Do you want to know what to visit in New York?
From historic sites to new places, this is the best of the city.
Sure, New York City offers a plethora of attractions for visitors of all tastes. From iconic landmarks to world-class museums, there’s something for everyone. One must-visit spot is the Statue of Liberty, symbolizing freedom and democracy. Visitors can take a ferry to Liberty Island for an up-close view.
Another iconic destination is Times Square, known for its dazzling lights, Broadway theaters, and bustling atmosphere. Central Park is a green oasis in the heart of the city, offering scenic walks, boating, and picnicking opportunities. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses an extensive collection spanning centuries and cultures, while the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) showcases contemporary art masterpieces.
For panoramic views of the city, head to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck or the Empire State Building’s observation deck. These are just a few highlights; the city is full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
1. Empire State Building
Try to imagine the New York skyline without the towering spire of the Empire State Building. Impossible, right? Although it took only 11 months to build, this 443-meter-high landmark became the tallest building in the city in 1931, when it was completed.
During your visit, pay special attention to the lobby, which has an art deco design and was restored in 2009. You can also impress your friends while they are waiting in line for the observation deck with this information: in 1945, 14 tenants died when a plane crashed into the 79th floor due to dense fog; the terrace on the 103rd floor was once intended for use as a landing station for airships; The lights on the top three parts of the building can illuminate with up to nine colors at a time.
2. The Brooklyn Bridge
More than just a river crossing, this space is an elegant reminder of New York’s history of architectural innovation. When it opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was an engineering feat: it was the first structure to cross the East River and simultaneously the longest suspension bridge in the world. (Steel cables, invented by the bridge’s original designer, John A. Roebling, were also used.) It now attracts thousands of tourists and locals, who enjoy spectacular views of southern Manhattan and other city highlights (such as the Statue of Liberty and Governors Island) as they travel more than a mile to cross it. But be careful: you may bump into the inexperienced cyclist trying to avoid the crowds in the pedestrian area.
3. Central Park
New York’s love affair with its most famous green space is well-documented in song, literature, and movies, but there’s still a lot to love about the country’s first designed public park. Urban visionaries Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux sought a harmonious balance of elements in the landscape: pastoral (the large grassy area in Sheep Meadow), formal (the linear, tree-filled Mall), and picturesque (the densely tree-lined paths in the Ramble).
Today, the 800-acre park attracts millions of visitors to its skyscraper-lined views throughout the seasons: picnickers and sunbathers in summer, skaters in winter, birdwatchers in spring and fall. It’s also an idyllic location for beloved cultural events, such as Shakespeare in the Park and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra’s annual outdoor performance.
4. The Statue of Liberty
Perhaps no other New York attraction is as iconic—or as avoided by tourist-averse New Yorkers—as the Statue of Liberty. Our advice: avoid the crowds by wearing foam crowns and skip the ferry line by pre-booking your ticket with the cruise and tour combo (see statuecruises.com for more information).
Climbing to the crown offers a panoramic view of New York Harbor and the opportunity to literally see the nuts and bolts of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi’s creation.
We also recommend a stop at the Liberty Island museum, if only to marvel at the initial ambivalence of 19th-century New Yorkers when asked to fund the construction of the pedestal. Ferries depart from Castle Clinton.
5. Grand Central Terminal
For more than 100 years, this transportation hub has channeled thousands of travelers daily (more than 700,000 per day) through its spacious corridors and concourses. Although it is technically a stopover for those looking to go elsewhere, the building is a destination in itself.
With its grandiose Beaux Arts architectural structure, the terminal is a spectacle of both form and functionality. Its most notable features are the vaulted ceiling decorated with constellations and the four-sided opal clock that crowns the main information booth, located on the Grand Concourse.
Above the 42nd Street entrance, you can see the symbolism of Mercury, god of travel (naturally), and a clock adorned with a Tiffany stained glass window.
6. Metropolitan Museum of Art
The adjective ‘huge’ doesn’t begin to describe this Manhattan institution: it’s one of the few places in the city where you could literally spend an entire day and only see a fraction of the interior. Behind the doors of its iconic neoclassical facade are 17 collections spanning countless eras and cultural perspectives, from prehistoric Egyptian artifacts to contemporary photography.
Those seeking to satisfy their anthropological curiosity can explore the extensive collection of musical instruments, weapons and armor or the Costume Institute, with clothing from several centuries.
And for the most committed visitors who have already toured the permanent collections (an admirable feat), they can return year after year to see the special exhibits. Some of the highest-grossing films have examined the career of the late designer Alexander McQueen and highlighted the works of Pablo Picasso.
7. Rockefeller Center
You’ll find several iconic New York sites in this multi-block complex: the ground floor alone is home to an ice rink packed with tourists, the bronze statue of Atlas, and the plaza from the ‘Today’ show. Higher up, the Top of the Rock rivals the Empire State Building with its panoramic view.
You may not be able to access the five private rooftop gardens if you’re not part of the ‘Saturday Night Live’ cast, but if you’re curious, you can check out the spaces from the Saks Fifth Avenue shoe department on the eighth floor.
No special permits are required to inspect the Art Deco murals that appear on several buildings. Don’t miss the triptych over the exterior entrance to 5 Rockefeller Center or the statue of Prometheus next to the skating rink; both supposedly contain secret Masonic symbols.
8. The High Line
There are few places more pleasant than the High Line on a sunny afternoon.
New York’s only elevated park is one of Manhattan’s most popular destinations, and it’s easy to see why.
The High Line, a railway line that went out of use in 1980, was resurrected in 2009 in a 2.3 km long green area that runs from Hudson Yards to the north shore of Chelsea.
Today it is an urban playground of wildflowers and grass that offers those who walk on the park some of the best views of New York: this makes the park distant from the city and simultaneously an inextricable part of it.
9. Theater District
Every year, around 13 million locals and tourists attend a show at one of Broadway’s 40 theaters. Most of these venues are located in the Theater District, roughly between 41st Street and 52nd Street and from Sixth Ave to Eighth Ave.
Each season attracts a new wave of mega-musicals, plays and revivals with big stars. Some boast awards from the Tony Awards.
During the fall and spring seasons, be sure to check out our site for new reviews from our critics, their favorite works, and cheap tickets. Savvy consumers can find discounts on almost all Broadway shows. New York, hurry up: the curtain is about to rise!
10. El memorial y el museo del 9/11
Where the Twin Towers once stood are the largest man-made waterfalls in North America. The twin pools – the 9/11 Memorial designed by Michael Arad – are a reminder of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the attack on the World Trade Center in 1993. Surrounding the pools, each 4,000 square meters,
There are bronze panels with the names of the 3,000 victims who died in the attacks, including rescue personnel. For those who wish to honor and learn more about the events, the museum also highlights material and documents about 9/11.
