Alexander Hamilton Us Custom House
If you are planning a trip to New York, the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House should be on your list of places to visit. This historical landmark was originally the site of duty collection offices for the port of New York. Today, it is home to the National Museum of the American Indian and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. There are also bankruptcies courts in the southern region of the city.
The house was the home of the famous founder of the United States. Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr met in 1777 in a duel that ended with Hamiltons death. The two were married just a few months later, and Hamilton was the youngest of the two. The house was also the residence of Aaron Burrs second wife, Eliza Jumel. Today, the house serves as a national monument. It is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm. It is possible to take a ranger-led tour of the building, or walk the grounds by yourself.
New York Botanical Garden
A welcomed breath of fresh air in the heart of this otherwise chaotic metropolis, New York Citys Botanical Garden is an award-winning botanic wonderland that boasts some 250 acres of unspoiled natural beauty.
Located in The Bronx next to the infamous Bronx Zoo and a short metro ride from Midtown Manhattan, these verdant gardens are home to a plethora of rare and exotic plants and flowers with no less than one million living plants covering 12,000 species from all over the planet.
As such, its not hard to see why sightseers flock here time and time again seeking solace during those long summer afternoons nor is it difficult to understand why photographers love snapping away at this colorful and truly enchanting haven!
For something different, dont miss the rock garden, and be sure to check the calendar to check out the rotating special events.
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
Serene and secluded on Staten Island, away from the big smoke, the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden is an urban oasis thats home to 83 acres of lush and colorful gardens, a host of museums, dozens of buildings including a Japanese teahouse, and much more.
What originally began as a retirement home for sailors in the mid-1800s has since blossomed into a distinguished Smithsonian Affiliate and one of the citys most unique cultural destinations, with something on offer for everyone regardless of age or interest.
The center hosts regular exhibitions by local and international artists in its rotating galleries, puts on plays and dance performances in its theaters, and runs educational programs for kids and adults alike while the botanical gardens are the perfect place to relax among blooming flowers, towering trees, tranquil ponds, and top-notch harbor views.
For anyone on the hunt for a spot of learning, dont miss the Noble Maritime Collection and Staten Island Museum, while families, make a beeline for the Staten Island Childrens Museum all on-site at Snug Harbor.
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Where To Stay In New York City
There are so many neighborhoods to choose from in New York City. How is a first-time visitor supposed to pick? If you dont know the city well, I recommend staying in Midtown so you can easily get to all parts of the city. Stay near a subway stop so you can get around easily.
While it might be tempting to stay in Times Square, it doesnt give you an accurate picture of how charming New York City can be and it can be really noisy and crowded. Its best to stay outside of that area.
Hotels
Here are a few of our recommended hotels in NYC. You can read reviews of book directly through any of these links:
- The Quin luxury boutique hotel near Central Park with a bar/lounge, renovated rooms and nice bathrooms Read reviews | Book now on Expedia
- Kimpton Hotel Eventi Luxury boutique spa hotel in Chelsea. The location and the hotel itself is very impressive Read reviews | Book now on Expedia
- Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel Located in midtown, near Grand Central, this is an impressive hotel with modern design Read reviews | Book now on Expedia
What are your favorite things to do in New York City either as a tourist or as a local? Share it with us in the comments.
Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited 70+ countries.
Top 10+ Things To Do In Nyc For First Time Visitors
Its no secret why New York is called The City That Never Sleeps. With countless stores, restaurants, museums, galleries, and more, there is no shortage of things to do in New York City. Whether youre visiting with friends, a significant other, your family members, or kids, youre sure to find plenty of fun things to do.
To get you started, here is our list of some of the top things to do in NYC that you really shouldn’t miss during your trip. All of the following are must-see attractions in New York, broken down into a few general categories.
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Top Paid Nyc Attractions
Unfortunately, not everything is free in NYC. Some of the best and most popular attractions come with entry fees, and sometimes with hefty price tags.
Below, we list our top 10 and provide a long list of additional attractions that require paid tickets to enter.
Be sure to check out our neighborhood, nighttime, and family-friendly sections for more ideas.
But, before we list them, there is a way to visit many of them for free or at a discount.
If you are considering visiting at least 2 of the city’s main paid attractions, then consider an all-inclusive tourist attraction discount pass.
If you are efficient with these deals, you will end up getting 1 or 2 attractions for free each day.
Be sure to read our post that details and compares the various attraction passes available to you to see if one is right for you.Our Top 10
Many of our walking tours visit several of the sights listed above, such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and the 9/11 Memorial.
Our tours are free to sign up for and work on a pay-what-you-wish basis only after a successful tour.
Queens County Farm Museum
If you want to get out of the city and explore a little bit of rural America, look no further than the Queens County Farm Museum an underrated attraction that is both peaceful, educational, and, as one of Americas longest operating farms, historic.
Located in Floral Park, this museum is home to 47 acres of farmland, complete with a petting zoo, tractor rides, and an ice cream parlor to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Whats more, its the only working farm left in all of New York City , making it a unique spot to visit for those looking for a taste of old-school Americana.
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Museum Of Chinese In America
A nice combination of art and history, the modestly-sized Museum of Chinese in America aims to preserve the rich Chinese traditions and history, telling the story of the Chinese people who immigrated to New York and helped build the now-thriving Chinese American community.
Located in downtown Manhattan, the museum offers guided tours of its permanent exhibition and seasonal exhibits where youll find over 65,000 artifacts spanning photographs, textiles and clothing as well as a range of family-friendly hands-on activities and workshops.
Of course, located a stones throw from the sleuth of Chinatown restaurants, a visit is best backed up with a plate of delicious steamed dumplings.
Lincoln Center For Performing Arts
In 1959, President Dwight D Eisenhower attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts. It opened in 1962 and is located on Manhattans Upper West Side. Its decade-long renovation by architects and firms like Frank Gehry, Cooper, Robertson & Partners, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill started in 1999.
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Statue Of Liberty And Battery Park
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Address: Liberty Island,New York, NY
Address: 234 West 42nd Street New York NY 10036
Address: Theater District,New York, NY
Address: 5th Ave,New York, NY
Address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza,New York, NY 10111
Address: 89 E 42nd St,New York, NY 10017
Los Angeles’s Famous Spots:
1. Hollywood Walk of Fame:
The Walk of Fame is a well-known icon in Los Angeles. On the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard, there are about 2,500 stars that feature the names of many celebrities in the entertainment industry.
2. Disneyland:
It was developed and built according to Walt Disney’s specifications. This is one of the world’s largest Disneylands. This park features massive castles and models, as well as rides and shops.
3. Madame Tussauds Hollywood:
This museum features wax statues of Hollywood actors and personalities. The museum has 115 wax statues of notable Hollywood stars. A giant statue of Shrek stands outside the museum, which attracts visitors.
4. Getty Center:
This is a massive and wonderful museum dedicated to European and American art with various permanent and temporary exhibitions. The Getty Center is more than a museum it also houses a research center with its own gallery dedicated to rare books, manuscripts, pictures, and artists’ notebooks.
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Watkins Glen State Park
Watkins Glen is located at the southern tip of Seneca Lake within the Finger Lakes State Parks. The glen extends for two miles, dropping a total of 400 feet over 19 waterfalls, past 200-foot cliffs that were carved by the water.
In addition to admiring the gorge from its rim trails, visitors will find many things to do, including fishing, hiking, and even swimming in the park’s Olympic-sized pool. The park has campsites for both tents and RVs, as well as picnic areas for day visitors. Guided tours of the gorge are available in season.
Lincoln Center For The Performing Arts
Founded in the late 1950s, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is one of New York Citys most impressive cultural institutions, housing a total of a dozen performing arts companies and close to 30 indoor and outdoor venues, serving as home to world-renowned arts organizations like The Metropolitan Opera, The New York Philharmonic Orchestra, esteemed Juilliard School of Music and so many more.
Today, this expansive complex offers everything from ballet to film, opera, musicals and guest speaks throughout its iconic plaza, making it an easy place to spend an evening soaking up NYC culture on the Upper West Side.
So check the calendar, grab your better half, dress to the nines, and say hello to a splendid evening of bourgeoisie entertainment.
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Our Tips For Visiting The Top New York Attractions On A Budget
If you are on a family holiday, or visiting the city with a group of friends and need to book 4 tickets for each attraction, or are alone but just have a tight budget set for your trip, we have something really special for you. NYC sells discount attraction passes which allow you to visit all of the must-see NYC attractions for less while giving you the flexibility of deciding what you want to see once you get there!
Offering discounts of up to 70% on many sights, tours, and attractions New York City sightseeing passes are the ultimate way to save money. Find out which one will save you the most based on the attractions you want to see here:
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library’s main branch was designed by architects, Carrere & Hastings, in the Beaux Arts style. The library, with its impressive rooms, is a prominent city attraction that has been featured in many movies and TV shows over the years.
Although colloquially known as the main branch, the proper name is actually the Stephen A. Schwarzman building. It opened in 1911 to immediate acclaim. An enormous library, the Main Reading Room alone stretches two city blocks, and the Periodicals Room holds 10,000 current magazines. The collection at this location is vast, to say the least.
Location: Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, New York
Stretching for eight city blocks from Broadway to South Street is the world famous Wall Street. This street and the surrounding area are home to some of the most important exchanges in the world, including the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ, and the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Also located nearby are the impressive Trinity Church and Federal Hall. Look for the bronze statue of Charging Bull at Bowling Green, on Broadway. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Financial District and a popular photo opportunity for visitors.
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George Eastman House And The International Museum Of Photography And Film
The 50-room George Eastman mansion was completed in 1905 and originally included a stable, garage, barn, five greenhouses, and many gardens. Located in Rochester, the house has been restored to its appearance in the early 1900s, with photographs made by Eastman, as well as letters and notes that assisted in the restoration.
The outstanding International Museum of Photography and Film is located on the grounds and will be of interest to anyone with a passion for photography. The museum also showcases a number of traveling exhibits and movies on a regular basis. Be sure to check their website to see what’s coming up.
Address: 900 East Avenue, Rochester, New York
Official site:
Contact Information All Travelers
All air passengers to the United States will also be required to provide contact information to airlines before boarding flights to the United States. This strengthens a travel process already in place to rapidly identify and contact people in the U.S. who may have been exposed to a communicable disease, such as COVID-19. Access to travelers contact information will allow U.S. federal, state, and local health departments, and agencies to share appropriate health and public health information necessary to help keep the public safe.
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One World Trade And The September 11 Memorial & Museum
Would a New Yorker go?: Yes, many go to honor those who were lost and commemorate a time when the city came together.Why its popular: A solemn but important stop on any trip to New York, the powerful memorial to the victims of the September 11th attacks is open to the public from 7:30am to 9pm every day, no ticket necessary. However, you will need a ticket to get into the accompanying 9/11 museum. Next to the site of the former Twin Towers stands One World Trade, a gleaming 104-story building — the tallest in the Western Hemisphere — offering sweeping 360-degree city views.
If you go: Be respectful. Resist any and all urges to take a selfie or Snapchat at the Memorial. Tickets for the 9/11 museum can be purchased up to 6 months in advance. Youre asked to book a specific time slot for entry, but dont stress too much about making it at the exact time you book — there will be a line no matter what time your ticket says, and youll be able to get in within a reasonable window of your tickets timeframe. Theres also a $65 early access tour that lets you in the museum at 8am before doors officially open.
As for One World Trade, New Yorkers take in the stunning views of the 64th Floor Sky Lobby by shamelessly asking a friend or friend of a friend who works in the building for a guest pass, which gets you in for free, sans wait. But if you dont have the connections, buy tickets in advance to the One World Observatory.
National Museum Of The American Indian
Eye-opening, educational, and providing an alternative cultural activity from the plethora of art museums around the city, the Smithsonian-affiliated National Museum of the American Indian is a fantastic place to learn about the indigenous people from all over North, South, and Central America.
Located on the first two floors of the gorgeous Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House , this insightful museum details how, among others, Native Americans have lived for thousands of years through in-depth exhibitions, as well as film screenings and live performances throughout the year including traditional dance shows.
Its free to enter and open every day of the week, making it one of the best tourist attractions in New York City for those looking for something a little different.
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Chinatown & Little Italy
Would a New Yorker go?: Heck yes, if theres a meal involved. These two neighborhoods are some of the most tourist-infested, but also the tastiest.Why theyre popular: The fooooooood! Sadly, Little Italy no longer boasts a large Italian population, but a walk down Mulberry Street can still satisfy your red sauce and cannoli cravings. New Yorkers load up on Italian-imported cheeses at the hundred-year-old Di Palos market on Grand Street .
Chinatown, which extends both east and west below Canal Street, still boasts a large Chinese and Chinese-American population. Steel yourself for the pungent wafts of fish. Wander past steamy windows with hanging Peking ducks, street carts vending drinkable coconuts in the summer, and nearly countless restaurants serving up a variety of delicious Chinese cuisine. Lam Zhou Handmade Noodle has some of the best dumplings youll ever stuff in your mouth, Spicy Village has its iconic Big Tray Chicken , and Nom Wah Tea Parlor serves everyones favorite dim sum.