New York: What to See in the Big Apple

New York is the city that never sleeps, that overwhelms you and intoxicates you with its thousand colors, scents, and emotions. Even if you spend only a few days here, you cannot escape the countless offerings that the Big Apple has for you.

Here is a brief guide illustrating what to see in New York, the must-see places in the Big Apple.

New York Points of Interest

1 Central Park

Central Park is definitely the most famous park in the world, featured in many TV series and Hollywood films. It stretches from 59th Street to 110th Street in Manhattan, New York, with its romantic tree-lined avenues. It is visited by 40 million people annually, both New Yorkers and many tourists. This park offers numerous sports attractions, ideal for those who want to go running and cycling. For those who decide to spend Christmas in New York, during this period the park offers the opportunity to ice skate thanks to the Wollman Rink, the ice rink immortalized in many films where you can spend hours skating.

2 Statue of Liberty

Inaugurated in 1886, it is a monument symbolizing freedom and democracy, the Statue of Liberty has also become a symbol of New York and the United States of America. This famous monument was a gift from France to the United States for the centenary of the War of Independence. Initially conceived as a lighthouse, it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1984 and is visited by about 11 million people each year. More information on the Statue of Liberty.

3 Times Square

It is one of the main intersections in the New York district of Manhattan, one of the iconic places of the American city of New York. During the Recession period, the Times Square area was considered dangerous and unsuitable for tourism, but today it has achieved the status of a scenic icon, especially known for its large and numerous animated and digital billboards. It is crossed by one of the most famous shopping streets in the world, Fifth Avenue, where you find stores from the most prestigious global fashion brands. Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Times Square is an experience to try at least once in your life, where a luminous sphere over three and a half meters in diameter, covered by 2,688 Waterford crystal triangles, descends 23 meters down a pole atop the One Times Square building. All this is accompanied by a grand fireworks display.

4 Empire State Building

No visit to New York can be considered complete without a trip to the top of the Empire State Building. This Art Deco skyscraper is one of the city’s major symbols, having been the tallest skyscraper in the world between 1931 and 1967, today the second tallest in the city after the One World Trade Center. This is a must-see place in New York.

5 Brooklyn Bridge

Constructed between 1869 and 1883, it is the first steel bridge ever built and was the world’s longest suspension bridge for a long time. This bridge, with its span of 1.8 km, connects Manhattan to Brooklyn and is one of the attractions for visitors to New York. The Brooklyn Bridge can be visited on foot for its entire length: try walking from Brooklyn to Manhattan with a view of the skyscrapers ahead and you will see what an unforgettable experience it will be, especially at sunset.

6 Rockefeller Center

The Rockefeller Center was the first complex in the world to integrate restaurants, offices, shops, and parks. By day and night, the Rockefeller Center is full of people looking for shopping or simply curious to explore. At Christmas, the Rockefeller Center fills with its majestic Christmas tree and the ice rink that attracts many people. The place where the Rockefeller Center now stands was once a botanical garden of Columbia University. Also, you can visit the panoramic terrace on top of the Rockefeller Center called Top of the Rock, a truly breathtaking observatory.

7 Museum of Modern Art MoMA

The Museum of Modern Art in New York, mainly known by the acronym MoMA, is one of the main cultural attractions of the Big Apple. It is located in Midtown Manhattan, on 53rd Street, between the well-known Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue. Founded in 1929, it served as a model for many other museums in the city. With the 2019 expansion adding three new floors, the MoMA increased its surface area by about 30%. The MoMA is an important stop for your visit to New York. Additionally, New York has many family-friendly museums.

On a trip to New York, you always find something new ready to surprise you. Here are other points of interest in New York.

8 SoHo

The SoHo neighborhood (South of Houston) is one of the most appreciated by tourists in the city. In the 1960s, the district was at risk of demolition. Fortunately, some architects and conservationists pointed out how the cast-iron structure of some buildings could be an authentic attraction. Many artists began moving into the neighborhood, which saw the opening of venues, bars, and meeting places. The heart of the district is Greene Street, where you find buildings constructed in the second half of the 19th century. Later, artists moved to TriBeCa, another neighborhood not to miss.

9 Wall Street

Wall Street, in New York, is undoubtedly one of the best-known places in the American metropolis. Between Wall Street and Brad Street is the Federal Hall National Monument, the place where, in 1789, George Washington became the first President of the United States of America. Here is also the Trinity Church, one of the oldest Anglican churches and, above all, the New York Stock Exchange, founded in 1817 and still a vital reference point for finance worldwide. The New York Stock Exchange is located on the 17th floor of 1903 Wall Street. It has a very interesting visitor center worth seeing. This financial center also hosts the Federal Reserve Bank, the U.S. central bank, equivalent to our Bank of Italy.

Other places not to miss and things to do in New York

• Broadway the theatrical district along its namesake street and nearby ones with over 40 theaters;
• Bronx a very popular borough with over one and a half million residents;
• Solomon Museum a cultural space that collects modern and contemporary art, founded in 1937, located at 1071 Fifth Avenue;
• Coney Island a neighborhood located in the southern part of the Brooklyn borough in New York. Known for its beaches and amusement park;
• Fulton Fish Market the largest fish market in the United States;
• Ellis Island the island that welcomed immigrants who had to stop here for medical inspections before landing in the city. Today it is a symbol and place for guided tours documented with photos and films;
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral a Catholic church built in 1850 in Gothic style. It is the largest Catholic worship place in the United States.
• The sports stadiums
• Christmas Markets
• September 11 Memorial
• New York Horseback Tours
• On the Trail of The Great Gatsby

10 What to Buy in New York

In the American metropolis you can find everything in the various shops scattered along the streets. There are many shops selling extravagant and sometimes hard-to-find items alongside those of top designers and luxury brands. Shopping in New York is very easy because the variety is truly vast. It is definitely an experience to have. If besides shopping you are interested in the main attractions of New York, we recommend purchasing the New York CityPASS, which offers a series of discounts.

11 Getting Around New York

New York is so large that exploring it on foot, except for a few neighborhoods, is almost impossible. Taxis, whose tip is obligatory (don’t forget to always have cash on hand), are widely used, although during rush hour they get stuck in traffic. Buses are a good alternative but not the best, as they often are very slow. The subway is, instead, highly recommended. Fast, affordable, and easy to use. Before traveling, you need to prepare the necessary documents for entry into the United States. In addition to an electronic passport, you need to have the ESTA for travel to New York and the rest of the States.

12 Where to Eat in New York

Choosing a restaurant in New York is not difficult because the city offers cuisine from almost every country in the world. There are many Italian restaurants, but the advice is to invest in a different experience from what you find in our country also because the Italian cuisine offered here, with some differences, is not the same as that found in Italy, having to adapt to American tastes. The options range from Fast Food with industrial and quick food to more refined restaurants. Many New Yorkers follow dining trends dictated by industry magazines. Remember the tip. In the States, it is almost always mandatory. And then there are some New York culinary specialties not to be missed.

13 Where to Sleep in New York

The hotel options in New York are wide and include all types of accommodations. From guesthouses or one-star hotels to super luxurious 5-star hotels, often offered by hotel chains, with presidential suites and city views from the top floors. Staying in New York, therefore, is only a matter of budget as well as taste.