Do you want to know what to visit in New York City? From historic places to new sights, this is the best of the city. Our definitive guide to the best places to visit when you’re there, the ones you really must see when you go.
We’ve selected some of our favorite spots in the city, including parks, museums of art, cultural places and also historic landmarks. Classic spots like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty are must-see destinations, but we also highlight new and lesser-known places that are indispensable.
Complete your visit to the Big Apple by visiting its amazing museums and skyscrapers. Refresh your strength at its trendy food spots, and enjoy the Big Apple’s best hotspots.
Table of Contents
The Best Attractions in New York
Empire State
Who could imagine New York without its Empire State Building? Impossible, isn’t it? It was made possible thanks to just under 11 months in building it back in 1931, although at that time there were far taller hills around to make it happen.
On your visit, pay special attention to the lobby, Art-Deco style and restored in 2009. You can also impress your friends while they make balloon art to get to the viewing platform with this information: In 1945, 14 tenants died when an airplane crashed into the 79th floor due to a dense fog; the terrace on the 103rd floor was once meant to be used as a landing place for dirigibles; the lights of the three upper parts can be lit up with up to nine colors at once.
The Empire State Building is one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers at 1,250 feet (381 meters). Its name refers to its stately location atop the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It has been called “the world’s most famous building” and “the most photographed structure in the world.”
Brooklyn Bridge
Is more than just a simple crossing of a river. It’s a beautiful reminder of the innovative architecture of New York. When it was first built, in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was a feat of engineering: it was the world’s longest suspension bridge and the first to span an ocean as well as a river. (Also, it was made of steel, invented by the original designer of the bridge, J. A.
The High Line attracts thousands of tourists and locals who enjoy a spectacular view of the south of Manhattan and other sights in the city like the Statue of Liberty and Governors Island while walking more than a mile to cross it.
Caution: It may not be clear to you how to avoid crashing into the inexperienced cyclist trying to squeeze through the pedestrian area on the sidewalk.
Central Park
New York’s love affair with its most famous greenbelt is well-documented in song, literature, and film, but there’s still much to love about the country’s first publicly designed park. When Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux set out to create Central Park, they intended it to be a place of harmony, where nature and art meet.
Their design featured a number of open areas, including meadows, small ponds, and streams to reflect the natural beauty found in a large expanse of open land. Olmsted envisioned the park as a place of relaxation and recreation where visitors could enjoy a fresh breeze and beautiful scenery.
Since then, this green haven has become one of the world’s premier urban destinations. Visitors flock to the park during all seasons, particularly during the warmer months when the trees are in full leaf and the grasses are bright green.
They enjoy picnics, stroll along the walking paths, and enjoy the many free activities available, such as dance lessons at the Carousel of Progress, live performances by the New York Philharmonic, Shakespeare in the Park, and many more.
The Statue of Liberty
Is probably no other New York attraction as iconic – or avoided by locals who are wary of tourists – than The Statue of Liberty.
Don’t go to crowded places wearing large hats. You may have to wait in line for a long time for the boat / ferry / cruise. And you don’t want to get caught in the rain while waiting for the boat or ship.
If you ever get the chance to visit the Statue of Liberty, don’t miss it.
We also recommend stopping by the Statue of Liberty Museum, if only to marvel at the initial ambivalence of New Yorkers of the 19th century when they were asked to fund the construction of the pedestal.
Castle Clinton is an old building in New York City that was originally used as a fort and then a jail. Today, it’s used as the city’s convention center.
Grand Central Terminal NYC
Terminal Gran Central has been in operation for more than 100 years. Through its many corridors and vestibules, it has channeled thousands of travelers daily (more than 700,000 per day) and despite its obvious function as a transit point for those seeking to move to other destinations, the building itself is an attraction in its own right.
The great Beaux Arts architecture of this terminal not only has a form but also a functionality. It is decorated with an awning roof decorated with constellations and the time-keeping four-faced clock that crowns the main information area located on the Grand Concourse.
In regards to the 42nd Street entrance, you’ll see the symbolism of Mercury, the god of travel. He’s naturally associated with a watch made from a glass with a Tiffany label.
Rockefeller Center
There are several iconic sites in New York on this complex. You’ll find a very crowded ice skating rink, the Atlas statue made of bronze and the TV show ‘Today’ studio.
El Top of the Rock competes with the Empire State Building in its sweeping views. Maybe you can’t get into the private gardens on the penthouse terrace if you aren’t part of the cast of ‘Saturday Night Live’, but if you have an interest, you can look around from the shoes department of Saks Fifth Avenue on the eighth floor.
No special permission is needed to inspect the art deco murals found in several buildings. Don’t miss out on the Rockefeller Center triptych or the Prometheus statue just across from the skating rink; both, supposedly, contain masonic symbols.
The High Line
Highline Park is the latest creation of landscape architect James Corner. It was conceived when Corner was working with the real estate developer Related Companies to develop a huge area between Manhattan’s West Side and the Hudson River. To create this park, Corner had to eliminate a series of buildings and other structures that would otherwise block the view of the park. He also needed to restore the green space to its former condition. Corner’s solution was to re-use the old railway track.
Theater District New York
Each year about 13 million theatergoers and tourists attend some Broadway show at one of the 40 theaters located in the Theater District, from Sixth Avenue to Eighth Avenue, between 41st Street and 52nd Street. Most of these theaters are located on 42nd Street and 43rd Street.
This season brings us all new musicals, re-workings and re-releases of great classics. Some claim to win Tony awards, and during seasons of autumn and spring, check our page to see if we’ve reviewed your favorite movie, play, or book.
This is a great opportunity to be able to visit a Broadway show at discounted prices. I would encourage everyone to be creative. Go to your local theater and watch for the posters or ads for discount tickets. They are always there. The best time to buy tickets is usually around the day of the performance (sometimes the night before) when the tickets are much cheaper than during the week before the show opens. Tickets for Broadway shows can range from $50-$150 and last about one hour.
🔗 See our listing directory of theaters
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum Where once stood the Twin Towers stands the largest artificial waterfall in North America. The twin Piscines del 9/11, designed by Michael Arad, are a reminder of the attacks on September 11, 2001 and the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center.
When it comes to swimming pools, each one measures 4,000 square meters, and each one is plastered with bronze panels that name the 3,000 victims who died in the attacks.
For those of you who wish to give tribute and learn more about the events, the museum also houses material and documents about the 11th of September.
Dónde alojarse en Nueva York
Where should I stay in New York? Hotels. What’s the best neighborhood for nightlife or is the area closest to the places you want to see? We do a summary of the best neighborhoods in New York City to stay, and we recommend hotels, restaurants and bars to help you enjoy all that New York has to offer.
🔗 See our hotels listing