Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in New York City
New York is one of my favorite cities in the world and lived there for a few years.
There are so many things to do in New York that putting up the perfect schedule is difficult! We’ve put up the best New York Bucket List to ensure you don’t miss anything on your vacation to New York.
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
The statue is visible from the ground, with views from Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan. The best thing to do, however, is to take a quick boat ride to Liberty Island and see the Statue of Liberty up close to fully appreciate it. Click To see more tours and tickets to experience the statue of liberty
You can choose to visit Ellis Island and tour the Immigration Museum as part of a tour of the Statue of Liberty. The historic immigration station complex, where countless immigrants were processed before entering the US, is home to this beautiful museum.
Tickets to enter the statue can be sold out quickly. Pre-purchasing tickets are essential during peak season and a good idea all year. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour take you to the Statue of Liberty as well as Ellis Island. This tour includes reserved ferry access and admission to the Ellis Island Museum. Click To See More tours and tickets to experience Ellis Island.
Empire State Building
Empire State Building, The Empire State Building, which first opened its doors in 1931, is the world’s most renowned office building, and a historical monument. It’s no wonder that viewing this magnificent structure is one of the top things to do in New York. Click here to see more tours and tickets to experience the empire state building.
The line to go up the Empire State Building line is almost always lengthy, moves slowly, and at busy times, it can be frustrating, which makes the entire experience more frustrating than it needs to be. Be aware that spending all day at this one attraction alone could easily consume half of your day. The Empire State Building Ticket – Observatory and Optional Skip the Line Ticket that allows you to skip the lines are both highly recommended. If the weather is bad, you can save the ticket and use it another day because it is flexible and valid for up to a year.
September 11 (9/11) Memorial and Museum
9/11 Memorial & Museum, two reflecting pools are set in the footprints of the Twin Towers, with the names of the victims engraved in bronze surrounding the pools. They’re encircled by a forest of trees and waterfalls (one of the largest manmade waterfalls in the United States).
The display at the 9/11 Museum is arranged into three parts: the Day of 9/11, Before 9/11, and After 9/11. It shows how the events of 9/11 affected the world through artifacts, images, and a well-researched and well-presented collection.
Tickets for the 9/11 Museum must be bought in advance online or at the ticket window. One of the most popular activities in New York, making reservations in advance is crucial to avoid disappointment. Make sure to reserve the discounted family rate for up to five people if you are traveling as a family.
Click here to see more tours and tickets to experience 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Tours & Sightseeing
Central Park New York
Central Park is one of my favorite places in New York City. The large trees, great lawn, the Loeb Boathouse, and Belvedere Castle are all the highlights. The park is free and walking or riding a bike in Central Park is a great way to see it all. A 24-hour pass for Citi Bikes costs about $12, and there are 20 outlets around the park.
Click here to see more tours and tickets to experience Central Park
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or “The Met”, first opened its doors on February 20, 1872. The original structure was made of red brick and stone, but it was subsequently modified with a Beaux-Arts style exterior. It’s right next to Central Park on 5th Avenue and 82nd Street. It’s truly magnificent with a number of fascinating and incredible collections from European painters, the sculptures of Rome and Greece are among the favorites. There is a lot to see and you need a minimum of 3-4 hrs.
Times Square
Times Square, walking around Times Square makes you feel like you’re in television production and thousands of people come from all around the world to experience the ambiance in Times Square. There are many large flashing billboards, businesses, restaurants, and office buildings in this central location of NYC. It is famous for its New Year’s eve celebration.
Rockefeller Center & Top of the Rock Observation Deck
Rockefeller Center is one of New York City’s most well-known attractions. The renowned Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a big Christmas tree shown yearly in Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The tree is set up in mid-November and lit in a public ceremony the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. Rockefeller Center is where Saturday Night Live and the Today show are recorded, and where ice skaters make their way around a rink surrounded by hundreds of international flags
The well-known Atlas bronze sculpture in front of the International Building is another attraction in this area and is well-liked among photographers.
Top of the Rock, the Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Plaza offers the greatest view of New York City. Experience the sights from three floors of indoor and outdoor viewing places.
A Top of the Rock Observation Deck Ticket can be purchased in advance. These tickets have a flexible voucher redemption policy, allowing you to change the date if your plans change or the weather is bad.
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History, visits one of the world’s largest museums, which has around 32 million natural specimens.
The American Museum of Natural History is one of New York City’s top museums for family outings because it offers something for everyone to enjoy. All the fascinating aspects of our planet’s natural environment are displayed in eight permanent exhibit halls, including science, the environment, animals, and fossils.
Broadway and the Theater District
Broadway Theatres, also known as Broadway, is an important part of New York City’s artistic life. Broadway Theatres has 40 professional theatres, most of which are located in the Theater District.
Seeing a Broadway show is one of the must-do activities in New York City. There are approximately 40 Broadway shows available to the public at any given time. Long-running hits such as Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King are among these productions.
The High Line
The High Line park, a fascinating and recently expanded attraction in New York City, was once a rail line but has been converted into a city walking trail above the streets. Art installations and benches can be found along the path, and near the southern end, there is a seating area with bleacher-style seating and a glass wall looking out onto the city.
Many of the trees and plants that have been planted in this distinctive linear public park are native species. Many of these bloom in the spring. The views of the city’s architecture and the lookouts over the streets offer a completely different perspective, even though the High Line is only two to three stories above street level. Just off the High Line, there are other worthwhile destinations to explore.
It takes only a few minutes to walk to the well-known Chelsea Market, which is housed in a former Nabisco factory and has a variety of eateries and boutique stores if you exit the High Line at the 16th Street access (elevator access).
The Meatpacking District, which has many fashionable eateries and fine dining options, is located in the south. The Whitney Museum of American Art is close to the southernmost access point and is a worthwhile stop.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks with its Gothic-shaped arches and suspension cables is unique. The first steel suspension bridge ever built, this historic bridge spans the East River from Manhattan to Brooklyn. It was finished in 1883.
You can see it from many ferries and the east side of Manhattan, but the best way to experience this icon is to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for an hour. A pedestrian and cyclist-only wood plank walkway run above the traffic lanes. If you don’t feel like walking the entire distance, at least get as far as the first pillar, where there’s a viewing platform with a close-up view of one of the granite towers.
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Little Island
Little Island, the most popular new attraction in New York City, first became accessible to the public in May 2021. Since then, a large number of tourists have flocked to see Manhattan’s newest “floating” greenspace. The park, which is open from 6 am to 1 am, is full of open lawns, vibrant shrubs and trees, and a secret garden. The park is open to the public all day long, but between noon and closing time, reservations are required.
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Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Station Terminal, first opened to the public on February 2, 1913, is a world-famous monument and transit hub in Midtown Manhattan. Its historic past is a tale of immense wealth and remarkable architecture.
One World Observatory
One World Observatory is a brand-new attraction atop One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Riding the Sky Pod elevator for 102 floors to the top in less than 60 sec is amazing. The observatory is at the heart of downtown Manhattan.
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New York Public Library
New York Public Library, is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. The original Winnie the Pooh characters are also on display!
Bronx Zoo
Bronx Zoo, you can see over 600 species from all over the world in America’s largest urban zoo. You get to see exotic creatures, birds, reptiles, and insects from Asia, Africa, the Americas, and more.
Edge Observation Deck
Edge Observation Deck, Edge is the Western Hemisphere’s tallest outdoor sky deck, featuring a one-of-a-kind design. It’s hung in mid-air, giving you the sensation of floating in the sky while providing 360-degree views unavailable anywhere else. Look down from the breathtaking glass floor 100 floors below, lean out over the city on angled glass walls, and sip wine in the sky.
Bryant Park
Bryant Park in Manhattan is a bustling area of greenery that spans nearly 10 acres (four hectares) in the heart of the city. Historic monuments, benches, blooming flowers, and kiosks with vendors selling coffee and snacks can all be found there. Bryant Park is a peaceful destination in Midtown, whether you play a game of chess or take a nap on the grass.
Soho
SoHo is well known for its chic stores, galleries, and cutting-edge eateries. Despite being less hectic than Times Square, shoppers and tourists can become overcrowded in SoHo. Take a stroll down the cobblestone streets, look around the shops from upscale boutiques to household name stores or peek inside the many galleries.
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Radio City Music Hall
The Rockefellers gave Radio City Music Hall to New York as a gift, and since the Rockettes dance troupe first took the stage here in the early 1930s, it has been a glamorous landmark that has delighted crowds. Nightly performances continue to be held at the 6,000-seat theatre, featuring everyone from top musical acts to stand-up comedians. See Tours and Tickets to Experience Radio City Music Hall.