Explore the Top 25 Must Visit Places in New York City

New york city is considered an iconic global central hub it consists of magnificent architects, film productions, and aesthetic brilliance, New York City, referred to as the Big Apple, boasts an impressive collection of beautiful landmarks, captivating Broadway performances, and iconic sights. These attributes position it as an ideal travel spot for individuals worldwide.

New York City constantly dazzles with its boundless energy and dynamism, whether it’s the hypnotising neon light of Times Square, the soaring towers dominating Wall Street, or the lush expanse of Central Park. Its cultural richness is reflected in world-renowned museums such as the MoMA and in treasured heritage landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, which should top your to-do list when you’re in town. The city’s eclectic blend of Broadway spectacles, multicultural neighbourhoods, boutique-lined charming brownstone streets, trendy bars, and restaurants amplify its metropolitan allure.

Being home to a multitude of immigrants, this contemporary metropolis possesses an unmatched level of cosmopolitanism. Aptly crowned as ‘The city that never sleeps’, it stands out for its opulent nightlife scene, replete with pulsating music, high fashion, and ceaseless activity. The city’s unique charm can hardly be captured in mere words; it’s something to be experienced in person. So, set your course for this extraordinary city and prepare to be swept off your feet. Here we are presenting the most reviewed places in New York City and anyone should visit.

Must Visit Places in New York City

Here are my picks for the must visit places in New York City, my opinion is based on Google reviews and personal experience.

1. Central Park

Located in the borough of Manhattan, Central Park is the fifth largest yet the most frequented park in the US, thanks to its incredibly diverse attractions.

Central Park presents a delightful variety with tiny brooks meandering, stone bridges straddling the streams, expansive grasslands, lofty trees, lakes, meadows, and wooded areas. Areas such as The Ramble, Hallett Sanctuary, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, Central Park Carousel, and Sheep Meadow are teeming with a wide range of flora and fauna.

Favourite activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, cycling, and leisurely drives along picturesque lanes. The park also hosts sports facilities, concerts, and bicycle tours. Public transport conveniently connects most areas of the park, which also features 21 playgrounds. Observation spots at Belvedere Castle, Charles Dana Discovery Centre, and Columbus Circle are particularly popular among visitors.

2. Times Square

Now recognised as New York’s pulsating core, Times Square has evolved into a potent symbol of this bustling city with its colossal, brightly lit billboards often gracing the silver screen.

Bedecked in vibrant neon signs and hoardings, Times Square stands as the city’s most well-known landmark. It buzzes with activity, positioned strategically at the crossroads of Broadway and 7th Avenue.

Times Square is a hub of eateries, bars, theatres, museums, and a general air of excitement. As darkness descends, the radiant lights of Times Square brighten up the cityscape, casting a spell on residents and visitors alike, drawn to the city’s most iconic plaza.

A trip to New York would be incomplete without a stop at Times Square. This bustling Manhattan square, often featured in films and TV shows, lies at the very heart of the Big Apple. The prominent advertisements, a riot of colour and illumination, are arguably the main spectacle, promising a visual feast wherever you cast your gaze!

History: The Times Square we know today is relatively young. In the late 1990s, it was notorious for its illicit drugs and criminal activities. During Rudolph Giuliani’s mayoral term in New York City around the turn of the century, Times Square began to metamorphose into a safer, more appealing locale.

Times Square is the most vibrant region of Manhattan and our top pick for accommodation, food, and drinks. Whatever your preference, you’re likely to find it in Times Square. Times Square, being a prime tourist magnet, can sometimes feel a tad overwhelming as it draws roughly 330,000 individuals daily. However, this is also part of its unique allure.

3. Rockefeller Center

Regarded as a main attraction of Manhattan’s midtown, Rockefeller Center stands among New York’s top attractions. It is a sprawling complex of 19 buildings and plazas nestled between Fifth and Seventh Avenues and 48th and 51st Streets, envisioned to be a “city within a city.”

Indeed, it fulfils that vision! It accommodates corporate hubs, office spaces, TV studios, theatres, retail outlets, and dining establishments. The Art Deco style, seen in both architectural and decorative aspects of the original structures, ranks among the world’s finest.

In 1928, John D. Rockefeller Jr. took a lease on the site for Rockefeller Center from Columbia University. He soon initiated the demolition of the speakeasies, boarding houses, and brothels that were previously there. His vision for the planners was to create a commercial hub that was “as beautiful as possible consistent with maximum wealth.”

Like many other top New York attractions, it was a daring endeavour. The Rockefeller Center, the largest private construction project of modern times, took flight at the peak of the Great Depression. The erection of the original 14 buildings commenced in 1930 and reached completion in 1939.

From the 1950s through the 1970s, four office towers in the International style were added on the west side of the Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Ave.), broadening the Center’s parameters. The latest expansion to the Rockefeller Center was the Lehman Brothers Building on Seventh Avenue, inaugurated in 2001. Things to do at Rockefeller Center: 1. Take Photos From Top of the Rock 2. Visit Lego Store 3. Famous Christmas Tree 4. Live TV and NBC Studios 5. Ice Skating at The Rink 6. Check Out Historical Artwork 7. Radio City Music Hall 8. Shopping and Dining

4. Empire State Building

Experiencing New York is always a thrilling adventure, and a visit to the Empire State Building is an absolute must. There are numerous compelling reasons you should not miss observing the Empire State Building from the top of the deck. For those who may not know, the Empire State Building is conveniently located near major landmarks like Times Square, Central Park, Madison Square Garden, and 5th Avenue. If you’re travelling by train, alight at 33rd Street or 42nd Street-Grand Central. Now that we’ve sorted out the directions, here’s why the Empire State Building deserves a spot on your must-see list.

Observation deck: Situated on the 86th floor, the observation deck is the ‘highest open-air’ viewpoint in New York City, and it’s even starred in numerous TV shows and films. This spot offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. From here, you can see Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the Hudson River, Central Park, and much more. Ascend 16 more floors, and the vista becomes even more spectacular. From the 102nd floor, you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the entire city. On clear days, you can even spot structures and landmarks up to 100 kilometres away.

5. Statue of Liberty

Situated at Liberty Island within the bustling New York Harbour, very close to Lower Manhattan in New York City, the Statue of Liberty is one of America’s most treasured symbols and remains an enduring representation of liberty and freedom.

Fascinatingly, the inception of this iconic statue didn’t arise from an American. The concept of ‘Lady Liberty Illuminating the World’ came about in 1865, courtesy of Édouard de Laboulaye, a French intellectual involved in politics, as a generous gift to the United States. The path from dream to concrete reality took numerous years. By 1886, the sky-piercing statue, standing tall as a 22-story building, created by renowned French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, settled on the island we now recognise as Liberty Island.

The reveal of the statue could not have been more perfectly timed. Between 1892 and 1954, a massive wave of immigrants, amounting to over 12 million, journeyed past the statue and into New York Harbor. Their first point of entry was Ellis Island, another notable site nestled within the same harbour.

6. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, commonly known as the Met, stands among the world’s most distinguished art institutions, hosting an unmatched assortment of artworks ranging from ancient to modern times. The Met’s timeless collection is consistently available for viewing, inviting visitors to journey through the ages simply by meandering through its splendidly designed galleries.

Set within the picturesque expanse of Central Park, the Met couples ease of accessibility with a truly awe-inspiring presence. Explore our useful guide to visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art, filled with suggestions on how to traverse the museum, nearby dining facilities, and money-saving tips for a range of other popular local sites.

7. Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge stands tall as one of the world’s most iconic bridges. It holds the honour of being among the oldest suspension bridges in the United States and was the inaugural bridge to span the East River. It stretches 5,989 feet in length, measures 85 feet in breadth, and rises to a peak of 135 feet. Upon its grand opening in 1883, it was recognised as the largest suspension bridge globally and the first to be constructed using steel-wire, leading to its designation as the 8th wonder of the world.

The mile-long architectural marvel links Manhattan and Brooklyn and is the brainchild of engineers John Roebling and his son, Washington. Both tragically endured fatal and near-fatal injuries while constructing the bridge. After 14 years of construction and 27 casualties, the Brooklyn Bridge was unveiled on May 24, 1883. This was a historical moment, marking the first land connection between New York and Brooklyn over the East River. The inauguration ceremony attracted thousands of residents from Brooklyn and Manhattan Island. On its first day, the bridge saw a traffic of 1,800 vehicles and 150,000 people, making their way across what was then the sole land connection between Manhattan and Long Island. The main span of the bridge over the East River measures 1,595 feet 6 inches (486.3 m). The construction of the bridge, which cost $15.5 million and witnessed approximately 27 fatalities, commenced in 1867 and reached completion in 1883. The Brooklyn Bridge was later recognised as a National Historic Landmark in 1964.

8. Battery Park

Battery Park, situated in New York, occupies a 25-acre green expanse at the very southern extremity of Manhattan Island. In its early existence, this location was utilised for stationing artillery batteries. Formerly referred to as The Battery Park, it was officially reinstated to its historical title ‘The Battery’ by the New York Department of Parks and Recreation in 2015. In current times, The Battery serves as a favoured tourist spot, hosting a multitude of small monuments and displays paying homage to the city’s bygone era.

Regarding the origins of Battery Park in New York, the initial usage of the name ‘The Battery’ to denote the southern waterfront of Manhattan Island can be traced back to the 17th Century. This coincided with the onset of Dutch Settlements in what is now the metropolitan area of New York City, then known as ‘New Amsterdam’. The Battery upheld its primary function throughout the Dutch and Colonial eras, and became a hub of jubilations marking Evacuation Day and the triumph of the American Revolution.

9. 9/11 Memorial & Museum

The National September 11 Memorial and Museum pays tribute and respects those who tragically lost their lives in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993. It recognises the brave individuals who risked their lives for others and acknowledges the profound compassion exhibited in the aftermath, through remembrance, exhibits, and educational initiatives. The memorial features two reflective pools positioned in the former location of the Twin Towers, with the names of the victims etched into bronze around the pools. Serving as the main institution devoted to analysing the repercussions of the 9/11 incidents, the museum documents their influence and examines the ongoing relevance of that fateful day. This place on of the must visit place in New York city.

10. The High Line

The High Line stands out as one of the city’s most beloved and unique parks. Developed on a formerly deserted elevated railway line, this urban oasis offers unmatched vistas of Manhattan’s far west side. Equipped with seating areas for people-watching, patches of lush grass, a spectrum of seasonal blossoms and captivating architectural elements scattered throughout, it’s an ideal spot for unwinding and makes for an impressive backdrop for photos.

Where Does the High Line Begin?
There’s no official commencement point to the High Line. Given its multiple entry points, the beginning of the High Line is essentially wherever you decide to step in!

Picture the High Line as a bookshelf, with bookends on either side. The northern bookend of the High Line is located at the junction of 34th St. and 12th Ave.

High Line Entry Points
The southern bookend is situated at the intersection of Gansevoort St. and Washington St., in proximity to the Whitney Museum of American Art. Since the High Line spans nearly 20 blocks, there are several entry points sandwiched between 14th St. and 34th St.

Ideally, you would want to traverse the entire length of the park, starting at either the northern or southern end. But even if you manage to explore just a segment of the park, it’s absolutely worth your while.

Recommended Read: Top 12 Places to Visit in Washington DC

Other attractions you must visit in New York

Average Weather in New York City