The Top Attractions in New York

Here is the best things to do and see in New York City!

Welcome to the best guide to the top New York attractions!

New York City is a highly popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors from all around the world every year. New York offers travelers a wide range of attractions to see and explore, including amazing museums, spectacular observatories, beautiful parks, and much more.

It's essential to prepare thoroughly before your trip to New York. Familiarize yourself with the recommended and popular attractions, enabling you to navigate efficiently, avoid long lines, and purchase tickets in advance. 

In the following guide, we've curated a list of highly recommended attractions in New York, complete with all the essential details you need to know.

So let's get started:

The Best Attractions in New York

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is New York City’s most innovative observation space. It is a multi-sensory experience that blends art, technology, architecture, and thrills. It is located on the top four floors of One Vanderbilt, the tallest commercial skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan.

The observation deck offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. It's a popular tourist attraction that provides visitors with a unique perspective of New York City.

Keep in mind that ticket counters have long queues and you can often wait up to 45 minutes during weekends and holidays, so it's advisable to book your ticket in advance to avoid these long lines.

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Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island are located in New York Harbor. Both are a ferry ride away, and can be accessed from Battery Park in New York City or Liberty State Park in New Jersey.

Most tickets include return ferry rides from Battery Park and access to Liberty Island, with live guides or digital audio commentary filling in the gaps as you wander the grounds. Many tours include Ellis Island and its fascinating Museum of Immigration.

Other tickets grant access to the Statue of Liberty Museum or Lady Liberty's pedestal. It will be wise to purchase tickets in advance.

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American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) is a natural history museum on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City. It is one of the largest and most respected museums in the world, with over 32 million specimens and artifacts in its collections.

The AMNH is a popular destination for visitors of all ages. It offers a wide variety of educational programs and exhibits, as well as special events and festivals. The museum is also home to a number of research centers, where scientists study the natural world and develop new technologies.

You can choose entry with one or all of the AMNH special exhibitions included in your ticket. You'll be able to choose from the latest special exhibits on arrival.

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The 9/11 Memorial & Museum

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum, officially known as the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, is a memorial and museum complex located at the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan, New York City. 

The museum is located underground and features a collection of over 40,000 artifacts, including photographs, videos, and personal belongings of the victims. The museum also tells the story of the 9/11 attacks and their aftermath, and explores the impact of the attacks on American culture and society.

The general admission ticket gets you access to the museum, all permanent exhibitions and films, as well as the memorial site. You can also take a guided tour of Ground Zero, a self-guided tour of the museum, and access to One World Observatory.

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New York Broadway Shows

New York Broadway shows are something you definitely don't want to miss when you're in NYC. Broadway shows are typically large-scale productions with elaborate sets and costumes. They often feature well-known actors and actresses, and many Broadway shows have become iconic and beloved by audiences around the world.

Broadway shows are a popular tourist attraction, and tickets can be expensive. However, you can get discounted tickets, if you buying them in advance. Some of the best Broadway shows running now, is Alladin, Chicago, The Lion King or Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

You can find all the Broadway shows running today here.

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The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is a museum of modern and contemporary art located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It is one of the largest and most influential museums of modern art in the world.

MoMA's collection includes over 150,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, films, and architectural models. The museum also has a number of libraries, archives, and research centers.

Some of the most famous works of art in MoMA's collection include: Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night, Pablo Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, Claude Monet's Water Lilies, Salvador Dalí's The Persistence of Memory, or Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans.

MoMA is a popular tourist attraction, and it offers a variety of educational programs and events. It will be wise to purchase tickets in advance

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Edge at Hudson Yards

Edge at Hudson Yards is an outdoor sky deck located on the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards in New York City, at a height of 1,131 feet (345 meters). It is the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere.

The Edge is a triangular platform that juts out 80 feet (24 meters) from the side of the building, offering visitors 360-degree views of the city and surrounding area. On a clear day, visitors can see as far as five states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.

Edge features a number of unique design features that make it a must-see for visitors to New York City. The floor of the sky deck is made of angled glass panels, giving visitors the feeling of floating in the air. The sky deck also has a number of angled glass walls that allow visitors to lean out over the city.

In addition to the stunning views, Edge also offers visitors a number of other amenities, including a champagne bar, a gift shop, and a photo booth.

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Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon and built from 1930 to 1931. Its name is derived from "Empire State", the nickname of the state of New York.

Upon completion in 1931, it became the tallest building in the world, a title it held for 41 years. It was the first building to have more than 100 floors, and it remains one of the most iconic buildings in the world.

The Empire State Building is a popular tourist attraction, and it offers 360-degree views of the city from its observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors. The observation decks are open to the public seven days a week.

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Top of the Rock

Top of the Rock is an observation deck located on the 70th, 69th, and 67th floors of 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. It offers 360-degree views of the city and surrounding area.

Top of the Rock is a popular tourist attraction, and it is known for its stunning views of the city skyline, including the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and Central Park. The observation deck also offers views of the Hudson River, the East River, and the Statue of Liberty.

Top of the Rock is a great place to visit for both tourists and locals. It is a great way to see the city from a different perspective and to take some amazing photos.

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New York City Cards

New York City Cards are a type of pass that gives visitors access to multiple attractions at a discounted price. There are a number of different New York City Cards available, each with its own unique set of benefits.

New York City Cards can be a great way to save money on admission to popular attractions. They can also be a great way to plan your trip, as they give you a list of attractions to visit.

Some of the most popular New York City Cards include:

Go City New York Explorer Pass: The Go City New York Explorer Pass gives visitors access to over 90 attractions, including the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

New York CityPASS: The New York CityPASS gives visitors access to six of the city's most popular attractions, including the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and the American Museum of Natural History.

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Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is a museum located in New York City on Pier 86, which is located on the West Side of Manhattan along the Hudson River. The museum houses a number of historical aircraft and spacecraft, including the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, and the Concorde supersonic airliner.

This is a very popular tourist attraction, and it is known for its unique collection of aircraft and spacecraft, as well as its educational exhibits and programs. The museum also has a number of flight simulators and other interactive experiences.

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One World Observatory

One World Observatory is a very popular observation deck on the 100th, 101st, and 102nd floors of One World Trade Center in New York City. It offers 360-degree views of the city and surrounding area, including the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

One World Observatory tickets include access to all 3 floors of One World Observatory (Levels 100, 101, 102), Access to curated eateries from casual café fare to seated fine-dining at ONE, arrival via The Sky Pod elevators – among the fastest in the world and special features including City Pulse and Sky Portal.

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Guggenheim Museum

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, often referred to as The Guggenheim, is an art museum at 1071 Fifth Avenue between 88th and 89th Streets on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City.

The museum is known for its collection of modern and contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and photographs. The collection includes works by some of the most famous artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol. The museum is also known for its unique architecture, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Don't miss it!

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New York Aquarium

The New York Aquarium is a public aquarium located on Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York City. It is the oldest continually operating aquarium in the United States, having been founded in 1896. The aquarium is home to over 500 marine species, including sharks, rays, sea turtles, penguins, and more.

The New York Aquarium is a popular tourist destination, and it is known for its diverse collection of marine life, as well as its educational exhibits and programs. The aquarium also has a number of interactive experiences, such as the Sea Cliffs exhibit, which allows visitors to walk among penguins and other seabirds.

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New York Sightseeing Cruises

Sightseeing cruises are one of the best ways to enjoy New York City. You can see the spectacular New York City skyline and gaze out at some of New York City's top sights from the water like the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Governor's Island.

You can take your pick of flexible cruise options at any time of day so you can squeeze more out of your stay in New York City and take the stress out of dinner reservations in NYC with a wine and dine on the cruise.

There are many types of New York sightseeing cruise you can choose from:

  • See Lady Liberty up close with tickets for a half-day cruise to Ellis Island. Explore America's immigration history, and take memorable snapshots both from the cruise ship and at the feet of the symbolic statue

  • Only have a New York minute? Opt for an abbreviated 45-minute express cruise from Lower Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty (and back!)

  • Get your heart racing with a high-octane thrill ride on a speedboat tour around Hudson Bay. Cruise by the Statue of Liberty at lightning speed!

  • Take a bite out of the Big Apple on a number of dining experiences at any time of day. Enjoy a delicious brunch cruise, a delectable lunch cruise, or an indulgent dinner cruise – whatever floats your boat!

 

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Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, also known as "The Met", is the largest art museum in the Americas and one of the most visited museums in the world. It is located at 82nd Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York City.

The museum's collection includes over two million works of art from around the world and from all periods of history. The Met also has a number of special exhibitions throughout the year. These exhibitions feature the work of specific artists or movements, or explore specific themes in art history.

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Hop-on Hop-off Tours

A hop-on hop-off bus is a type of sightseeing bus that allows passengers to get on and off at any of the designated stops along the route. This makes it a great way to see the city at your own pace and to get off at the attractions that you are most interested in seeing.
 
There are a number of different hop-on hop-off bus companies in New York to choose from, each with its own unique routes and stops. The Hop-on hop-off bus tickets can be purchased online or at the bus stop but it is often cheaper to buy your tickets online in advance.
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DreamWorks Water Park

DreamWorks Water Park is an indoor water park located within the American Dream shopping and entertainment complex, at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey (5 minutes from New York City).

The park is offering record-breaking rides like Shrek's Sinkhole Slammer, Kung Fu Panda Temple of Awesomeness, Mad Flush, and Penguin Plummer. It is one of the best attractions in New York for families with kids. It will be wise to purchase tickets in advance.

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Madame Tussauds New York

Madame Tussauds New York is a wax museum located on 42nd Street in the Times Square neighborhood of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City, and it features over 200 lifelike wax figures of celebrities from all walks of life, including sports stars, musicians, actors, and politicians.
 
Visitors to Madame Tussauds New York can pose for photos with their favorite celebrities, and they can learn about the history of wax figures and the process of making them. The museum also features a number of interactive exhibits, such as a wax figure of Jimmy Fallon that visitors can sing karaoke with.
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Whitney Museum Of American Art

The Whitney Museum of American Art, also known as "The Whitney", is a museum located in the Meatpacking District and West Village neighborhoods of Manhattan in New York City.

The Whitney's collection includes over 25,000 works of art by over 3,000 artists, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, films, and videos. The museum also has a number of special exhibitions throughout the year.

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New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is a botanical garden and museum in the Bronx, New York City. Founded in 1891, the NYBG is one of the largest botanical gardens in the world, and it is known for its diverse plant collection, its beautiful gardens, and its educational programs.

The NYBG's living collections include over one million plants from around the world. The garden is home to a variety of gardens, including the Rose Garden, the Native Plant Garden, and the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. The garden also has a number of special exhibitions throughout the year.

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