New York attractions

Built as a living memorial to the lives lost in the Holocaust, and in testament to those who survived, New York City’s Museum of Jewish Heritage is both emotional and educational. Set amid the peaceful surroundings of Lower Manhattan’s Battery Park City, the permanent exhibitions are filled with artifacts, old photographs, personal items, and first-hand accounts that tell the stories of the survivors and their families.

Located in Lower Manhattan’s Brookfield Place, just steps from One World Trade Center, the elegant Winter Garden Atrium offers an attractive place to shop, grab a bite, and relax. With sweeping views of the Hudson River, this oasis of tranquility, set amidst the bustle of downtown, is home to upscale restaurants and designer boutiques. It hosts an array of cultural events, from art exhibitions and concerts to food festivals.

Built in the early 20th century on Heart Island, Boldt Castle is one of the Thousand Islands region’s standout attractions. Millionaire George Boldt commissioned it as a gift for his wife, but after her death he abandoned the project and never returned. The castle has since undergone more than US$15 million in restorations, and visitors can now go inside the castle to explore its rooms, view exhibits, and see original artifacts from the 1900s.

The New York Historical has a claim to fame as NYC’s first museum. Visitors come here to discover over 400 years of American history, including artifacts, documents, and artwork. From Indigenous heritage to subjects such as the Hollywood blacklist, and exhibitions and activities for kids on the lower level, the museum offers an immersive experience, making it a fascinating stop for anyone curious about the history of New York and the country as a whole.

Liberty State Park is a revitalized park in Jersey City that serves as a departure point for ferries to reach the popular landmarks of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Once an industrial area, the park now offers a 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) promenade with views overlooking the Hudson River, the New York City skyline, and one of the world’s most famous statues.

Cafe Wha? is a New York institution that hosts live music seven nights a week and boasts its own house band. This basement venue in Greenwich Village once welcomed the biggest names in music and is now a popular spot for tourists and anyone seeking a fun night of music. There’s a full food menu and over-16s are allowed on certain days, too.

Secreted away at the southern tip of Lower Manhattan, the Stone Street Historic District is one of New York City's oldest areas, with roots dating to the city's days as a Dutch settlement in the 17th century. Today, the cobblestone street—accessible to pedestrians only—is home to a range of fashionable restaurants and taverns, in addition to several notable historic landmarks.

Tiffany & Co.’s flagship store—known as The Landmark—offers a glittering slice of Manhattan glamour. Set on Fifth Avenue and reimagined in 2023, the 10-story building blends luxury shopping with cultural experiences, from rotating exhibits to the elegant Blue Box Café. Open to the public, it’s a chance to browse the brand’s famous jewelry and snap a photo outside the storefront made legendary by Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Union Square is a lively public space in the heart of Manhattan, between Greenwich Village and the Flatiron District. Come here to stroll through Union Square Park, watch street performers, or visit the popular Greenmarket—a lively farmers market that can feature over 140 stalls. From fresh produce to artisan goods to cooking demonstrations and tasty street food, it’s a buzzing destination that’s fun for browsing and people-watching alike.

NYC visitors looking for an art museum downtown will find much to love at this substantial museum. Set in a Renzo Piano-designed building overlooking the High Line, the Whitney Museum is a champion of contemporary American art. It’s home to works from big names such as Edward Hopper and Georgia O’Keeffe, and its celebrated biennial serves as a launchpad for lesser-known artists.

Located along New York City’s Museum Mile, the Neue Galerie New York is dedicated entirely to Austrian and German art and design from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Housed in an elegant Gilded Age beaux arts mansion that once belonged to the Vanderbilts, the museum’s collection includes paintings, sculptures, photos, drawings, and decorative arts.

Dedicated to everyone’s favorite Danish building block, the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Westchester is open to children 17 and younger, and their adult guardians. The center has a variety of themed rides and activities, and gives you the chance to pedal through the sky in Merlin's Apprentice; meet Lego characters in the 4K theater; and peek at pint-sized replicas of New York City landmarks in MINILAND.

The Tenement Museum offers insights into the hardscrabble lives of newly arrived immigrant families in New York City’s Lower East Side during the 19th and 20th centuries. Through a combination of museum exhibits and access to historical tenement buildings, guided tours demonstrate the challenges newcomers to the USA faced and show how migrants helped shape one of Manhattan’s most influential neighborhoods.

The Ground Zero Museum Workshop tells the story of the aftermath of the tragic September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City. Though small, the museum features a meaningful photography collection by Gary Marlon Suson—the only official FDNY photographer allowed to document the recovery period at Ground Zero—along with artifacts, video footage, and audio guides in Spanish, Italian, French, and English.

Inspiration for artists, bucolic escape for weary New York City dwellers, vital commercial artery, and a designated American Heritage River, the mighty Hudson plays a crucial role in many facets of life and leisure in New York State. Running for 315 miles (507 kilometers) from its source in the Adirondacks all the way to NYC before finally emptying into the Atlantic Ocean, the river is a magnet for locals and visitors alike, attracting pleasure cruisers, campers, history buffs, and hikers.

One of the largest zoos in the United States, the Bronx Zoo spans acres of hardwood forest with replicated animal habitats along the Bronx River, to the north of Manhattan. Enter through one of four official gates, and explore exhibits featuring hundreds of animal species—from two-toed sloths in the Children’s Zoo to Malayan tigers, snow leopards, American bison, and Nile crocodiles.

Chelsea is known for its creative spirit and its deep-rooted ties to New York City’s LGBTQ+ culture since the 1980s. Today, the neighborhood offers plenty of chic restaurants, contemporary art galleries, and independent boutiques. It’s also home to the High Line—an elevated park built on a former rail line with gardens and outdoor art—making it a prime destination neighboring the West Village.

Situated in Upper Manhattan's Riverside Park, just overlooking the Hudson River, the General Grant National Memorial is the final resting place of Civil War hero and former president General Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia. Also known as Grant's Tomb, this imposing, domed marble and granite structure is the largest mausoleum in the country, and a must-see for visiting history buffs.

The pocket-sized NYC neighborhood of Nolita (North of Little Italy) is famous for its trendy shopping and dining scene. Less glamorous than SoHo but more refined than Little Italy—which Nolita detached from in the mid-90s—this petite neighborhood has a cozy, charming vibe all of its own. Its narrow streets are home to numerous galleries, independently owned shops, and bijou cafés.

The Alexander Hamilton US Custom House served as a significant customs collection point when New York was the busiest port in the US, central to the nation’s economy. In addition to its significant place in New York’s history, the building is celebrated for its ornate interior, oak paneling, and murals. Today, the Beaux Arts building houses the National Museum of the American Indian.

Crossing the mouth of Upper New York Bay and linking the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the US. A marvel of engineering, this massive project was completed in 1964, and more than 200,000 vehicles pass over it daily. A must-see for architecture buffs, this steel and concrete bridge also makes for striking photos from the southern reaches of Brooklyn and Coney Island Beach.

Step into the Museum of the City of New York for a deep dive into the Big Apple beyond the usual tourist trail. From Broadway memorabilia to historical photographs and vibrant graffiti art, the museum’s collections offer a more intimate portrait of the city, its past, and its culture.

With its distinctive orange color, the Staten Island Ferry has been a familiar sight crossing New York Harbor since 1905. The free ferry is as popular with tourists as it is with commuters making their daily trip between Staten Island and Manhattan, thanks to its front-row views of the dazzling NYC skyline, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty.

The vast grounds of the New York Botanical Garden offer a green escape from the bustle of the city. Travel to the Bronx to wander through the Rose Garden, see what’s blooming in the Victorian-era glasshouse, learn something new at the Home Gardening Center, or go for a stroll in the 50-acre (20-hectare) Thain Family Forest. There’s a reason to visit during every season—even winter, when the annual Holiday Train Show® takes over the conservatory.

Fans of Major League Baseball (MLB) won’t want to miss a visit to Citi Field, the home stadium of the New York Mets. Built in 2009 to replace the legendary Shea Stadium—its famous “Big Apple” is still on display outside—Citi Field quickly made a name for itself, hosting All-Star and World Series games, as well as music concerts by artists from Beyoncé to Paul McCartney.

The David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building makes a big statement, standing at 40 stories high and located just north of the Brooklyn Bridge. The imposing structure incorporates a mix of architectural styles—including Roman, Renaissance, and classical—and is one of the world’s largest government office buildings. Completed in 1914 and renamed after a former New York City mayor in 2015, the building is a draw for architecture and history fans.

Prospect Park—Brooklyn’s most-visited green space—is a vast expanse of grassy meadows and natural woodland set around a freshwater lake. Whether you want to enjoy outdoor activities, take your dog to the dog beach, or have a family day out, there’s plenty to see and do in Prospect Park. It’s also home to the Prospect Park Zoo, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the Brooklyn Museum.

Visit the Museum of Sex (aka MoSex) to reflect on the history, complexity, and evolution of human sexuality—it’s educational, yes, but with a bit of risqué fun on the side. A permanent collection of more than 15,000 artifacts ranges from photographs and artworks to sex toys. Rotating exhibitions bring in fresh perspectives, while the on-site Carnal Carnival bar tempts visitors to linger after exploring the museum.

The Central Park Conservatory Garden provides a lush escape from New York City’s bustling streets. The only formal garden located inside Manhattan’s beloved Central Park, its 6 acres (2.4 hectares) of carefully manicured gardens feature seasonal flower beds, woodland plants, and stone walking paths dotted with fountains, sculptures, and benches perfect for sipping coffee and soaking up the sun.

Built in 1765 for a British Colonel, the Morris-Jumel Mansion is the oldest residence in Manhattan and once served as the headquarters and war office of George Washington. The mansion is located in the Jumel Terrace Historic District, a national historic area with well-maintained homes dating from the early 20th century. While the mansion is fun to see from the outside, it’s worth taking time to step inside this Palladian home, which now serves as a museum.