New York is a city that appeals to the world and attracts millions of tourists every year and often ranks alongside Paris, Tokyo and London as the world’s most visited cities.
Whether it’s the backdrop to some of their favorite films or TV shows, or its standing as one of the few global cities, New York is at the top of many of our travel bucket lists.
If you haven’t been to the Big Apple before, you are in for a treat. But with so many world famous tourist attractions it can be challenging to know where to start when planning a first time trip.
In this article will dive into some of the best experiences and things you need to do before leaving the Big Apple. Start getting exciting for the ultimate trip today.
1. Get a Photo of the Statue of Liberty
The first sight you see of the famous New York skyline will set the heart racing, especially when you see the Statue of Liberty.
One of the most iconic structures in American architecture, the Statue of Liberty acted as a beacon of hope to welcome the waves of new Europeans who looked to make America their new home.
Depending on the time of year you visit Liberty Island, you may spend a long time waiting for a ferry to depart. The cheaper option that many tourists opt for is to go on the Staten Island Ferry, which goes around the island and gives you a great view of the statue. Whichever way you view it, it’s a must.
2. Watch a Baseball Game at Yankee Stadium
New York has been the birthplace of some of the greatest American athletes of all time – Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson and Lou Gehrig are some of the names that come to mind. The latter immortalized his name due to his feats out on the pitch at Yankee Stadium, which is still the home of the most famous baseball brand there is. It’s also home to New York City FC.
New York's sporting culture has always flowed through the city's culture, and its vigorous sporting ethos continues to attract people worldwide. The recent changes to online sports betting and casino gaming have meant that more New Yorkers can bet online when watching their favorite teams.
While this primarily online market has driven a different type of rhetoric in a culture that has always kept gambling somewhat under wraps, expert sites such as NewCasinos feature highly rated, well-structured opinions from experts such as Ryan Spencer, that rank the top new providers and throw together their overall ranking based on the quality of their service, welcome promotions and several other key criteria that are often make or break for casino companies.
3. Go Up the Empire State Building
Given that New York is nicknamed the Empire State, it would be a bit of a waste to take a trip there and not see the building it’s named after.
Although there are taller structures in the Big Apple, the iconic Empire State Building has sat in the middle of the skyline since 1931 and was the world’s tallest building when it was first constructed.
It remains one of the most iconic structures on the planet, and only the WTC tower completed in 2012 is taller than it – despite it being nearly a century old.
4. Relax in Central Park
Situated right in the center of New York City, Central Park is one of the most famous public parks in the world, attracting over 40 million visitors per year.
While New York has always been a busy city with people, noise and traffic, Central Park allows you to get away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan and check out the lake and the lush greenery, which is a rarity in any big city – never mind right in the center of Manhattan.
If you’re a fan of The Beatles, there’s an “Imagine” mosaic close to where former Beatle John Lennon used to live, and Cleopatra’s Needle, both of which draw huge numbers of visitors.
You can also rent a boat if you are looking for a relaxing way to spend an hour.
5. People Watch in Times Square
Times Square is one of the most photographed places in the world, a location lit up on the big screen and somewhere you have to see.
Visiting Times Square at night is a very special experience with thousands of people at any one time and the whole area surrounded by billboards.
There are lots of places to eat in the area, or for the ultimate night out you could watch a live threate show on Broadway.
6. Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge
One of the best cost-effective activities if you’re traveling to New York on a budget is the Brooklyn Bridge whuuch can be walked across anytime, day or night. The halfway point will give you a perfect view of the iconic New York skyline. There are a few things to check out in Brooklyn as well once you’re over that side of the river – our picks include trendy bars and restaurants, baseball at the Mets stadium or for culture check out the Brooklyn Museum.
Best Places to See Near New York
If you want to see more than than main tourist attractions in Manhattan you might want to even venture off the beaten track and explore more of New York state.
Given New York’s proximity to Philadelphia, Boston and New Jersey, those who spend some time in the US you can use the Big Apple as your travel hub. For the ultimate road trip you could venture south toward Miami and the beautiful state of Florida.
There are also lots of other cities on the US East Coast which are worth checking out.
Plan a Dream City Break to New York
We’ve only explored a few of the possibilities in New York – you can also do many other things including museums, galleries, Coney island, open-top bus tours, helicopter rides and so much more.
We’d recommend ensuring you plan ahead, budget and book accommodation in-advance as it’s an incredibly expensive destination. Also be aware that the time of year makes a big difference too; New York in the height of the summer compared to what it’s like during winter and at Christmas are essentially two different types of experiences.
However, there’s one thing that we guarantee – you won’t be short of things to do, whatever time of year it is that you visit.
