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NEW YORK CITY is a rich destination for tourism which offers many local attractions where you can learn about the history of the city and the cultures that make New York a unique destination for international tourism. The City is filled with attractions to suit every preference, whether you prefer to visit museums, art galleries, or cultural and historical venues, New York has it all. Explore New York City with a knowledgeable local guide and see what others miss. When visiting New York City, we recommend experiencing these attractions and cultural activities before heading to other destinations in its outcast.
The Statue of Liberty
This is definitely an unforgettable sight you would not want to miss out on. You can view the statue from Southern Manhattan, particularly from Battery Park that is if it’s a glimpse of it that you want. But to get up close to the statue and truly appreciate it, catch a ride on the Ellis Island ferry. When you are planning to visit the Statue of Liberty, there several things to expect.
The first thing is to get your ticket ready for the ferry, I recommend that you get your ticket in advance to avoid the last-minute rush. Extensive measures are used to protect the statue and hence you will have to pass through X-ray inspection of your luggage and walk through metal detectors to clear your security details.
The ferry will stop over at Liberty Island and you have to disembark on Liberty Island before you continue with your journey. If you wanted to ascend the stairs and enter the statue either pedestal or crown access, you will have to clear with security again and be among the 240 people who are allowed in per day.
You will also be required to pay a fee for reservations and get an amazing view of the City from the Statue. Admissions to Liberty State Park are free but you are required to pay a small fee for the Ferry. You can buy your tickets for the ferry online by calling 1-877-523-9849 (877-LADY-TIX). You can as well get the ticket in person at the departure venue and enjoy the magical scenes on the Island.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is obviously a worthwhile visit and one of the top New York City tourist destinations. It was founded in 1870 and serves as one of the world’s largest museums with over two million individual objects in its collection including sculptures, textiles, paintings, and even artifacts from every corner of the world.
Do not miss out on the spectacular Temple of Dendur which was relocated straight from Egypt, on the first floor of the museum. The museum has an exhibit of photographs from the Civil War that will make you get the real history of the City.
There is also a massive collection of European paintings from the 13th to the 20th centuries that you could spend hours just going through them. The small tags depicting each item are well displayed and the museum in general has the best layouts in the world. Sometimes the museum is open late and hence you can pay a night’s visit when the place is not crowded. You can also relax at the rooftop bar and have a drink as you enjoy the scenic view of the surroundings.
There are so many items in the museum and hence you will have to explore the collections with museum-trained volunteers. There is no fee for public tours and therefore there is no need for a ticket. Before you organize a group trip at the museum, it is recommended you inquire with the information desk and inform them about your trip so that they can allocate the personnel.
The entrance fee (General Admission Tickets $30 for adults $22 for seniors $17 for students.) is a suggested donation and therefore you shouldn’t be worried about mandatory entrance fees when touring the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
New York 9/11 Memorial and Museum
The 9/11 Memorial Museum tells the story of events that happened on September 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center’s twin towers were destroyed by suicide jetliners. This was a catastrophe and many people lost their lives. Two square pools were built where the two towers once stood and the area is a tribute to the people who were killed during the attack.
The reflecting pool brings about a somber mood to show the seriousness as many innocent people lost their lives. The pools are surrounded by trees with water flowing over the sides into the squares. The names of every person who died in the 1993 and 2001 attacks are inscribed on the bronze panels that are around the pools as a reminder of the loss of life.
The memorial museum brings out the turn of events on that fateful day through multimedia displays, artifacts and monuments. You can visit this museum on summer to enjoy outdoor parts such as the survival tree and the twin reflecting pools.
It is recommended that you observe silence and a good code of conduct since many people who knew the victims will want to use this museum as a place to quietly reflect. The Museum is open six days a week (Wednesday to Monday), from 9 am to 7 pm and you don’t have to pay any amount to visit the memorial. However, you will have to pay an entrance fee in person at the venue to visit the museum.
Central Park
Central Park has many attractions, including Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields, the Central Park Zoo, and the Stunning Lake. This is one of New York City’s most popular attractions visited by tourists from all around the world and enjoyed by locals.
The Belvedere Castle is a castle made of stone that lies on top of Vista Rock. The tourists are offered an incredibly beautiful view of the park and the city from its rooftop.
The Central Zoo displays over one thousand species of animals with polar bears, red pandas, and other animals you may not have seen anywhere else.
Strawberry Fields located within Central Park serve as a memorial for John Lennon. He was murdered on the west side of the park in front of the Dakota apartments.
This strawberry field features different species of plants one from every country of the world. The central park is definitely a great place to experience a little bit of Mother Nature. Since the park is really big, you can maximize your experience by getting trained drivers from the park to be your tour guides.
Rockefeller Centre and Top of The Rock Observation Deck
Rockefeller Centre is a glittering entertainment and shopping complex in the middle of Manhattan. It is located next to Central Park where local people and tourists like to rest and occasionally have a picnic. The top of the rock will give you an amazing view of Central Park and the Empire State Building in the skyline of this beautiful city.
This is one of those great places you have to visit while in New York City. The place is open 24 hours in a day and therefore you can choose your preferred visiting time, whether you like getting out during the day or night, this place is the best for you.
The building itself is very pretty inside and you will get to enjoy magnificent views, more so the ones you get on top will be absolutely stunning. There are pretty of things to do here, for instance, you can skate outside on the skating rink during winter while enjoying the scenic view of the city. Rockefeller Center houses NBC-TV and radio stations. 70-storey 30 Rockefeller plaza and an Art Deco skyscraper form the heart of this complex and will make your days memorable.
There is a fee associated with these awesome services offered here and you are required to get your ticket before visiting this magical scene. The tickets have a flexible redemption policy and hence you shouldn’t be worried about a change of plans. You can call them and change the visiting day and hours without being charged extra fees.
Brooklyn Bridge
In this world of architecture, you can’t be surprised to see the most beautiful bridges in the world constructed in your city. This bridge is one of the city’s most recognized landmarks and one of the greatest structures in the world.
Visitors will enjoy the creative architecture and the amazing technology that was used to construct this bridge. This bridge was completed in 1883 and was the first steel suspension bridge in the world. The best way to view this stunning bridge and have the best experience is to take an hour-long walk across the bridge.
From the bridge, you can be able to see and enjoy other beautiful sceneries such as the East River and beyond to the Statue of Liberty. Rain riding on this bridge can be some of the best fun moments you can ever have in your lifetime. The only limitation with biking here is the heavy pedestrian traffic that can make cycling slow and challenging, especially on busy days.
Times Square
This place is likely to be beautifully lit with huge, brilliant billboards and screens in the evening and therefore most people visit at this time. This is where New York residents celebrate New Year’s Eve and the well-known ball drop at midnight.
This is a pleasant place to hang out and is home to various Broadway theatres. To have a firsthand experience of Broadway productions just buy a ticket in advance. To make your day even more exciting visit Madame Tussauds New York. It is definitely a great choice if you want to view life-like wax figures and even take some photos.
The Ripley’s believe it or not is an entertaining stop at Times Square that should not be left out. It offers you more than 500 different exhibits and experiences.
Empire State Building
This building was officially opened on May 1931 by President Herbert Hoover and until then it was the tallest building in the world. Despite the colossal size of this building, it was completed after 20 months.
This building doesn’t only feature a spectacular view of New York City but it also features a rich history that every person touring New York wants to know. The visits here include Observation Decks where you can view the larger part of New York City, historical dare, the newly restored lobby, and the sustainability Exhibit.
The 86th-floor Observation Deck is considered the country’s highest open-air observation deck and the main tourist attraction in New York City. The view as you tour this beautiful building will be relaxing and incredible. The building has high-speed-automatic elevators with glass enclosed area which is heated in winter and cooled in summer.
You are required to buy Empire State Building Ticket-Observatory and Optional Skip-the-Line Ticket that will help you bypass the lines and reduce frustrations associated with queues during peak time.
This is the quickest way to the top of the building saving you valuable time and headaches. You can buy the tickets from several sites such as www.getyourguide.com . The Empire State Building is located at 350 5th Ave between 33rd and 34th Street and the place opens at 1:15 am and closes at 2:00 am every day.
Radio City Music Hall
This is the best music concert venue in New York City and you can’t afford to miss the performances. This place has the most melodious and romantic history that we both want to go and experience.
This is where Ella Fitzgerald pined for the man she loved. You can visit the place one evening for a concert or to experience the best history of love. This Hall is located in midtown Manhattan at 50th Street and Sixth Avenue. Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and you are required to pay a fee of up to $ 27 for adults and $20 for children below the age of 12.
This bustling City is the gateway to the world’s most evocative and exciting travel destinations. Choose among this and many more tourist destinations in New York City and your experiences in New York will be memorable