New York City Attractions | Top New York Attractions

New York City Attractions | Top Ten All Time Favorite Attractions in New York City
Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink NYC

Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink NYC

Top Attractions in NYC

New York City is home to some of the most famous attractions in the world! You've heard stories, read about it and seen New York City in movies. The best New York attractions are sure to please every kind of NYC traveler, whether you're touring the Big Apple with your family or enjoying a budget vacation in NYC.

Manhattan features beautiful Art Deco architecture around nearly every corner, and its stunning skyline is something you have to see to believe. Whether you're looking for a romantic New York City vacation or popular NYC attractions for families, NYCTourist.com can help you plan the perfect New York City trip.

Scroll below for the top New York attractions! If you're planning on seeing a lot of the famous NYC attractions on your vacation, check out the NYC Go Cards that can save you up to 55% on over 50 attractions in New York City!

Statue of Liberty New York

Statue of Liberty New York

Historic New York Attractions

New York City is one of America's most historic cities - in fact, it was the first capital of the United States! In a city filled with so much historical significance, it's no wonder that NYC boasts some of the best historic attractions in the country.

  • Ellis IslandEllis Island in NYC is famous for being the home to the great European immigration of the 19th and 20th centuries. Visit the free Ellis Island Immigration Museum and check out the history of America's most significant immigration island. You might even see a familiar name or two in their massive collection of records!
  • Statue of LibertyThe Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable New York City landmarks. Offered as a gift to the United States from the people of France, the statue, which was designed by Frederic Bartholdi, depicts a robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom. Now one of the most popular tourist attractions in NYC, with an annual attendance of just over three million, the Statue of Liberty has long stood as a symbol of welcome to those immigrants bound for "The Land of the Free."
  • Ground ZeroThe site of one of America's most tragic days, Ground Zero is the site of the former World Trade Center, which was the victim of terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. Remember the heroes of that dark day in American history at this New York City memorial.
Times Square NY

Times Square NY

Midtown New York Attractions

Midtown Manhattan is the mecca for the best attractions in NYC. Midtown NYC is a toptravel destination for tourists each year who can't wait to see top NYC landmarks and the best Broadway shows offered everyday in New York City!

  • Times SquareNothing says "New York" like the spectacle of Times Square. Perhaps the most popular attraction in NYC, "The Great White Way" is famous for its bright lights and annual events - including the traditional New Year's Eve Ball Drop at Times Square - and is also home to the best Broadway shows and theaters in NYC.
  • Rockefeller CenterThe famous Rockefeller Center has been a famous New York City landmark since it was first built in the 1930s. Featuring 17 buildings stretching nearly three blocks, this famous NYC attraction is the home of NBC Studios and famous shows like Saturday Night Live and The Today Show.
  • Top of the RockFeatured on the 70th floor of Rockfeller Center NYC is a hidden gem in Manhattan - the Top of the Rock NY. Enjoy stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and Central Park high above the streets of New York at this top attraction in NYC!  

Not only is it easy to see and extensive list of all the top attractions you should see, but we also have a list of NYC hotels and NYC deals to make finding the ideal place to stay easier than ever!

NYCTourist Travel Info
  Info
1.
Empire State Building Skip the Line

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
Manhattan, Midtown West, WestsideDetails
2.
New York City Explorer Pass

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
New York CityDetails
3.
Natural History Museum

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
Near Central ParkDetails
3.6125
4 Reviews
4.
Guggenheim Museum

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
Upper East SideDetails
5.
Sea Air Space Museum

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
Midtown West, Hell's KitchenDetails
6.
The Met

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
Upper East SideDetails
7.
MoMA

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
Midtown EastDetails
8.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
Midtown West, Theater District, Times SquareDetails
9.
Empire State Building

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
Midtown WestDetails
10.
NY Botanic Garden

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
Prospect HeightsDetails
3.325
2 Reviews
FAO Schwarz Toy Store New York City

FAO Schwarz Toy Store New York City

Attractions in NYC for Kids

New York City has become one of the top family tourist destinations over the years, and with good reason. There are plenty of educational and fun family attractions in NYC, including famous NY museums that are entertaining and interactive for the entire family.

  • Ground Zero Museum Workshop: Known as the "Kid-Friendly 9/11 Museum".  A hands on interactive museum that is perfect for the whole family including kids as young as age 4.  Kids can enjoy the BOSE self-guided audio wands and often end up transfixed by the experience and being able to actually pick up and hold real artifacts.. as we said, certainly a kid-fiendly museum versus the more formal or traditional museum settings that are often tough for kids to enjoy. 
  • Intrepid Sea Air Space MuseumThis popular museum in NYC sits a top the famous Intrepid Air Craft Carrier on Pier 86 in Manhattan. Kids can tour the interior of a real NAVY submarine, play their interactive museum exhibits, and are even given the opportunity to check out the world's fastest plane - The Concorde. 
  • NYC Zoos: There are two zoos in New York City, the Bronx Zoo and the Central Park Zoo. The Bronx Zoo is the largest urban zoo in the world, and more than 4,000 animals call this NYC attraction home. Kids love spending the day here, but so do their parents! The Central Park Zoo is another top choice, although smaller, and is the perfect addition to a day in Central Park.

The Most Famous New York Attractions

Don't miss these top NYC attractions perfect for first-time tourists or long-time visitors of the Big Apple!

View of New York City from Empire State Building

View of New York City from Empire State Building

  • Empire State BuildingNew York's tallest building, the Empire State Building is an Art Deco masterpiece that opened in 1931. Tourists in Manhattan can take the elevator up to the 86th-floor observatory deck and view the streets of Manhattan from nearly 1,500 feet above street level! The Empire State Building is a must-see New York attraction in Manhattan.
  • United Nations Building: Tours of the United Nations Building give NYC tourists a behind-the-scenes look at one of New York's most important buildings. See where the leaders of the world meet to discuss humanitarian issues, and learn about the storied history of this New York institution when you visit the U.N. Building in NYC.  
  • South Street SeaportOne of the most beautiful areas in NYC, the South St. Seaport in New York's Financial District lies on the gorgeous NYC harbor. Enjoy great shopping in NYC, plenty of top New York restaurants, and some of the best NYC nightlife at the South St. Seaport in Manhattan.
  • Museum of Modern Art: The most prestigious NYC museum and art gallery, the Museum of Modern Art is home to some of the most famous paintings of all time. Get an up close look at classic paintings like Van Gogh's Starry Night and Salvador Dali's The Persistence of Memory as well as contemporary pieces from Andy Warhol at MoMA New York City.
  • Central ParkThe biggest and most beautiful park in New York City is Central Park NY. Spanning 843 acres, and offering tons of things to do in NYC for tourists - including the famous Central Park Carousel and the Wollman Ice Skating Rink - Central Park is the perfect way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of New York City.
  • Brooklyn Bridge: Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest and longest suspension bridges in the United States. This iconic bridge, a National Historic Landmark since 1964, spans the East River and connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. 
  • Grand Central Station: With 44 platforms and 67 tracks along them, Grand Central Terminal, also known as Grand Central Station, is the longest train station in the world by number of platforms, and one of the most iconic sights in New York City. This magnificent terminal has been featured in countless films, including The Bone Collector, I Am Legend, Men in Black, and North by Northwest.
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art: Located on Manhattan's Museum Mile, just steps from Central Park and Fifth Avenue shopping, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a massive fine arts museum stretching a quarter-mile and occupying more than 2,000,000 square feet. Housed within the museum are classic works of art, including Hokusai's The Great Wave off Kanagawa, Duccio's Madonna and Child, Jackson Pollock's Autumn Rhythm (Number 30), and Picasso's portrait of Gertrude Stein.
  • Madison Square Garden:Madison Square Garden is a massive, multi-purpose indoor arena located atop Manhattan's Pennsylvania Station. Having opened on February 11, 1968, the arena, often referred to simply as "MSG" or "The Garden," is the premier music venue in NYC, the oldest arena in the NHL, and the second-oldest arena in the NBA. It is also home to the Theater at Madison Square Garden, a 5,600-seat concert venue.

Book your rooms at NYC hotels close to your favorite attractions to make traveling through the city a breeze! And don't forget to check out our New York City deals to save money on your next trip.

The Most Famous New York Attractions

Don't miss these top NYC attractions perfect for first-time tourists or long-time visitors of the Big Apple! View more infographics.

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