Best Tourist Attractions In New York City You Have To See

New York, one of the world’s finest cities, is always busy, with famous attractions at every turn and so little time to visit them.

Many visitors come to see the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, historic neighborhoods, and world-famous museums, while others come to attend Broadway performances or shop. I frequent and enjoy trying different places, trying new things, and visiting with friends.

New York is great for sightseeing because many of its top attractions are within walking distance or a short ride away. If you have time and like water, seeing New York City by ferry is a unique way to view the sites.

There are many things to see and do in New York year-round.

1. Statue of Liberty

First-time visitors to New York must see the Statue of Liberty, America’s most famous landmark. France gave it to America. It is a top American attraction and a global emblem of freedom, built in 1886.

One of the world’s largest monuments, it stands just about 152 feet from base to torch and weighs 450,000 pounds. Battery Park on Manhattan’s southern edge offers great views of the statue.

A short boat ride to Liberty Island is the greatest way to see the Statue of Liberty up close. Enjoy walking around the base, and if you have reservations, enter the pedestal or crown. For a unique tour of the crown, reserve early.

2. Central Park

Central Park is a tranquil refuge in New York’s concrete canyons for visitors and locals.

Anyone visiting New York City should stroll, bike, or take a carriage ride through Central Park’s crisscrossing paths. Even in winter, you can skate on Wollman Rink. One reason New York is so lovely and livable is this 2.5-mile-long, half-mile-wide park in the city center.

Central Park is one of the few affordable things to do in NYC because it offers numerous free attractions and is a terrific area to enjoy nature. Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields, the Central Park Zoo, and the Lake are prominent attractions. If you’re exploring the park alone, get a map at a visitor center and plan your trip.

3. Rockefeller Center & Top of the Rock Observation Deck

Most tourists visit Rockefeller Center in New York. This massive entertainment and commercial complex in Manhattan is home to NBC-TV and other media, but the centerpiece is the 70-story Art Deco 30 Rockefeller Plaza, which gives stunning views of Manhattan from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck.

The “deck,” on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors, is three level. Indoor and outdoor viewing areas offer stunning day and night views. Purchase a Top of the Rock Observation Deck Ticket in advance. These tickets allow you to modify the date if your plans change or the weather is bad.

Family and couple-friendly outdoor skating on the tower’s base is a favorite winter pastime in New York City. Rink hours are October to April. It’s okay if you’re not a good skater—the rink is small and many people are trying skates for the first time.

The skating rink is lit up for the holidays with a large Christmas tree after Thanksgiving. Many December visitors to New York come to see this landmark.

Also worth seeing is the bronze Atlas sculpture in front of the International Building. A common photo subject.

Address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York

4. Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, sometimes known as the Met, was founded in 1870 and is one of the most prominent museums in the United States. The Met’s permanent collection contains over two million items of art dating back 5,000 years.

Despite the fact that the museum has three locations, The Met Fifth Avenue is the main attraction. This collection features American ornamental arts, arms and armor, costumes, Egyptian art, musical instruments, photos, and much more.

Address: 1000 5th Avenue, New York, New York

5. Broadway and the Theater District

Attending a Broadway show is a top NYC activity. This is America’s top theater, where you can see new and old shows.

The Theater District and Broadway street are home to many Broadway theaters. Website tickets should be obtained early for popular shows.

The Shubert on 221 West 44th Street and the Booth on 22 West 45th Street are popular playhouses in Shubert Alley, a pedestrian-only alley in the Theater District. Sam S. Shubert occasionally sponsored plays, so aspiring actors would visit Shubert Alley.

A record 6,137 Shubert concerts featured A Chorus Line. Oklahoma debuted at the nearby St. James playhouse in 1941. Sardi’s restaurant, where many notable actors met, and Irving Berlin’s 1921 Music Box Revue are also legendary.

6. Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is a New York tourist destination. Before the 1 World Trade Center skyscraper, the 381-meter, 102-story edifice was the tallest in the world. When it debuted in 1931 with an airship mooring mast, the Empire State Building became a NYC icon.

On top of the Empire State Building are two observatories with stunning views. You can view New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts for 80 miles on clear days.

Most Empire State Building visitors anticipate to see the city’s highest open-air observation deck, the 86th Floor Observatory (1,050 ft). This location has appeared in many movies and TV shows.

Its high-speed, automatic elevators lead to a glass-enclosed area that is heated in winter and cooled in summer and wide outdoor promenades on all four sides. Fantastic vistas. 102nd Floor Top Deck overlooks busy streets 1,250 feet below. Enclosed viewing area 16 storeys up.

Almost always long, slow, and ridiculously long during peak hours, the Empire State Building line makes the whole experience more stressful. This attraction might consume half your tour day.

7. 9/11 Memorial and Museum

Suicide-piloted jetliners destroyed the World Trade Center’s twin 110-story towers on September 11, 2001, killing thousands. Instead of the World Trade Center buildings, two one-acre square reflecting ponds stand.

The National September 11 Memorial honors the almost 3,000 individuals died in the 2001 attacks and the six murdered in the February 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

The pools are sunken and enclosed by trees and grass, with water falling into a seemingly limitless square. Largest constructed waterfalls in North America. The names of all attack victims placed on bronze panels around the pools.

Beside the pools is the 9/11 Memorial Museum’s beautiful curving glass edifice. Artifacts, images, and films tell the 9/11 narrative and its aftermath.

It blends World Trade Center fragments into the amazing new museum building. The memorial and museum are on Greenwich Street south of One World Trade Centre.

The Westfield World Trade Center, which houses Oculus Plaza, is also worth visiting across Greenwich Street. This spaceship-like building with white fins is easy to spot. It’s worth visiting this public building with shops and high-end retailers for its architecture.

Pre-purchase 9/11 Museum tickets online or at the door. To avoid disappointment, book ahead for this New York favorite. Family rates are available for up to five people.

Tickets allow you to choose a visit time, which you must make. Mondays from 3:30 to 5pm, museum admission is free, however tickets must be reserved in advance starting at 7am and limited to four per person.

Address: 180 Greenwich St, New York, New York

8. American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History, one of New York City’s top family museums, is now much more thrilling.

The May 2023 launch of the Richard Gilder Center for Science in New York City is a new attraction. With its Antonio Gaudi-inspired architecture, this renovation and enlargement is one of the city’s major attractions.

On the four-story wing, flowing concrete forms fascinating shapes. Discover the new insectarium, butterfly conservatory, research library, and many educational possibilities inside. Visitors of all ages will be inspired by this remarkable cultural addition to the city.

Address: 200 Central Park West, New York, New York

9. High Line

The High Line, a popular and recently enlarged New York City attraction, is a former rail line that has been repurposed into an urban walking trail above the city streets.

This one-of-a-kind linear public park is home to a diverse range of plants and trees, many of which are native species. In the spring, several of these flowers blossom. The park is mostly lined with glass railings, giving it a natural appearance while also providing stunning views of the city.

This sanctuary on Manhattan’s West Side stretches from Gansevoort Street (just south of West 13th Street) to West 34th Street (north), mostly parallel to 10th Avenue. It is accessible from a variety of sites along the route, some of which just have stair access and others with elevator access.

Location: Manhattan West Side

10. Times Square

Times Square, lined with big, brightly illuminated billboards and displays, is New York’s nightlife hub yet lively any time of day. The square and surrounding streets are packed for New York’s New Year’s Eve celebrations and “ball drop” at midnight.

Times Square is often congested but has its own charm. Take a moment and enjoy the spectacle in the bleachers at one end.

Times Square, named after the New York Times tower, replaced Longacre Square in 1904. In 1928, the newspaper posted the first moving sign with current headlines.

If you’re tired of sitting on the bleachers, visit Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum for a fun group or pair outing. The lifelike wax sculptures depict NYC icons like Jimmy Fallon and The Tonight Show, Broadway cast members, and plays where you can dress up and participate. The building’s glass dome overlooks Times Square providing great views.

Address: Broadway/7th Avenue, New York, NY

11. Brooklyn Bridge

Famous for its Gothic arches and suspension cables, the Brooklyn Bridge has inspired generations of poets, musicians, and painters. In 1883, the world’s first steel suspension bridge crossed the East River from Manhattan to Brooklyn.

From several ferries or the east side of Manhattan, you can see it, but walking across the Brooklyn Bridge for an hour is the ideal way. Only walkers and bicycles can use a wood plank walkway above traffic lanes. The first pillar has an observation platform where you can see one of the granite towers. If you don’t want to trek the full way, go there.

The bridge offers stunning views of Manhattan, the East River, and the Statue of Liberty. Cycle over the bridge, however pedestrian traffic is considerable on busy days, making it slow and difficult. Be warned that the bridge’s entrance is far from the water.

12. Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue, one of America’s most well-known retail avenues, is New York’s prime shopping district, with flagship stores for many top designers. This upscale avenue is lined with Cartier, Tiffany, Bergdorf-Goodman, the famed Apple Store Fifth Avenue, and, of course, Saks Fifth Avenue, among many more brands.

Even non-shoppers can enjoy a walk down Fifth Avenue. The ideal location is roughly from the south end of Central Park to the New York Public Library, or between 60th and 40th Streets.

13. Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal, often known as Grand Central Station, is a beautiful Beaux Arts edifice worth visiting. The building debuted as a subway and train terminus in 1913.

Outside, the 42nd Street colonnaded faces and top statuary stand out. The Grand Staircase offers a view of the concourse. A celestial scene is on this wonderfully restored ceiling.

The Main Concourse Information Booth Clock is a Grand Central Terminal landmark. Many meet-ups and marriage proposals have taken place at this four-sided clock, which has appeared in The Godfather, Men in Black, and Midnight Run.You’ll also find many restaurants and shops in the terminal.

Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York, New York

14. Lincoln Center

An evening or afternoon at Lincoln Center is likely if you’re going to see ballet, symphony, or opera. Many musicians, dancers, and artists want to perform on the center’s 30 interior and outdoor stages.

Lincoln Center offers hundreds of free Summer for the City activities from mid-June to mid-August, making it one of New York’s cheapest cultural centers. Entertainment for all ages is available.

The Lincoln Center is home to the New York City Ballet, New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, Juilliard School of Music, Lincoln Center Theater, and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, so there will likely be an event during your visit. In addition to live acts, Film at Lincoln Center shows new films daily.

Location: 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, New York

15. One World Observatory

One World Observatory, at the summit of the newly built One World Trade Center building, offers stunning views from floors 100, 101, and 102, 1,776 feet above the ground. Attractions include the elevator to the summit. As you climb, the surrounding panels portray New York’s transformation from rural to urban.

The angles of this glass building, which can be seen from everywhere in Manhattan, make it stand out. Standing near the base and looking up, the tower appears pyramidal.

An NYC One World Observatory Skip-the-Line Ticket saves time, but you must still pass security to go up and experience the view.

Address: One World Trade Center, 285 Fulton Street, New York, New York

16. The Frick Collection (Frick Madison)

For ambience, the Frick Collection is the best New York City museum. Henry Clay Frick funded the early 1900s residence to display his art collection and gave it.

For several years, the original home will be closed for a huge makeover. Moved Frick Collection items to former Whitney Museum location. Temporary residence is Frick Madison.

The best paintings, china, and furniture by Monet, Rembrandt, Bellini, El Greco, and others are on show, making a visit worthwhile.

Temporary Address: 945 Madison Avenue at 75th Street

17. 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

18. Wall Street

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.

19. Radio City Music Hall

Lying in the shadow of Rockefeller Center is Radio City Music Hall, a famous entertainment venue and a designated city landmark. This 1932 Art Deco theater offers musical extravaganzas and films and is the home of the dance company, The Rockettes.

The building was built and financed by the Rockefellers during the 1930s and contained the largest indoor theater in the world at the time. Today, the venue frequently hosts major events, including the Grammy Awards and Tony Awards. Its prominent marquee is hard to miss as it curves around the building and stretches down the block.

Address: 1260 6th Avenue, New York, New York

20. St. Patrick’s Cathedral

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is one of New York’s finest examples of Gothic Revival, with its massive bronze doors, white marble façade, 330-foot spires, the Great Organ, rose window, bronze baldachin, 2,400 seating capacity, and the statue of Pieta at the side of the Lady Chapel. With millions of visitors annually, the cathedral is a major destination for believers and tourists alike.

The building was erected in 1879 and has been carefully restored and maintained throughout its existence, including a $200-million renovation that was completed in 2016.

Location: 5th Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets, New York, New York

21. Carnegie Hall

Carnegie Hall opened in 1891 as New York’s first great concert hall. Musicians from Tchaikovsky, who conducted on opening night, to Leonard Bernstein and The Beatles have filled the hall. It is said to have some of the best acoustics in the world.

While the best way to enjoy the hall is to take in a performance, one of the best ways to learn about it is on a guided tour. The tour offers a comprehensive look at the hall, insight into the construction, and discusses some of the artists who have taken to the stage. Tours end at the Rose Museum.

Address: 881 7th Ave, New York, New York

22. Bryant Park

A pleasant afternoon at Bryant Park is hard to surpass in June. The grounds have monuments, gardens, and “Le Carrousel,” a popular carousel. For a price, a games area offers chess, checkers, and backgammon.

Before 1989, Bryant Park was a filthy neighborhood renowned for crime and undesirables. The city reclaimed it and restored it into a lovely urban sanctuary. This park is popular with locals and enjoyable to wander in. Observing games is fun even if you don’t play.