New York City is America’s largest and arguably most interesting city. It is a place unlike any other and anyone who has ever been there can tell you the same. If you are a first-time vacationer to New York it can seem a little overwhelming trying to figure out all the best things to see and do while you are in the big apple. This handy little guide has you covered so that you don’t miss out on the best attractions while you visit New York.
Empire State Building
Visiting the most famous building in the city is an absolute must when traveling to New York for the first time. When you go to visit the Empire State Building you have an opportunity to go to the 86th and 102nd-floor observatories in order to see full 360-degree views of the city. The view is absolutely breathtaking as you get to see for miles in any direction and can see the full scope of the city that never sleeps.
Statue of Liberty
Next in our trip to iconic land marks is the statue of liberty. A gift from France that is made almost completely of copper, it was originally a bronze color but has turned green over time. You will need to take the ferry to Liberty Island. Then you can get up close and personal viewing this beacon of freedom on a guided tour.
National 9/11 Memorial and Museum
This is a beautiful memorial for New York’s most tragic event, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The courtyard area has a spot with all the names of the people killed in the attacks carved in stone. You can also take a guided tour of this museum and see pieces of steel from the wreckage as well as view the stories of the people whose lives were forever changed by this event.
Times Square
Nothing quite compares to the hustle and bustle of Times Square. You can be at the heart of the media and see where they film shows like “Good Morning America.” If you are lucky and stand outside you may even appear on TV. Here you aren’t far from taking in a Broadway show or eating at one of the many world-famous restaurants that New York is known for.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Commonly called “The Met,” it is the largest art museum in the country. There are exhibits that show cultures from around the world and interesting works of art of all kinds. This isn’t just a museum for art buffs as it is the most visited art museum in the world and has pieces aimed to please the eye of any passerby.
The Brooklyn Bridge
This iconic piece of architecture really captures what New York is all about. You can schedule a trip to walk across it towards Manhattan for the best views. This bridge has become an instantly identifiable structure in the New York City skyline and is long enough to give you a good workout on your trip as well.
These places are the main ones that you want to visit on your first trip to New York, but there are so many other places for you to go that it would take an encyclopedia to reference them all. In any trip to New York, you have to choose which sights you want to see the most as there is simply too much to do in one brief visit. But if you go to these locations, you are sure to have an amazing and memorable time.
