New York City must-see attractions
Empire State Building
There is no place in the world like New York City. I have visited several times and always find new places to explore. One of my favorite ways to see the city is from above. You can escape some of the hustle and bustle below and enjoy breathtaking views from several iconic locations. The first is the Empire State Building. The history of the building itself is very interesting to learn and then you get to see NYC in a whole new way. I recommend going around dusk so you can enjoy the view in daylight, with the sun setting and as all of the lights of the city come on!
Top of the Rock
Of course to actually get a view of the Empire State Building, you have to be somewhere else. The Top of the Rock (atop Rockefeller Center) and One World Observatory also offer spectacular views, including of the Empire State Building.
Times Square
Another great place to see the lights of New York City is Times Square. You’ve got to check it out at least once on a trip to the Big Apple. It’s always changing with new stores, restaurants and huge signs.
Statue of Liberty
Another top activity in NYC is visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You take a short boat ride to get there, which offers a nice view of the downtown Manhattan skyline. Ellis Island is special to me because my ancestors were some of the 12 million immigrants who entered the United States there.
Shows to see
New York offers many opportunities to see shows, both on Broadway and talk shows. We have been fortunate enough to be in the audience for “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and “Live with Kelly.” You can try to reserve tickets in advance for free here. We also saw “Mean Girls” on Broadway. Whatever interests you, try to see a show of some kind while in NYC.
Watch a game
New York City is also great for sports fans looking to catch a game. We have timed our visits to see our Texas Rangers play the Yankees at Yankee Stadium and the Dallas Mavericks play the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Two bucket list sports venues for sure!
Brooklyn Bridge
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is another classic NYC activity that offers great views of the city. You can take the subway one way if you don’t want to walk both ways.
September 11 Museum
For a more somber experience, head to the September 11 Memorial & Museum. It is definitely tearjerking and emotionally draining, but a very well done tribute to those who lost their lives. I found the quote below to be especially poignant.
Museums
New York is full of great museums, including the Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Find one that interests you and check it out!
Central Park
Central Park is an 843-acre oasis in the middle of Manhattan. You could spend days walking along all of its paths and finding all of the hidden gems. I love to step away from the busy streets and escape into nature for a while.
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal opened in 1913 and is a retail and dining destination as well as a major transportation hub. With 750,000 visitors daily, it’s one of the most-visited spots in NYC, second only to Times Square. You can tour the landmark to learn more about its fascinating history.
Where to eat
Finally, what would a trip to NYC be without some great food? Some of my favorite are the yellow cake with pink frosting from Amy’s Bread and vanilla vanilla cupcake from Magnolia Bakery. I think all of the sundaes and frozen hot chocolates are treats at Serendipity. And we always get a slice of cheesecake from Junior’s. I love a good slice of NY pizza from just about anywhere in the city. For a family-style Italian meal, Carmine’s is amazing. I also like grabbing a burger at Shake Shack. Now you are ready to eat and see your way through NYC! As you can tell, I have a bit of a sweet tooth, especially on vacation. Where are your favorite places to eat in NYC?
Check out my favorite things to do in New York City for Christmas!
