10 Must See Places In New York City
Often known as the 'City that Never Sleeps,' New York is popular for offering a plethora of entertainment, diversified culture, fashion trends, and scenic beauty.
The attractions and architecture of the city have been captivating its visitors for a long time. Central Park, Times Square, the Empire State Building, and Yankee Stadium are some of the top destinations in NYC. Let us look at some of the amazing must-see places in New York City.
Top 10 must-see places in New York City
1. Statue of Liberty: The Lady Liberty is one of the must-see places in New York City and tops every traveler's bucket list. This iconic landmark of NYC is a famous neoclassical sculpture and is officially known as the 'Liberty Enlightening the World.' The symbol of hope and freedom was gifted to the United States by France as a gesture of friendship.
How to get there?
Statue cruises generally leave every 20-25 minutes from Battery to Liberty as well as Ellis Island. The ferry is the only way to the islands. These locations can be easily accessed by people in wheelchairs.
Nearby Attraction
- The Museum
- Gift Shop
- Food Stalls
2. Central Park: The 843-acre park is a lush urban retreat and a beautiful location with gardens, rolling meadows, arches, and sculptures. Many popular TV shows and movies have used the park as a shooting location. Located in the middle of Manhattan's bustling neighborhood, it is one of the cool places to visit in NYC because of its mesmerizing beauty. Tourists can get involved in various outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, ice skating, or relaxing. The park also organizes numerous live events that tourists can enjoy from time to time.
Tourist attractions inside Central Park:
- Central Park Zoo
- Friedsam Memorial Carousel
- Wollman Rink and Victorian Gardens
- Strawberry Fields/Imagine Mosaic
- Bethesda Terrace/Fountain
- Conservatory Water
3. Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Metropolitan Museum of Art is also popularly known as the Met. It is the largest museum in the United States of America. It is one of the best museums in NYC, housing over 2 million art pieces from the prehistoric era to the present times.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art also showcases porcelain, sculptures, musical instruments, historical artefacts, costumes, and armaments. At present, the museum holds 20 permanent collections.
Timings:
Sunday to Tuesday and Thursday: 10 am – 5 pm
Friday and Saturday: 10 am – 9 pm
Closed Wednesday
Suggested Read: Top 10 Places to Visit in Washington DC: Timing, Entry Fees
4. Museum of Modern Art: The Museum of Modern Art is one the best museums in NYC and is famous for displaying art in the transformative spirit.
The museum acts as an exhibition space rather than housing permanent collections. If you are an art lover, you will enjoy walking in the classroom-size galleries and stairwells that have been converted into art spaces.
Timings:
Sunday – Friday: 10.30 am – 5.30 pm
Saturday: 10.30 am – 7 pm
5. Empire State Building: Ruling the skies of NYC, the Empire State Building is one of the iconic landmarks of NYC.
There's plenty to discover about this architectural marvel, from its history to its unique architecture to the observatory deck 86th and 102nd floor. The observatory deck in the building takes the experience to another level by offering breathtaking views in every direction.
Shops & Restaurants
- State Grill and Bar
- Tacombi
- Chipotle
- Chop't
- Sushi-teria
6. Brooklyn Bridge: Walking on the Brooklyn Bridge is an easy-peasy fun adventure and the perfect excuse to visit Brooklyn. Brooklyn Bridge is one of the cool places to see in NYC for unparalleled views, and we all know that the bridge is a wonderful experience on its own.
If you are seeking the best views, start from Brooklyn and walk/ride towards Manhattan. Consider taking a stroll on the Brooklyn Bridge in the evening and see how Manhattan glitters to life. It keeps the view in front of you, and you start off with less crowd.
Timings: 24 Hours
7. National Lighthouse Museum: Located on the site of the United States' General Depot in Staten Island, the lighthouse museum is one of the cool places to visit in NYC.
The museum educates about the history and technology of nation's lighthouses. Visitors receive a quick orientation to the self-guided museum, which is a three-minute walk from the St. George Terminal of the Staten Island Ferry. The Wall of Lights, a collection of more than 160 tiny lighthouse replicas and displays on lighthouse keepers, foghorns and sound signals, illuminants, and optics, are just a few of the exhibits. By request, guided walking tours of the location are also offered.
Timings: 11 am – 4 pm
8. Corona Park: Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens attracted approximately 100 million people from all over the world long before it became one of the must-see places in New York City. The park is home to a variety of places to see and participate in recreational activities, including the Queens Museum, the Queens Zoo, the iconic Unisphere, and a lot more.
Tourist Attractions inside Corona Park:
- Queens Botanical Garden
- Fantasy Forest Amusement Park
- Queens Zoo
- Queens Night Market (Seasonal)
Things to Do Inside Corona Park:
- Wheel Fun Rentals
- World Ice Arena
- Maloof Skate Park
9. Edge: Located at 30 Hudson Yards, Edge is the highest outdoor Skydeck in the Western Hemisphere and the fifth highest in the world. Its suspension in mid-air will give you a one-of-a-kind feeling of floating in the sky with a 360-degree view you will not get anywhere else.
Timings: 10 am – 10 pm
10. Summit One Vanderbilt: Atop NYC's tallest skyscrapers, Summit One Vanderbilt takes the observation deck to new heights. Three layers of immersive environment will challenge, inspire, and excite your senses. Be prepared to give in to new ideas about what is possible.
Timings: 9 am - 12 amv Every year tourists from all around the world visit New York City to experience the unexpected. Every activity and attraction in New York City are a new experience that one must explore. To get the best of the city, ensure to put several of the must-see places in NYC mentioned above.
Suggested Read: St. Lucia Tourism Guide | TBO Academy
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is popular in New York?
A1. New York City is known for its upscale lifestyle, luxury restaurants, informative museums, alluring churches, beautiful bridges, and fascinating history.
Q2. What can be done in NYC for free?
A2. Top 8 FREE THINGS TO DO IN NYC
- Stroll through Central Park
- Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge
- Ride the Staten Island Ferry
- Visit the 9/11 Memorial
- Explore NYC Neighborhoods
- Walk the High Line
- Visit a Free Museum
- See the Splendor of Grand Central Station
Q3. How many days are enough to explore NYC?
A3. To visit the key highlights, you'll need at least three days (but a "quick hits" tour may be done in two days in NYC). However, we recommend 4-5 days to explore the key attractions without hurrying.
TBO Academy