met as it is usually known, is one of the most famous museums in the United States, if not the world. It was founded in 1870 and contains more than two million works of art, spanning a 5,000-year time period.
The museum is spread over two sites, but the flagship is The Met Fifth Avenue, with its collection of American art, arms and armor, photographs, and much more. This massive site takes up 11.5 acres within Central Park and hosts more than four million visitors every year. The rooftop garden offers spectacular views of Central Park and the Midtown skyline.
The Met Cloisters, the second site, is located in Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan. It’s housed in a unique structure that was built using original elements of medieval European monasteries, churches, and castles. Exhibits focus on the medieval art and architecture of Europe — a visit here is like traveling back in time.
6. Chinatown
Head to Chinatown, in the Lower Manhattan area, and you might feel like you’ve been transported to a different continent. Some of the best restaurants in NYC are in Chinatown, with virtually every Asian cuisine represented.
Check out the stands on Mott and Grand Streets, selling exotic foodstuffs like live eels, square watermelons, and hairy rambutans. Or head to Canal Street for jewelry stores and gift shops. If you fancy something a little more European to eat, the north of Chinatown borders Little Italy, where you will find Italian specialties galore.
Top tip: Chinatown is home to Mmuseumm, a museum hidden in a tiny abandoned elevator shaft. Swing by while you’re in Chinatown to see what exhibitions are on offer.
7. Broadway
Seeing a Broadway show is one of the absolute highlights of any visit to New York City. Around 13 million locals and tourists see shows in one of the 40 Broadway theaters every year, and it’s an activity not to be missed. The theater district is roughly found within 41st Street to 52nd Street and Sixth Ave to Eighth Ave. As you might expect, the program offers something for everyone, from megamusicals and plays to star-driven revivals.
For the most popular shows, you will need to purchase your ticket months in advance. But if you’re relaxed about which show you see, discounted tickets can be found, especially for weeknight and matinee performances.
8. Empire State Building
This city landmark was the tallest building in the world when it opened in 1931, immediately becoming a landmark and a symbol for NYC. There are two observatories at the top, both offering spectacular views. On a clear day, you can see as far as 80 miles into the neighboring states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
The observation decks are accessed by high-speed, automatic elevators. There are glass-enclosed areas that are heated in winter and cooled in summer. And for those with a head for heights, there are spacious outdoor promenades on all four sides of the building.
Given its legendary status, it’s no great surprise that lines for the Empire State Building are always long. So it’s worth considering a ticket that lets you bypass the lines. But whether you choose to wait in line or pay the extra, this is an experience not to be missed.
9. Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market is located in the heart of NYC’s Meatpacking District and is THE place to come for foodies and shopping addicts. The wide range of eateries caters to every taste, and as one of New York City’s best food halls with over 35 vendors, you can find everything from lobster bisque to tacos here.
If you like to cook, you’ll appreciate being able to purchase prime cuts from some of the best butchers in the City, as well as artisanal cheeses, fresh produce, and imported Italian dry goods.
One of the city’s best flea markets (Artists & Fleas) is also at Chelsea Market. Here you can buy greeting cards, unique gifts, artwork, vintage apparel, and more. Chelsea Market also hosts regular events featuring live music and performing arts.
10. 9/11 Memorial & Museum
The World Trade Center’s twin 110-story towers dominated the Manhattan skyline until the horrifying terror attack in 2001. Two square reflecting pools are now in the places where the towers stood, each one acre in size and surrounded by trees and grass. This area is a moving tribute to the almost 3,000 people who were killed as a result of the attacks, and bronze panels around the pools name those who died.
The 9/11 Museum is one of New York’s most popular things to do, so tickets must be purchased online or at the window in advance. When you buy your tickets, you will choose a time to visit, and you must stick to your time slot.
The museum entry is free between 3.30 pm and 5 pm, but you still need to book tickets in advance.
11. One World Trade Center
One World Trade Center is currently the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, and this glass building can be seen from all over the City. Its angular shape gives it a very distinct appearance in the Manhattan skyline that has become an iconic place to visit.
The One World Observatory observation deck offers outstanding views from almost 550 meters above the city. The 60-second elevator to the top is a great part of the attraction, with the surrounding panels showing New York as it has transformed over the years. At the top is the One Café for something casual to eat, One Mix for small plates and cocktails, or One Dine for a full dining experience with panoramic views.
12. Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of New York City’s most recognizable landmarks, spanning the East River from Manhattan to Brooklyn. The structure, with its Gothic-shaped arches and suspension cables, was completed in 1883 and was the world’s first steel suspension bridge. It attracts thousands of tourists and local visitors each year.
You can get a great view of Brooklyn Bridge from many of the ferries, or along the East Side of Manhattan. But to truly appreciate the design and scale, set aside an hour and walk across it. There is a wood plank walkway, only open to pedestrians and cyclists, which runs above the lanes of traffic.
Be sure to stop at the viewing platform at the first pillar for fantastic views back to Wall Street in the financial district and over the East River to the Statue of Liberty.
13. Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue, also known as Millionaire’s Row, is New York’s premier shopping area and is home to top designer’s flagship stores, including Cartier, Tiffany, and Apple (which also has free internet access if you happen to need it). It crosses the whole of Manhattan from north to south and offers the world’s most expensive retail spaces — even more expensive than the Champs-Élysées in Paris or Ginza in Tokyo. So even if you’re only window shopping, this is a great place to visit.
Endless Sights to See in NYC
There are so many incredible attractions to see in New York City, this would be a very long list if we included them all. The fact that Times Square, The High Line, Radio City Music Hall, and the Chrysler Building have not even been featured here tells you all you need to know!
Featured Image Credit: spyarm
