New York City is the biggest and most crowded city in the United States. It is often called the “city that never sleeps” because it is always busy. It’s magical in New York, where there are lots of arts and culture, lots of restaurants, and at night, buildings light up the sky instead of stars. Manhattan in particular is a high-energy place that is loud, rowdy, and angry. Things don’t just happen here; they really happen.
For someone who has never been to New York before, there is a lot to see and do. This complete list shows the best places to visit in New York City that tourists can’t find anywhere else. We have all of them here, from Broadway to One World Trade Centre.
1. Brooklyn Bridge
It is one of the longest and most well-known suspension bridges in the world. It was built between 1869 and 1883. It goes from Manhattan to Brooklyn across the East River and is 5,989 feet long. Every day, more than 120,000 cars, 4,000 people on foot, and 2,600 bicycles cross the bridge.
People can walk, drive, or ride bikes across this well-known New York City attraction. A walkway for people sits above the traffic, and people can walk on it to see the harbour and both cities. As you walk across the bridge, which is 2 km (1.3 miles), you can see the New York skyline many times.
2. Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue, which is known as one of the world’s most expensive shopping streets, is a great place for people who like to live in style. Between 49th and 60th Streets, the part of Fifth Avenue that goes through Midtown Manhattan is packed with high-end stores, such as designer showrooms and well-known department stores.
The Upper East Side stretch of Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 105th streets is known as the Museum Mile. Along this stretch of Fifth, there are nine museums, such as the Guggenheim and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3. Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Centre is a group of 19 buildings that were all built by the Rockefeller family. A tour of the centre gives you a chance to see some of New York City’s most famous sights from a different angle. Over the years, these buildings have been home to many large companies, including General Electric. They are now home to the NBC offices.
At 70 stories high, the viewing deck at the Top of the Rock offers a clear view of New York City from all sides. People who take the NBC Studios walk can see where their favourite NBC shows are filmed or sit behind a news desk.
Radio City Music Hall, which was rebuilt to look like it did in the 1930s, is also in Rockefeller Centre. The huge Christmas tree at Rockefeller Centre changes the look of the area during the holidays. It stands over the ice rink and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
4. Grand Central Terminal
The “world’s loveliest station” is Grand Central Terminal, which is one of the most popular tourist spots in New York City. The huge clock made of pearly opal glass is in the Main Concourse, which is very big.
Visitors can also enjoy the ornate astronomical ceiling designs that were first thought of in 1912. The dining concourse and train tracks are on the lower level, which also has a variety of dining choices, such as the Oyster Bar.
Vanderbilt Hall, which is just off the main concourse and was built as a waiting room, is now where the yearly Christmas market and other special events take place. The beautifully restored Campbell Apartment was meant to look like a Florentine palace from the 1300s. Now, tourists and commuters use the cocktail bar to relax.
5. High Line
The High Line is a public park that was built on top of an old freight train line that was raised above the West Side of Manhattan. Friends of the High Line, a group that pushed to keep the rail line in place and turn it into green space, runs and takes care of the park.
Visitors can enjoy new, fun, and different events every month. Some of these are stargazing, tree tours, art tours and events that are only happening during certain times of the year, like the Haunted High Line Halloween in October.
Naturalised plants and great views of the Hudson River are some of the park’s draws. Because it is built with architecture and art installations, the High Line also includes culture attractions.
6. September 11 Memorial
The National September 11 Memorial was built to remember the people who died in the terrorist strikes on September 11, 2001. On two metal panels that stand on either side of the Memorial pools are the names of the people who died. Each pool is almost an acre, and they show where the Twin Towers used to be but are now gone.
The National September 11 Memorial Museum uses multimedia displays, records, stories, and a collection of artefacts to teach people about what happened and how it affected people.
7. Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York is home to the biggest art gallery in the United States. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is very big and has art and artefacts from all over the world and from many centuries ago. The museum is split up into a lot of different rooms that hold a wide range of items, from Egyptian mummies to old European armour and classical art.
However, Rembrandt’s “Aristotle,” Van Gogh’s “self-portrait,” and the Egyptian Temple of Dendur from 15 BC are well-known pieces that you should not miss.
8. Bryant Park
If you have been to the New York Public Library, you might be interested to know that it is in Bryant Park, which is a famous park in the city. This lovely green area helped the city get back on its feet and is a great spot to relax with a coffee and some light reading.
Every week in the summer, there are movie nights, and the chess tables and grassy areas for yoga are always full. During the winter, Bryant Park has an ice rink where you can ice skate in front of many buildings.
9. Ellis Island
Since it first opened in the 1890s, more than 10 million immigrants came through Ellis Island every year. Half of the people living in the US today have a link to this historic island, showing how important immigration was at the time.
The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration is the place to go. Take the audio tour, which has hours of interesting information, to learn about the past of people coming to the United States.
10. Staten Island Ferry
New York City people used ferries to get across the harbour and the Hudson River before the Brooklyn Bridge and other bridges were built. One of the best free things to do in New York is take the ferry to Staten Island, which is one of the last ones available. On all seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Actually, you might not really want to explore Staten Island, but the trip is still well worth it. After leaving Manhattan, you’ll have a free, amazing view of the city and the Statue of Liberty.
FAQ’s
Q1. How can I get to these attractions using public transportation in NYC?
There are many types of public transportation in New York City, such as subways, buses, and more. You can easily get to these places by taking the tube or one of the many buses that run throughout the city.
Q2. Are there guided tours available for these attractions?
Guided tours are offered for many of these places, yes. Visitors can pick from walking tours, bus tours, or tours that focus on certain locations. The background and meaning of each attraction are explained in more detail on guided tours.
Q3. What is the best time to visit these attractions to avoid crowds?
If you want to avoid crowds, it's best to go to famous spots early in the morning or during the week. Less people also tend to visit during off-peak times, like late autumn and winter.
