New York attractions

Just 800 yards (732 meters) from Lower Manhattan, Governors Island is an important historical landmark in New York Harbor. Home to two major military landmarks—Fort Jay and Castle Williams—it was used in defensive campaigns beginning during the Revolutionary War. Today, it is a popular summer retreat for locals and visitors who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple.

30 Rockefeller Plaza, one of New York City’s most famous buildings, boasts incredible views from its sky-high vista point: the Top of the Rock observation deck. Visitors can access three levels of both indoor and outdoor platforms offering unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline and sprawling metropolis below. Top of the Rock also has a rooftop restaurant, The Weather Room, where you can enjoy all-day fare with a view.

Columbus Circle is named for its statue of Christopher Columbus, located in the middle of the roundabout. The navigator has had a place of honor there since 1892, when New Yorkers celebrated the 400th anniversary of his voyage to the Americas by erecting the statue. Today, the area is visited for its shops, high-end dining, offices, and proximity to Central Park.

Columbia University blends Ivy League tradition with the energy of New York City. Its Morningside Heights campus is an academic enclave filled with tree-lined walkways, grand neoclassical buildings, and inviting green spaces. Visitors come to admire the historic architecture, take in views from College Walk, or simply soak up the atmosphere of one of the world’s top universities. It’s a picturesque stop in Upper Manhattan—and a window into the city’s intellectual heart.

Though the peak of Italian immigration passed long ago, and many first- and second-generation families have since moved to the Bronx, Staten Island, and beyond, the heart of Italian-American culture still beats here. Stroll through this historic enclave to find beloved old-school eateries, the landmark “Old” St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and cultural touchstones like the annual Feast of San Gennaro.

This uptown New York City neighborhood is rich in history: In the 1920s, the Harlem Renaissance saw an explosion of African American art, literature, and music. Today the area remains a cultural powerhouse, with jazz clubs, theaters, and soul food spots tucked away among old brownstones and contemporary restaurants and bars. Head here to catch a show, see some art, or grab a bite.

St. Paul’s Chapel opened in 1766, one year into the American Revolution—George Washington once attended services here. Located in what is now Lower Manhattan’s Financial District, it is an active place of worship and part of the parish of Trinity Church. After the attacks of September 11, 2001, the chapel became a place of refuge for firefighters and emergency workers. Today, it’s known as Manhattan’s oldest public building still in use.

Known as the Great White Way because the theater lights burned so brightly in the early days of electricity, Broadway has been home to the New York City theater district for more than 100 years. The history-drenched street is one of Manhattan’s most famous thoroughfares, and many consider seeing a show—whether a popular musical, Tony Award-winning play, or up-and-coming production—an essential part of the New York experience.

One of the largest museums in the world, the American Museum of Natural History has everything from a life-sized replica of a blue whale hanging from the ceiling to towering displays of dinosaur skeletons. It’s also a first-class research institution, devoted to fields like paleontology and zoology. The museum has been a New York City institution since its founding in 1869 and shows no signs of slowing down. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t rush to visit.

Located in Lower Manhattan, the historic Seaport District was New York’s original commercial hub. Old ships docked at the South Street Seaport Museum are evidence of the area’s international trade dating back to the 1600s, though today’s Seaport is a 21st-century shopping, dining, and entertainment district. Find endless activities along the district’s cobblestone streets, and don’t miss the stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Big Apple skyline from Pier 17.

Like the Empire State Building, the Flatiron Building, or the Chrysler Building, the United Nations Headquarters is among New York City’s most iconic structures, as well as its most significant political sites. A number of buildings comprise the complex, including the domed General Assembly Hall and the Secretariat Building, a high-rise completed in the early 1950s. Visitors can get a peek behind the scenes during guided tours.

Perched atop Vista Rock in Central Park, this miniature castle looks more medieval than Manhattan—yet Belvedere Castle has become one of the park’s most iconic landmarks. Its visitor center doles out helpful info to travelers, and the gift shop is stocked with Central Park-themed souvenirs. Most people come for the view from the castle’s terraces, which gaze out across Turtle Pond, the Ramble, and the Great Lawn.

Founded by American industrialist Henry Clay Frick, the Frick Collection is the premier NYC destination for art from the Renaissance to the late 19th century. It’s home to one of the world’s foremost collections of European fine and decorative arts; you can see celebrated works by Rembrandt, Fragonard, El Greco, Ingres, Bellini, Vermeer, and more. The Frick Art Reference Library is a leading global resource in the field of art history, open to researchers and the public alike.

Chelsea Market is a food hall and marketplace that played a key role in the revival of the Meatpacking District’s reputation as a culinary destination. Today, it’s popular among both city dwellers and visitors for its top-notch food vendors and restaurants. Bring your appetite—and a sense of curiosity—to get the most out of your visit.

Get undisrupted views of the Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn Bridge Park, which stretches across six piers on the borough’s northern waterfront. In addition to being a popular reprieve from the city with its nature trails and gardens, the park also features family-friendly attractions such as a roller rink, recreational courts, and Jane’s Carousel.

Performers from Ella Fitzgerald to Sammy Davis Jr. have graced the neoclassical stage of this Harlem landmark—and its sometimes raucous, weekly Amateur Night has been running for nearly a century. During the rest of the week, the venue draws crowds for music, theater, film, and other performances. And on guided tours of the venue, travelers get the chance to peek backstage.

If Brooklyn is New York City’s coolest borough, then Williamsburg is its ultimate hipster mecca. Packed with galleries, music venues, and art spaces, the neighborhood has long been a prime destination to soak up the borough’s eclectic culture. Today, locals and visitors come to admire the street art, head to destination restaurants, hit trendy dive bars, and shop indie boutiques and thrift stores.

Sleek and modern, the Maid of the Mist catamarans take visitors across the roiling waters below Niagara Falls. The open-air decks provide unobstructed views of the Falls, while you’ll be surrounded by cool rising spray. Maid of the Mist boats depart from the United States side of the falls, and their all-electric engines make for an experience unobstructed by engine noise and fumes.

This public park at the southern tip of Manhattan offers unbeatable views across New York Harbor, including the Statue of Liberty, as well as plenty of space to spread out across its 25 acres (10 hectares). It’s an ideal place for a stroll or picnic on the grass, and also serves as the gateway, via ferry terminal, to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Staten Island.

Any fan of the TV show Friends will recognize the exterior of the apartment building in Greenwich Village. Although the show was filmed on a studio set, this apartment building appeared in the opening credits of every episode. While it is not possible to go inside this private apartment building, many Friends fans plan a visit here to snap a photo in front of the charming building.

Since John D. Rockefeller founded Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in 1955, it’s grown into one of New York City’s cultural powerhouses. Eleven different venues make up the vast complex, where lovers of the arts can enjoy performances by the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet, and New York Philharmonic. Whether a celebrity-studded film premiere, an open-air music concert, or a night at the opera, there’s always something happening at Lincoln Center.

The George Washington Bridge, which spans the Hudson River, connects New Jersey with Manhattan. This double-decker suspension bridge may be less famous than the Brooklyn Bridge, but it’s still an engineering feat. Dating back to 1931, the bridge offers stunning views of the city, as well as options to drive, cycle, or walk across it, making it a functional and scenic way to see New York from a new vantage point.

Radio City Music Hall is a glitzy landmark that has entertained the masses since the Rockettes dance troop first kicked up their heels here in the early 1930s. The 6,000-seat theater was a gift from the Rockefellers to New York and continues to host nightly shows to this day. Performers range from stand-up comedians to chart-topping musical artists.

Constructed in 1913, NYC’s Woolworth Building was the tallest in the world when it first opened, and is known for its neo-Gothic design. With its intricate lobby, complete with mosaic vaulted ceilings, the landmark has long attracted art and architecture buffs, but it’s privately owned and currently closed to visitors. Tours of the lobby may return in the future.

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir is one of the must-see attractions in New York City’s Central Park. Loved by athletes for its running track, the reservoir—which spans the park and offers skyline views—is also a great place for photographers. Whether you enjoy a relaxing stroll along the water or prefer to bring sneakers for a jog, the reservoir is worth exploring as part of a Central Park tour.

Once home to Beat poets, jazz musicians, and the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, the West Village now boasts some of New York City’s most desirable real estate. It’s easy to see why the neighborhood appeals to both locals and visitors while strolling its walkable cobblestone streets, lined with picturesque 19th-century townhouses, trendy boutiques, and many of Manhattan’s best restaurants.

Located on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, this 58-story high-rise is filled with a mix of residential, shopping, and dining spaces. It once served as the filming location for the TV show The Apprentice. You’ll find four Trump-branded eateries here: Trump Grill, the more casual Trump Café, the 45 Wine & Whiskey bar, and Trump Sweets. The skyscraper also boasts Gucci’s flagship NYC location.

An anomaly amidst the skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan, this sprawling defensive fort was built in the early 1800s following Britain’s declaration of war on the United States. It was positioned strategically to overlook the Hudson River. Castle Clinton went on to predate Ellis Island as the nation’s first immigrant processing center, as well as an opera house and aquarium. Today, the fort is a protected monument and an important piece of New York City history.

While New York City may be home to some of the world’s biggest celebrities, a visit to Madame Tussauds gives you a better chance of being starstruck than walking down the streets of Manhattan. Get up close and personal with the likes of Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Selena Gomez at this family-friendly wax museum, set in the heart of Times Square.

Though many visitors stick around the bright lights of Midtown, don’t miss the chance to explore Lower Manhattan. Definitions of the parameters of Lower Manhattan can differ but generally include the buzzing neighborhoods south of 14th Street, such as Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chinatown, the Financial District, and more. Lower Manhattan is popular for its excellent shopping, wide range of restaurants, historic sights, architecture tours, and, of course, top-notch people-watching.