Top 10 Things to Do in New York - A Guide Travel Lovers!

Top 10 Things to Do in New York

New York City is one of the most exciting places in the world, full of amazing things to see and do. Whether you're visiting for the first time or you’ve been here before, there’s always something new to discover. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, New York has something for everyone. Here we’ll explore the top 10 things you must do while you're in the city, making sure you experience the best of what the Big Apple has to offer.

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Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is a famous 102-story skyscraper in Manhattan, New York City. Designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, it was built in just over a year, from 1930 to 1931, and named after New York's nickname, the "Empire State." Standing 1,454 feet tall with its antenna, it was the tallest building in the world until 1970.

Known for its Art Deco design and observation decks, it attracts about four million visitors each year. The building is a symbol of New York City and has been featured in many movies and TV shows. It’s also recognized as a modern wonder and a historic landmark.

Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is a huge sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, dedicated on October 28, 1886. Designed by French artist Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built with a metal framework by Gustave Eiffel, it was a gift from France to the United States.

The statue represents a woman holding a torch and a tablet with the date of the Declaration of Independence. She stands on a broken chain, symbolizing freedom from slavery. Originally inspired by a French idea to celebrate American independence and democracy, the statue was funded by both French and American contributions.

Today, the Statue of Liberty is a famous symbol of freedom and a major tourist attraction. Managed by the National Park Service since 1933, visitors can go up to the pedestal and crown, but access to the torch has been closed since 1916.

Central Park

Central Park is a large urban park in Manhattan, New York City, and the first landscaped park in the U.S. Covering 843 acres, it’s the most visited park in the country, attracting about 42 million people each year. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, it opened in 1858 and features attractions like the Central Park Zoo, Wollman Rink, and the Bethesda Terrace.

The park is known for its natural beauty, recreational activities, and cultural events. Managed by the Central Park Conservancy since 1998, it’s a National Historic Landmark and a model for urban parks worldwide.

National September 11 Memorial & Museum

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City honors the victims of the 2001 September 11 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Located where the Twin Towers once stood, it includes two large reflecting pools and a forest of trees.

Designed by architect Michael Arad and landscape firm Peter Walker and Partners, construction began in 2006. The memorial opened on September 11, 2011, marking the tenth anniversary of the attacks, and the museum followed on May 15, 2014. Both are dedicated to remembering those who lost their lives and the heroes of that day.

Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is a famous bridge in New York City that connects Manhattan and Brooklyn over the East River. It opened on May 24, 1883, and was the longest suspension bridge in the world at that time. Originally called the New York and Brooklyn Bridge, it was renamed the Brooklyn Bridge in 1915.

The bridge was designed by John A. Roebling, with his son Washington Roebling taking over the project after his death, and Washington's wife, Emily, also played a key role.

Construction began in 1870 and took 13 years due to challenges and controversies. The bridge has carried different types of traffic over the years and has been renovated several times to keep it in good shape. Today, it’s a toll-free bridge for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists and is one of New York City's most iconic landmarks. The Brooklyn Bridge is also a National Historic Landmark and a popular tourist attraction.

NYC Food Tours

New York City is famous for its food, offering everything from affordable eats to fancy Michelin-starred restaurants. With so much to try, it’s hard to fit everything into one visit. A great way to sample the city's diverse cuisine is by taking a food tour. Whether you're interested in exploring a specific neighborhood or tasting a particular type of food, there's a tour for you. U.S. News has picked the best food tours in NYC, all of which get great reviews for their variety of food and knowledgeable guides.

Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park is a 9.75-acre public park in Greenwich Village, Lower Manhattan. It's a well-known gathering spot and a hub for cultural activities, managed by NYC Parks. The park is open and centered around the iconic Washington Square Arch at its north end. Known for its spirit of nonconformity, the park's fountain area is a popular spot. Nearby buildings, once home to artists, are now mostly part of New York University or have been converted into academic and residential spaces.

Staten Island Ferry

The Staten Island Ferry is a free passenger ferry run by the New York City Department of Transportation. It travels 5.2 miles between Manhattan and Staten Island, taking about 25 minutes each way. The ferry operates 24/7, with boats departing every 15 to 20 minutes during busy times and every 30 minutes otherwise. It's the only direct transit link between these two boroughs, besides the NYC Ferry's St. George route.

The ferry connects to subways and buses at Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan and to the Staten Island Railway and buses at St. George Terminal. It started in 1817, and after various ownerships, the City of New York took control in 1905. The ferry once had routes to Brooklyn, but by 1967, the Manhattan route was the only one left.

With over 15.7 million riders in 2023, the Staten Island Ferry is the busiest passenger-only ferry in the world. It's also popular with tourists for the free views of New York Harbor. The ferry has appeared in several movies.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Saint Patrick's Church, near St. Thomas Mount in Chennai, India, has been serving the local Roman Catholic community since 1887. Originally built in 1830 for a military garrison by Daniel O. L. Auig, it became the parish church for the growing population.

The parish was originally part of San Thome until around 1575. In January 2008, a new, spacious church was built by John Bosco to replace the old, deteriorating one. The church features a Grotto of Our Lady modeled after Lourdes. Shylock Stephen is the current parish priest, and the church serves over 2,000 Roman Catholic families.

Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal, located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, is a major commuter rail hub serving the New York metropolitan area. It connects to the Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road through the Grand Central Madison station. The terminal also links to the New York City Subway.

Opened in 1913, Grand Central is renowned for its stunning Beaux-Arts architecture and is a National Historic Landmark. It is one of the world's top tourist attractions, with 21.6 million visitors in 2018. The terminal features a grand Main Concourse, various shops and restaurants, and even a library and tennis club.

Grand Central Terminal has 44 platforms and 67 tracks, making it the largest train station in the world by platform count. It served intercity trains until 1991, when Amtrak shifted its services to Penn Station.