The iconic tourist attractions are undoubtedly the best things to do in New York City if you’re a first-time visitor. They’re super popular for a reason and no matter how many times we’ve seen them, we still have so much fun!
From shopping to museums, we’ve included something for everyone in our list of the top things to do in New York City.
Central Park
Central Park is more than just a park. It provides a sense of calm in a bustling city. The park features 20 playgrounds, 30 bridges, and 48 fountains, and sits on an 843-acre piece of land. We recommend visiting in the early morning or late evening if you want fewer people around.
In the warmer months, you can rent a boat, bike, or gondola from Loeb Boathouse to make your way around the park waters or land. There’s also a restaurant if you get hungry exploring the park.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is a signature landmark in New York City. It has six lanes, including one for pedestrians and one for cyclists, meaning you can take a walk over without worrying about your safety.
Crossing the bridge is free, so this is a great way to tick something off your NYC bucket list without spending a cent. It’s one of the oldest suspension bridges in the country and is iconic for its use in media and online.
This is your opportunity to get that perfect Instagram photo to show off your holiday!
Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Center is an iconic plaza in NYC, offering an enormous ice skating rink, sculptures, loads of stores and restaurants, and a fishbowl view of the NBC Studios.
If you’re there around the holidays, you’ll be greeted by an illuminated Christmas tree and twinkling lights all around you. It’s a magical experience!
The High Line
The High Line is an elevated public park set on an abandoned rail track in one of the city’s most lively neighborhoods: The West Side. The attraction is 30 feet above street level, so it gives you breathtaking views of the Hudson River and the skyscrapers all around you.
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is an iconic concert venue in NYC, having housed the concerts of countless stars over the decades.
It’s the largest indoor theater in the world, and its marquee spans a whole block. Over Christmas, you can catch the iconic Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes.
American Museum Of Natural History
You’ll find the American Museum of Natural History just off the west side of Central Park. It’s not like any museum you’ve seen before.
There are interactive land exhibits, and exhibits showing off the history of the sea and space. There are more than 34 million artifacts you can view, making it perfect for a full-day activity. Be sure to check out the Butterfly Conservatory; this is our favorite exhibit!
Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is a free service provided by the city, transporting people between Manhattan and Staten Island.
The ride is about 25 minutes long, and you’ll get fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan skyscrapers, and all the famous bridges.
The Empire State Building
This is another iconic New York tourist attraction, and for good reason. The building is 102 stories and 1250 feet high, taking sky-scraper to a whole new level.
The view from the top is magnificent, giving you the opportunity to take in the whole of Manhattan. We highly recommend seeing it for yourself.
The ceilings of the lobby are art deco murals plated in gold, and the building has restaurants and gift shops for visitors.
Start Your New York City Adventure
With so much to offer, you’ve got no choice but to start your NYC adventure soon! Whether you’re looking to spend some well-earned cash or attend some free tourist attractions, New York has it all.
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