Enjoy a double-decker bus tour through the city. New York can be a difficult city to navigate, especially for the first-time visitor. A double-decker bus tour is a great way to get the lay of the land and have a good time doing it. Ticket sellers are all over Times Square, so finding a bus should not be difficult.
Gray Line operates one of the most popular tours. Visitors can purchase tickets on the street or go to their main office on 8th Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets. They can be reached online at newyorksightseeing.com and by phone at (212) 397-2600.
Take a leisurely cruise around Manhattan. Manhattan is after all an island, so why not see it by boat? Circle Line offers a number of different cruises, from one-hour cruises and dinner cruises to all-day excursions. Circle Line has offices at Pier 83, at 43rd Street on the far west side of Manhattan. Visitors can take the M42 bus from Times Square right to the pier. Circle Line can be found online at circleline42.com, or call them at (212) 563-3200.
Combine the best of land and sea with the unique NYC Ducks tour, one of the most unique tours in New York. This tour navigates both the streets and the waterways of New York City in specially designed amphibious vehicles. Those interested in a tour can simply look for these strange looking vehicles in Times Square, buy their tickets and climb on board.
NYC Ducks is headquartered in the same building as the popular Gray Line tours, along 8th Avenue between 46th and 47th. Visitors can even combine both tours and enjoy a hefty discount. Their website is nycducks.com and their phone number is (888) 838-2570.
Experience Times Square at night. Times Square is a sensory overload any time of day, but after dark all those neon signs really come to life. People-watching in Times Square is lots of fun, especially after the sun goes down.
Times Square covers a number of blocks, but one of the best places for visitors to enter the area is where 42nd Street crosses Broadway. A good place to start your visit to Times Square is at the Times Square Visitors Bureau located at 1560 Broadway. Their phone number is (212) 768-1560 and the website is timessquarenyc.org.
Nothing beats a nice relaxing stroll through beautiful Central Park. This green oasis in a sea of traffic provides a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, and gives natives and visitors alike a chance to unwind. You may even want to stop by the boathouse, where you can rent a canoe and enjoy the beautiful lake.
Central Park begins at Columbus Circle, located at 59th Street and continues north all the way to 110th Street. Visitors can learn more about the park and find interactive maps and guides at centralparknyc.org or call them at (212) 310-6617.
Enjoy Shakespeare in the Park. Every visitor to New York City should take in a play, and the Public Theatre puts on free plays in Central Park each summer. Taking in one of these free plays is a wonderful way to spend the day. Tickets go fast, so be sure to visit publictheater.org/ for tips on how to snag them. The Public Theater offices are located at 425 Lafayette Street, and they can be reached by telephone at (212) 260-2400.
Marvel at the New York Public Library. A day at the library may not sound exciting, but the New York Public Library is like no other library in the world. This library is how to art exhibits, rare book collections and much more. Just look for the massive lions out front and enjoy some fun and culture.
The New York Public Library is located at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, and their website is nypl.org. They can also be reached by phone at (917) 275-6975.
The Empire State Building is perhaps the most recognizable symbol of New York. This iconic symbol is open late (till 2 a.m.), so you can take in a play or enjoy a late dinner and still have time to check out the view from the top. Visitors can check out the views ahead of time by visiting the Empire State Building's website at esbnyc.com. The Empire State Building is located at Fifth Avenue and 34th Street, and their phone number is (212) 947-1360.
Go ice skating in Rockefeller Center, or enjoy free skating at nearby Bryant Park. New York City really comes alive in winter, as tourists from all over descend on the city in search of holiday bargains. Ice skating is a part of the mix, with both the famous Rockefeller Center skating rink and the one at nearby Bryant Park welcoming skaters of all ages and abilities. The skating at Bryant Park is free.
Visitors can check out the Bryant Park website at bryantpark.org. The park is conveniently located right across the street from the New York Public Library at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street.
The Guggenheim Museum is one of the most easily recognizable buildings in New York, with its spiral exterior and unique design by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Inside are some of the most beloved paintings, sculptures and other works of art in the world, so art lovers should be sure to block out plenty of time to see it all.
The Guggenheim Museum is located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 89th Street, and visitors an learn more at the museum's website by visiting guggenheim.org or by calling the museum at (212) 423-3500.
