Visit The Intrepid Sea Air And Space Museum
Have you ever been on a submarine? You can do just that at this museum, which proudly charts Americas military and maritime history from Word War II to the space race.
Explore the Space Shuttle Pavilion and be amazed at original artifacts from the Marine Corps and NASA. There is an aircraft carrier and a supersonic reconnaissance plane to check out too.
Contemplate At The National September 11 Memorial & Museum
It was always going to be difficult for New York to make a memorial to the victims and heroes of 9/11. The scale of the tragedy and the enormous space left by the fallen Twin Towers of the World Trade Center seemed impossible to fill. But now the footprints of the two towers have been turned into two sunken pools continuously filling with cascades of water. The Reflecting Absence memorial as its known is a fitting, large-scale tribute.
Below this simple, but monolithic pair of monuments youll find the National September 11 Museum set in the foundations of the original Twin Towers. Tissue stations are provided and often needed around the exhibits, which include harrowing burnt-out artefacts and melted equipment from brave first-responders. Complete your tour of the area, and end with a ray of hope by ascending to the observation deck of the One World Trade Center. The tallest building in New York City has popular skyline views.
Top tip:
This isnt the only place you can contemplate the events of 9/11. The 9/11 Tribute Museum is five minutes south and run by the September 11th Families’ Association. It offers powerful guided tours led by people who were personally affected by the events.
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Central Park
A big city needs a big park: Central Park is 834 acres, and features lakes, wandering walkways and pretty trees, whatever the season. In spring look out for blossoming trees on the avenues, ducklings on the lakes, and tulips opening in Shakespeares garden.
Where To Stay In New York City For Sightseeing
The best way to truly experience New York is to stay in Manhattan, rather than trying to commute from the suburbs, which can be time consuming and a little tiring. The hotels mentioned below are all centrally located in Manhattan and close to many of the major attractions.
Luxury Hotels:
- is located in a great position near the Empire State Building.
Budget Hotels:
- Hotel rates vary considerably depending on the season, but it’s usually possible to find a few quality budget hotels offering reasonable rates. Some popular, modestly-priced hotel options include the Econo Lodge Times Square, just north of Times Square.
- A little removed from the main attractions but still within walking distance of Bryant Park, Grand Central Terminal, and subway stops, Seton Hotel is a quaint boutique hotel.
- Near Seaton Hotel is the more modern and affordable Pod 39 Hotel, with funky, compact rooms featuring en-suite bathrooms, and sociable common areas.
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One World Trade Center Observatory
Over almost a decade of construction between 2006 and 2015, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere took its place on the northwest corner of the World Trade Center site.
One World Trade Center comes from the north skyscraper of the Twin Towers and as of 2019 is the sixth tallest building in the world at 541.3 metres.
The height in feet is 1776, referring to the year the Declaration of Independence was signed, and youll rocket up 102 storeys in just 47 seconds.
The Observatory grants a 360° view, which at this end of Manhattan means you can look down on the Upper New York Bay and the Statue of Liberty, as well as the Brooklyn Bridge and up to the cluster of Midtown skyscrapers.
Come just before sunset to watch the city lighting up.
This railway viaduct, cutting down the west side of Midtown Manhattan, belongs to the West Side Line but had been effectively abandoned from 1980 until it was turned into an elevated linear park, 1.45 miles long.
Taking cues from the Coulée verte René-Dumont in Paris the High Line opened in 2009 and threads through Chelsea, with occasional views across the Hudson River at the south, and to the towers of the slick new Hudson Yards development in the north.
The gardens were designed by Dutch landscape architect Piet Oudolf, and have a continuous pebble-dash concrete walkway flanked by beds growing the hardy plant species that sprouted in the gravel on the disused line, like coneflowers, blazing stars and a variety of grasses and trees.
Nbc Studios Tour 30 Rockefeller Plaza
Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of your favorite talk shows? Now, you can look behind the camera and see how the magic happens! The NBC Studios Tour at 30 Rock gives you an immersive and in-depth tour through the legendary studios and sets where shows like Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show are filmed. Youll even produce and keep a copy of your very own show!
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The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory Mott St & Bayard St
If youre in the mood for something sweet, swing over to Chinatown and visit The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. Theyve got traditional favorites like vanilla and chocolate, but the real treat is found on their regular menu. Durian, Black Sesame, Green Tea, Lychee and many more unique flavors will give your sweet tooth quite the experience.
The Empire State Building W 33rd & 5th St
Of course you need to visit one of the tallest buildings in NYC a building that qualifies as one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. The Empire State Building is an imposing sight from below, but just wait until you see the sidewalk from up top! Purchase a ticket to the 102nd Floor Observatory and gaze out at one of the most spectacular views of the city.
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Central Park Ny Hotels
These are NYC Insider hand picked hotels that are not just “near” Central Park, as most NYC hotels claim to be…but on the Park itself, either Central Park South, Central Park West or Fifth Ave. Many other hotels are nearby, or within a few blocks, but these are the closest, and all offer Park views from select rooms.
Some of our top value picks near Central Park include:
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Go Up To The Top Of The Rock
In our opinion, no trip to New York would be complete without visiting the Rockefeller Center and the Top of the Rock. This has one of the best views of New York. While I feel that the skyline view itself is better from the Empire State Building, the view of the Empire State Building is breathtaking from the Top of The Rock.
The view from the top of the rock view is the classic New York City view that we all see in the movies. Plus, its cool to visit here because it is home to NBC Studios. In the morning you can stand outside to watch the today show, and if you really want to jump through hoops, you can try to see a Jimmy Fallon taping.
Make sure to book your tickets in advance for the Top of the Rock. It can get really busy during peak seasons.
- Cost: Free with New York Pass or $38 at venue.
- New York Pass also offers free tours of Rockefeller Center Otherwise it is $25 and you must book in advance for both.
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Visit The Morgan Library
Not too far from the Empire State Building, the Morgan Library was once the private library on JP Morgan.
After his death, he wrote it into his will that he wanted it opened to the public to enjoy, which is why, almost one-hundred years later, you can explore it.
Now, you do need to pay a small fee for entrance, but its totally worth if for a stroll around the reading room and library itself.
A visit here might take about fifty minutes, so its easily one of the best things to do in Manhattan if you need a little break from the hustle and bustle of the streets.
It really is worth a visit and its so grand.
The 33 New York Attractions That You Must See
While the mention of NYC undoubtedly brings to mind many of its famous buildings and attractions, it can be very difficult picking which ones you want to visit during your trip. Our list below of 33 best attractions in New York is in no particular order and is based on our experiences with each attraction as well as what we think makes for a good trip to the Big Apple!
Further down, you will find the best New York attractions on a map.
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Taste A Little Of Everything On A Food Tour
New York City is known as a hub for food of all kinds. And if youre like us, youll want to eat as much as humanly possible while visiting NYC.
But do you ever go somewhere wanting to try it all, but after one dish youre too full to keep going? Well, heres where the food tour idea comes in. A food tour allows you to try a little of everything without stuffing yourself on one item.
There are a ton of food tours to choose from in New York, but Foods of NY Tours is the oldest and one of the most reputable.
They have 6 different tours to choose from the Original Greenwich Village, Flavors of Chinatown, and Chelsea Market and Highline tour to name a few.
We selected the Heart & Soul of Greenwich Village tour and loved that it was a combination of history and trivia of New York City paired with lots of eating, of course!
Our guide was energetic and knowledgeable, the food was delicious, and we were able to walk between stops to help digest a bit .
If you like to eat, you wont be disappointed.
Cost: $54-65 per person, be sure to check the schedule some tours dont run every day.
*We were guests of Foods of NY Tours. As always, all opinions are our own.
Get Free Access To Popular Attractions
OK. Admittedly purchasing a tourist discount pass isnt free, in fact, these passes can seem expensive.
However, the all-inclusive tourist passes include most of the citys popular tourist attractions and tours, including hop-on-hop-off bus tours and boat cruises.
The object of these all-inclusive passes is to experience as many things in a day as you have time for. These passes are sold in increments of days, and the longer the pass the less the daily cost is.
So, if you plan efficiently, you will end up getting free access to several tours and attractions.
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Taste The Best Burgers At Jg Melons
A great burger is a beautiful thing, as simple as it is delicious. Established in 1972, the J.G Melons firm was called a few times the best burger in the city by famous frequenters such as the restaurateur Danny Meyer, or even best burger in the world by previous NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Eat Real New York Food
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.
We offer suggestions of where to find the best versions of iconic New York foods, such as pizza, bagels, pastrami, or knishes, as well as restaurants that will suit your mood, budget, and location.
You might also consider taking one of our pay-what-you-like food tours in NYC.
There are also some more specific food tours that focus on snacks like pizza and gelato in Greenwich Village.
If you’re looking to learn more about great meals in the city and the cultural history behind these dishes, consider a food tour in Greenwich Village or Brooklyn.
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Classic Things To Do In New York City
Take in the views from the Empire State Building
Theres nothing like enjoying great panoramic views of New York City and the Empire State Building is perfect for that. Completed in 1931, this was the tallest building in the world at the time it was built.
Go right before the sun sets, for an even better experience, but beware there may be lines for the tickets, as well as for the elevator to the observatory.
The Empire State Building is open daily from 12:00 to 9:00 pm. Tickets start at $42 USD and must be bought ahead of time. You can get your tickethere or, for a late night visit, here.
Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Albeit located in New Jersey state, the Statue of Liberty a UNESCO World Heritage Site is the symbol of the city. The typical starting point to visit it is Battery Park, from where ferries leaves. As the ferry gets closer, the views of the Statue and of Manhattan are impressive.
Once there, you can get to the Pedestal to visit the museum and learn about the its history. Tours usually continue to Ellis Island before heading back to Manhattan.
Tours of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island last around 4 hours. They must be booked in advance. You can consider this Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island early access tour or this private tour. The first ferry departs at 8:30 am.
For the best tours of the Statue of Liberty, click here.
Take the Staten Island ferry
Wander around the Meatpacking District
Walk the High Line
Visit the Vessel
Shopping!
Be Amazed In Times Square
Times Square is the lively heart of Manhattan. Packed with Broadway theaters, street performers, excellent shopping and of course its many bright lights, its a fantastic place to visit at any hour of the day! Many of the Midtown hotels are located around the Times Square area so youll never be too far away. Catch a show, take a selfie or hail a cab its all fun when its done in Times Square!
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Things To Do In New York City
Please make sure to check with each attraction before booking to see what their current procedures and opening times are. Things are changing constantly these days.
There are five boroughs of the city that are all worth exploring, but we are going to focus on Manhattan as this is where most first-timers begin and where we always tend to hang out the most.
We decided sort this list of what to do in New York City by wow factor. Putting the must-see things to do at the top and the things we feel you can leave for a second or third visit near the bottom. We also give prices and Google map coordinates to help you find each attraction. So happy browsing!
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
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Spot Celebrities In Nyc
Where to find celebrities in NYC or which celebrities are living in NYC today are common questions by all, but celebrity sightings in NYC are way easier than you may think and happen all the time. You will, of course, see them on the subway, in Central Park, at the gym, in restaurants, at all the current hotspots, at shows and more. But here are some unique ways to see celebrities all over the city.
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