New York City is one of the most famous cities in the United States. Whether you are looking for great food, culture, entertainment or history, New York city has it all. If you want to walk, take a cab or hop on the subway the entire city is at your fingertips. New York City has an abundance of attractions, including its most popular tourist destinations.
Located on Liberty Island, the Statue of Liberty was presented to America on July 4, 1884, by the French Government. Constructed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the statue took nine years to complete and has become a U.S. national symbol of freedom.
The Statue of Liberty tour takes visitors from Battery Park to Liberty Island, where the statue is located. Once there guests can enter the pedestal where the museum is located. You can also take the stairs to the crown of the statue. Tickets are required for entry into any part of the monument and can be purchased as far as a year in advance.
Statue of Liberty Tour and Ticketing Information
National Park Services, Liberty Island
New York, NY 10004
212-363-3200
statuecruises.com
A somber reminder of the most tragic event to strike the United States of America, Ground Zero has become a gathering place for visitors to pay their respects to those fallen on September 11, 2001.
Tourists can take pictures of the site--located at Church and Fulton Streets--and see the pictures and homemade memorials from loved ones and those wishing to commemorate this country's loss.
Broadway is home to some of the best theater in the world. From musicals to dramas to the unique and bizarre, Broadway has a genre for most any desire.
To obtain tickets to any Broadway performance you can visit the specific performance's website or Ticketmaster.com. You can also purchase tickets after your arrival in New York at a TKTS booth in Times Square, where you can pick up discounted tickets for many of the most popular shows. Another way to get tickets to shows that are sold out is to visit the venue the day of the event. Many of these shows raffle off single tickets.
TKTS
226 West 47th Street
New York, NY 10036
212-221-0013
tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=56
Ellis island was the U.S. hub for immigrants entering the United States from 1892 to 1952. More than 2 million people were registered there. “It has been estimated that close to 40 percent of all current U.S. citizens can trace at least one of their ancestors to Ellis Island,” according to History.com.
The island now houses a museum showing the history of immigration where visitors can trace their roots and look at the actual record books where those entering the country signed their names.
The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.
17 Battery Place #210
New York, NY 10004-3507
212-363-6307
ellisisland.org
At the time of its construction up until the World Trade Center was built, the Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world. Towering more than 1,200 feet tall, this 102-story building has become a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world. Visitors can go to the top floor of the building and get a 360-degree view of New York City and its surroundings.
Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
212-736-3100
esbnyc.com
Located between 6th and 8th Streets east to west and West 40th to West 53rd Streets south to north, Times Square has become New York City’s epicenter for tourists and visitors. Its giant, opulent advertisements, video monitors and buildings have become a main attraction to Times Square and it's often the first spot that tourists visit. Visitors can walk around and experience the sights and sounds unique to New York City while sampling some of its famous vendor food.
Times Square Alliance
1560 Broadway
Suite 800
New York, NY 10036
212-768-1560
timessquarenyc.org
The first public park built by hand, Central Park took more than 15 years to complete and spans more than 843 acres in the middle of New York City. In the park visitors can explore the sprawling land, jog, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, eat at the world-famous Tavern on the Green restaurant or even ice skate during the winter months.
Central Park Conservancy
14 East 60th Street
New York, NY, 10022
centralparknyc.org
Rockefeller Center, home of Radio City Music Hall and the NBC Studios, is a major tourist attraction. Visitors can take a tour of NBC Studios to see where “Saturday Night Live” is filmed, go to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck to get sprawling views of the city or ice skate under the famous lit Christmas tree during the winter months.
Rockefeller Center
1250 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10112
212-632-3975
rockefellercenter.com
Completed in 1950, the United Nations building is visited by hundreds of tourists daily who wish to see firsthand where some of the world’s most important conferences and decisions take place.
Free tours take place daily at the United Nations building. They feature its history, structure and important documentation and significance.
United Nations
First Avenue at 46th Street
New York, NY 10017
un.org/tours
If you have kids, or are still a kid at heart, then FAO Schwartz is a must-visit destination for anyone in New York City on vacation. Located across the street from Central Park, FAO Schwartz has everything a toy-lover could desire. Over-sized stuffed animals, a Barbie room, electronic toys and a giant dance-on piano are all a part of this expansive toy store.
FAO Schwartz
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY?
212-644-9400?
fao.com
