New York City, the city that never sleeps, is an urban jungle teeming with life. From the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, to Manhattan’s Times Square and 5th avenue, there is so much to see and experience. Not only is New York City a cultural hub and a haven for artists, it is also a culinary hotspot with a variety of cuisines from all over the world.
Located between the Upper West and Upper East Sides of Manhattan, Central Park receives over 38 million visitors annually and is one of the most popular tourist attractions and local hang-outs in New York. An urban park and iconic landmark, Central Park is New York City’s fifth-largest park. With so many sights to see like Central Park Zoo, Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Terrace Arcade, even the statue of Balto, the dog, Central Mark is one of the best places to visit in New York for free.
An icon of freedom, the Statue of Liberty is a gift from France to the people of the United States. Designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi – with the steelwork designed by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel (the designer of the Eiffel tower), himself – the figure of Libertas now stands on Liberty Island and is one of the most popular tourist attractions all over the world. Dedicated on October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty has since become a symbol to welcome immigrants arriving by sea.
One of New York City’s most iconic skyscrapers, the Empire State Building is a 102-story tower located in Midtown Manhattan. Built in 1930, the tower only took 410 days (1 year and 1 month) to build and was finally completed in 1931. It has since become one of the most photographed buildings all over the world, and fun fact: was even Uber’s most popular tourist destination in 2018. With over 4 million visitors annually, a trip to New York City would definitely not be complete without seeing the city skyline from atop the Empire State Building.
Probably the number one stop for any Broadway fanatic, Times Square is one of the busiest places in New York City. Located at Midtown Manhattan, at the junction of Broadway and 7th avenue, Times Square is known for its billboards that stretch from West 42nd St. to West 47th Street – garnering it the moniker, “the Crossroads of the World.” The entertainment center draws around 50 million visitors every year whether it’s to catch a play along Broadway, or to take in the sights. For the best experience, be sure to catch Times Square at night.
One of the most influential museums all over the world, the Museum of Modern Art houses a collection of modern and contemporary art. Located in Midtown Manhattan, 53rd Street, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) showcases a variety of artwork including architecture, design, painting, sculpture, photography, illustrations and more. The MoMa also has a library with around 300,000 books and catalogs, periodic titles, and much more, making it a fantastic resource for the history of modern and contemporary art.
Founded in 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art houses an impressive collection of work from all over the world – from arms and armor, to musical instruments, to Ancient Greek, European, Islamic, medieval, Egyptian, Asian art, to modern and contemporary, and more. With over 5,000 years of art housed within the Met and the Met: Cloisters, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a treasury of the world’s most impressive collection of fine arts.
Another iconic New York City landmark, the Brooklyn Bridge connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. During the time of its opening in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the world’s longest suspension bridge at 1,595.5 feet long and a deck of 127 feet above sea level. The bridge was also the first wire-suspension bridge and is famous all over the world for its architecture and design. Today the bridge is 6,000 feet long and takes about 30 minutes (on foot) to cross – give or take the number of photo stops you’d take along the way – and is one of the most popular attractions to visit in New York City for free.
A large complex that spans 22 acres from 48th street to 51st street in Midtown Manhattan, the Rockefeller Center consists of 19 commercial buildings and a large sunken plaza in the center called Rockefeller Plaza. With various events happening throughout the year – and the sunken plaza turning into a skating rink during the Winter season, Rockefeller Plaza remains as one of the most visited landmarks of New York City.
A contemporary and eco-friendly landmark in New York City, the High Line is built on an elevated former railroad on the west side of Manhattan. Since its opening in 2009, the High Line has become a tourist and local favorite public park. Run solely on donations from locals and tourists, the High Line is both a public park and a non-profit-organization that works with local communities. With so much to do – from catching a street performance, viewing art to enjoying some of the local food, the High Line is a fantastic and free place to spend the day.
The tallest building in New York City and the United States, One World Trade Center is the main building from the rebuilt World Trade Center complex located in Lower Manhattan. Known for its unparalleled views of New York City, modern architecture, and impressive and interactive SkyPods that take you to 102 floors up in just 47 seconds, One World Trade Center is a favorite tourist attraction, especially at night.
Hailed as one of the greatest cities in the world, New York is: urban jungle, bohemian-artist haven, and cultural icon all at once. Catch a show at Broadway (or Off-Broadway); walk along Chelsea for vintage and quirky finds, or take in breathtaking views from atop the Empire State Building. You’ll never run out of things to do.
The best time to visit New York is from April to June where the weather is nice and breezy, and summer is just around the corner; and from November to December during the holiday season.
If affordability was not an consideration, Midtown is definitely the best location for tourists, especially if it’s your first time. If you’re feeling a little bit adventurous or are looking for a more bohemian experience, Soho & the Lower East Side are also great options.