New York City is often referred to as the “city that never sleeps” because of its constant pulsating energy. New York City is a magical place, filled with art, culture, endless restaurants, and a night sky filled with bright skyscrapers. Manhattan, in particular, is a noisy, boisterous, and impatient place. A first-time visitor to New York City may feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of things to see and do in the city.
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Statue of Liberty
A visit to the Statue of Liberty, America’s most recognisable landmark, is a must for every first-time visitor to New York. France had given it to the United States as a present. The Statue of Liberty, built in 1886, is a worldwide symbol of liberty and one of America’s most popular tourist attractions.
It’s one of the world’s largest statues, with a total height and weight of just under 152 feet from the base to the torch.
Visitors to Battery Park, Manhattan’s southernmost point, have the best view of the statue. A short boat ride to Liberty Island is the best way to get up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty. You can walk around the base, enter the pedestal, or go directly to the crown if you make advance reservations.
On a Statue of Liberty tour, you can visit Ellis Island and the Museum of Immigration if you’d like to. The historic immigration station complex where thousands of immigrants were processed before entering the United States is home to this fantastic museum.
The exhibits focus on the people who passed through here on their way to the United States and the stories they had to tell. An online database of recent immigrants can be searched at this location as well.
The statue’s admission tickets have already been sold out. Purchasing tickets in advance is always a good idea, but it is especially important during the busiest times of the year. There is a four-hour drive between the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island that includes the Pedestal Upgrade guided tour. The Ellis Island Museum and the Pedestal Museum are included in this tour, which gives you early access to the ferry reservation line.
Times Square
Times Square in New York City is a must-see at night, with its neon signs and neon-lit displays, but it’s also fun during the day. When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, the square and the surrounding streets are filled with revellers.
Although Times Square is a hive of activity, it has its own distinct appeal. Take a break on the bleachers at one end and take in the scenery.
In honour of the New York Times building, Times Square was renamed in 1904. First of its kind in the world, the newspaper published current headlines alongside its moving sign in 1928.
Central Park
A trip to New York City wouldn’t be complete without a stroll through Central Park’s winding paths, whether on foot, bicycle, or horse-drawn carriage. The Wollman Rink is a great place to skate in the winter. One of the reasons New York is such a beautiful and livable city is because of Central Park, which is half a mile wide and 2.5 miles long.
One of the few low-cost activities in New York City, Central Park offers visitors a wealth of things to see and do in addition to a chance to enjoy some time in the great outdoors. Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields, the Central Park Zoo, and the lake are among the most popular attractions. Pick up a map at a visitor centre if you’re going to be exploring the park on your own.
Rockefeller Center
One of the most well-known sights in New York City, Rockefeller Center is a must-see for any visitor. One of the most notable features of this massive midtown Manhattan shopping and entertainment complex is the Art Deco-style 70-story 30 Rockefeller Plaza, which is home to NBC-TV and other media outlets as well as the city’s famous Top of the Rock observation deck.
Floors 67, 69, and 70 make up what is referred to as the ‘platform’. By day or night, the views from both indoor and outdoor viewing areas are truly breathtaking. The Top of the Rock Observation Deck ticket can be purchased in advance. As long as your plans don’t change or the weather cooperates, you can still use these tickets on a different date.
It’s one of New York City’s most popular winter activities, and a great way to spend time with your family or with your significant other. From October to April, the track is usually open.
During the Christmas season, a huge Christmas tree is put up in front of the skating rink, which illuminates the complex. Thousands of tourists flock to New York City in December to see this landmark.
The famous Atlas bronze sculpture in front of the International Building is also noteworthy in this area. It’s a popular photo opportunity.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Met, as it is more commonly referred to, was established in 1870 and has become one of the most renowned museums in the United States. Artworks from more than 5,000 years of history are housed in the Met’s permanent collection.
The Met Fifth Avenue is the museum’s most important location, despite its three other locations. Of particular note in the collection are a wide range of American decorative arts and artefacts as well as a wide range of Egyptian art, musical instruments, and photos.
Exhibitions allow the public to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most famous artworks. VIP: Empty Met Tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a great way to see the museum before it opens to the general public in the morning with just 25 people.
New Yorkers flock to the Met Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park in the northern part of Manhattan. In an exceptional building, built around mediaeval cloisters, chapels and corridors, this branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art focuses on mediaeval art and architecture from Europe.
Broadway
One of the best ways to experience New York City is to see a Broadway show. This is the place to see the newest productions as well as the best of American theatre at its best. The term “Broadway” is often used to refer to all the theatres in the Theater District and along Broadway’s streets. Tickets for the most popular shows must be purchased well in advance of their scheduled performances.
Both the Shubert (at 221 West 44th Street) and the Booth (at 22 West 45th Street) are located on famed Shubert Alley, a theatre district pedestrian-only lane. Shubert Alley was once a popular destination for actors hoping to land a role in a play sponsored by theatre baron Sam S. Shubert.
The Shubert Theater hosted a record-breaking 6,137 performances by A Chorus Line. At the St. James playhouse down the street in 1941, the musical Oklahoma made its debut. The Sardi restaurant, where many famous actors gathered, and the Music Box Theater, where Irving Berlin presented The Music Box Revue in 1921, are other notable venues.
Empire State Building
In addition to being one of New York’s most recognisable landmarks, the Empire State Building is a popular tourist destination. When Tower 1 of the World Trade Center was completed 41 years later, the 381-meter, 102-story building was the world’s tallest. When the Empire State Building first opened in 1931, it immediately became a landmark and a symbol of New York City thanks to its mooring mast for airships.
The Empire State Building has two observatories, both of which provide breathtaking views. It is possible to see New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts within 80 miles on clear days.
The Empire State Building’s 86th Floor Observatory, at 1,050 feet, is the city’s tallest freestanding outdoor observation deck. You might recognise it because it’s been used in so many films and shows over the years.
All four sides of the building have wide open-air corridors, which can be heated in the winter and cooled in the summer, and are accessible via high-speed automatic elevators. The views from here are nothing short of spectacular. The 102nd floor’s upper deck is 1,250 feet above the commotion of the city below. Despite the fact that it stands 16 stories above the ground, the viewing area is closed.
There’s almost always a long, slow line to get to the top of the Empire State Building, and when it’s busy, it can get downright ridiculous. Keep in mind that this attraction alone can easily burn up to half of your entire sightseeing day.
The Empire State Building Observatory ticket and the optional skip-the-line ticket are worth the money. A year-long ticket means that if bad weather prevents you from going, you can still use the ticket on another day.
Brooklyn Bridge
As one of New York City’s most recognisable landmarks, the Brooklyn Bridge’s Gothic arches and suspension cables have served as an inspiration to countless artists over the years. The first steel suspension bridge in the world, it connects Manhattan and Brooklyn across the East River.
The best way to see this iconic structure is to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, which can be seen from the east side of Manhattan or from many of the ferries. Pedestrians and cyclists only have access to a wooden plank walkway that crosses traffic lanes. It’s possible to get a good view of one of the granite towers from an observation deck on a pillar at the beginning of the path.
Views of the Statue of Liberty, the East River, and Manhattan can be seen from the bridge. Cycling across the bridge is another option, but it can be slow and challenging on busy days due to heavy foot traffic. The approach to the bridge begins quite some distance from the water’s edge, as can be seen.
Brooklyn is New York City’s most populous district, and as a result, it has a plethora of attractions and activities. Coney Island, Barclays Center, Park Slope, Williamsburg, and Williamsburg Heights are just some of the year-round attractions in the city.
Take a walk or a subway ride to Brooklyn, where you’ll find museums, gardens, parks, and more just across the bridge from Manhattan.
Check out MCU Park, Prospect Park, the Botanic Gardens, and the Brooklyn Museum while you’re in the city for an afternoon or weekend getaway to enjoy some of the best attractions Brooklyn has to offer. Finally, head to an outdoor food market to sample a variety of cuisines and mingle with local New Yorkers before heading back to your hotel.
Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue is New York City’s main shopping district and home to many of the world’s most prestigious designers’ flagship stores. Cartier, Tiffany, Bergdorf-Goodman, the famous Apple Store Fifth Avenue, and Saks Fifth Avenue, among many others, are all located on this prestigious street.
It’s fun to stroll down Fifth Avenue even if you don’t have anything to buy. Between 60th and 40th streets is the best place to be, as it’s close to Central Park’s southern edge and the New York Public Library.
Wall Street
The world-famous Wall Street spans eight city blocks from Broadway to South Street. A number of the world’s most important stock exchanges can be found here, including the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, and New York Mercantile Exchange.
The magnificent Trinity Church and Federal Hall can also be found nearby. In Bowling Green, look for a bronze Charging Bull statue on Broadway. In the financial district, this is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions as well as a popular photo opportunity for tourists.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Although there are a plethora of fascinating and historic museums in New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art stands out.
A popular tourist destination and one of the country’s largest art museums. Over 2 million works are in the permanent collection alone. Visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a full-day experience, but you won’t get to see everything because its halls are crammed with art and culture.
Additionally, Central Park is just a short walk away from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, making it an ideal location for both.
New York Public Library
This branch of the New York Public Library was designed by Carrere & Hastings in the style of Beaux-Arts architecture. The library is a well-known landmark in the city and has appeared in a slew of films and shows over the years.
The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is the official name of the main branch, which is commonly referred to as the “main branch.” It was a huge success when it opened in 1911. The Main Reading Room takes up two city blocks, but the Periodicals Room contains 10,000 current issues of magazines, making it a massive library. This location’s collection is enormous, to put it mildly.