New York City is one of the world’s most popular urban destinations, offering an extraordinary combination of historic landmarks, museums, parks, observation decks, entertainment venues and cultural attractions. For a first-time visitor, the following ten attractions provide a strong introduction to the city’s history, architecture and culture.

1. Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable symbols of the United States and one of New York City’s most important tourist attractions. Located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, the monumental statue was a gift from France to the United States and was dedicated in 1886.

Visitors can take a ferry to Liberty Island and explore the grounds around the statue. Depending on ticket availability, visitors can also enter the pedestal or climb to the crown.

The nearby Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration can be included in the same ferry trip, making this an excellent attraction for visitors interested in American immigration history.

Highlights:

• Statue of Liberty
• Liberty Island
• Statue pedestal
• Crown access
• New York Harbor views
• Ellis Island

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2. Central Park

Central Park

Central Park is one of the world’s most famous urban parks. Covering approximately 843 acres, it stretches across Manhattan from 59th Street to 110th Street.

The park offers a remarkable contrast to the surrounding skyscrapers and contains lakes, gardens, wooded areas, bridges, lawns, playgrounds and cultural landmarks.

Some of the most famous places inside the park include Bethesda Terrace, Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, The Mall, the Great Lawn, Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.

Visitors can walk, cycle, picnic, row boats, photograph the landscape or simply relax.

Highlights:

• Bethesda Terrace
• Bow Bridge
• The Mall
• Great Lawn
• Central Park Zoo
• Belvedere Castle
• Strawberry Fields

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3. Times Square

Times Square

Known as the **”Crossroads of the World,” Times Square is one of the most recognizable places in New York.

The area is famous for enormous digital billboards, Broadway theaters, restaurants, shops and its constantly moving crowds.

Times Square is particularly impressive after dark, when its electronic advertising screens illuminate the surrounding buildings.

It is also the location of New York City’s world-famous New Year’s Eve Ball Drop.

Highlights:

• Giant digital billboards
• Broadway theaters
• Times Square pedestrian plazas
• One Times Square
• New Year’s Eve celebration
• Restaurants and shopping
• Street performers

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4. Empire State Building

Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is one of the most famous skyscrapers in the world.

Completed in 1931, the Art Deco skyscraper became an immediate symbol of New York City and remains one of Manhattan’s most popular attractions.

Visitors can go to observation decks on the upper floors for panoramic views across Manhattan and the surrounding metropolitan area.

The building is particularly impressive at sunset and after dark, when the city lights stretch across the horizon.

Highlights:

• 86th-floor observation deck
• 102nd-floor observation deck
• Manhattan skyline views
• Art Deco architecture
• Nighttime illumination

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5. Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of New York City’s most historic bridges and an outstanding location for walking and photography.

Completed in 1883, it connects Manhattan and Brooklyn across the East River.

The elevated pedestrian promenade provides views of:

• Manhattan skyline
• East River
• Brooklyn
• Statue of Liberty
• Brooklyn Bridge Park

Walking across the bridge is one of the classic New York experiences.

A particularly attractive time to visit is early morning or around sunset.

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6. One World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial

One World Trade Center

Lower Manhattan is home to One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

The One World Observatory provides panoramic views from high above Lower Manhattan.

Nearby, the 9/11 Memorial occupies the footprints of the former World Trade Center towers. Two large reflecting pools mark the locations of the original towers, with the names of those who died in the attacks inscribed around them.

The nearby museum documents the history and consequences of the September 11 attacks.

Highlights:

• One World Observatory
• 9/11 Memorial
• 9/11 Memorial Museum
• Oculus
• Lower Manhattan skyline

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7. Metropolitan Museum of Art

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, usually known simply as the Met, is one of the world’s great art museums.

Located on Fifth Avenue beside Central Park, the museum contains an enormous collection representing thousands of years of human history and artistic achievement.

Its collections include:

• Ancient Egyptian art
• Greek and Roman art
• European paintings
• Asian art
• Islamic art
• American art
• Sculpture
• Decorative arts
• Costumes and textiles
• Musical instruments

The museum is large enough that seeing everything in one visit is unrealistic. Visitors should select the collections that interest them most.

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8. Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is a large complex of Art Deco buildings in Midtown Manhattan.

It is particularly famous for 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Radio City Music Hall, its seasonal Christmas tree and the Top of the Rock observation deck.

Top of the Rock provides excellent views of Manhattan, including a particularly famous view toward the Empire State Building.

The complex is also close to Fifth Avenue, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Central Park.

Highlights:

• Top of the Rock
• Radio City Music Hall
• Rockefeller Plaza
• Christmas tree
• Ice skating rink
• NBC Studios
• Art Deco architecture

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9. Broadway and the Theater District

Broadway Theatre District

Broadway is synonymous with New York’s theater culture.

The Broadway theater district is concentrated around Times Square and Midtown Manhattan and features some of the world’s most famous theatrical productions.

Visitors can choose from musicals, dramas, comedies and family-oriented productions.

Seeing a Broadway show is particularly popular for first-time visitors because the experience combines New York’s entertainment history with the atmosphere of the Theater District.

Highlights:

• Broadway musicals
• Broadway plays
• Historic theaters
• Times Square
• Theater District restaurants
• TKTS ticket opportunities

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10. Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is one of New York City’s most impressive historic buildings.

Opened in 1913, the Beaux-Arts terminal is famous for its monumental Main Concourse, enormous arched windows and astronomical ceiling mural.

Although it remains a functioning transportation hub, it is also a major tourist attraction.

Visitors can explore the Main Concourse, see the famous four-faced clock, discover the Whispering Gallery and explore restaurants and shops throughout the complex.

Highlights:

• Main Concourse
• Celestial ceiling
• Four-faced clock
• Whispering Gallery
• Vanderbilt Hall
• Historic architecture

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Top 10 New York Attractions at a Glance

#	Attraction	Best Known For
1	Statue of Liberty	American symbol and harbor views
2	Central Park	Nature, recreation and scenery
3	Times Square	Billboards, entertainment and Broadway
4	Empire State Building	Iconic skyscraper and observation deck
5	Brooklyn Bridge	Historic architecture and skyline views
6	One World Trade Center & 9/11 Memorial	Skyline, history and remembrance
7	Metropolitan Museum of Art	World-class art collections
8	Rockefeller Center	Top of the Rock and Art Deco architecture
9	Broadway	Theater and musical performances
10	Grand Central Terminal	Historic architecture and transportation

How to Visit These Attractions

These ten attractions can be grouped geographically, making sightseeing easier.

Midtown Manhattan

• Times Square
• Empire State Building
• Rockefeller Center
• Broadway
• Grand Central Terminal

These attractions are relatively close together and can be explored over one or two days.

Central Park and Museum Mile

• Central Park
• Metropolitan Museum of Art

These can easily be combined into a full day, particularly for visitors interested in art and architecture.

Lower Manhattan

• Statue of Liberty
• One World Trade Center
• 9/11 Memorial

A Lower Manhattan itinerary can also include the Financial District, Wall Street and Battery Park.

Brooklyn and the East River

• Brooklyn Bridge

The bridge can be combined with Brooklyn Bridge Park, DUMBO and the Brooklyn waterfront.

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Best Attractions for Different Interests

Interest	Attractions
History	Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial, Grand Central Terminal
Architecture	Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Brooklyn Bridge
Museums	Metropolitan Museum of Art
Nature	Central Park
Entertainment	Broadway, Times Square
Photography	Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Empire State Building
Families	Central Park, Times Square, Statue of Liberty
City views	Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory
Shopping	Times Square, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center
New York’s history and identity	Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Times Square, Grand Central Terminal

New York City has far more than ten attractions, but these landmarks provide a strong introduction to the city. Together they showcase the different sides of New York: history, architecture, culture, entertainment, art, nature and spectacular city views.

For a first visit, combining Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Times Square, Broadway and Rockefeller Center, and Lower Manhattan with the Statue of Liberty and 9/11 Memorial can create a comprehensive New York sightseeing experience.