New York City is the most populous city in the United States, with an estimated 8.8 million residents in 2020. It is also the most densely populated major city in the United States.
Located at the southern tip of the state of New York, the city is the center of the New York metropolitan area, the largest metropolitan area in the world by urban area.
At its core is Manhattan, the densely populated borough that contains the original city of New York. The other boroughs are Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
The High Line
The High Line is now a park but it used to be a railway line. Walk from end to end and see what you find along the way including spots to watch New York go by and amazing street art too.
Photo by A Smallwood
Grand Central Station
Following the demise of Penn St Station, Grand Central became the last remaining art deco masterpiece of architectural railyway design left in New York City. Come early, grab a bagel from the sub-level food court and watch the city come to life with the hustle and bustle of commuters and tourists.
Photo by A Smallwood
Brooklyn Brewery
The Brooklyn Brewery has become a tourist hotspot for brewery tours as well as just having a regular bar. Some tours are free but they also do a paid version. Check and book ahead because it’s popular and not always running.
Photo by A Smallwood
DUMBO
DUMBO or Down Under the Manhattan Brooklyn Overpass is a nice little area on the Brooklyn side of the bridge. Two of the best pizza spots in New York are here but you’ll have to queue for both. Grimaldi’s is our pick but Juliana’s is also great. Check them out on our best pizza in New York post.
Photo by A Smallwood
Fort Tryon Park
Fort Tryon Park is a public park located in the Hudson Heights and Inwood neighborhoods of the borough of Manhattan in New York City and is the second highest (natural) spot in New York City.
Photo by Krisztina Papp on Unsplash
MOMA New York
MoMA is a museum in New York City that houses a collection of modern and contemporary art and it’s always on New York Top 10 lists. With a rotating cast of exhibitions, every visit is different.
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
NBC Studio Tour
The NBC Studio Tour is also a must do attraction. You can couple your ticket with the Top of the Rock observation deck, which is the best one in the city. If you plan to do this on a Saturday, you may see them rehearse for Saturday Night Live too.
Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash
Central Park
No visit to New York is complete without a walk around Central Park. It’s huge so you could spend all day here. Go ice skating in the winter or take a bicycle in the summer – or just try to spot parts from movies.
Photo by Jermaine Ee on Unsplash
Domino Park
Domino Park is a public park in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. You can take in the views of Manhatten from the boardwalk and when you’re done, the trendy area of Williamsburg is only moments away.
Photo by Dana Andreea Gheorghe on Unsplash
Statue of Liberty
The cheap way to ‘visit’ the statue of liberty is to get the free Staten Island Ferry but if you plan in advance and book tickets, you can now even ascend the statue. Throw in a visit to Ellis Island to learn about the multi-cultural gatway to the land of the free and this excursion could take all day.
Photo by Dana Andreea Gheorghe on Unsplash
