Best 5 Places to visit in NYC

Choosing the Best 5 places to visit in NYC is not an easy job: New York has iconic landmarks around every corner. Many travel to admire the sights: the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, historic neighbourhoods, and world-famous museums.

Many of New York’s top attractions are within walking distance, making it a great city for sightseeing.

The team of DISCOVER NYC & MY CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK has selected for you 5 landmarks that you ABSOLUTELY must visit if you come to NYC.

Please note that this article is part of the TRAVEL TIPS section on our BLOG. Click HERE to read all the other articles in this section.

1. STATUE OF LIBERTY

At the top of the list of the 5 best places to visit in NYC is her: the Statue of Liberty.

This is one of the most recognisable symbols of the United States, is a must-see for everyone visiting the city for the first time. It was a gift from France to the United States and it is a worldwide emblem of freedom and one of America’s most popular tourist attractions.

It’s one of the world’s largest statues, with a total height and weight of almost 152 feet from the base to the torch.

There are excellent vantage points for seeing this statue on land, with the best of these being Battery Park on Manhattan’s southernmost edge. You may also get an up-close look at the Statue of Liberty by taking a short boat ride to Liberty Island. Explore the base, and if you’d like, enter the pedestal if you’ve made reservations.

It’s possible to visit Ellis Island on a Tour of the Statue of Liberty and the Immigration Museum. It’s housed in the old immigration station complex, where thousands of immigrants were processed before entering the United States.

Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are both included in the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour. The Ellis Island Museum is included in this excursion, which has reserved seating on the ferry.

Important: be aware that hawkers posing as “official representatives” will try to sell you more expensive tickets before you find the ticket booth while purchasing ferry tickets.

Our advice is to book tickets in advance, preferably from a reputable source. Don’t hesitate to message us on Instagram @Discover.N.Y.C if you have any questions or doubts.

Our team wrote an article about the 5 best ways to visit the Statue of Liberty. We hope it will be useful to you:

2. CENTRAL PARK

A trip through Central Park’s winding paths, whether on foot or bike is a must for any visitor to the Big Apple. Wollman Rink is a great place to skate in the winter.

Our advice is to participate in a BIKE TOUR that will take you in a short time to discover the most iconic places in Central Park.

Click HERE for a selection of our best bike tours

Central Park is a terrific spot to get some fresh air and enjoy a little bit of nature. And it is 100% FREE!

If you’re looking for 5 great things to do in NYC for free, click below:

READ ALSO > 5 FREE THINGS TO DO IN NYC

The Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields, Central Park Zoo, and the Lake are just a few of the most prominent tourist attractions in New York City. Begin by picking up a map at one of the park’s visitor centers and planning your route.

We always suggest our guests to have a look to the Official Website of Central Park where they can find lots of useful tips and info.

3. ROCKEFELLER CENTER & TOP OF THE ROCK OBSERVATION DECK

Moving slightly south of Central Park we find Rockefeller Center. It’s about a 20-minute slow walk.

In case you want to take the subway to move around the city, we recommend you read these 2 very useful articles first:

READ ALSO > METROCARD: KEY THINGS TO KNOW

Rockefeller Center is one of the most popular tourist destinations in New York City. The 70-story 30 Rockefeller Plaza, an Art Deco skyscraper with spectacular views of Manhattan from the famed Top of the Rock Observation Deck, is the centrepiece of this massive entertainment and retail complex in the heart of Manhattan.

On the 67th, 69th and 70th floors, there are three floors known as the “deck”.

From October through April, the rink is usually open for skating. This is a must-do activity if you come to NYC during the winter months.

If you are coming to NYC during the Holiday Season we highly recommend to read the following section of our BLOG: HOLIDAY SEASON in NYC

There are lots of famous landmarks in this area to see, like the amazing St. Patrick Cathedral or, if you come in the winter time, the Saks 5th Avenue Lights Show.

4. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

The Empire State Building is definitely one of the 5 most famous landmarks in NYC.

If you are looking for a list of 5 places in Midtown Manhattan that are less touristy but still unmissable, we suggest you read the article below:

Manhattan’s Empire State Building is one of the city’s most iconic structures. Until the 1 World Trade Center tower went up 41 years later, this 102-story, 381-meter structure was the world’s tallest.

When the Empire State Building was completed in 1931, it was quickly recognized as a landmark and a symbol of New York City.

The Empire State Building has two observatories, both provide breathtaking views. It is possible to see New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts in the distance on a clear day.

The 86th Floor Observatory (1,050 feet) is what most visitors anticipate to encounter when they climb the Empire State Building. This location has appeared in several films and television series.

The scenery is breathtaking. The 102nd Floor’s Top Deck soars 1,250 feet over the city below. Assuming that you have a view from 16 stories up, this viewing area is enclosed.

Don’t forget that the Empire State Building is one of the most visited attractions in NYC. We recommend buying tickets with the option to Skip the Line so you don’t get stuck for hours.

Click HERE for the official website of the Empire State Building

5. 9/11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM

Last but not least, in the best 5 places to visit in NYC we include the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

The twin 110-story World Trade Center towers previously dominated Manhattan’s skyline but were tragically destroyed on September 11, 2001.

Two square reflecting pools now replace The World Trade Center’s two towers.

In honour of the almost 3,000 victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks and the six victims of the prior World Trade Center bombing in February 1993, the location has been dubbed the “National September 11 Memorial.”

The pools are tucked away among the trees and grass, and water cascades over the sides and into a seemingly endless square. These are North America’s largest man-made waterfalls. Bronze panels bearing the names of all individuals who died in the attacks ring the pools.

Curved, glass-encased edifice between the two pools houses the 9/11 Memorial Museum. It includes displays of artefacts, images, and movies that tell all the story of 9/11.

In order to visit the 9/11 Museum, visitors must pay their tickets online or at the window. Booking in advance is crucial to avoid disappointment because this is one of New York’s most popular activities.

Click HERE to book your tickets for the 9/11 Memorial