See The Xo World Project Sculpture
Consider checking out the XO World Project Sculpture located at the World Trade Center Campus. Designed by Daniel Anderson, the sculpture is a part of the Share Love movement to activate positivity, hope, and inclusiveness among people. The sculpture is made from 20,000 lbs of stainless steel and stands 12 ft. high by 24 ft. wide! It will be here for 2 years, so enjoy it while you can.
Pay Your Respects At The 9/11 Memorial
The 9/11 Memorial is made up of two reflecting pools, each marking the footprints where the Twin Towers once stood. It honors the lives lost during the terrorist attacks on the site in 1993 and 2001. The names of every person who died in those attacks are inscribed onto the edge of the memorial pools. The memorial is always free to visit, and the museum is free on Mondays from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Little Italy And Chinatown
One of the many wonderful things about New York is its diversity, and that is what youll experience when you visit Little Italy and Chinatown. The best part? These two completely different neighborhoods are right next door to each other. Thats the beauty of New York: You get to enjoy two equally fascinating but totally different neighborhoods within mere blocks of one another.
Lots of people visit both these neighborhoods in the same trip. We do for our neighborhood tour, adding in SoHo as well. Since theyre so close, you can get a taste of each in under an hour.
3 neighborhoods, 2 hours, 1 incredible tour
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See The Statue Of Liberty & Visit Ellis Island
TripSavvy / Kelsea Watkins
You’ll undoubtedly be sharing the experience with crowds of other tourists, but navigating the lines and crowds is well worth it for the chance to gaze upon the modern-day colossus that is the Statue of Liberty. A symbol of American democracyand a one-time beacon of hope and promise for immigrants arriving at U.S. shores by boat via New York Harboris indeed, still today, an inspiring sight to behold. Dating to 1886 , the monumental 151-foot-high sculpture sits atop a pedestal out on Liberty Island, which guests reach via Statue Cruises ferry service from Battery Park in Downtown Manhattan. Just be sure to plan ahead since access to the statue’s pedestal or interior can be arranged with reservations only.
While the statue may garner most of the glory, don’t overlook a visit to the nearby attraction Ellis Island. Now a national museum of immigration, the complex once served as a federal immigration station and processing center for new arrivals to the U.S. between 1892 and 1954. Expect an altogether insightful presentation, via artifacts, photographs, and multimedia exhibits, of the immigrant experience in America. Best of all, the entry’s included with your ferry fare, so plan ahead to make a day of it.
Spend The Day At Coney Island
The city’s playground, Coney Island, NY, has been the center of seaside amusement since before the turn of the 20th century and over the years, it has been romanticized in film and musicbeloved for its exciting rides and wacky attractions for children and the nostalgic memories it brings to adults. It saw years of neglect, sure, but the arrival of the Luna Park amusement park restored the areas lively nature. Today, hundreds of thousands of people visit what has become one of the top New York beaches offering a range of fun things to do in summer. From movie nights to concerts and the wild Mermaid Parade, theres truly an activity for everyone. The summer destination is one of the best day trips from NYC, so when you go, hit must-visit stops like Nathans Famous hot dog stand for a bite, attend a crazy Coney Island Cyclone game and check out New York City’s only aquarium.
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Visit The 9/11 Memorial + Museum
Located in a simple, spacious wide-open plaza in Lower Manhattan, this memorial to the lost lives of 9/11 is an essential feature of New York City.
The memorial is free to visit.
The National September 11th Museum, which covers the tragic events of 9/11 through artifacts, documents, and films, does have a cost.
TIP: Admission to the 9/11 Museum is included with some 9/11 Memorial tours, and it’s also available with some tourist passes.
Walk The Brooklyn Bridge
A great way to explore New York is on foot, and walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is iconic. While you can get to it by bus or subway, why not walk from lower Manhattan to Brooklyn across the bridge? Though it is not the oldest bridge in NYC it is one of the few bridges that you can actually walk across.
You can stand overhead looking at the New York traffic pass underneath, dodge new yorkers scuttling to work and keep an eye out for cyclists whizzing by in the bike lane. This is a great place to see the city from a different vantage point.
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Interesting Facts About New York City
New York City was founded by Dutch colonists in 1624. It was originally named New Amsterdam. The name was changed to New York in 1664 when the land was granted to the Duke of York, King Charles II of Englands brother.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, New York City welcomed millions of immigrants. They entered through Ellis Island and then took up residence in New York City, or other parts of the United States. One of the best things to do in New York City is to visit Ellis Island and tour the tenement buildings, which are now historic landmarks.
New York City is made of up of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. With a population of almost 9 million people, this is the most densely populated city in the USA.
New York City is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. NYC is home to more than 3 million residents who were born outside of the United States, which is the largest foreign born population of any city in the world.
This city is also home to the UN Headquarters, as well as the worlds two largest stock exchanges , making it a leading city for international diplomacy and finance.
Finally, New York City is home to some of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, such as the Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square, and the Statue of Liberty.
How To Save The Most Money In New York City
We used the New York Pass to see all the top New York City Attractions. A three-day pass cost $199 USD. It pretty much gives you access to all of the top things to do in New York, including tours.
It also includes the hop-on-hop-off bus if you want to get a lay of the land and see the city, plus you can catch it from one area to another at no extra cost. However, we found the subway to be faster.
But if you are not used to using city metros, the tourist bus is the best option.
We liked having the New York Pass because we went into places that we otherwise wouldnt have checked out. And they ended up being great experiences.
- The app helps you:
- offers discounts to shows, tours, and dining experiences
- and is updated daily with new ideas and hot deals
We found it to be worth the money for what we did. But make sure you are actually going to do a lot in New York City because you could buy it and not end up using $199 worth of experiences.
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Best Things To Do In New York City
In no particular order, here is our list of the best things to do in New York City. At the end of this article, you can see all of them on a map.
1. Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
Location: Liberty Island and Ellis Island
If it is your first time to New York City, the Statue of Liberty is a must-see. This copper statue, which was a gift from France to the United States in 1886, greeted millions of immigrants in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
The Statue of Liberty was designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and the metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel. The statue is the figure of Libertas, a Roman goddess of liberty. In her left hand, she holds the tabula ansata, dated July 4, 1776, the date of the US Declaration of Independence.
You can visit just the Statue of Liberty or you can combine the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island together as a round trip excursion from Manhattan.
Statue of Liberty | Best Things to Do in New York City
On Liberty Island, you can climb the base of the Statue of Liberty or go all of the way to the crown. Both of these options require advance tickets, and they do sell out, so make sure you book your tickets well in advance.
Ellis Island was an immigrant inspection station and approximately 12 million immigrants were processed here between 1905 and 1954.
2. Visit Central Park
Location: Manhattan
Central Park is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world. Its also one of the most filmed locations in the world.
Discover Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is as much a part of New York history as the Empire State Building or Central Park, which is why it is the landmark square of Greenwich Village. Imagine how Bob Dylan or Andy Warhol must have passed more than a few afternoons there contemplating their works of art.
In the center of the park, youll find a larger fountain framed by the triumphant arch which is pretty epic and a great place to snap a pic. On warm days youll find musicians busking in the square which can be more than youd believe. Ive listened to a student play a mini-grand piano there and the memory sticks with me today.
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Broadway And The Theater District
Attending a Broadway show is one of the top things to do in New York City. Considered the pinnacle of American theater, this is the place to see the latest shows and the long-running classics.
Broadway usually refers simply to Broadway theater, which encompasses a large number of theater venues in the Theater District and along the street of Broadway. For the most popular shows, tickets should be purchased well in advance.
Shubert Alley is a famous pedestrian-only alley in the Theater District and home to two well-known playhouses: the Shubert on 221 West 44th Street and the Booth at 22 West 45th Street. Historically, aspiring actors would frequent Shubert Alley looking for opportunities to perform in a play sponsored by theater baron, Sam S. Shubert.
A Chorus Lineplayed at The Shubert for a record 6,137 shows. The musical Oklahomadebuted in 1941 at the St. James playhouse just down the street. Other legendary places include Sardi’s restaurant, where many famous actors met, and the Music Box Theater, where Irving Berlin staged The Music Box Revue in 1921.
Stroll Through The Final Resting Places Of Some Of New Yorks Most Famous Residents At Green
Located just a few blocks from Prospect Park, Green-Wood Cemetery boasts iconic New Yorkers like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Leonard Bernstein, and Horace Greeley as permanent residents.
History nerds can enjoy a trolley tour through the grounds and learn about the cemeterys history and art from experts.
Green-Wood is also a great place to reconnect with nature.
In fact, the cemetery is also an arboretum featuring 690 unique species of trees!
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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.
The Tour Of Contrasts
New York is, without a doubt, a city where contrasts follow one another at such a speed that it is difficult to keep up with them. The Contrasts Tour takes you to four very different neighborhoods of the city: Queens, Harlem, Bronx and Brooklyn.
You will see the industrial part of the city, the Jewish quarter, the streets full of history of Harlem, iconic buildings of the city and in just one day you will have toured the city and you will have known it like a local.
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Share Some Secrets At The Grand Central Terminal Whispering Gallery
Located just off the Oyster Bar, this hall features acoustic arches that carry even the softest sounds over the hum of one of Americas busiest train stations.
Here, you and a friend can stand on opposite sides of the arch and share stories at a whisper from several feet away.
This feature is just one of the many things that makes Grand Central one of the most unique places in New York.
Afterward, grab an Old Fashioned cocktail at The Campbell Apartment or learn about the secrets of Grand Central on a walking tour.
Walk Through Little Italy And Soho
Head to Soho and Little Italy on a relaxed walking tour for a dose of authentic New York life. Keep an eye out for celebrities as you stroll past cast-iron buildings in fashionable Soho, and hear stories of immigrants and gangs in Little Italy.
You will visit iconic sights like Spring Street, Mulberry Street, and Columbus Park on this journey through history.
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Walk To Explore The City
New York is one of the worlds greatest walking cities. Discovering the city by foot is a great way to engross yourself in all of the sights and sounds of New York. You will have the chance to admire the architecture and meet some locals. But most importantly, walking is free. New York is a huge city. To save time and money, it would be a great idea to map out the attractions you want to visit and cover one area at a time.
Explore New York City By Water:
Cruises are one of the best ways to explore New York. Some may say that exploring New York on a cruise is their favorite way to see the city. You will find many different styles of cruises in New York, and there are many cruises to choose from. Here are a few recommended cruises if you want to take while exploring the city that never sleeps to the next level.
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Lighting The World’s Largest Hanukkah Menorahs
In Manhattan and Brooklyn, there is a small competition for the worlds largest Hanukkah Menorah. On 22nd, the Jewish Festival of Lights begins and this starts with the lighting of the largest Menorah in the world. The gold, 400-pound, 32-foot steel structure can be admired both in front of the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan and at the Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn.
The lighting of the Menorah is one of the great events in NYC in December. Music is played and food is offered as well. In Manhattan, the event begins at 5:30 pm, on Fridays at 3:30 pm and Saturdays at 8:00 pm. In Brooklyn, the lights will be on at 6:00 pm, on Friday at 3:30 pm and on Saturday at 7:00 pm.
As you probably already know, one of the best things in New York for me all year round are the rooftops of NYC! Even in winter the season is not over yet, because with radiant heaters, free blankets and warm rooftop lounges you can make yourself comfortable there even in icy temperatures. The great view will warm your heart.
At 230 Fifth near the Flatiron building, you can even sit in a heated igloo while enjoying a breathtaking view of the skyline how cool is that!
For more tips, check out our article on the best fall & winter rooftop bars in New York.
Get Lost In Industry City
Visiting Industry City is one of my favorite things to do in New York City. Think of a one-stop shop for all things NYC, then multiply it by ten and you have Industry City.
Comprised of 16 buildings across 35 acres, Industry City sits on the Brooklyn waterfront located in Sunset Park. The large industrial space was established back in the 1890s and the space was used for manufacturing and distributing products. Today it is one of the most popular things to do in New York City.
Chock-full of events, eateries and shops, Industry City has it all. You can spend hours getting lost, roaming from place to place and still barely scratch the surface. In between the buildings youll find colorful courtyards decorated with seasonal decor and art installations creating the most charming backdrops for a photo.
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