Things to Visit in New York City: Iconic Landmarks
See the best of New York City from the Statue of Liberty to Brooklyn's neighborhoods. Covers must-see landmarks, museums, parks, food experiences, and borough exploration with timing and budget tips.
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Iconic Landmarks
Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Book ferry tickets with pedestal or crown access 2-3 months in advance — crown tickets sell out fast. The ferry departs from Battery Park in Manhattan. Ellis Island's immigration museum is included in the ferry ticket and is worth a full hour.
Book crown or pedestal access tickets early
Tour the Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Go up the Empire State Building
The 86th-floor observation deck is the classic experience — open-air with 360-degree views. Visit after 10 PM for the shortest lines and city lights. The 102nd-floor top deck costs extra but has enclosed floor-to-ceiling windows.
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
The walk takes 25-40 minutes and is 1.8 km. Start from the Brooklyn side for Manhattan skyline views ahead of you. Early morning or sunset are the best times. Stay in the pedestrian lane — the bike lane is separate and cyclists move fast.
Experience Times Square at night
Go once for the sensory overload, then leave. The billboards are brightest after dark. The TKTS booth sells same-day Broadway tickets at 20-50% off. Avoid eating in Times Square — walk 2 blocks in any direction for better food at half the price.
Visit the 9/11 Memorial and One World Observatory
The memorial pools are free and open daily. The underground museum (ticketed) is deeply moving — allow 2 hours. One World Observatory on the 100th floor is a separate ticket and offers the highest views in the city.
Reflect at the 9/11 Memorial pools
Tour the 9/11 Museum (book timed tickets)
Museums & Culture
Spend a half-day at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
One of the world's largest art museums with 2 million works. Admission is pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents. The Egyptian Temple of Dendur and the rooftop garden (spring/summer) are highlights. Pick 2-3 departments to focus on.
See the Temple of Dendur
Visit the rooftop garden (open April-October)
Visit MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)
Home to Starry Night, Campbell's Soup Cans, and Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. Free on the first Friday of each month from 4-8 PM. The sculpture garden is a peaceful escape from Midtown streets.
See the Guggenheim
Frank Lloyd Wright's spiral building is an artwork itself. Walk the ramp from top to bottom for the intended experience — take the elevator up and spiral down. Pay-what-you-wish on Saturdays from 6-8 PM.
See a Broadway show
The TKTS booth in Times Square sells same-day tickets at 20-50% off — lines are shortest at the Lincoln Center or Brooklyn locations. Lottery and rush tickets for popular shows go for $30-40 if you're flexible on show choice.
Parks & Public Spaces
Explore Central Park
843 acres with more to do than most realize. The Ramble (a 36-acre forested area) is great for birdwatching. Bethesda Fountain and Bow Bridge are the most photographed spots. Rent a rowboat at the Loeb Boathouse in spring/summer.
Visit Bethesda Fountain and Terrace
Walk through The Ramble
Walk the High Line
A 2.3 km elevated park built on a former freight rail line on the west side of Manhattan. Enter at Gansevoort Street (south) and walk north through Chelsea. The views of the Hudson River and the architecture framing are unique.
Visit DUMBO and Brooklyn Bridge Park
The Manhattan Bridge framed by brick buildings on Washington Street is one of NYC's most iconic photo spots. Jane's Carousel sits under the Brooklyn Bridge. The park's piers have free kayaking in summer.
Food Experiences
Eat a New York slice
A plain cheese slice from a good neighborhood pizza shop costs $3-5. Fold it in half lengthwise and eat standing — that's the local way. Look for shops where workers are constantly pulling fresh pies from the oven.
Get a proper New York bagel
A fresh bagel with cream cheese (a 'schmear') costs $3-5 from a dedicated bagel shop. The best bagels are boiled then baked, with a chewy inside and slight crust. An everything bagel with scallion cream cheese is the quintessential order.
Order a pastrami sandwich at a Jewish deli
Pastrami on rye with mustard is the classic order. Portions are enormous — one sandwich feeds two. Expect to pay $20-30 for a sandwich at the iconic delis, but the meat is hand-sliced and piled thick.
Eat dim sum in Chinatown
Manhattan's Chinatown has some of the cheapest good food in the city. Weekend dim sum at the larger banquet-style restaurants runs $15-25 per person for a feast. Cash only at many spots. Flushing, Queens has an even larger and more diverse Asian food scene.
Browse Chelsea Market
An indoor food hall in a former factory building on the High Line's route. Good for lunch with a mix of lobster rolls, tacos, artisan bakeries, and specialty food shops. Avoid peak lunch hour (12-1 PM) when the aisles are packed.
Neighborhoods Beyond Manhattan
Explore Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Brooklyn's trendiest neighborhood with craft breweries, vintage shops, and waterfront parks. Bedford Avenue is the main commercial strip. The Smorgasburg food market (open-air, weekends April-October) has 100+ food vendors.
Visit Harlem
The cultural capital of Black America. Walk 125th Street, visit the Apollo Theater (amateur night on Wednesdays), and eat soul food. The Studio Museum in Harlem and Sylvia's restaurant are landmarks. Sunday gospel services at local churches welcome visitors.
Eat around Jackson Heights, Queens
The most ethnically diverse neighborhood in the world. Roosevelt Avenue and 74th Street have incredible Indian, Nepali, Tibetan, Colombian, and Mexican food all within a few blocks. A full meal runs $8-15 per person.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in New York City?
Three to four full days covers the highlights including iconic landmarks, museums & culture, parks & public spaces at a relaxed pace. Five or more days lets you dig into local neighborhoods and take day trips. Most first-time visitors find four days strikes the right balance between seeing enough and not feeling exhausted.
What is the best time of year to visit New York City?
Spring and early autumn typically offer the best weather with manageable crowds. Summer brings peak tourism pricing and longer queues at popular spots. Shoulder season travel saves 20-30% on accommodation and gives you shorter lines at top attractions.
How much should I budget per day in New York City?
A mid-range daily budget of $100-180 per person covers a comfortable hotel, two restaurant meals, and attraction tickets. Street food and local markets cut food costs significantly. Pre-booking tickets for popular sites online often saves 10-15% and lets you skip long queues.
What is the best way to get around New York City?
Public transit handles most tourist routes efficiently and cheaply. Walking between central attractions is often faster than waiting for buses or trains during peak hours. Multi-day transit passes pay for themselves after 3-4 rides per day and remove the hassle of buying individual tickets.
Do I need to book attractions in advance in New York City?
Top-tier attractions and museums frequently sell out during peak season so book 2-4 weeks ahead for guaranteed entry. Lesser-known sites and neighborhoods rarely require advance tickets. Morning time slots (before 10:00) are the most popular; afternoon slots after 14:00 often have shorter waits.