New York attractions

The World War II-eraUSS Intrepid aircraft carrier retired to Manhattan’s West Side, where it was transformed into a museum. The complex hosts noteworthy craft, including NASA’sEnterprise space shuttle, theUSS Growler missile submarine, and a Concorde jet. While there, check out original artifacts, film, and photographs, plus simulators that recreate the flying experience.

Admire New York City from on high at the One World Observatory, the 100th-floor viewing deck reachable in just 47 seconds by high-speed elevator. On the ride up, time-lapse technology showcases the city’s transformation from the 1500s to the present in immersive floor-to-ceiling screens. At the top, enjoy panoramic views of the city’s waterways, iconic skyline, and renowned landmarks.

A big name in the Major League Baseball world, New York’s Yankee Stadium is a must for sports fans, whether you catch a game or learn about Yankees history on a tour of the team’s home field. Built in the Bronx in 1923, the original ballpark closed 85 years later when the city prepared to open the new site across East 161st Street.

Greenwich Village, known for its cobblestone streets and historical brownstones, is home to Bleecker Street, Washington Square Park, the Whitney Museum, and New York University. Once a hub for 1960s counterculture, the area has since transformed into a residential neighborhood dotted with cozy eateries, upscale shops, and Hudson River walkways.

One of the most instantly recognizable backdrops for movie montages over recent years, the Manhattan skyline is New York City's shining beacon, designed to impress and inspire. From historical fixtures like the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building to the One World Trade Center, this man-made masterpiece dazzles at any time of day and from any vantage point in the NYC area.

Synonymous with US financial markets, capitalism, and the history of early New York City, Wall Street runs for eight blocks, from Broadway to South Street through Lower Manhattan. Home to the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and historically the base for financial powerhouses like Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank, the Wall Street area is the financial heart of the city. But the area also offers plenty of historic interest to visitors.

At the Cave of the Winds observation decks, thrill-seeking visitors can get within 20 feet (6 meters) of the thundering Niagara Falls for an experience that feels like the inside of a tropical storm with torrents of water cascading down and winds up to 68 mph (109 kph). Safe to say, you’ll probably get wet.

Home to 95,000 people, New York City’s Chinatown is one of the largest and oldest ethnic Chinese enclaves in the United States. The Manhattan neighborhood offers a heady blend of restaurants, cafés, sidewalk food stalls, street vendors, and traditional herbal medicine shops. Round out the Chinatown experience at its museums and temples.

Strawberry Fields is a 2.5-acre memorial garden within Central Park that is dedicated to the memory of musician John Lennon, the co-lead vocalist of the Beatles who later became a solo singer and a peace activist. Visit this beautiful spot to honor his memory and his work and to gather with fans from around the world.

The focal point of Bethesda Terrace, this large, towering fountain is known for its statue of a winged angel, which has been a Central Park landmark for almost 150 years and has appeared in countless movies and television shows ranging fromOne Fine Day toHome Alone 2.

One of New York City's most recognizable and distinct skyscrapers, the Chrysler Building is considered a masterpiece of art deco architecture designed by architect William Van Alen. The tallest building in the world when it debuted in 1930 at 1,046 feet tall (319 meters), it was soon surpassed by the Empire State Building. Today, however, the Chrysler Building remains the world's loftiest brick building.

Located at the heart of Manhattan, Grand Central Station (also known as Grand Central Terminal) welcomes 750,000 people daily who come to marvel at its spectacular architecture and murals, grab a bite to eat, or simply catch a commuter train home.

New York City’s hyperhip neighborhood of SoHo is renowned for its stylish shops, art galleries, and trendy restaurants. Though it’s more relaxed than bustling Times Square, SoHo can get mobbed with shoppers and tourists. Stroll down the cobblestone streets, browse stores—from big-name brands to posh boutiques—or peek inside its many galleries.

The smallest of the three waterfalls that comprise world-famous Niagara Falls, Bridal Veil Falls is anything but small. Located on the US side of the falls, the 56-foot-wide (17-meter-wide) waterfall thunders over a 78-foot (24-meter) drop. Its frothy white cascade is reminiscent of a bride’s veil, hence the falls’ name.

Union Square is the city’s main dining, entertainment, and shopping district. Visitors can shop at department stores and designer boutiques; stop into various art galleries; grab a bite to eat at any of a number of restaurants; and see a live performance at a nearby theater.

While it’s surrounded by gleaming high-rises, Trinity Church Wall Street is one of the oldest churches in the country and a Manhattan historical highlight. The building that stands today dates to 1846, though its origins stretch back to 1698. The church is renowned for its architecture and for being the final resting place of Alexander Hamilton.

Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex is a marina and sports facility that flanks the Hudson River on Manhattan’s West Side. Originally built in the 1900s as a passenger ship terminal, the piers now house facilities for TV production, events, and over 30 sports activities, including gymnastics, soccer, rock climbing, and ice skating.

Two stone lions guard the front of the main branch of the New York Public Library, an imposing Beaux Arts structure. Opulent interiors that feature carved oak, ceiling murals, and crystal chandeliers create a sumptuous setting for the millions of books and manuscripts that reside here.

New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world’s most prestigious art collections and cultural hubs. Five million annual visitors stroll the Met’s 17 acres (6.9 hectares) of gallery space, gazing upon pieces representing 5,000 years of art and human history. From Egyptian tombs to American abstract expressionist paintings, the museum’s permanent collection has more than 2 million objects, so expect to stay awhile.

New York City's Fifth Avenue runs from Washington Square Park, in Greenwich Village, all the way to 142nd Street in Harlem. This expansive stretch includes a little of everything that's great about New York. From high-end shops and museums to Central Park and Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue is absolutely worth a visit—the sights are too numerous to list.

While all of New York’s observation decks have their merits, Edge NYC is the tallest outdoor deck in the Western Hemisphere. Head up to the site’s glass-floored platform for a unique view of the cityscape and enjoy a sunset or just spend some time spotting city landmarks, from Central Park to the Statue of Liberty.

Brooklyn is New York's coolest borough, and Williamsburg is hipster mecca. Packed with galleries, music venues, and arts spaces, Williamsburg is a prime destination to soak up Brooklyn's eclectic culture. From its cupcake shops and dive bars to its independent movie theaters, Williamsburg is an ideal place to shop and indulge.

With its easily recognizable spire, One World Trade Center is an icon of the New York skyline. Opened in 2014 to replace the original Twin Towers, the silver mirrored skyscraper towers some 1,776 feet (541 meters) high, making it the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Observation decks at One World Observatory afford incredible views.

One of New York City's most iconic buildings, the United Nations headquarters occupies several blocks of Midtown Manhattan near the East River. The complex is comprised of a number buildings, including the domed General Assembly Hall, the Visitor Centre, and the Secretariat Building, a high-rise completed in the early 1950s.

When sweltering summer temperatures hit the city, New Yorkers flock to this kitschy seaside resort and amusement area. As well as a boardwalk and almost 3 miles (5 kilometers) of sandy beach, Coney Island is home to roller coasters and amusements, New York Aquarium, and Nathan’s Famous, a landmark hot dog joint that started out as a stand in 1916.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is a driving force of the US economy and a landmark American institution. The exchange isn't open to the public, but stopping by and walking the city's Financial District ranks as a top NYC experience. Find several iconic sights nearby, including the Charging Bull statue and Trinity Church.

This uptown New York City neighborhood caught the public’s attention in the 1920s with the Harlem Renaissance—an explosion of African-American art, literature, and music. Though it has been subject to gentrification, the district remains a cultural powerhouse with jazz clubs, theaters, and soul food restaurants tucked away among old brownstones.

Known as the Great White Way because the theater lights burned so brightly in the early days of electricity, Broadway has been the home of the New York City theater district for almost 150 years. The history-drenched street is one of Manhattan's most famous thoroughfares, and many consider seeing a show an essential part of the New York experience.

Liberty State Park, a revitalized urban area in Jersey City, is a departure spot for ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Once an industrial area, the land has always been crucial for arrivals to the Big Apple: The 1,000-acre park has views of the New York City skyline, the Hudson River, and the Statue of Liberty.

Its name may suggest cartoon elephants, but Dumbo—a waterfront neighborhood in the north of Brooklyn—is actually one of the borough’s most stylish and photogenic enclaves. Dumbo’s cobblestone streets and converted warehouses are home to trendy galleries, boutiques, coffee shops, and one of the city’s truly iconic pizzerias.