Of all the cities in the world, perhaps none is more recognized and celebrated than New York, NY. The “city so nice they named it twice” is home to attractions which draw a huge number of people every year, and run the gamut from numerous sports teams to concert venues, excellent restaurants and museums, and some of the most immediately recognizable buildings in the world - including the Empire State Building, the Flatiron Building and the MetLife Tower. With so many movies, TV series and other cultural phenomena being set right here, a trip to New York is an immediate window on a world we’ve all seen from the outside more times than enough - and a chance to see it all up close. When you do make it to the “city that never sleeps”, here is an indispensable list of the best places to visit in New York.
1. Times Square (from USD 39.0)
There are some images of New York that are simply iconic - and of all of these, Times Square is perhaps the most well known. The busyness, bright lights, and billboards around “The Crossroads of the Worlds” epitomizes the very essence of New York and draws visitors to the area, who want to experience the glitz and excitement for themselves. Take the time to walk around the area, pop into the shops, maybe visit a restaurant, or even take a guided tour if you have the time available. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you were walking through a motion picture, you’ll get that experience here.
NYC: Broadway & Times Square Tour with a Professional Actor
Duration: 105.0 minute
2. Radio City Music Hall
Located within the Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall is one of the premier events venues in New York City. The venue primarily hosts live concerts, so check the schedules to see who might be playing during your time in here. In addition to incredible live music events, you can also visit Radio City Music Hall to see the artwork that is on display, with the mural “Quest for the Fountain of Eternal Youth” particularly worth seeing.
Radio City Music Hall
Address: 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020
Website: Radio City Music Hall
3. Central Park (from USD 8.0)
Central Park is a slice of beautiful tranquillity that offers the perfect juxtaposition to the surrounding busyness of NYC. The park is around 2.5 miles (4km) long and spans a total of 843 acres (341 ha). The park includes a number of sports facilities as well as biking and running trails, and you can also visit some of the most famous landmarks within the park, such as the magnificent Bethesda Terrace and its iconic Angel of the Waters statue.
Central Park Bike Rental New York City
Duration: 1 to 12 hours
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4. Broadway
Broadway is, without a doubt, the spiritual home of musical theatre, and the vast majority of visitors to New York will try to ensure that they see at least one performance at one of the district’s famous theatres. The shows available range from all-time classics such as Phantom of the Opera and Oklahoma! to newer favorites such as Wicked and Hamilton, and you can also take a walking tour of the district to learn more about its enthralling history. A quick diversion to some of the smaller theatres - known as “off-Broadway” venues - may even give you the chance to witness the next big thing before it becomes big.
Broadway
Address: Midtown Manhattan
New York Tour Guide
Annie Leguennec
My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the ci... Read more
Tours by Annie
5. Brooklyn Bridge (from USD 185.0)
The Brooklyn Bridge is an architectural masterpiece that is instantly recognizable even to those who have never visited New York. Built in 1869 in order to connect the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, the bridge is now a popular choice for visitors to New York; you can walk the entire length on a guided tour, learning more about the history of the structure and - of course - admiring those incredible views of both the Hudson and the world-famous New York skyline.
Private Guided Walking Tour of the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
6. Frick Collection
Frick Collection is an art museum located in New York City, which features the art collection of Henry Clay Frick, an 18/19th century financier. A lover of art, Frick amassed his collection across the course of his life, and the museum now displays a permanent collection - which includes works by Johannes Vermeer, Piero della Francesca, and many other notable names - as well as temporary exhibits. In addition to the amazing artwork, it’s also worth visiting the museum for its host building; the Henry Clay Frick House is a magnificent example of Beaux-Arts architecture.
Frick Collection
Address: 1 E 70th St, New York, NY 10021
Website: Frick Collection
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 6pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
7. Fifth Avenue
In practice, Fifth Avenue in New York is a street; a long one at 6.2 miles (9.98km) in length, but a street nonetheless. However, in reputation and the experience that it can provide to visitors, Fifth Avenue is so much more. Over the years, Fifth Avenue has gained a reputation as a shopper’s delight; home to countless high-end stores that will delight anyone with an interest in the finer things in life. In addition to the shopping experience, you may also want to take the chance to visit the wonderful St. Patrick’s Cathedral while in the area.
Fifth Avenue
Address: Manhattan, New York City
8. Wall Street (from USD 39.0)
Wall Street is one of the most famous streets in New York City due to its long history as a financial powerhouse. For visitors to NYC, Wall Street has become a must-see area; there are tours that can provide an in-depth look into the financial industry and the various landmarks associated with it - many of which, such as the New York Stock Exchange, are beautifully designed as well as historically significant. Among the tours available are a few from former workers in the finance industry that are found in this street. Their perspectives on the good and bad of Wall Street’s history are always fascinating and never pull any punches.
Wall Street Insider Tour
Duration: 75.0 to 1.5 minute
9. Bryant Park
Bryant Park is a fantastic public park in New York that is closely located to numerous significant landmarks, including the New York Public Library. The park is also home to a variety of attractions, including a number of sculptures, Nikola Tesla Corner, and an amazing carousel called Le Carousel Magique. There’s also a range of food kiosks to try, as well as various markets throughout the year, such as the French Market from April through to September and a special holiday market later in the year. In winter, an ice rink is added and gives the park a beautifully festive feel.
Bryant Park
Address: New York, NY 10018
Website: Bryant Park
Opening hours: 7am - 10pm (daily)
10. St Patrick's Cathedral
Located on Fifth Avenue, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is also at the very heart of Manhattan. The cathedral originally opened in 1878 and it has been impressing anyone who sees its incredible Neo-Gothic architecture since then. The design of the cathedral, inside and out, is absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring, and choosing to tour the structure will give you a greater appreciation for its beauty, and particularly that of the much-admired stained glass windows.
St Patrick's Cathedral
Address: 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
Website: St Patrick’s Cathedral
Opening hours: 7am - 8:30pm (daily)
11. American Museum of Natural History (from USD 28.0)
The American Museum of Natural History is the largest museum of its type in the world, set on 2 million square feet (190,000 m2) of space at 200 Central Park West, NYC. As well as millions of different specimens to explore and interactive attractions, the museum is also home to a number of special exhibitions that will enhance your time spent at the site, such as “T Rex: The Ultimate Predator” and “Dark Universe” at the Hayden Planetarium. A wonderful window on a natural world and the changes it has seen, this is a must-visit attraction.
New York City American Museum of Natural History Admission
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
12. Carnegie Hall
How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice; so the old joke goes - but you can also head down to Seventh Avenue / 57th Street if you’d prefer to watch rather than perform. Carnegie Hall is one of the most celebrated concert venues in the world, so check to see which events might be available to see while you are visiting the city, or take a guided tour in order to immerse yourself in the history of this amazing venue.
Carnegie Hall
Address: 881 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Website: Carnegie Hall
13. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (from USD 30.0)
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum - which is more often referred to as simply “The Guggenheim” - is an art museum that is known both for its own amazing exterior design and for its incredible art collections. Featuring work from the likes of Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Cézanne, Theo van Doesburg, and many more, the Guggenheim enthralls art appreciators. The museum also hosts a number of special events and has two fantastic eateries on-site.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Ticket
14. Washington Square Park
With a strong cultural reputation and extremely popular fountain area, Washington Square Park is a great place to visit when spending time in New York. The park is set over 9.75 acres (3.9 ha) in Greenwich Village, and you can stroll through the beautiful spaces admiring statutes or even playing chess in the southwest corner. In addition, the park is also the scene for numerous live comedy and music performances, so you should be able to find something exciting happening during your time there!
Washington Square Park
Address: Greenwich Village, New York, NY 10012
Website: Washington Square Park
Opening hours: 6am - 1am (daily)
15. Metropolitan Opera House
The Metropolitan Opera House, which is part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, is the home of the Metropolitan Opera Company, and it also hosts the American Ballet during the summer months. Should you choose to see a performance of Madama Butterfly, The Queen of Spades, or one of the many other favorites hosted here, make sure to arrive a few hours early in order to enjoy a meal at the incredible Grand Tier restaurant, before watching the performance on one of the most technically advanced stages in the world.
Metropolitan Opera House
Address: 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023
Website: Metropolitan Opera House
16. Whitney Museum of American Art (from USD 30.0)
The Whitney Museum of American Art focuses on 20th and 21st-century art, covering several areas of art including modernism, pop art, and abstract expressionism from artists as diverse as Andy Warhol, Edward Hopper, and Georgia O'Keeffe. As well as the incredible exhibitions, you can also visit the Studio Cafe and enjoy a snack in this bright, elegant space, or visit the observation decks on floors five to eight to admire the beauty of New York City. The museum itself is, in truth, a work of modern art, its quixotic exterior a handsome indication of what can be expected within.
NYC: Whitney Museum Entry Ticket featuring the 2024 Biennial
17. Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater has been credited with helping to launch many a successful music career, including - but definitely not limited to - Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight and The Pips, Stevie Wonder, and countless more. Today, the music hall offers a full range of concert options, and it continues to host “Amateur Night At The Apollo” - where inexperienced or little-known acts can perform in an effort to make a name for themselves on the famous stage.
Apollo Theater
Address: 253 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027
Website: Apollo Theater
18. Chelsea Market
New York is perhaps the perfect city for a foodie - with such a cosmopolitan history, this is a city that can serve a taste for any cuisine. In Chelsea Market, you’ll find some of the finest artisanal bites from bagels, to Italian pasta dishes, to some of the most delightfully overfilled sandwiches you could wish to eat. There are also numerous outlets where you can buy fresh ingredients yourself, perfect if you are planning to cook a meal or two during your time in this city.
Chelsea Market
Address: 71 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Website: Chelsea Market
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 9am - 2pm; Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm
19. Bronx Zoo
Found within Bronx Park, Bronx Zoo is a great choice for any animal lover. There is a range of exhibits - such as the Aquatic Bird House and Sea Bird Aviary, Baboon Reserve, Bug Carousel - to see, as well as a treetop adventure, a monorail, a dinosaur safari, and much more besides - so you’ll definitely be kept busy during your time here. One of the most iconic zoos in America, Bronx Zoo is an attraction you don’t want to miss.
Bronx Zoo
Address: 2300 Southern Blvd, The Bronx, NY 10460
Website: Bronx Zoo
Opening hours: 10am - 4:30pm (daily)
Price: 26 USD
20. Battery Park
Along with its picturesque beauty, Battery Park is significant to New Yorkers for the relevance it has to the city’s history. The name of the park comes from the Battery that it flanks - a battery within which were kept the weapons which helped defend areas of New York during the Civil War. You’ll also find monuments to those soldiers who fell in the Korean War and an exceptional sightline for the Statue of Liberty, along with the former immigration center where future Americans were processed before starting a new life in this country.
Battery Park
Address: New York, NY 10004
Website: Battery Park
Opening hours: 6am - 12am (daily)
21. New York City Fire Museum
Dedicated to the history of the New York City Fire Department, the New York City Fire Museum is a fascinating experience that any visitor to New York will enjoy. Located on an old fire station, the story of the FDNY is told at the museum through a range of exhibits, objects, equipment, and photographs, and is set across three floors in total. As well as informing visitors about the past, the museum also looks to the present and future with the inclusion of an interactive area that is designed to teach children about fire safety.
New York City Fire Museum
Address: 278 Spring St, New York, NY 10013
Website: New York City Fire Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 10 USD
22. Memorial and Museum (from USD 19.4)
For many, the events of September 11th, 2001 will always come to mind when thinking of New York City. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum allows the opportunity to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on that day, as well as learn more about the attacks both of 9/11 and in 1993 and the ongoing impact of those events. You can take a tour of the space, view the exhibits and collections, and watch films such as “Facing Crisis: America Under Attack” during your time at the site.
NYC: 9/11 Memorial & Museum Timed-Entry Ticket
23. High Line (from USD 50.0)
High Line opened in 2009, and since then, it has been delighting residents and visitors alike. Referred to as an elevated linear park, the High Line is 1.45 miles (2.33 km) in length, starting at Gansevoort Street and culminating at 34th Street. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to admire the beautiful greenery and even a number of artistic works. A lovely way to travel from place to place while seeing a quieter side to New York, the High Line is wonderful from start to finish.
New York City: High Line Walking Tour
Duration: 75.0 minute
24. Rockefeller Center (from USD 29.0)
A huge number of visitor attractions in New York are said to offer “something for everyone” - but the famous Rockefeller Center probably delivers on that promise more than most. The center spans 19 different buildings with a wide variety of experiences available: you can visit the observation deck, take the shopping trip of a lifetime, visit the gorgeous gardens, tour NBC studios: the list genuinely does go on and on, so you can be certain a good time will be had by all.
Rockefeller Center Architecture and Art Walking Tour
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
25. Empire State Building (from USD 47.0)
Of all the skyscrapers in Manhattan, the Empire State Building is perhaps the most renowned of all - and no visit to New York would be complete without a trip to see it for yourself. The structure, which stands at an impressive height of 1,454 feet (443m) including the antenna, is a great example of Art Deco architecture, and it’s definitely worth visiting the internal museums to learn more about its history. Then, of course, there is the main reason people want to visit; the view from the observatory on the 102nd floor, which is absolutely astounding.
NYC Empire State Observatory Admission Ticket
Duration: 45 to 90 minutes
26. One World Observatory (from USD 63.15)
The One World Observatory has fast gained a reputation for offering incredible views over New York City. The Observatory was originally opened in 2015, and it is located on levels 100 to 102 on the One World Trade Center, which means that you’ll be able to enjoy the vista from a height of 541m (1770 feet). As well as the views, you can also make the most of your time there by exploring the interactive exhibits or even dine in one of the amazing restaurants.
One World Observatory: Exclusive Ticket with Two Drinks
Duration: 2 hour
27. Statue of Liberty (from USD 25.0)
For anyone visiting New York City, a visit to the Statue of Liberty - a true icon of the city, if not the USA as a whole - will always be worth doing. You’ll have the chance to learn more about the history of the statue and what she represents with a visit to the museum on Liberty Island and, of course, take a trip up the structure to view the city and surrounding area from a height. A fascinating glimpse into the history of America, particularly with respect to immigration, this is one trip that cannot be forgotten.
NYC: Statue of Liberty Priority or Standard Ticket
Duration: 4 to 6 hour
28. Grand Central Terminal (from USD 12.0)
Featured in numerous TV shows, movies, and even name-checked in songs, there’s no doubt that Grand Central Station is incredibly well known. The most obvious reason to visit is, of course, to catch a train, but the station has also become a destination in its own right - so even if you’re remaining in Manhattan, there’s still plenty of reasons to stop by. There are art installations to admire, shops to explore, and even 35 different places to enjoy a meal if you’d like to extend your visit even further.
Grand Central Terminal Official Self-Guided Audio Tour
Duration: 1 hour
29. Metropolitan Museum of Art (from USD 25.0)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a world-renowned art gallery that is one of the most visited locations in New York. Located over three different locations, the Met - as it is known - is home to a huge range of artwork, with an incredible array of permanent collections that span history - from antiquity right through to modern art, there’s sure to be something of interest to everyone. As well as the works of art, you can also visit gift shops in each location, or try the on-site eateries for a fully rounded experience.
NYC: Metropolitan Museum of Art Entry Ticket
30. Brooklyn Botanic Garden (from USD 72.0)
Set across 52 acres (21 hectares), Brooklyn Botanic Garden provides the chance to step back, unwind, and immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Located in Mount Prospect Park, the garden is beautifully cared for, with a huge range of different plants to see. The Bonsai Garden and the Rose Garden are especially well-regarded, so make sure you include a stop at these locations when planning your own visit.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Admission with 3-Course Dining at Yellow Magnolia Cafe
Duration: 3 hours
A legendary city
With so many famous old haunts that you could easily list another couple of dozen and not have scratched the surface, visitors to New York are never going to run short of things to do. This legendary city is the perfect place to come for a break you’ll never forget, and there is more than enough here to make you return for the chance to look afresh at the Big Apple.
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