New York City attractions

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 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.

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.

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.

This isn’t your typical observation deck. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt lifts you high above Manhattan and then flips your perspective with mirrored floors, soaring glass walls, and immersive art installations. From sky-high views to surreal, walk-through experiences, every moment here feels like part thrill ride, part modern art exhibit. Spread across three levels, it’s one of New York City’s boldest and most unforgettable attractions.

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.

One of Brooklyn’s most atmospheric and well-heeled neighborhoods, Brooklyn Heights is also conveniently located just one subway stop from Lower Manhattan, making it easy to fit into a day of sightseeing. Featuring streets of centuries-old brownstone buildings, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade (which offers panoramic Manhattan skyline views), cultural stops like the New York Transit Museum, and an enviable dining scene, it provides visitors with a taste of the borough’s best.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Located in the heart of Manhattan’s Theater District, the Ambassador Theatre is an in-demand Broadway venue known for its hexagonal auditorium and hits such as the long-running Chicago. Dating back to 1921, this historic theater is a favorite among architecture and design fans who visit to admire its interior plasterwork. Theater enthusiasts typically purchase tickets to shows at the Ambassador in advance to secure seats, and both matinee and evening performances are usually offered.

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.

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.

Even if you’ve never been ice skating in New York City, you might recognize Wollman Rink. The outdoor skating rink has not only entertained New Yorkers and their families since the 1950s, but it’s featured in movies from Love Story to Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. With a backdrop of soaring Manhattan skyscrapers, it’s a winning spot to put your skating skills to the test.