Visit Lady Liberty And Ellis Island
For some, this is a must-do for visitors to NYC. You will need to plan to spend 4-5 hours to see both islands, but it really is worth it.
The views on the boat cruise out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are wonderful.
We offer tips for planning your visit to both attractions and include our own self-guided tours of both islands.
Alternatively, you can also get tickets for pedestal access with some Statue of Liberty tours.
Before You Travel To The United States
With specific exceptions, noncitizens who have been in certain countries during the past 14 days may not enter the United States, either as immigrants or nonimmigrants. For more information, visit Travelers Prohibited from Entry to the United States.
For information about COVID-19 requirements for land travel, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Fact Sheet: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S. at Land Ports of Entry and Ferry Terminals.external icon
Industry City Brooklyn Navy Yard & Brooklyn Army Terminal
In a city that places a high premium on space, Brooklyn now claims three trendy and exciting rehabilitated industrial areas, commandeered by entrepreneurs, artisanal makers, retailers, artists, start-ups and nonprofits. Industry City occupies six large warehouses on the Sunset Park waterfront.
Further south, 100-plus companies fill the vast and storied Brooklyn Army Terminal. And east of Downtown Brooklyn, the expansive, historical Brooklyn Navy Yard is a modern made-in-Brooklyn manufacturing hub.
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Slow Down With An Nyc Spa Day Visit
This concrete jungle is about as fast-paced as any place on the planet, so its important to take an opportunity to catch your breath once in a while.
Whether youre traveling solo or as part of a couple, a number of massage options await, with the option to add steam rooms, reflexology, or even chocolate facial treatments!
Cycle Over Brooklyn Bridge
Pedal across New Yorks most famous bridge and take in views of skyscrapers across the East River on a fun bike tour. Connecting the vibrant borough of Brooklyn with Manhattan Island, the bridge offers an epic way to see the sights.
See if you can spot movie filming locations in Brooklyn Bridge Park and marvel at the engineering of the worlds first steel-wire suspension bridge.
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Try An Alternative Christmas Atmosphere At Santas Secrets
Do you wonder what keeps Santa Claus busy when hes out of the public eye? Hes running a secret vintage nightclub at Hudson Yards!
Discover Santas secret in a captivating experience this Christmas season with cocktails and variety shows filled with sensational performances, including ballets and burlesque. Before making it to his secret speakeasy, youll wander through a wonderland and encounter the gingerbread girls, lumberjacks and ice queens.
Youll see not only six immersive installations and multidisciplinary interactive shows, but also a live band with New Yorks Inyang Bassey. This two-hour holiday experience runs from Dec. 1 to Jan. 2.
Ready for a spooky night? Go behind the scenes at the Basilica of St. Patricks Old Cathedral. Get access to the off-limits and hidden areas of the Basilica grounds, and step into the only active catacombs in New York City.
One Vanderbilt Another Great Place To Go In New York City
Another place you should visit in New York as a couple is One Vanderbilt. This luxurious venue is the 4th-tallest building in the city, standing 1,401 feet tall. Most of the lower floors contain offices, but as you ascend past the 73rd floor, you can access The Summit observation deck.
22. One Vanderbilt, another great place to go in New York City
The Summit is unlike any other observatory in the city since it has glass-enclosed balconies jutting out from the façade. From here, you can look out over Midtown Manhattan and see famous NYC attractions like Central Park, the East River, and the Empire State Building. The Summit also has a bar and several restaurants, so you can make a date out of it. Just be sure to purchase your ticket in advance here.
Its also worth noting that One Vanderbilt connects to Grand Central Station via a transit hall, so its location is very convenient.
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Get The Best Deals On New York City Attraction Tickets
The bustling city of New York boasts a wide range of iconic landmarks and attractions situated around every corner for visitors to explore. From eye-catching Broadway shows and multicultural dining and shopping experiences to witnessing breathtaking sites including the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park along with numerous famous museums, New York City takes immense pride in being recognised as one of the greatest cities in the world.
While there is no doubt that the city has a lot to offer, New York can get intimidating especially for first-time visitors. So, where do you begin and how do you make the most of your stay? New-york-tickets.comprovides the perfect opportunity to unfold New Yorks best attractions and experiences for the best price guaranteed. So, gear up to explore The Big Apple and get ready to avail great deals on your New York tickets – all accessible just within a click of a button.
Visit The Bronx Museum Of Art
Another great family activity is to visit the Bronx Museum of Art, which is free to all visitors, any time. This museum is home to many different mediums of art such as painting, drawing, performance, and sculpture. This museum focuses on social constructs and contains many pieces that tell a story about injustices and the effects they have on certain populations. This is an eye-opening experience that the whole family can include themselves in to learn about the local culture and social issues overall in an artistic form. This museum also hosts live performance art, which is free with your registration to the event of your choice.
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Enjoy A New York Meal
There are plenty of great places to eat in New York City and you don’t have to spend a lot of money on some of the world’s tastiest foods.
Below are our suggestions of where to find the best versions of iconic New York foods, as well as restaurants that will suit your mood, budget, and location.
You might also consider taking one of our food tours of NYC. They are pay-what-you-like.
New York Bagel
You haven’t really had a bagel until you have had a New York bagel. Some say it’s the NYC water that makes them so good.
With hundreds of bagel stores, how to narrow down the choices? With our list of 15 Best Bagels in New York City,
New York Pizza
Here are the best pizza places in New York City. They are organized by neighborhood so no matter where you are, you can find a great food stop.
A few are family-style where the pizza is served in big pies and the family shares. This is a really fun way to enjoy a great meal.
Italian
For an authentic New York dining experience, eat a meal al fresco on Mulberry Street at the best Little Italy Restaurants.
New York Delicatessen
There are very few real delicatessens left in NYC, the kind where you can get a great pastrami sandwich 6 inches tall.
Fortunately, we still have Katzs .
Soul Food
A Harlem institution is Sylvias and for other options check out “Where to Find the Best Harlem Soul Food”.
Chinatown
For inexpensive, delicious food in one of NYC’s most exotic neighborhoods, try these restaurants in Chinatown.
Other great eats
Visit The Statue Of Liberty
Probably the most symbolic place to see in New York, seeing the Statue of Liberty is easily one of the best things to do in New York.
Now, there are a number of ways to visit, or, at least see the Statue of Liberty from different vantage points. If you fancy visiting, book a ticket and catch the tour boats that leave from Battery Park itself. This tour allows you to hop off on the island and also visit Ellis Island, too.
That being said, if you just want to get a good view, hop on the Staten Island ferry or one of the ticketed tour boats that traverse the bay area.
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Visit Ripleys Believe It Or Not
Ripleys Believe It or Not NYC is home to a rare collection of some of the most unbelievable artifacts and thrilling exhibits from around the world. It is an interactive exhibition of over 500 bizarre exhibits with interactive experiences, divided in over 20 themed gallery.
Watch The Sunset At Top Of The Rock
So there are quite a few viewpoints across Manhattan, but one of my favourites has to be at the Top Of The Rock.
Perched at the tip of the Rockefeller Center, its got some epic views across all of New York.
Now, to get the best views, book a sunset ticket to watch the city turn from day into night.
Just make sure to book it online before you head to New York these tickets run out fast. It really is one of the best things to do in New York if you love some epic views.
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Ellis Island National Museum Of Immigration
The point of arrival for 12 million immigrants to the United States between 1892 and 1954, Ellis Island is a short boat trip via Statue Cruises at Battery Park.
To give you an idea of the importance of this site, the descendants of these immigrants account for nearly half of the entire population of the United States.
Dating to 1900, the main building of the immigration station complex houses the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.
Just outside, the Wall of Honour lists some of the people to have been processed here.
Within the Renaissance Revival building theres a wealth of information panels, artefacts, photographs, videos, oral histories and interactive stations.
The audio tour has more than 120 hours worth of content, going into detail on what it was like to pass through Ellis Island, how America was populated in the 19th and 20th centuries, and immigration in the present day.
Just like Broadway is synonymous with musical theatre, Fifth Avenue means luxury and prestige.
New Yorks most refined artery is the eastern boundary to Central Park and cuts past a staggering amount of things on this list, be it the Empire State Building or the Frick Collection.
There are specific stretches that demand a visit, like the park-side blocks between 59th and 96th Street.
From 82nd to 105th Streets is Museum Mile, loaded with nine prestigious museums almost side by side, including The Met and the Guggenheim.
Go To Grand Central Station & The Chrysler Building Two Places You Cant Miss In Nyc
For a free way to experience the hustle and bustle of NYC, check out Grand Central Station. This iconic train terminal is over 100 years old and was built in the Beaux-Arts style, which you can see reflected in the Main Concourses celestial-painted ceiling.
Around 100,000 people visit Grand Central per day, some of which are travelers and others that are visiting for the novelty of it. Besides serving as a hub for the citys subway and railway systems, the terminal houses dozens of shops, and restaurants, most notably Grand Central Market. Its also worth visiting Vanderbilt Hall, a lavish 1,100ft² event space.
9. Go to Grand Central Station & the Chrysler Building, two places you cant miss in NYC
Just a short walk from the terminal is the Chrysler Building, one of the most famous places in New York. Towering nearly 1,050 feet high, its one of the citys tallest skyscrapers and an excellent example of the Art Deco style.
You can admire the buildings architecture from several viewpoints, although my favorite is the Tudor City Bridge. If you can, you should visit during Manhattanhenge , when the sun aligns with the city streets grid pattern, creating an iconic photo opportunity.
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Where To Stay In Nyc
This is a difficult question to answer and really depends on your budget, personal taste and where you plan to spend most time. Each borough, or neighborhood, has pros and cons. Want more info?This guide describes the best neighborhoods in NYC and explains what type of traveler they are most suited for.
This list is by no means comprehensive, but were explaining the vibe of 3 different neighborhoods we think make a great base for your first trip to New York City.
Spend The Night At The American Museum Of Natural History
Over at Central Park West, the American Museum of Natural History has been pulling in excitable children and adults alike since 1869. Its as famous for its enormous Fossil Halls which house nearly 600 specimens of carefully preserved dinosaur skeletons, including Tyrannosaurus rex as it is for its spectacular Butterfly Conservatory, with more than 500 species that flutter around you. Book tickets online, but factor in extra for ticketed exhibits and shows. Theres also an extraordinary planetarium thats overseen by the legendary astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, and an Imax theatre. The coolest thing, though? They often do sleepovers.
The Cyclone at Coney Island
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Best Food In New York City
New York City is a mecca for food, and you can find just about anything imaginable in this metropolis. From food truck eats to fine dining, there are excellent options for every budget.
With so many fantastic options in New York City it would be a shame to wind up eating a meal thats just meh So were here to help you navigate the New York City food scene.
Were explaining where to find some of NYCs staple eats, like bagels and pizza, as well as some super fun foodie experiences in the Big Apple.
Good to know: If you are celiac, weve got good news: New York City has tons of options for you. Check out this Gluten-Free guide to NYC.
A Nearly Flawless Diamond
Be among the first members of the public to see Okavango Blue, a rare and nearly flawless 20-carat blue diamond. The centerpiece of a new display of diamonds from Botswana, it’s now on view in the revamped Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals at the American Museum of Natural History. You can learn more about the region and the science behind diamonds. Or you can just go be dazzled.
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Recover A Priceless Painting In 60 Minutes Or Less
Challenge your friends to solve an art heist in this escape room! Located in Manhattan, The Escape Game will immerse you and your friends in a one of a kind adventure. Can you escape in time?
Solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints, and strategies to complete the objectives at hand. Get out of the room on time and earn your freedom. You have 60 minutes max, so be quick!
Ice Theatre Of New York
This troupe’s mission is to advance dance on ice as a performance art. See skating in a whole new way as the ITNY continues fall pop up performances. Neighborhood rink shows take place in the coming weeks, as will lunchtime pop up concerts at The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park.
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Visit The New York Public Library & Bryant Park A Fun Thing To Do In Nyc With Kids
If youre looking for things to do in NYC with kids, two popular places you can check out are the New York Public Library and Bryant Park.
The New York Public Library is one of the top libraries in the U.S. and its free to visit. It has 92 locations throughout the city, with the main branch in Bryant Park, Manhattan. This Neo-Classical building is the third-largest library in the world, with four floors, 20 rooms, and nearly 53 million items. The ground floor is dedicated to childrens books, while the first floor contains the reference section and computer lab. The second floor has a study room with a marble fireplace, and the third floor is where youll find the McGraw Rotunda.
13. Visit the New York Public Library & Bryant Park, a fun thing to do in NYC with kids
Right outside the library is Bryant Park, a French-style park and garden with all kinds of funactivities in NYC. It includes a large fountain, several sculptures, a carousel, food stalls, and ping-pong, making it one of the best parks in NYC. During Christmastime in NYC, it transforms into a Winter Village, where you can go ice skating and enjoy the holiday lights.
Visit The Empire State Building
Probably one of the most famous skyscrapers in the world, seeing the Empire State Building is pretty hard to miss.
You see, the Empire State Building actually dominates Midtown and is easy to visit.
If you fancy, head to the top of the Empire State Building which has some great views across the city. Just like the Top of the Rock, its a perfect place to see the city from above.
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Eat Some Comfort Food
New Yorkers are evangelical about food especially good pizza, burgers and steak. Everybody thinks they know the best spots, but there are places whose culinary pedigree is universally agreed upon. For pizza, its a quick slice at Joes or pies at either Brooklyns Paulie Gees or Lucali . Juicy burgers are to be had at either Minetta Tavern or JG Melon , while the steak at Peter Luger still ticks all the boxes. A decent food tour will take in some of these big hitters and more and leave you sated for a week.
New York Botanical Garden