The Statue of Liberty is almost synonymous when thinking about the Big Apple. It was dedicated in 1886 and is one of the most visited destinations in New York City today. Also, stop by Ellis Island, the former immigration center that processed 12 million immigrants between 1892 and 1954. While there, you can search the database of Ellis Island manifests for possible ancestors who entered through the immigration port. Other places of historical interest in New York include the Woolworth Building and the Empire State Building, two of the tallest skyscrapers in the city; numerous old churches, such as Grace Church, St. Paul's Chapel and St. Patrick's Cathedral; and many houses of notable residents, such as Andrew Carnegie and Duke Wellington.
If you love museums, New York City is the place for you. One of the most notable museums is Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Nearly 200 life-like wax figures are featured, so set aside plenty of time to explore the entire museum. Take a walk down Fifth Avenue's "Museum Mile," which houses many museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum. If you wish to explore places a little less well known, visit the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the Brooklyn Children's Museum and the Museum of African Art.
If you would like a day to relax and enjoy a stroll in the park, visit Central Park or Washington Square Park. Central Park is one of the most visited parks in the nation and is composed of 850 acres in Manhattan. The park offers many activities and places to visit and even has a small zoo. Washington Square Park is known for its huge arch and fountain and is considered a center of local artists and musicians. The park also is a known gathering spot for many chess enthusiasts. There are also hundreds of smaller parks in each of the five boroughs of the city that you can visit as well.
Spend a day visiting Coney Island, which offers an amusement park, the New York Aquarium and a beach for swimming. The amusement park has a variety of carnival games and rides, such as the Wonder Wheel, bumper cars and the Cyclone, which is one of the nation's oldest operating wooden roller coasters. If you are one who likes the theater, your visit must include a trip to Times Square. This is the city's center of theater and also is the home of many world-class restaurants and hotels. If shopping is something you enjoy, take a walk down Fifth Avenue, which includes Tiffany & Co., Prada, FAO Schwartz, Gap and the World of Disney stores.
