No intro needed: New York is one of the world’s finest cities! Jam-packed with iconic skyscrapers, art museums, yellow taxis, and the best pizzas in the United States, NYC, fondly nicknamed the Big Apple or the City That Never Sleeps, is home to some of the best-known landmarks in the globe!
From the Statue of Liberty to the Met, you’ll never run out of sights to see and things to do in New York City! If it’s your first visit, let this guide be your bible to all things New York.
Here are 18 unmissable (and legendary) attractions to visit in the city:
- Statue of Liberty
- Empire State Building
- Times Square
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Grand Central Terminal
- The 9/11 Memorial and Museum
- Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center
- The Chrysler Building
- The Museum of Metropolitan Art (Met)
- Central Park
- Chelsea Market
- One World Observatory
- Flatiron Building
- Brooklyn Flea Market
- The Edge Observation Deck
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Yankee Stadium
Ready to fly off? Great, but first, check out travel requirements from Aus to the USA to prep for your trip!
1. Statue of Liberty
Things to do in New York: snap a postcard-worthy photo at the Statue of Liberty! Image credits: @piupatil1612 on Instagram
Kickstart your NYC getaway with a trip to the historic Ellis Island! Come face-to-face with the most famous celeb in the city, Lady Liberty herself! Discover why Ellis Island was nicknamed the “Island of Hope” and the “Island of Tears” as you immerse yourself in the tales of America’s immigrants at the National Immigration Museum.
2. Empire State Building
Appreciate the New York City view from the top! Image credits: @lexi_aut on Instagram
No proper NYC bucket list would be complete without a visit to the Empire State Building, aka America’s favourite piece of architecture and its most well-known skyscraper. See New York in all of its glory from 102 floors up. From its stunning art-deco lobby to its galleries and deck, it’s one big feast for the eyes. At the Observation Deck, visitors are rewarded with incredible panoramic city views!
#KlookTip: Make your visit to the Empire State Building shine even more by coming in during sunset, the most magical time to go and bask in the golden glow!
3. Times Square
Celebrate Pride at Times Square! Image credits: @arenthenewyorker on Instagram
Time to put on your best pair of shades, ‘cos we’re taking you to Times Square next! A truly iconic NYC landmark, Times Square will dazzle you with its lively collection of 3,340 billboards. Here, tourists and NY locals mingle to join in festivities, get greeted by street performances, and celebrate the annual glitzy New Year’s Eve countdown.
4. Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge is among the most-Instagrammable place in all of NYC. Image credits: @ola_sorych on Instagram
Don’t forget to take a snap at Brooklyn Bridge when in New York! Among our top touristy things to do in New York City is visiting the first-ever steel cable bridge in the world. The bridge built in 1883 connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, making it a breeze to travel between towns. Walking or biking along the bridge, you’ll get a spectacular view of the Hudson River and NY’s towering skyscrapers.
5. Grand Central Terminal
Get a feel of NY’s bygones inside its historic train station! Image credits: Robert Bye on Unsplash
As huge Gossip Girl fans, we can’t help but include the Grand Central Terminal in our New York City bucket list. Where Serena van der Woodsen was once spotted, this world-renowned train station is more than just about trains; but is a place that’s filled with fascinating tales. From the secret Whispering Gallery to the illustrious Campbell Bar and its cathedral-like ceilings, you’re sure to have a grand time in this New York City landmark!
6. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum
There are nearly 3,000 names inscribed on the Memorial. Image credits: @happyjolucky on Instagram
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is a solemn reminder of all the 2,983 lives lost during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. The museum tells us that history should never be forgotten through its collection of survivor stories, video footage, and salvaged wrecks.
7. Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center
Set your sights high at the Top of the Rock! Image credits: @ayliinx_ on Instagram
Think Empire State Building’s got the best view of New York? Then, you haven’t been to the Top of the Rock! Standing 260 metres tall, the Rockefeller Center’s Observation Deck boasts sweeping landscapes of Central Park and the entire Manhattan skyline. It’s even got a swanky bar on the 65th called the Rainbow Room, where you can enjoy cocktails facing the NYC view!
8. The Chrysler Building
The Chrysler Building welcomes first-time New Yorkers with its grand facade! Image credits: @boubah360 on Instagram
There are plenty of things to love about New York, one of which is that inspiration is everywhere. Whether strolling around Wall Street or chilling by Madison Square Garden, you can look up and catch the awe-inspiring sight of the Chrysler Building, the most eye-popping Art-Deco skyscraper in the city!
9. The Museum of Metropolitan Art (Met)
Don’t forget to take a pic on the iconic Met steps! Image credits: @getlostbritanny on Instagram
Another gem not to miss while in NYC is the Museum of Metropolitan Art, aka the Met! On an ordinary day, anyone, whether Hollywood A-lister or not, can wander through its grand halls and discover the world’s most prized treasures dating back to 5,000 years of human history. There are over 17 curatorial collections to explore, plus the Costume Institute, housing fashion’s most fabulous dresses of all time.
10. Central Park
Among the top things to do in New York: bike around Central Park and meet local cyclists!
If you’ve got a free day, take a break from sightseeing tours with a relaxing stroll around Central Park! Covering over 843 acres of land between the Upper East and Upper West of Manhattan, this urban park has tons of things in store for everyone. From picnics, bike rides, rowing boats, posing with park murals, and counting bridges (fun fact: there are over 40 bridges in Central Park), you’ll find peace and quiet here!
11. Chelsea Market
Food and friends go together at Chelsea Market! Image credits: @plutopaula on Instagram
Art lovers and shopaholics unite at Chelsea Market, home to NYC’s trendiest shops selling everything from hotdogs to I-Heart-NYC shirts. With a walking tour of the bustling market, you’ll spot plenty of random trinkets and funny souvenirs. You can also take this time to admire NYC’s stunning Art-Deco architecture strewn around the block.
12. One World Observatory
The SkyPod features floor-to-ceiling LED lights to keep you entertained throughout the ride. Image credits: @oneworldnyc on Instagram
One of the most exciting things to do in New York City is riding the SkyPod and zooming from ground zero to 102 floors up theOne World Observatory in under 60 seconds! Once you reach the top, you’ll see the entire New York City below you.
13. Flatiron Building
Modernity meets history! Image credits: Paul Griffin on Unsplash
Feast your eyes on the most dramatic piece of architecture in New York. Nestled between Broadway and Fifth Avenue is the Flatiron Building, well-loved for its unique triangular-shaped monolith that’s graced the city since 1902.
#KlookTip: Get a rare chance to see this architectural beauty with a tour of the neighbourhood. With Klook, you’re in for a three-hour treat of photo-ops, gourmet tastings, and fun history facts. Tour also includes visits to Union Square and Madison Square Park, so you hit three birds with one stone.
14. Brooklyn Flea Market
Find gold records at Brooklyn Flea Market! Image credits: @badcurlriri on Instagram
If you love thrifting, the Brooklyn Flea Marketis the perfect place to be! Discover curated collections of throwback wares, antiques, and vintage Levi’s. And when the shopping fatigue sets in? You’ll be glad to know that the food’s just as phenomenal as the thrift. Heaps of food vendors around Dumbo and Chelsea offer drool-worthy bites.
#KlookTip: Brooklyn Flea Market is only open on Saturdays and Sundays, so save this trip for the weekend!
Love to shop? Here are seven more places to go on a shopping spree in the USA!
15. The Edge Observation Deck
Conquer your fear of heights at The Edge! Image credits: @aehallisey on Instagram
Level up your NYC sightseeing experience with a thrilling encounter at The Edge! As you lean on glass floor walkways 345 metres above the ground, you’ll feel like you’re living on the edge! After you’ve gotten your fill of thrills, take it slow and sip some bubbles as you enjoy the spectacular sight of NYC’s brightly-lit night sky.
16. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Art appreciation 101 at the MoMA!
Where art lovers gather, theMuseum of Modern Art (MoMA) houses some of the most well-known masterpieces in modern art—from Salvador Dali’s Persistence of Memories to Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Still, if you’re no art geek, a trip to MoMA is also a good time to hunker down and escape the summer heat.
17. Whitney Museum of American Art
Lift your mood with mind-boggling art at the Whitney Museum of American Art Image credits: @lillychristina_ on Instagram
Another place in New York City to get inspired by art is the Whitney Museum of American Art. With over 23,000 artworks inside, you’ll have a blast discovering the artistic talents of Andy Warhol, Edward Hopper, and many other American modernists!
18. Yankee Stadium
Watch a live home run at the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx! Image credits: @thelifeofblimy and @ari_baki_buckser on Instagram
Rounding off our list of the greatest landmarks in New York City is the Yankee Stadium, home to the Yankees and the best franks in town. In the massive 635,000-square-foot stadium, baseball fans cheer on their teams and maybe even catch an exciting game between old rivals—the Red Sox and the Yankees. Behind the stadium, you can also visit the museum, where you’ll find murals and memorabilia back in the good old days of American baseball.
#KlookTip: Save up with a New York City Attractions Pass!
Can’t wait to visit New York? Here’s a pass to help you save up! The New York City Attractions Pass lets you access two, three, and up to four NYC attractions with just one pass. See the Empire State Building, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and more without lining up or paying for admission tickets each time.
All you have to do is reserve your visit, show your pass, and enjoy the best of New York City!
Written by: Jianne Uy
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