Hi guys, in this blog post I will be writing about the top five places to see when visiting New York. New York is such a beautiful city with so much to do. This post might help people going on holidays to New York for the first time or even people who have been to New York and have never seen some of these amazing places.
If you want to become a real New Yorker, there’s only one rule: You have to believe New York is, has been, and always will be the greatest city on earth. The center of the universe. – Ellen R. Shapiro
Statue of Liberty National Monument
“The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World” was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States and is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886. It was designated as a National Monument in 1924. Employees of the National Park Service have been caring for the colossal copper statue since 1933.
Steps to visiting the Statue of Liberty:
Step 1: Arrive at your point of departure, Battery Park NY or Liberty State Park NJ.
Step 2: If you printed your e-tickets you can go straight to the security check in line. If you need to go to will-call, follow signs to the pre-paid (will-call) window and pick up your tickets.
Step 3: The line to the ferry goes through a security check point.
Step 4: After going through the security check point, proceed to board the ferry. (There are three levels on the ferry). All ferry levels have sitting and standing room, but the best views are from the open third level, which can get extremely crowded (arrive early and stay in line). The first level is where you board and depart from the ferry. The first and second levels have concession stands where you can purchase food/drinks. The first level also has restrooms for both ladies and men.
Step 5: Arrive at the Statue of Liberty. If you are not going to the Statue of Liberty and are going to Ellis Island, then do not exit the Ferry at this point as the next stop is Ellis Island (see Ellis Island Tour).
Step 6: Exit ferry and proceed across the wooden pier.
Step 7: After crossing the pier, to the left is a visitors information building and to the right is a refreshments building with seating.
Step 8: At the Visitors Information Building, you may sign up for one of the Ranger Guided Tours of the park. This is a very informative tour, where the guide goes in depth on the history of the island and the individuals responsible of bringing it to life. There are numerous small statues/plaques in which to familiarize yourself with the history behind the Statue of Liberty. It is also a wonderful opportunity to take photographs. Please note that this tour is for areas outside of the Statue and is FREE and is optional. At the Visitors Information Building, you may also pick up your audio phones for the Audio Tour. You may also pick up the headphones at Castle Clinton.
Step 9: At the Refreshments/Gift Shop Building, you have another opportunity to use the restroom.
Step 10: You may bypass the Ranger Guided Tour of the Statue of Liberty if you choose and be your own guide. Everything you can do with a guide you can do on your own. Walk the grounds of the Statue of Liberty, read all of the plaques, take pictures, and enjoy the incredible view of Manhattan.
The Empire State Building
It stands 103 stories tall (1,250 feet to top floor, excludes height of antennae, which is 204 feet).It is located on Fifth Avenue between 33rd and 34th streets in Manhattan.The Empire State Building took only one year and 45 days to build, or more than seven million man-hours.There are observatories on both the 86th and 102nd floors. The building attracts around four million visitors annually. Couples can sometimes see sparks when they kiss due to the static electricity at the top of the building.
Enjoy 360-degree views from our 86th Floor Observatory, featuring indoor and outdoor promenades for $36.
Central Park
Central Park, largest and most important public park in Manhattan, New York City. It occupies an area of 840 acres (340 hectares) and extends between 59th and 110th streets (about 2.5 miles [4 km]) and between Fifth and Eighth avenues (about 0.5 miles [0.8 km]). It was one of the first American parks to be developed using landscape architecture techniques.
On a lovely summer’s day, it is a lovely place to relax and have a walk through the park or even to have a picnic.
Rockefeller Centre
Leveraging the momentum of the 2000s, Rockefeller Center kicked off the second decade of the new millennium with the introduction of the first-ever solar-powered Christmas tree. Using energy-efficient LED lights, the tree conserved power and shined brighter than ever. But that’s not all. New public art installations—like the Jeff Koons’ Split Rocker—brought spectacular works of art to the attention of thousands. The Rainbow Room reopened and the new Bar SixtyFive introduced NYC to its highest terrace bar. U2 jammed out on the Top of the Rock. SNL celebrated its 40th anniversary. The Tonight Show returned to New York after 42 years away. And in 2017, the biggest night in Broadway—the Tony Awards—officially returned home to Radio City Music Hall. With all this, it’s safe to say 2020 will close out yet another impressive decade for Rockefeller Center. And this is just the beginning.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883. At the time, it was the longest suspension bridge. It has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service, and a New York City Landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
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