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! 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 can help you plan the perfect New York City trip.

Scroll below for the top New York attractions!

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. Tourists flock to Midtown NYC each year 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!  
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Top of the Rock NYC

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
Midtown WestDetails
3.475
4 Reviews
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The New York Pass

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
Manhattan and BrooklynDetails
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Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
Midtown West, Theater District, Times SquareDetails
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NY SKYRIDE

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
Gramercy ParkDetails
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Empire State Bldg. Combo

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
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Gramercy ParkDetails
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Madame Tussauds Museum

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
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Times SquareDetails
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Ground Zero Museum

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
Meatpacking DistrictDetails
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New York Explorer Pass

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
New York CityDetails
9. Citi Field

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
Flushing Meadows, QueensDetails
10. Meadowlands

ActiveFamily FriendlyScenicHistoricArtsyHoliday FunSportsCulturalMuseumBroadwayNightlifeNYC SightsRomanticShoppingTV and MoviesCentral Park
Location
East Rutherford, NJDetails
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.

  • FAO Schwarz: Perhaps the world's most famous toy store, this Midtown NYC attraction is every kids' dream come true! You can spend hours exploring toys new and old at FAO Schwarz, and you can even recreate the iconic grand piano scene from the movie Big!
  • Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum: This 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. 
  • Rose Center for Earth and Science: The Rose Center for Earth and Science is located in the famous American Museum of Natural History, and is home to the state-of-the-art Hayden Planetarium NYC. Introduce your children to the mystery and excitement of the solar system, and learn interesting facts about space science at this popular kids attraction in NYC.  
View of New York City from Empire State Building

View of New York City from Empire State Building

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!

  • Empire State Building: New 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 Seaport: One 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 Park: The 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.