New York attractions

Formerly known as the Time Warner Center, the Deutsche Bank Center takes pride of place on Columbus Circle, looking out over the southern entrance to Central Park. Framed by two gleaming 55-story towers, the high-end complex houses the 5-star Mandarin Oriental hotel, Michelin-starred restaurants, a prestigious live music venue, and a shopping mall, alongside corporate offices and luxurious New York residences.

The New York City Garment District—or, simply, the Fashion District—has been the center of the city’s textile manufacturing and design industry since the early 20th century. Packed with wholesale fabric stores, warehouses, production sites, and the showrooms of fashion designers, including Carolina Herrera, Calvin Klein, and Oscar de la Renta, this is where it all begins for fashionistas. Project Runway films here, and the Fashion Institute of Technology is just a few blocks over.

One of Brooklyn’s most notable industrial landmarks, the Domino Sugar factory, has been transformed and repurposed into scenic parklands at Domino Park. Looming relics of the old refinery frame the grassy lawns and recreational areas, which line the banks of the East River and provide panoramic views of the Williamsburg Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, and Manhattan’s glittering skyscraper skyline.

Framing the northern corner of Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, the oval-shaped Grand Army Plaza looks like something out of Paris. Originally known as Prospect Park Plaza, the square boasts a 19th-century military arch, the art deco Bailey Fountain, tree-dotted lawns, classical-style gazebos, and the popular Saturday Greenmarket. The plaza serves as the park’s main entrance, and it’s a piece of American history every NYC visitor should see.

Housed in the restored 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue, the Museum at Eldridge Street tells the stories of the Jewish families that immigrated to the Lower East Side in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Now a National Historic Landmark, the synagogue was the first built by Eastern European Jews in New York City and is celebrated for its blend of Gothic, Romanesque, and Moorish architectural styles.

One of the world’s most famous—and ubiquitous—restaurant chains, the Hard Rock Cafe New York is a flagship of the brand, which occupies the lobby of Broadway’s former Paramount Theatre, framed by the towers and billboards of Times Square. With its tables surrounded by rock-star memorabilia, the eatery combines American-style dining with a rock ‘n’ roll theme to the nines.

Largely hidden below street level in midtown Manhattan, Penn Station is a nerve center for New York City transit—a busy place for commuters that also serves as many visitors’ first taste of the Big Apple. While the 1960s facility lacks the grandeur of the “old” Penn Station demolished more than 50 years ago, it’s nevertheless a bustling glimpse into Manhattan’s energetic public life.

Best known as the longtime home of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical The Lion King, the Minskoff Theatre is a popular stop for theater lovers visiting New York City. The glass-fronted venue offers views of glittering Times Square from its third-floor lobby, and stages performances most days of the week. It’s recommended to book tickets to the always-popular show well in advance.

Named after the 17th-century Brooklyn–to–Manhattan ferry, Empire Fulton Ferry is one of the most scenic spots in the waterfront Brooklyn Bridge Park. At the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, the park offers picnic areas, riverside walkways, and the historic Jane’s Carousel. Overlooking the East River and framing Lower Manhattan’s iconic skyline, it also boasts one of the top viewpoints in New York City.

A key landmark in Manhattan's Theater District, the Majestic Theatre is a must-visit for musical lovers. It is one of the largest theaters on Broadway, having hosted major productions—and delighting audiences—for nearly a century. Once home to The Phantom of the Opera, Broadway's longest-running show, the Majestic today puts on other heralded performances, including the Tony-nominated revival of Stephen Sondheim's Gypsy.

Founded in 1996, the Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls USA is located just minutes from the iconic falls. Part of the global rock ‘n’ roll-themed restaurant chain, and one of two Hard Rock Cafes in the area, Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls USA offers traditional American fare, a full bar, and authentic music memorabilia.

As the oldest continuously-occupied military post in the US, West Point dates back to the American Revolutionary War, when its strategic position at a curve in the Hudson River provided an important defense against British troops. Today, West Point is best known as an elite military academy with rigorous standards for its graduating cadets.

Located in the lobby of the American Express headquarters in New York City, the Eleven Tears memorial commemorates the 11 American Express employees who were killed during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Designed by artist Ken Smith, the memorial incorporates natural elements of light, water, crystal, stone, and metal, and is free for all to come and visit.

Located in New York City's Theater District, New World Stages is a modern off-Broadway performing arts complex. Featuring five theaters of varying sizes, an art gallery, a public lounge, and event spaces, the multipart venue offers a range of entertainment options, from shows and concerts to readings. Its convenient Midtown location makes it an essential stop for arts and culture lovers visiting Manhattan.

One of NYC’s architectural icons, the 37-story Daily News Building served as headquarters for the New York Daily News until 1995 and doubled as the Daily Planet in the 1978 Superman movie. Its most famous feature is its giant vintage globe—widely thought to be the world’s largest—which rotates beneath a black glass dome in the lobby. A standout on the Manhattan skyline, the building is considered one of the city’s finest examples of art deco architecture.

One of just a few playhouses located on Broadway itself, the Broadway Theatre is also one of the largest in the city. Despite its origins as a movie theater and vaudeville house, the 1920s venue is ideal for musicals, thanks to its vast stage, great acoustics, and seating for 1,765. The theater has hosted many hits over the years, including Cabaret,Les Misérables, and The Color Purple.

Beaux-Arts gardens surround this grand 40-room mansion, which was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family. The mansion is now a National Historic Landmark, with a remarkable collection of the Rockefellers’ fine artwork, period furnishings, ceramics, and sculpture. Tours explore portions of the house, the gardens, and galleries.

The Gershwin Theatre has pride of place in the heart of New York City’s Theater District, and seeing a show at the storied venue means experiencing a staple of the Broadway scene. The art nouveau theater has a rich history of staging celebrated musical theater performances—from Sweeney Todd to present-day smash-hit Wicked—and has even hosted Broadway’s famous Tony Awards.

Running west to east across Midtown Manhattan, 42nd Street is New York City’s singing, dancing entertainment hub. Part of Times Square and Broadway Theater District, the famous street draws visitors with its shows, shops, bright lights, and architectural landmarks. It’s divided into two sections: East 42nd, with its stately office and residential blocks, and West 42nd, where gigantic digital billboards, flashing theater marquees, and honking yellow cabs rule the day and night.

The Shubert Theatre stands in the heart of New York City’s Theater District, near Times Square. A landmark for theatergoers and sightseers, thanks to its Venetian Renaissance–style facade and elegant interior, the approximately 1,500-seat playhouse has hosted multiple hit musicals and plays, and is a fixture on many stroll-by walking tours of Broadway. Book a ticket to a hit show or simply admire the exterior.

A popular summer getaway for wealthy families in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Thousand Islands region remains a favorite warm-weather vacation destination today. Straddling the US-Canada border where the St. Lawrence River meets Lake Ontario, Thousand Islands shares the waters with the St. Lawrence Seaway, a series of locks and canals that allow ships to travel between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes.

The Center for Brooklyn History—formerly known as the Brooklyn Historical Society, and now managed by the Brooklyn Public Library—is housed in a stately, Queen Anne-style building in the heart of Brooklyn Heights. The research center brims with art, archival documents, and exhibitions on the borough’s history; don’t miss the ornate Othmer Library and the gift shop filled with local products.

The Barrymore Theatre is a classic Broadway venue, built in 1928 and named for acclaimed actress Ethel Barrymore. Nestled in Midtown Manhattan’s Theater District, the Barrymore Theatre draws theatergoers with its intimate 1,058-seat auditorium and elegant early 20th-century design. With a mix of plays and musicals—ranging from revival hits to contemporary premieres—it offers visitors a timeless and accessible Broadway experience.

One of Broadway’s most intimate venues, the Booth Theatre has been showcasing top-tier performances since 1913. With 783 seats and elegant Italian Renaissance architecture, it offers a more personal experience than many of its larger neighbors. Travelers looking for serious drama and standout acting often come here for limited-run productions and critically acclaimed plays in the heart of the Theater District.

Fashion-conscious New Yorkers have been flocking to Bloomingdale’s since the 1870s, when the brand first made a name for itself selling European goods on the Lower East Side. In 1886, Bloomingdale’s moved uptown and has sold high-end fashions to figures such as the late Jacqueline Kennedy and Queen Elizabeth II. Its art deco-style flagship store is a must-see for architecture buffs and avid shoppers.

One of New York City's most famous streets, Madison Avenue is home to designer shops and fine dining restaurants, and remains a coveted address for the world's top advertising agencies. But you can enjoy more than just shopping during your visit—swing by Madison Square Park, get sky-high views from the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, admire St. Patrick's Cathedral, or walk one block east to Fifth Avenue, home to the city's Museum Mile.

Built by playwright George H. Broadhurst and Broadway legends the Shubert brothers, the Broadhurst Theatre has welcomed many celebrities to the stage over its more than a century-long reign. Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, Hugh Jackman, Jude Law, and Daniel Radcliffe are just a few of the movie stars who have performed at the Broadhurst. Long-running shows include Les Misérables,Grease,Mamma Mia!, and Kiss of the Spider Woman.

Founded in 1988, Brooklyn Brewery if a staple of Brooklyn's craft beer scene. Located on Brooklyn's bustling Northside, the brewery houses a production facility, tasting room, and store with beer-related merchandise. Tours run daily, and the tasting room is open on weekends; it's a perfect spot to hang out and drink up.

A ride on this aerial tram connecting Roosevelt Island to Manhattan's Upper East Side will leave you wondering why it's not more well-known. Once the first commuter aerial tram in North America, it rises 250 feet (75 meters) above the East River—offering unusual views of New York City.

One of the most renowned concert halls in the United States, New York City’s Metropolitan Opera (fondly known as “the Met”) is a spectacular venue that hosts dozens of productions each year, ranging from acclaimed operas to performances by the American Ballet Theater. Whether you see a show or take a tour of the building, music lovers mustn’t miss it.