The Best Travel Guide to New York, New York

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Overview

New York, New York The guide was updated: 2025-11-15

With a globally recognizable skyline and over 8 million people who call it home, New York City is bursting with diversity and excitement. From the iconic attractions you've seen on TV and in the movies to hidden gems waiting to be uncovered. Each of the five boroughs – The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island – has a distinctive flavor, while individual neighborhoods maintain identities all their own.

Facts

Population:	8.48 million (2025)
Currency:	US Dollar (USD)
Emergency numbers:	911
Newspapers:	The New York Times: www.nytimes.com The Wall Street Journal: www.wsj.com New York Post: nypost.com
Tourist information:	Official NYC Information Center at Macy's Herald Square (2nd floor) 151 W 34th Street (between Seventh Avenue and Broadway), New York Open during the store's operating hours

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Section in New York, New York

You’ve seen them a million times in the movies, but there’s nothing like taking in these quintessential New York City landmarks in person. First stop, a tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, capped with a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry for stellar views of both. Immerse yourself in the bustle and bright lights of Times Square, followed by the incomparable spectacle of a Broadway show – both experiences that you can’t find anywhere else but in NYC. Explore the Rockefeller Center, and take a trip to the top of the Empire State Building. Experience the Grand Central Terminal, a unique architectural gem and the city’s major transportation hub. As panoramic scenes go, NYC can’t be beaten. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for views of New York Harbor or scale 30 Rockefeller Plaza’s Art Deco skyscraper to Top of The Rock, an observatory offering 360-degree views of the city.

Central Park

Central Park

Central Park is New York’s backyard, a green stretch of calm right in the middle of Manhattan. Spend some time on the Great Lawn, rent a bike, or find a quiet bench by the lake; it’s easy to forget how close the city really is. The park’s surrounded by cultural landmarks too, including the Met on the east side and the Museum of Natural History just across the west side. Summer brings concerts, open-air theater, and plenty of locals just soaking up the sun.

New York in 1 Day

New York in 1 Day

Make the most of your time in New York City and see the Big Apple's top spots on this New York in One Day Sightseeing Tour. Travel by both the Staten Island Ferry and bus as you swing by the 9/11 Memorial, Central Park, Rockefeller Center and more. Then hop aboard a luxury boat for a sightseeing cruise past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, complete with sweeping views of NYC's skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Empire State Building

Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is one of those landmarks that still makes people stop and look up. The real payoff comes from the observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors, where the views stretch across the city in every direction. Try to go close to sunset for a mix of daylight and city lights.

Times Square

Times Square

New Yorkers tend to religiously avoid Times Square, and proudly proclaim how much they hate it, but standing among the flashing signs, the larger-than-life billboards, and the throngs of bustling tourists is an inimitable experience. Indeed, most people there are visitors to the city snapping pictures of all the excitement, but that's part of the fun of trying to take in the hectic and overwhelming intersection.

Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is a landmark Art Deco complex filled with shops, restaurants, and plenty of energy year-round. In summer, the plaza turns into an open-air hub for dining and events, while winter brings the famous ice-skating rink and massive Christmas tree. You might catch a glimpse of a live NBC taping here, too. Head up to the Top of the Rock for panoramic views of Manhattan and Central Park—it’s somewhat expensive, but the views are hard to beat.

Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island

Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island

The Statue of Liberty has greeted arrivals to New York Harbor since 1886, standing as an enduring symbol of freedom and new beginnings. Take the ferry to Liberty Island for an up-close look, then continue to Ellis Island to explore the Immigration Museum, where stories and artifacts trace the journeys of millions who came seeking a new life in America. The views back toward Manhattan from the ferry are worth slowing down for.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or simply the Met, is one of those places you can spend hours in and still feel like you’ve barely scratched the surface. Its collection spans over 5,000 years, from ancient Egyptian artifacts like the Temple of Dendur to works by the biggest names in art history. Even if you only have a few hours, it’s worth wandering through a few galleries and spending time on the museum’s rooftop for views over Central Park.

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Featuring one of the world's most comprehensive collections of modern art, including masterpieces by the likes of Picasso, Van Gogh, Warhol, Pollock, and many, many more, the MoMA is one of the most visited places in New York. Housed in this beautiful and modern building, floor after floor of painting, photography, design, sculpture, and more captivates visitors for hours on end.

9/11 Memorial & Museum

9/11 Memorial & Museum

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum honors the lives lost at the World Trade Center and tells the story of that day through exhibits, artifacts, and personal accounts. Nearby, One World Trade Center rises 1,776 feet, a nod to American independence and now the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Visiting both gives a full sense of the history, loss, and resilience tied to the site.

Intrepid Museum

Intrepid Museum

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is housed on the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, itself an impressive piece of history. Inside, you can see the space shuttle Enterprise, the spy plane A‑12 Blackbird, and the world’s fastest commercial airplane. Right alongside is the USS Growler, a strategic missile submarine open to the public, with interactive exhibits and simulators.

Broadway Shows

Broadway Shows

Broadway is the center of New York’s theatre scene, where long-running musicals, new plays, and performances from top actors draw crowds from around the world. While you’re in the city, try to see a show; it’s an experience unique to New York.

Bronx Zoo

Bronx Zoo

With over 650 different species, this 250-acre zoo, the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States, gives visitors the chance to admire and experience a huge variety of wildlife. Popular exhibits and sections include the Wild Asia Monorail safari, Congo Gorilla Forest, and, of course, everything to do with big cats.

Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park is the heart of Greenwich Village, always buzzing with activity thanks to NYU students, street performers, chess players, and musicians. Grab a spot on a bench or stroll through the arch and fountain area to watch the mix of locals and visitors; it’s one of the city’s most entertaining spots for people-watching.

Whitney Museum of American Art

Whitney Museum of American Art

The Whitney Museum of American Art, or simply the Whitney, focuses on 20th- and 21st-century American art. Its collection includes works by artists like Andy Warhol, Edward Hopper, and Georgia O’Keeffe, along with rotating exhibitions that highlight new voices.

The Shed

The Shed

The Shed is a cultural space in Hudson Yards that supports new ideas across art, music, performance, and film. Its design is as interesting as what happens inside: a movable shell that can slide open to create an outdoor plaza for larger events. Inside, you’ll find theaters, galleries, and installations that often push boundaries and spotlight emerging artists.

Governors Island

Governors Island

Governors Island feels like a different pace from the city, with open lawns, art, and views of the Statue of Liberty and the harbor. Take the ferry over and wander the Hills for elevated perspectives, slide down Slide Hill, or check out Rachel Whiteread’s permanent installation. Bikes, picnics, and strolling the paths are all part of the experience, and the island is open year‑round with seasonal events and pop-ups.

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