The Top 10 Tourist Attractions of New York City - Well, we here at IWalked have compiled our favorite recommendations for Top 10 Tourist Attractions in New York City (NYC).As Frank Sinatra would say, “New York. New York. I want to wake up in that city that never sleeps.” No city in America is more exciting and as large as the Big Apple. And this, of course, means more things to do than anywhere else as well! How does one get their arms around where to go and what to do around NYC?
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| Top 10 Tourist Attractions of New York City |
1. Statue of Liberty
Lady Liberty has greeted visitors to the Land of the Free since 1886. A much more elegant symbol than the Coney Island Elephant which formerly greeted immigrants. After visiting the Statue on Liberty Island, be sure to visit the Ellis Island Immigration Museum on next door, well, Ellis Island.
- Address: Liberty Island. Ferries to Liberty Island depart from Battery Park on Gangway 3.
- Cost: Prices vary if you wish to just have grounds only access (Reserve Tickets) for $12 Adult and $5 Children (Ages 4-12). If you wish to visit the crown and visit inside the statue, add $3. Reservations are highly recommended. Also, audio tours are available for approximately $8.
2. Times Square
This billboard laden boardwalk is the center of New York nightlife with it’s abundance of restaurants, hotels, stores and entertainment. The brilliant lights emitted from the billboards are such an integral part here that zoning laws actually require buildings to be covered in them!
- Address: Intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue between W 42nd Street to W 47th Street, New York, NY
- Cost: Free
3. Ground Zero
None of us will ever forget the events which transpired on September 11, 2001. Construction on the the replacement buildings including the One World Trade Center (originally known as the Freedom Tour) are now well under way. One building, 7 World Center Center, has already been rebuilt. One World Trade Center is currently estimated for completion in late 2013. If you wish to pay further respects, be sure to visit the nearby (in the Meat Packing District) Ground Zero Museum.
- Address: One World Trade Center, New York, NY or visit the Ground Zero Museum at 420 West 14th street, Floor 2, New York, NY
- Cost: Free or $25 Adult and $19 Children (Ages 6 and under) for the Museum
4. Central Park
Often described as an oasis within this city, Central Park is an amazing 843 acres of serene landscape amidst the hustle and bustle of New York. Within it you will find endless trails for biking, hiking, rollerblading or hitching a ride from a horse drawn carriage ($50+ tip for 20 minutes). Other favorite pasttimes include Belvedere Castle, Central Park Zoo, open-air concerts at the Public Theater, a tributory sculpture for kids related to Alice in Wonderland and a memorial to John Lennon (Strawberry Fields).
- Address: North of W 59th Street, New York, NY.
- Cost: Free
5. Empire State Building
For the best bird’s eye views of the city there is no better place than the Empire State Building. Enjoy the views from it’s 86th floor open air observation deck for 360 degree views of the city. From the observation deck re-create your favorite scenes from Sleepless in Seattle or King Kong. Just be prepared to for some lines, as some 10,000+ people come to visit the building every day (open 365 days a year).
- Address: 350 5th Avenue, New York, NY.
- Cost: $19 Adult and $14 Children (Ages 6-12). Or else if you’re feeling a need to splurge you may add a visit to the 102nd floor if you about double the price.
6. Rockefeller Center
A must see during holiday time for it’s Christmas tree and skating rink, Rockefeller Center is really so much more. Tour one of the following: NBC studios (at 30 Rockefeller Plaza; enter on 49th St between 5th & 6th Ave), Radio City Music Hall (1260 6th Avenue) or visit the Top Of The Rock observation deck atop the 70th floor of Rockefeller Center. In regards to Top Of The Rock, the views are equal to the Empire State Building, but with a fraction of the wait.
- Websites: http://www.rockefellercenter.com/ or http://www.nbcstudiotour.com/ or http://www.radiocity.com/tours/ or http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/
- Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
- Cost: NBC Tours are $16.25 (children 6-12) to $19.25 (adults). Radio City Music Hall Tours are $12.75 (children 12 and under) to $21.25 (adults). Top of the Rock is $14 (children 6-12) to $21 (adults). Special notice: Sunrise/sunset rates are higher
7. Metropolitan Museum of Art
2,000,000 works of art spread over 2,000,000 square feet…now that’s a lot of art. Known for it’s inventory of Van Goghs, Monets and Ancient Egyptian art, one of the special treats lies atop the rooftop terrace where a sculpture garden exists. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (aka “The Met”) is just one of many fine museums (10 in all) along the Museum Mile, which stretches along Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 104th Streets.
- Address: 1000 5th Avenue, New York, NY
- Cost: $20 Adult and children under 12 are free.
8. Broadway
There’s no better show than Broadway. Check out one of the old favorites such as Phantom of the Opera and Chicago. Or check out some of the newer and trendy favorites such as Wicked, The Lion King or the soon to be released (complete with Bono/Edge soundtrack), Spiderman. For same day tickets at 25-50% discount, check out the TKTS booth at 47th Street and Broadway.
- Address: Broadway, New York, NY.
- Cost: Face value tickets to hot show may range from $60 in the rear mezzanine to $300+ for premium seating.
9. St. Patrick’s Cathedral
This Neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral from 1878 is one of the finest cathedrals in the United States. Outside of Europe, you will be hard-pressed to find a more impressive church. Admire the twin 330 foot tall spires from the outside and then wander inside to enjoy the sounds of the 9,838 pipe organ.
- Address: 14 E 51st Street, New York, NY
- Cost: Guided tours for groups may be coordinated online, otherwise visitors are welcome to visit the church.
10. Yankee Stadium
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the Yankees are the “America’s Team of Baseball.” The $2.3 billion stadium which opened in 2009 further attests the grandeur of surrounding this team. Within its hallowed halls you may visit the the indoor Yankees Museum (located on the lower level at Gate 6) or else the outdoor Monument Park with monument and plaques commemorating some of its greatest players.
- Address: East 161st Street & River Avenue, Bronx, NY
- Cost: Tours are $15 (children 14 and under) to $20 (adults). Tickets to game (if you can get them at face value) range from $15 to $325.