Published on 5 October 2024 Last updated on 5 January 2026 Citie to Travel Comments Off
New York is one of the most visited cities in the world, attracting millions of tourists every year. The city is known for its distinctive skyline, diverse neighborhoods, and iconic landmarks. Because you can’t see everything in a single city break, I’ve compiled an overview of the sights in new york you shouldn’t miss in this blog post.
Top 10 sights in New York
New York City is enormous. Therefore, many sights in New York are spread across different boroughs. To help you plan your trip, I’ve listed the most famous and most visited places below.
1. Times Square
2. The High Line
3. Central Park
4. 9/11 Memorial
5. The Oculus
6. Fifth Avenue
7. Brooklyn Bridge
8. DUMBO
9. The Statue of Liberty
10. An observation deck
1. Times Square
Times Square attracts millions of visitors annually and, according to NYC & Company, is one of the most visited sights in New York. The square is best known for its large billboards, theaters, and shops. It’s almost always bustling with visitors from all over the world. Street performers and Disney characters in costume are also often active. A short visit during the day and once in the evening is usually enough to get a good impression.
2. The high line
The High Line is a park built on a former railway line, approximately 30 feet above street level. According to NYC Parks, the park attracts more than 8 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited parks in New York. The park is over two kilometers long, and a stroll through it offers views of plants, seating areas, and artwork, as well as views of streets and buildings. Because the route connects several neighborhoods, the High Line is easily combined with other stops.
3. Central Park
Central Park covers over 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²) and is visited by more than 40 million people annually, according to NYC Parks.
Central Park is home to several well-known spots, including:
1. Bethesda Terrace and Fountain
2. Strawberry Fields
3. Belvedere Castle
4. The Great Lawn
5. Central Park Zoo
Because the park is so large, it’s worth deciding in advance which parts you want to see.
4. 9/11 monument
The 9/11 Memorial, opened in 2011, commemorates the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks. This location is one of the most visited sights in New York City due to its historical significance.
Two large pools mark the sites where the Twin Towers once stood. The names of all the victims are engraved on the edges. The 9/11 Museum is located directly next to the memorial, where you can find more background information.
The Oculus, opened in 2016 and designed by Santiago Calatrava, is a major transportation hub and shopping mall in Lower Manhattan. Its striking architecture makes it one of New York’s most recognizable landmarks.
Inside, you’ll find the Westfield World Trade Center, home to international brand stores. It’s busiest around noon, but mornings are often quieter, making that a good time to visit The Oculus.
6. Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue is one of New York’s most famous streets and runs past several sights in New York. It begins in southern Manhattan and extends all the way to Harlem.
Along Fifth Avenue are Central Park, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and several museums. Even if you’re not into shopping, the street is still worth exploring.
7. Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge connects Manhattan and Brooklyn and opened in the 19th century. It’s one of the most visited sights in New York and is used daily by pedestrians and cyclists.
The crossing on foot takes about 45 minutes. Walking from Brooklyn towards Manhattan offers views of the skyline along the way.
8. Dumbo
DUMBO stands for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass” and is one of Brooklyn’s most famous neighborhoods, according to NYC & Company. This neighborhood is known for its views of the Manhattan Bridge and surrounding sights in New York.
Here you’ll find Washington Street, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Empire Stores. Everything is close together, making DUMBO easy to visit after a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge.
9. The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty was unveiled in 1886 and stands on Liberty Island. It is managed by the National Park Service and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. It also plays a significant role in immigration history.
You can visit the Statue of Liberty by ferry or view it from the water on a sightseeing cruise. This way, you can combine the statue with other locations along the skyline.
New York City boasts several observation decks offering panoramic views of the city. These are among the most popular sights in New York. Well-known options include the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, and Edge.
Each observation deck offers a different perspective, so it pays to compare beforehand.
Hi, I'm Edward and I love city breaks. Over the past few years, I've visited many cities in Europe and the US, and on Cities To Travel, I share my personal experiences, practical tips, and recommendations to help you plan your next city break.
Disclaimer: This blog contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through these links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This allows me to continue helping people plan their next city break.
Over Cities To travel
Hi, I’m Edward, an experienced city trip enthusiast. Over the past few years, I’ve visited dozens of cities across Europe and America. On Cities To Travel, I share personal experiences and practical tips to help you plan your next city trip. Have any questions? Feel free to send me an email.
Top Sights in New York: What You Must See
New York is one of the most visited cities in the world, attracting millions of tourists every year. The city is known for its distinctive skyline, diverse neighborhoods, and iconic landmarks. Because you can’t see everything in a single city break, I’ve compiled an overview of the sights in new york you shouldn’t miss in this blog post.
Top 10 sights in New York
New York City is enormous. Therefore, many sights in New York are spread across different boroughs. To help you plan your trip, I’ve listed the most famous and most visited places below.
1. Times Square
2. The High Line
3. Central Park
4. 9/11 Memorial
5. The Oculus
6. Fifth Avenue
7. Brooklyn Bridge
8. DUMBO
9. The Statue of Liberty
10. An observation deck
1. Times Square
Times Square attracts millions of visitors annually and, according to NYC & Company, is one of the most visited sights in New York. The square is best known for its large billboards, theaters, and shops. It’s almost always bustling with visitors from all over the world. Street performers and Disney characters in costume are also often active. A short visit during the day and once in the evening is usually enough to get a good impression.
2. The high line
The High Line is a park built on a former railway line, approximately 30 feet above street level. According to NYC Parks, the park attracts more than 8 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited parks in New York. The park is over two kilometers long, and a stroll through it offers views of plants, seating areas, and artwork, as well as views of streets and buildings. Because the route connects several neighborhoods, the High Line is easily combined with other stops.
3. Central Park
Central Park covers over 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²) and is visited by more than 40 million people annually, according to NYC Parks.
Central Park is home to several well-known spots, including:
1. Bethesda Terrace and Fountain
2. Strawberry Fields
3. Belvedere Castle
4. The Great Lawn
5. Central Park Zoo
Because the park is so large, it’s worth deciding in advance which parts you want to see.
4. 9/11 monument
The 9/11 Memorial, opened in 2011, commemorates the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks. This location is one of the most visited sights in New York City due to its historical significance.
Two large pools mark the sites where the Twin Towers once stood. The names of all the victims are engraved on the edges. The 9/11 Museum is located directly next to the memorial, where you can find more background information.
5. The oculus
Inside, you’ll find the Westfield World Trade Center, home to international brand stores. It’s busiest around noon, but mornings are often quieter, making that a good time to visit The Oculus.
6. Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue is one of New York’s most famous streets and runs past several sights in New York. It begins in southern Manhattan and extends all the way to Harlem.
Along Fifth Avenue are Central Park, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and several museums. Even if you’re not into shopping, the street is still worth exploring.
7. Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge connects Manhattan and Brooklyn and opened in the 19th century. It’s one of the most visited sights in New York and is used daily by pedestrians and cyclists.
The crossing on foot takes about 45 minutes. Walking from Brooklyn towards Manhattan offers views of the skyline along the way.
8. Dumbo
DUMBO stands for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass” and is one of Brooklyn’s most famous neighborhoods, according to NYC & Company. This neighborhood is known for its views of the Manhattan Bridge and surrounding sights in New York.
Here you’ll find Washington Street, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Empire Stores. Everything is close together, making DUMBO easy to visit after a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge.
9. The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty was unveiled in 1886 and stands on Liberty Island. It is managed by the National Park Service and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. It also plays a significant role in immigration history.
You can visit the Statue of Liberty by ferry or view it from the water on a sightseeing cruise. This way, you can combine the statue with other locations along the skyline.
10. An observation deck
New York City boasts several observation decks offering panoramic views of the city. These are among the most popular sights in New York. Well-known options include the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, and Edge.
Each observation deck offers a different perspective, so it pays to compare beforehand.
Learn more about New York
For more information about New York, such as transportation, neighborhoods, and practical tips, please visit my New York Info page.
Edward
Hi, I'm Edward and I love city breaks. Over the past few years, I've visited many cities in Europe and the US, and on Cities To Travel, I share my personal experiences, practical tips, and recommendations to help you plan your next city break.
Special offers for sights in New York
If you’re planning a city trip to New York and would like to visit some sights in New York, take advantage of the offers below.
Disclaimer: This blog contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through these links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This allows me to continue helping people plan their next city break.
Over Cities To travel
Hi, I’m Edward, an experienced city trip enthusiast. Over the past few years, I’ve visited dozens of cities across Europe and America. On Cities To Travel, I share personal experiences and practical tips to help you plan your next city trip. Have any questions? Feel free to send me an email.
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