New York City promises travelers a taste of authentic American culture and a glimpse into the multicultural neighbourhoods that make up one of America’s most storied cities. Come well-prepared with comfortable walking shoes as you traipse across the city, dress clothes and shoes for a night on the town for a Broadway show and dinner, and a camera with a limitless memory card to capture your adventure from beginning to end.
If you’ve not been to New York City, you will embark on an adventure you cannot yet comprehend. And, if you’re a seasoned visitor, you know what adventure awaits and why the Big Apple has rightfully earned the title of the City That Never Sleeps.
Here are the top 7 things to do when you visit New York City:
A lively hub of activity where the unexpected appears at every corner, Times Square tops the list of must visit places, whether it’s your first time to New York City or your 10th time. Whatever you want, you’ll find it in Times Square: Hard Rock Café, Madame Tussauds, Toys R Us, and a plethora of restaurants and shops. Join a Times Square History Tour, where you’ll enjoy a guided walk to learn about the lively past of one of the country’s most famous areas. Regardless of the time of the day or night you visit Times Square, be ready for the sounds of blaring horns, the bright lights of the electronic billboards, and the buzz of the many festivals held throughout the year.
During your visit to Times Square, stop by the TKTS ticket booths, where you can purchase same-day discounted tickets to a Broadway show. Or, you can simply go to the theater where the show you want to see is playing and purchase tickets directly from the box office. Find out which plays, musicals, and performances will be on stage during your visit to New York City by going to: http://www.broadway.org/ or http://www.broadway.com/. Theater lovers may also want to try an off-Broadway show, which are typically held at quaint theaters around New York City. If you prefer off-Broadway shows, which are more affordable than their Broadway counterparts, check out http://www.nyctourist.com/off-broadway-theater.htm.
A national monument originally gifted to the United States by France in 1886, the Statue of Liberty signifies the freedom that America promises and the open arms with which she welcomes immigrants and visitors from around the globe. You’ll take a ferry, which promises spectacular views of New York City to Liberty Island from Manhattan or Jersey City. Feeling like a daredevil? Want to challenge yourself? Walk the steps from the bottom of the Statue of Liberty to Lady Liberty’s crown – a climb equivalent to walking up a 22 story building. (If you want to walk to the crown, you must make reservations ahead of time.) You can also visit the pedestal, with advance reservations, and learn about Lady Liberty at the island’s museum. Guided tours, led by park rangers, are available throughout the day.
Start planning your visit to the Statue of Liberty here: http://www.nps.gov/stli/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm.
Open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, the Empire State Building’s convenient hours make it possible for every traveler to put the iconic landmark on their itinerary. In addition to the breathtaking views from the top, the Empire State Building features restaurants, exhibits, and a gift shop. Of course, the highlight for most people is a stop at the main observation deck on the 86th floor and the top deck on the 102nd floor. Landmark officials recommend that visitors, who don’t want to worry about long lines or long wait times, visit during the early morning hours of 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Enjoy views of unparalleled beauty by planning your visit to the Empire State Building today: http://www.esbnyc.com/.
Perhaps the most famous park in the United States, Central Park draws thousands of city residents and travelers from around the world each day. A day doesn’t allot enough time for all that Central Park has to offer. Visitors can come face-to-face with the world’s finest animals at the Central Park Zoo. Beatles’ fans can stop by the Strawberry Fields’ memorial to John Lennon. Nature lovers can stroll through the formal Conservatory Garden, six acres of English, French, and Italian gardens and the winter months promise ice skating at Wollman Rink. The Carousel in the park’s south end offers unlimited photographic opportunities. Start planning your trip to Central Park by going to: http://www.centralparknyc.org/.
Experience an authentic American experience when you visit Coney Island and Luna Park.
Luna Park allows visitors a throwback to their childhood with trips on the Coney Island Cyclone, the Thunderbolt, the Slingshot, Water Mania, speed boats, the teacups, and Coney Tower. You can also enjoy authentic amusement park food and play old-fashioned games at the Luna Arcade. Watch in awe at the circus sideshows on Coney Island, take in a laser show, tour the Coney Island Museum, and indulge in one of America’s favorite foods: the hot dog. To start planning your visit to Coney Island, go to http://www.coneyisland.com/tourist-information. Check out Luna Park at http://lunaparknyc.com/.
For millions, time stood still on September 11, 2001 when three American cities – New York City, Washington DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania – came under terrorist attack. Thousands of people lost their lives on a day that has since defined America. The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center fell, leaving a gaping hole in many people’s lives. Today the former site of the World Trade Center has become a memorial to all those Americans and other global citizens who perished nearly 15 years ago. Walk through the historical exhibition which guides visitors through three days: the day before, the day of 9/11, and the day after. Visitors can pay their respects to those who died on 9/11 and in the World Trade Center Attack on February 26, 1993 at the memorial exhibition titled In Memoriam. Learn more at: https://www.911memorial.org/.
Helpful Links
- The Official New York City Guide: http://www.nycgo.com/
- New York Travel Guide and Visitor Information: http://www.nyc.com/visitor_guide/
- NYC Subway and Buses: http://web.mta.info/maps/submap.html
- Best Restaurants in NYC: https://www.zagat.com/best-restaurants/new-york
- Top NYC Shopping Destinations: http://nymag.com/visitorsguide/shopping/destinations.htm
