Places to Visit in New York

With so much to see and do in New York, it can be overwhelming for a traveler to figure out how to shape their itinerary for a vacation in the Big Apple. If you don’t know where to start, we always recommend participating in a free tour.

The Free Essential New York Tour takes you on a 2.5-hour journey through the must-see places in the Financial District, Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial, and much more, all in Spanish. This introductory guide outlines the main things to do if you’re traveling to New York for the first time.

Main Attractions in New York

The best shows, world-class museums, impressive buildings, renowned green spaces, and observatories hundreds of meters high are just some of the places to visit in New York. Discover them below!

1. Central Park

 

Central Park is a large urban park of 341 hectares that has become one of the main tourist attractions in New York. In fact, it is so famous that its green areas have appeared in over 500 movies—you’ve surely seen it in more than one!

If you visit during the winter, you can skate on the impressive Wollman Rink, an ice rink that operates from October to March. Additionally, the Harlem Meer Center is under construction (projected to open in 2024), which will include a large pool for the summer season.

2. Times Square

 

The intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, known as Times Square, ranks high among the most famous attractions in New York. Nearly 50 million people visit it each year, drawn by its dazzling neon lights and billboards.

In addition to a super diverse array of bars, restaurants, theaters, and museums, one of its major attractions is the traditional New Year’s Eve celebration, featuring the exciting ball drop, fireworks, parties, and performances by world-class artists.

3. DUMBO and the Brooklyn Bridge

 

We know you thought of the charming little elephant with big ears, but in reality, DUMBO (an acronym for Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is one of New York’s famous neighborhoods in Brooklyn, located between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, best known for its thriving art and food scenes.

We recommend taking the night tour of New York to see the iconic Brooklyn Bridge under the moonlight. If you’re a pizza lover, don’t miss trying the varieties at Juliana’s and Grimaldi’s, which compete for the title of the best pizza in the area.

4.The Summit Observatory

 

On the upper floors of the One Vanderbilt skyscraper is The Summit Observatory, one of the newest and most stunning viewpoints in New York. If you want to see some of the most impressive views of the Manhattan skyline, visiting The Summit will not disappoint you.

It offers a multisensory experience with glass-enclosed indoor rooms, stunning outdoor terraces, glass boxes suspended over Madison Avenue, and glass elevators. There’s also a bar where you can enjoy your favorite drink while taking in the city from above.

5. Empire State Building

 

The Empire State Building is probably the most iconic building in New York and one of the greatest examples of Art Deco architecture. Like One Vanderbilt, it is famous for offering incredible 360° views of the city from its observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors.

Visiting it during the day will leave you breathless, but taking advantage of the night tour of New York to admire the charm of its lights in the dark of night elevates the experience to another level. You can’t miss it!

6. MoMA

 

Opened in 1929, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is the most influential museum of its kind in the world. It offers the opportunity to be face to face with some of the most famous paintings in history, such as Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” and Salvador Dalí’s “The Persistence of Memory.”

Its collection of over 200,000 classical and modern artworks spread across six floors is more than enough to dedicate at least a full day. Just be sure not to go on Fridays, weekends, or holidays to avoid crowds.

7. The Statue of Liberty

 

It may be a cliché, but if you’re wondering what to do in New York, our recommendation is to book a tour to see the Statue of Liberty and meet Lady Liberty, whose real name is “Liberty Enlightening the World.” This iconic monument in New York was a gift from the French in 1886.

The complete experience includes a ferry ride to Liberty Island, entry to the Statue of Liberty Museum, and then a transfer to the nearby Ellis Island to visit the National Immigration Museum. See more details on how to get to the Statue of Liberty.

8. The High Line Elevated Park

 

Talking about the High Line is diving into the incredible history of an old elevated freight rail line that ended up transformed into an urban park. Inaugurated in 2009, it is 2.33 kilometers long and runs from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street.

It is a favorite spot for New Yorkers, especially during the summer months when they sit to enjoy the views or lie down to sunbathe. Its contemporary art exhibitions, which change from time to time, will make you want to return every time you’re in New York.

9. One World Trade Center and the 9/11 Museum

 

The so-called “Ground Zero” in New York is the site where the iconic Twin Towers stood, destroyed in a series of attacks on September 11, 2001.

Today, the area is home to a large memorial with two massive fountains bordered by bronze plaques bearing the names of all the victims; and the 9/11 Museum, which documents the history and significance of the events, leaving your emotions raw.

 

Views from the One World Observatory (117 West St, New York)

 

Additionally, right next door stands the majestic One World Trade Center, which opened to the public in 2014. Make your visit memorable by going to the One World Observatory, which has three floors of exhibitions, restaurants, and other tourism opportunities.

An excellent option to get to know it is through the tour of Upper and Lower Manhattan.

10. Fifth Avenue

The Apple Store on 5th Avenue in New York (767 5th Ave, New York, NY 10153

 

Also known as Millionaire’s Row, Fifth Avenue is the most prestigious street in the Big Apple and one of the most expensive in the world, running north to south through Manhattan.

One of its main attractions is its shopping offerings, featuring brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Tiffany, Versace, and Cartier. In addition to the shops, several of the places on this list are located on Fifth Avenue: the Empire State Building, MoMA, and the Flatiron Building, among others.

11. See a Musical on Broadway

 

Broadway shows are one of the top things to see in New York. In fact, no self-respecting tourist can say they visited this city without having seen a musical, so start taking notes!

Some of the most successful musicals include The Lion King, Aladdin, Moulin Rouge, Hamilton, Chicago, and The Phantom of the Opera. Lastly, we recommend buying tickets online; this way, you’ll save time waiting in long lines, get better seats, and above all, better prices.

12. SoHo and Chelsea

The iconic The Broome Hotel, in the heart of SoHo (431 Broome St, New York, NY 10013)

 

SoHo is a charming neighborhood in New York known for its high-end boutiques, street vendors, museums, cafes, and trendy restaurants. A great place to grab a drink after a long day of shopping is Mother’s Ruin (18 Spring St, New York, NY 10012)—try their famous Penguin Suit!

Meanwhile, Chelsea is a modern neighborhood and one of Manhattan’s art hubs, featuring over 200 galleries, including Agora and Gagosian. After some art, don’t miss going to Chelsea Market to enjoy fresh lobster at Lobster Place.

13. Contrast Tour of New York Neighborhoods 

Panoramic view of the Williamsburg Bridge, from the neighborhood of the same name, in the Brooklyn District

 

If it’s your first time in the Big Apple, the most comprehensive and economical option to explore some of the city’s different neighborhoods is to take the Contrasts of New York tour, where you’ll discover all its charms with a professional guide.

It’s the perfect opportunity to delve into places like the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Harlem, including tourist sites like Yankee Stadium, the famous Joker stairs, Precinct 42, the graffiti zone, the Jewish community of Williamsburg, Little Italy, and Chinatown.

14. Flatiron Building

 

At the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway stands the Flatiron Building, designed by architect Daniel Burnham and built in 1902, which became popular among artists and photographers for its distinctive Beaux-Arts angular structure, with a limestone and terracotta facade.

Although it is now purely an office building, it remains one of the most striking, renowned, and beautiful skyscrapers in the city. For a long time, it has been a coveted image for tourists, especially with its beautiful antique clock in the foreground.

15. Oculus, World Trade Center Station

 

There is no more iconic station in New York than Grand Central Terminal; however, one of the most striking structures in recent times is The Oculus, a transit hub where several subway stations and the PATH train to New Jersey converge.

The complex, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, includes, in addition to an incredible underground station and its stunning roof, the underground shopping center of the Westfield World Trade Center. Aesthetics and tastes aside, it is an important place to visit in Manhattan.

Excursions from New York

While there are many places to visit in New York, you might want to give your vacation a different twist and explore a bit beyond the city limits. Be sure to leave plenty of space in your itinerary to take one of these excursions from New York.

Tour to Washington D.C.

Probably one of the most sought-after visits near New York. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the famous White House, the Capitol, and the Lincoln Memorial, among other iconic sites in the capital.

Niagara Falls

A set of stunning waterfalls located on the border with Canada, perfect for a getaway from the city. The energy of this place is indescribable, and navigating its waters is an unparalleled experience.

Boston from New York

Better known for its famous baked beans, Harvard University, Fenway Park (home of the Boston Red Sox), and of course, the bar from the television series “Cheers.”

Philadelphia and the Amish Community

While it has much to offer, including the Christ Church cemetery (where Benjamin Franklin is buried) and its famous Art Museum, the first thing you must do when you set foot in this city is to eat its world-famous Philly Cheesesteak sandwich.

Gospel Mass in Harlem

We conclude with a 100% local experience within New York, where you will learn about the neighborhood of Harlem and its African American heritage, and then witness one of its vibrant religious celebrations.

 

If you want to find out about all the options for things to do in New York, we recommend checking out our list of the best tours and activities in New York.