10 Famous Landmarks In New York City

Famous Landmarks In New York
Anupama
Anupama 
Updated
| 5 min read

When you hear New York or New York City, the first thing that pops in your mind is the vibrancy, a dynamic city that is both an entertainment and financial hub, a city that is the perfect amalgamation of different cultures and aesthetics. Tourists will fall in love with New York as there is so much to explore and absorb. The most iconic landmark – synonymous with the city – is possibly the Statue of Liberty, which stands tall. The city is replete with skyscrapers such as the Empire State and the Chrysler buildings that define its skyline and almost appear to touch the clouds. Theater buffs can check out Broadway or take a tour of the historic Apollo Theater. Whether traveling solo, on business, or with family, New York has something to offer everyone. It also offers wide-ranging accommodations, including hotels with a view of the Statue of Liberty or Vrbo vacation rentals near Central Park. You can click plenty of photos be it with the Wall Street Bull, Times Square, or even outside Trump Tower. Here’s a look at some famous landmarks in New York, USA, which you can check out while visiting the city.

1. Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty from front
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Andrew Maiman used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Statue of Liberty National Monument is synonymous with New York and is usually on top of every traveler’s list when visiting New York for the first time. Fun fact: the statue is 111 feet, 6 inches (33.9 meters) tall with the face being 8 feet (2.4 meters) alone! The imposing statue weighs a whopping 225 tons (45,000 lbs). You can take the Statue of Liberty ferry to get to Liberty Island and once here, snap up some cool pictures with Lady Liberty herself. Purchase a ticket for the ferry ride in advance to avoid disappointment as the monument is a popular tourist attraction in New York City. The ticket also gets you access to both Liberty and Ellis Islands.

The Statue of Liberty

Address: New York, NY 10004, USA

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 8:30 AM to 4 PM

Website: Statue of Liberty

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2. Empire State Building

NYC Empire State Building
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Daniel Schwen used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Yet another iconic landmark in New York City is the Empire State Building, which defines its skyline. The skyscraper has 102 stories and is 1,454 feet (443.2 meters) high. It is in Midtown Manhattan and to experience it in all its glory, you can head to the open-air observatory on the 86th floor. You could also head to the indoor observatory on the 102nd floor to check out the mesmerizing views and the New York skyline for an unforgettable experience. Make sure you buy the tickets to avoid disappointment. The world-famous building is quite a sight when lit up at night and is the perfect backdrop for photo-ops.

The Empire State Building

Address: 20 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001, USA

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 8 AM to 2 AM

Website: Empire State Building

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3. Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge Manhattan
Source: Photo by user Suiseiseki used under CC BY-SA 3.0

This engineering marvel held the distinction of being the longest suspension bridge in the world at one time. The Brooklyn Bridge links Manhattan and Brooklyn and is a must-visit landmark in New York. The bridge is spread over the East River and is an inimical aspect of the city’s skyline. Tourists can walk across the pedestrian walkway on the bridge to get a feel of New York. You can also bicycle across the bridge and soak in the scenery.

Brooklyn Bridge

Address: Brooklyn Bridge, New York, NY 10038, USA

Website: Bridges Data Base

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4. Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal, New York, USA
Source: Photo by Flickr user Romain Pontida used under CC BY-SA 2.0

This historic place is in Midtown Manhattan is located on 89 East 42nd Street and is much more than a rail terminal for commuters. This architectural marvel has many hidden nuggets that you would love to explore and learn about such as the Tiffany glass clock, the Whispering Gallery, the celestial ceiling of the Main Concourse and more. There are multiple reasons to visit this landmark as it also has several eateries and shops you can check out.

Grand Central Terminal

Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, USA

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 5:30 AM to 2 AM (individual eateries and shop hours differ)

Website: Grand Central Terminal

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New York Tour Guide

Annie Leguennec

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 city's rich heritage and its continuing legacy as the birthplace of the United States of America. Book my tour. Explore and learn about this unique city where you will walk on the footsteps of our America's founding Fathers. My tours are conducted in English, French and Italian.

Tours by Annie

5. September 11 Memorial


If you’re visiting New York then a visit to the September 11 Memorial is a must. It commemorates the victims of the 9/11 attacks and the bombing of the World Trade Center, which took the life of many people. The memorial has been built where the Twin Towers that were destroyed in the 9/11 attacks used to be. It is a short walk from the World Trade Center and bears the names of the victims. These names are inscribed on the bronze parapets, which are on the memorial pool. The site has a somber atmosphere and you can also espy the Survivor Tree, which is a symbol of hope.

September 11 Memorial

Address: 180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007, USA

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 7:30 AM to 9 PM

Website: 911 Memorial

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6. Apollo Theater

Apollo Theater Harlem NYC 2010
Source: Photo by user Hans Joachim Dudeck used under CC BY-SA 3.0

New York is famed for its vibrant music and theater scene and if you’re in the city how can you not watch a musical! The iconic Apollo Theater music hall is the best place to experience this vibe. It is in situated in Harlem and bears historical importance as it is symbolic of the Harlem Renaissance. Originally a burlesque theater, the music hall is known for its Amateur Night. You can also take the hour-long tour and learn more about the theater’s history. The tours happen every day and they cost USD 17 per person on weekdays and USD 19 on weekends for a small group.

Apollo Theater

Address: 253 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027, USA

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 12 Noon to 5 PM

Website: Apollo Theater

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7. The Chrysler Building


One of the most famous landmarks in New York, the Chrysler Building is in Midtown Manhattan and a short walk from Grand Central Terminal. This skyscraper stands 1,046 feet (318.9 meters) high. It was once the tallest building in the world before it was bettered by the Empire State Building. However, it is the tallest brick building worldwide and its art-deco style makes it a must-visit spot for travelers. Visitors can only check out the lobby and it has no observation deck and does not offer any tours, unlike the Empire State Building.

The Chrysler Building

Address: 05 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10174, USA

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8 AM to 6 PM

Website: Chrysler Building

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8. Trump Tower

Trump-Tower-2
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user de:Benutzer:Marti... used under CC BY-SA 2.5

If you’re in New York how can you not check out the Trump Tower, whose developer is none other than the current U.S President Donald Trump! This popular landmark has 58 stories and the skyscraper, located in Fifth Avenue, is a whopping 664 feet (202 meters) high. There’s plenty to see such as the roof garden on the fifth floor and the indoor waterfall which is seven-story high. The building has a mix of retail stores, apartments and offices. You can saunter around on first five levels, which are open to the public and have eateries and shops. Grab a coffee or shop from the Trump store and take plenty of selfies to commemorate your trip!

The Trump Tower

Address: 725 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022, USA

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 8 AM to 10 PM (open to the public)

Website: Trump Tower NY

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9. The Wall Street Bull


The Charging Bull – also known as the Wall Street Bull – is an iconic sculpture made of bronze. It stands tall in Manhattan’s Financial District, one of the best neighborhoods to stay in New York City. This massive sculpture is a symbol of The Wall Street and a popular tourist haunt. This landmark draws thousands of people each day and if you’re in New York, a photo-op with the 11 feet (3.4 meters) tall Charging Bull is a must! Fun fact: the Wall Street Bull weighs a whopping 7,100 lbs (3,200 kgs) and is 16 feet (4.9 meters) long.

Wall Street Bull

Address: New York, NY 10004, USA

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10. Times Square

Times Square New York USA
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Armando Olivo Mar... used under CC BY-SA 4.0

If you want to get the New York City vibe then the best spot to experience it is at the Times Square. It is bustling with life and is replete with bright billboards and interesting street performers. Lying between West 42nd and West 47th Streets, Times Square attracts nearly 50 million visitors each year. What makes the area – a commercial zone and an entertainment hub – so popular with locals and tourists alike is its vibrancy. Little surprise then that it is the second-most visited Tourist hotspot of the world, second only to the Las Vegas Strip.

Times Square

Website: Times Square NYC

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Immerse yourself in the vibrancy of New York

One of the most sought-out destinations for travelers, and not just those on business, New York City is akin to being USA’s heartbeat. It is bustling with life and there are several iconic landmarks in New York that you can explore with ease. Walk through the streets to get a vibe of the city and absorb the culture as you make some unforgettable memories. For the best experience, try joining one of the Viator tours or GetYourGuide tours in New York City!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Anupama Passary has contributed to various online publications, showcasing a particular fondness for all things tech and travel-related. She is also a chocoholic, stargazer, and dreamer....Read more

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