More than eight million people live in New York City, which is a city of dreams for many. The city’s charm is unmatched by any other place in the world. It is a little surprising that every year, about 60 million tourists make their dreams come true and experience life in the “city of cities,” even if it is just for a few days of wandering around the best New York City attractions.
If you are going to New York City soon, make sure you do not miss this must-see, hear, and do things. Manhattan is a veritable mecca of sights, sounds, and experiences.
Honorable Mention: Attend a New York City Sporting Event
Fans of New York City’s sports teams are some of the most loyal in the world, and the city has more than one team for almost every major sport. Going to a sporting event should be easy and at the top of your list whenever you visit.
What’s great is that GameTime makes it easy to buy a ticket to any game as well! They specialize in last-minute tickets.
Here Are the 5 Best New York City Attractions That Should Be on Every Tourist’s Agenda:
5. Circle Line
Can you guess what the famous Circle Line Cruises do? They go around the island of Manhattan. You will see famous and unknown bridges, neighborhoods you never thought you would visit, and you will really get to see Manhattan from different angles. This is a great way to see the best of New York City from the comfort of a boat. And who knows, some New Yorkers on the shore might even wave to you from time to time.
Operating hours: Daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Fee: $52 for 1.5 hours.
Locations:
- Midtown West, Pier 83, West 42nd Street
- Downtown East, Pier 16, South Street Seaport
4. Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MoMA) is one of the best museums in the United States and one of the best museums in the world. It has one of the best collections of ancient Egyptian art outside of Egypt, as well as great collections of Greek, Roman, American, and Mesopotamian art. It also has a great collection of European and American paintings. There are great art programs for kids and teens that are often free, and the museum is a great place to learn about art.
- Sunday – Thursday, 10:00 am – 5.30 pm
- Friday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Fee: $28
Location: 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028
After a long day of exploring, we could all use a drink, right? Known as “the city that never sleeps,” New York is filled with tons of bars to drink at that thrive off of just that. Here is a list of some of the best speakeasies and secret bars to visit next time you’re in New York.
3. Central Park
To anyone who says New York is just a concrete jungle, they need to take the subway and go to Central Park. Our oasis of green with its lush lawns, winding paths, and hidden streams is truly the people’s park, as you will see rich and poor people enjoying nature together. There are lots of places to play sports in both the summer and winter, with ice rinks, open fields, and really cool playgrounds.
Shakespeare in the Park has free Broadway-level shows, concerts, movies, a small amusement park, and more in the summer. You can row a boat, ride an old carousel, or even see an old dairy barn. In the winter, you can ice skate on the lake south of the Ramble. Like so many other beautiful corners of the park, this lake has been in a bunch of Hollywood movie productions, such as the final scenes of “Serendipity” with Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack. This truly makes Central Park one of the best New York City attractions.
Fun fact: Central Park was opened in 1873, after 16 years of construction. The grand opening was delayed by the American Civil War of 1861–1865.
Opening hours: Daily, 6:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m.
Fee: Free entrance
Location: Central Park stretches from 59th Street to 110th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Central Park West
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2. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
I am sure you have seen about a dozen movies where an immigrant family stands on the deck of a ship as it sails through New York Harbor and stares out at the Statue of Liberty. This is one of the best things to do in New York City. The Statue of Liberty is the official symbol of the state of New York, and you should see it. You may or may not want to climb to the crown; it is a long, hot, and slightly dizzying trip up a spiral staircase.
The Liberty Island ferry also stops at Ellis Island, so you can see both in one day. As you may remember from history class, Ellis Island was one of the main places where immigrants were processed. For many people, this was where the American dream began. The main building has changing exhibits and a genealogy database where you can look for your own relatives on the old ship manifests.
As part of the National Park Service, Liberty Island and Ellis Island are free to visit. However, you still have to take a ferry to get there, which is what the ticket price covers. Statue Cruises is the only legal ferry company that can take you to the islands.
Operating hours: Daily, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 a.m.
Fees: From $16
Locations:
- Departure from New Jersey, Liberty State Park, 200 Morris Pesin Dr, Jersey City
- Departure from New York, Battery Park, between State St and Whitehall St
1. Times Square
Times Square is everything you think of when you think of New York: loud, crowded, and overwhelming. Neon lights and loud noises will hit you from every direction, and you will forget which way is up. It may be crazy, but you will still have fun.
There is a lot to do in and around Times Square. You can see a Broadway show, ride a Ferris Wheel, watch TV shows being filmed, take part in events like New Year’s Eve or Broadway on Broadway, visit some seriously fancy bathrooms, or just find a spot and watch people walk by. Many tourists make the mistake of never leaving the Times Square area, but you also do not want to miss this very New Year’s Eve.
Opening hours: Accessible 24/7
Fees: Free Access
Location: Midtown Manhattan, New York City, between Seventh Avenue, 42nd Street, and Broadway
It can be fun to visit the best New York City attractions, but it can also be stressful, overwhelming, and full of tourists taking selfies. To avoid the lines, make sure you are well-prepared. New York has a lot to see and do.