1. Rockefeller Center – Top of the Rock
The Top of the Rock of Rockefeller Center offers one of the most spectacular birds-eye views of New York City.
Known as “The Deck”, the observatory includes three floors, located on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors. Both Indoor and outdoor offers panoramic viewing spaces.
Skip the Queue, Book Online: Top of the Rock Ticket
Getting There
Subway: (Google Map) 47-50 Streets Rockefeller Center Subway Station
2. Times Square
Brightly lit by flashy neon billboards, New York Times Square is one of the most iconic attractions. The commercial and entertainment district draws an estimated 50 million visitors annually.
Formerly known as Longacre Square, Times Square was the centre of illicit activity in the 1890s. It was renamed in 1904 after The New York Times moved its headquarters to the then newly erected Times Building, now One Times Square. It is the site of the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop, a tradition which began on 31 December 1907.
Skip the Queue, Book Online: Walking Tour: Times Square and Broadway District
Getting There
Subway: (Google Map) 49 Street Station / Times Sq-42 Street Station
3. Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States in 1886 to commemorate the lasting friendship between the two nations.
The 305 feet tall copper statue which symbolizes freedom & democracy was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and its metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel. Throughout the years, the statue stood tall as millions of immigrants arrived in America via nearby Ellis Island.
Getting There
Subway + Ferry: (Google Map) South Ferry Station – Walk to Battery Park and take the Ferry to Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty. Highly recommended to buy tickets online.
4. Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge was a feat of engineering when it opened in 1883 linking both Manhattan and Brooklyn. The bridge’s construction took 14 years and involved 600 workers.
A stroll across the elevated pedestrian walkway offers spectacular views of lower Manhattan.
Getting There
Subway: (Google Map) Fulton Street Station (Manhatten)/ York Street Station (Brooklyn)
5. The 9/11 Memorial
The 9/11 Memorial located at the World Trade Center is devoted in honouring those who were killed and documenting the events of Sep 11, 2001 attack.
Set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers, the 8-acre park composed of a grove of nearly 400 white oak trees, and the largest manmade waterfalls in the United States.
Skip the Queue, Book Online: Ground Zero 9/11 Memorial Tour
Getting There
Subway: (Google Map) WTC Cortlandt Station / Park Place Station
6. Grand Central Terminal
The Grand Central Terminal is a story of great engineering, survival, and rebirth. It was opened to the public in February 1913 and since become a rendezvous spot for New Yorkers.
In all, there are 44 platforms for 67 tracks, along which 700 trains run in and out daily. The addition of retail and restaurants have made it a popular destination for both tourist and residents alike.
We do recommend to visit the food centre and the grand central market.
Skip the Queue, Book Online: The Secrets of Grand Central Terminal Tour
Getting There
Subway: (Google Map) Grand Central – 42 Street Station
7. One World Trade Center
The One World Trade Center designed by David Childs is the tallest building in the United States. The 104 storeys tower has a height of 1,776 feet.
Visitors can experience the elevators that ascend 102 stories in 47 seconds to its observatory that offers a panoramic view of Big Apple.
Skip the Queue, Book Online: One World Observatory Admission Ticket
Getting There
Subway: (Google Map) WTC Cortlandt Station / Park Place Station
8. Dumbo, Brooklyn
Dumbo in Brooklyn is one of New York City’s hippest & historic neighbourhood. Its cobblestone streets and converted warehouse buildings have sprouted numerous boutiques, high-end restaurants and trendy cafes.
Getting There
Subway: (Google Map) York Street Subway Station
9. Fifth Avenue
Credit: @lin_p1
Fifth Avenue is best known as an unrivalled shopping street. It is also known as Millionaire’s Row as it is occupied by most of the world’s luxury brands.
Getting There
Subway: (Google Map) 5 Avenue-53 Street Station
10. Charging Bull
The 3200kg bronze Charging Bull sculpture stands at 11 feet (3.4 m) tall and measuring 16 feet (4.9 m) long. It symbolizes the aggressive financial optimism and prosperity.
The sculpture was created by Sicilian artist Arturo Di Modica in the wake of the 1987 Black Monday stock market crash. Arturo Modica illegally dropped the bull off in front of the New York Stock Exchange which became a prominent symbol of Wall Street.
Getting There
Subway: (Google Map) Rector Street Station/ Wall Street Station
11. Federal Hall
The Federal Hall was built in 1700 as a City Hall. The building was the location for many historic events. It is often said, America begins at Federal Hall.
After the Revolution, the Founding Fathers met at Federal Hall and the new governing body was responsible for passing many important laws and acts at that location. In addition, George Washington was inaugurated at Federal Hall in 1789.
Opening Hours: Mon to Fri 9 am – 5 pm
Getting There
Subway: (Google Map) Wall Street Station/ Broad Street Station
12. Flatiron Building
The Flatiron Building was designed by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham and built-in 1902 to serve as offices for the George A. Fuller Company, a major Chicago contracting firm. Its name derives from its resemblance to a cast-iron.
The odd triangular shape was to allowed the building to fill the wedge-shaped of the land located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway. Flatiron Building became popular with photographers and artists due to its most dramatic-looking design, thus earning itself as a landmark of New York for more than a century.
Getting There
Subway: (Google Map) 23 Street Station
13. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art founded in 1870 is one of the world’s largest and finest art museums. Its collection includes more than two million works of art across 17 curatorial departments.
The permanent collection includes works of art from classical antiquity and ancient Egypt, paintings and sculptures from nearly all the European masters, and an extensive collection of American and modern art.
Skip the Queue, Book Online: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Admission Ticket
Getting There
Subway: (Google Map) 86th Street Station
14. Trinity Church
Trinity Church is a historic parish church known for its history, location, architecture and endowment.
The parish received its charter from King William III in 1697 for a yearly payment of 60 bushels of wheat, especially for the king. When Queen Elizabeth II visited the church in 1976, she was presented with a ‘back rent’ of 279 peppercorns.
Getting There
Subway: (Google Map) Rector Street Station/ Wall Street Station
15. Woodbury Common Premium Outlet
The Woodbury Common Premium Outlets is a factory outlet that features up to 70% discounts in its 250 luxury and high-fashion retailers such as Armani Exchange, Balenciaga, Gucci and Dior.
Skip the Queue, Book Online: Woodbury Common Premium Outlets Bus from New York
Getting There
Bus: (Google Map/ WAZE)
16. Niagra Falls
Credit: @roddypittman
Niagara Falls is a group of three waterfalls at the southern end of Niagara Gorge, spanning the border between the US state of New York and the Canadian province of Ontario.
The combined falls (American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls) have the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America that has a vertical drop of more than 50 metres.
During the weekend, visitors can enjoy an incredible fireworks displays over Niagara Falls.
Note: If you are wondering, Canada side has a better view of Niagara Falls and you can walk across to the Canada side (Canada Visa is Required) via the Rainbow Bridge.
Getting There
Bus: (Google Map/ WAZE) Take Greyhound or FlixBus to Niagara. It takes 9 hours from New York City.
17. Central Park
Credit: @jacquinyc9
Central Park is an urban park in Manhattan covering 843 acres. It was one of the first American parks to be developed using landscape architecture techniques. The park is also one of the most filmed locations in the world and attracts 38 million visitors annually.
In the early 1800s, New York’s elite felt their city needed a large recreational parkland to escape from the noise and chaotic life in the city hence announced a design competition for the proposed park which was won by American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and British-American architect Calvert Vaux.
Getting There
Subway: (Google Map) 81 Street-Museum of Natural History Station/ 86 Station/ 5 Avenue Station
Book Broadway Tickets Online
- The Phantom of the Opera Broadway Show Ticket
- Blue Man Group Off-Broadway Ticket
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Broadway Tickets
- Stomp Off-Broadway Tickets
New York Food to Try
18. Katz’s Delicatessen
Katz’s Delicatessen is a kosher-style delicatessen famous for its pastrami on rye, which is considered among New York’s best.
It was reported Katz’s serves 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) of pastrami, 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) of corned beef, 2,000 lb (910 kg) of salami and 4,000 hot dogs each week.
Pastrami on rye
Getting There
Subway: (Google Map) 2nd Avenue Station
19. New York Bagel
A New York bagel is like a thick pretzel which originated from Poland and made popular in America by the Eastern Jewish community.
Bagel is made mainly with a high gluten flour, salt, yeast and barley malt, ferment overnight and briefly boiling them before baking. The inner bagel is very chewy with a little bit of hardness on its shiny crust.
The types of bagel filling can be very versatile be it bacon and omelette in the morning or our favourite smoked salmon with cream cheese in it.
Where to Try New York Bagels
- Liberty Bagels Midtown: (Google Map) 34 Street-Penn Station
- Russ & Daughters: (Google Map) 2nd Avenue Station
20. Shake Shack
Shake Shack started out as a hot dog cart inside Madison Square Park in 2001. Its popularity steadily grew which prompted Shake Shake to expand its menu from New York-style hotdogs with hamburgers, hotdogs, fries and its namesake milkshakes.
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We have written other travel guides as well. Check out some spots to visit in Milan
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