Top places to visit in New York City
1. Central Park
New York City Manhattan Central Park panorama
Give yourself a gentle introduction to the city by exploring its beloved, natural gem. Though Central Park may not exactly be free of tourists, there are ways to avoid the herds.
Designed by Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted,Central Park is home to 843 acres of verdant views, vibrant flora and hidden histories. The best way to see it all? By bicycle. For an early morning jaunt, head to the park anytime after 6 a.m. You can rent a bike for two hours and go solo for $20, or you can book a two-hour expedition through Central Park Bike Tours, which takes off at 9 a.m. and costs about $47 per person. With well-marked routes of 6.1, 5.2 or 1.7 miles, you can take your time cycling through the hilly terrain, stopping to see the model sailboats at the Conservatory Water, the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, Belvedere Castle atop Vista Rock, or the Bow Bridge — one of the park’s most photographed locations. Completed in 1862, the Bow Bridge’s cast-iron arch stretches 60 ft. over the lake, connecting Cherry Hill and the Ramble.
While you pedal along, it’s more than likely you’ll hear a guitar strumming in the distance. Follow the music and pay homage at the Imagine Mosaic, a tribute to sometime New York resident John Lennon, in the park’s Strawberry Fields. Following your bike ride, treat yourself to Sarabeth’s Central Park South, where you can gorge on a range of quirky specialties, including lemon-ricotta pancakes and pumpkin waffles.
2. Time Square
NEW YORK CITY, NY, USA – MAY 12, 2016: Yellow cabs in Manhattan, NYC. The taxicabs of New York City at night Time Square. Top places to visit in New York.
Known colloquially as “The Crossroads of the World” and “The Great White Way,” Times Square NYC is one of the most popular commercial intersections in the world! Located in central Manhattan at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, this popular NYC attraction, especially among tourists, is home to top destinations such as the Naked Cowboy, ABC’s Times Square Studios, and Planet Hollywood. More than a third of a million people pass through iconic Times Square NYC every day!
Times Square NYC has been a popular NY attraction for over a century. It is here that Good Morning America is broadcast live to the nation, here that the New Year’s Eve ball is dropped, and here that the curved seven-story NASDAQ sign has reported the fortunes and misfortunes of a nation.
Times Square acquired its name in 1904 when Albert Ochs, publisher of the New York Times, moved the newspaper’s operations to a new skyscraper on what was then known as Longacre Square. The name stuck, even after the New York Timesmoved their headquarters across Broadway in 1913. Now Times Square New York City is known around the world as a symbol of the American spirit.
Learn more about the history of Times Square at our Times Square History page. Then check out our helpful map of Times Square!
3. SoHo district in Manhattan
Beautiful happy woman walking on SoHo street. Top places to visit in New York.
Now that its impeccably preserved cast-iron fire escapes and industrial facades showcase the wares ofChanel, Prada and numerous less exalted brands, the area south of Houston Street is a far cry from the hardscrabble manufacturing zone that once earned the derisive nickname Hell’s Hundred Acres. But don’t write off Soho as a mere urban shopping mall; though many of the art galleries that made Soho New York’s contemporary-art hot spot in the 1970s and ’80s decamped to Chelsea and the Lower East Side, some excellent art spaces remain. Walk along the cobblestone streets and find great New York restaurants, bars and things to do in this downtown neighborhood.
SoHo New York has become one of the most trendy neighborhoods in NYC, as a hub for creativity, shopping, art galleries, filming spots and avaunt gard hotels. The name SoHo stands for South of Houston and this nickname is the first of all NYC neighborhood names to be an acronym. The area that SoHo encompasses starts just south of Houston Street and is everything north of Canal Street, between Broadway and Crosby.
4. Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn bridge at the night, New York City. Top places to visit in New York.
There is so much to see here. You get amazing views of the Manhattan skyline from the water here. From west to east, here are some highlights of this park:
-On the west side, you will find soccer fields, volleyball courts, basketball courts, handball courts, and a roller skating rink! This area is well maintained and clean. Something for everyone and all for free
-On the part near the Brooklyn Bridge is a Water Taxi ferry that will take you across to Manhattan, the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory with its delicious handmade ice cream, and the famous River Cafe. The River Cafe on the boat is a little pricey but a great place for a romantic dinner.
-Between the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, you will see Jane’s Carousel. This is a nice classic style merry go around for kids.
-The DUMBO part of this park features a nice park for sitting and hanging out with great bridge and city views.
-There is a bike trail that stretches the length of the park, and a Citi Bike station to rent bikes if you don’t have one.
Brooklyn Bridge Park is simply an amazing place to spend the day with friends and family.
Brooklyn Bridge Park is a world-class waterfront park with rolling hills, riverfront promenades, lush gardens, and spectacular city views. Our list of amenities continues to grow as we work each day to revitalize this previously deteriorated industrial space and build a park that allows New Yorkers to rediscover the waterfront. Parking near Brooklyn Bridge Park is very limited. We highly recommend taking public transportation, biking or walking to the park. BBP is accessible by bus, subway and ferry.
5. Top of the Rock
New York City midtown panorama. Top places to visit in New York.
One of the top places to visit in New York is Top of the Rock
The multi-level outdoor Observation Deck at the top of Rockerfeller Center is a historic “must see” experience for visitors to New York City. Find the main entrance on 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.
Tickets to the Top cost $32/person with discounts for Seniors ($30) and Children ($26). Upgrade for $5 per ticket to a Premier Pass which includes a digital photo and printed viewfinder noting points of interest. An additional $15 for adults and $10 for children is a ticket upgrade called Sun & Stars which allows you to visit the Top of the Rock twice in 24 hours so you can enjoy the view in light or night. Save money on admission as part of the New York Pass and CityPASS tourist attraction packages. Buy tickets online in advance for specific times to ride the elevator up.
The elevators to the Top run from 8:00 a.m. to 11:15 (except holidays) with the observation deck closing most days at midnight. No matter the weather, Top of the Rock is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Plan about 45 minutes for exploring the views, but there is no time limit on how long guest can stay on the observation decks during operating hours.
The ride to the Top takes you up nearly 70 floors to 3 indoor and outdoor viewing decks offering 360-degree views of Manhattan and New York. Top of the Rock actually consists of the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Outdoor terraces with clear safety glass are found on the 67th & 69th floors while the 70th floor has a completely open air, unobstructed view 850 feet above street level.
On a clear day or night from the Top, you’ll find the best views of Central Park and the Empire State Building. Top of the Rock is an expensive, but “must-see” part of experiencing New York City as a tourist.
Adress: 30 Rockefeller Ctr
New York, NY 10112 Midtown West
Top places to visit in New York City