New York attractions

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a calming, 52-acre (21-hectare) oasis in the middle of a busy borough. Located adjacent to Prospect Park, the garden boasts an impressive selection of plants, flowers, and trees. The Children’s Garden addresses sustainability, while the Fragrance Garden encourages everyone to stop and smell the flowers.

Spanning an entire city block, the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine is the largest cathedral in the world and home to the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Construction started in 1892, and the still-incomplete cathedral is known for its mix of styles, including Byzantine Revival, Romanesque Revival, and Gothic Revival.

Located in Lower Manhattan’s Battery Park City, the Museum of Jewish Heritage is a living memorial to those who lost their lives in the Holocaust. See a variety of permanent and temporary exhibits that cover a variety of topics, from Auschwitz to the boats the Danes used to save their country’s Jewish citizens.

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, was designed in 1959 by world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. In addition to its vast collection of modern and contemporary art, the museum draws crowds for its iconic white interior, which spirals up toward a skylight.

While we might not regularly think of it as such, simply sitting down to play for a while is a science unto itself. What is it that captures the imagination or piques a particular interest, and what form of playing is educational—rather than just passing time? These are some the questions explored at the National Museum of Play—formerly the Strong National Museum of Play in the city of Rochester, New York. There are interactive and hands on exhibits on everything from video games to action figures, and the center has a way of bringing out the kid in even the most serious of adults. There’s a video arcade full of classic games and enormous exhibits on Sesame Street, and even an indoor butterfly garden that is filled with 1,000 butterflies. While the center is heavily geared towards kids, it ends up being a family outing that everyone in the party can enjoy, since it’s hard to go wrong when visiting a building full of 400,000 toys.

The oldest public park in New York City, Bowling Green dates to the 17th century and is firmly rooted in the city’s early development and history. Located in Lower Manhattan’s Financial District, the park now serves as a refuge from the traffic and skyscrapers, and is home to the city’s totemicCharging Bull sculpture, added in 1989.

Nestled between Central Park and the Hudson River, the Upper West Side is a quiet, residential respite from the buzzing energy of downtown Manhattan. Highlights include Lincoln Center, home to the Metropolitan Opera, and kid-friendly museums such as the Children’s Museum of Manhattan.

Once a hub for newly arrived immigrants, then later, a gritty part of New York City largely populated by struggling artists, the Lower East Side is now one of Manhattan’s trendiest neighborhoods. You’ll find unique boutiques, small galleries, and plenty of character in this district bordered by East Houston, Essex, Canal, and the Bowery.

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir is a must-see attraction in New York's Central Park. Loved by athletes for its running track, the reservoir spans the park and offers skyline views. Whether you enjoy a relaxing stroll along its waters, or bring sneakers for a jog, the reservoir is an top Central Park destination.

Battery Park is a lush public space situated at the southern tip of Manhattan. The historic, 25-acre park includes gardens, a bike path, outdoor cafés, and a commemorative labyrinth. It's an ideal place for a stroll or picnic, and also serves as the gateway, via ferry terminal, to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Staten Island.

Home to 220 designer boutiques and a number of dining and entertainment options, Woodbury Common Premium Outlets—located in Central Valley, New York—is one of the most popular destinations for New York City residents and visitors looking to score serious bargains. Shops range from Michael Kors and Prada to Burberry, Coach, and beyond.

The historic Brooklyn Heights neighborhood is well positioned—just one subway stop from Lower Manhattan. A stroll along the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade for waterfront and city skyline views is a must-do, as is a walk through its streets to see elegant brownstones and visit some destination bars and restaurants.

An artsy neighborhood central to New York City’s LGBTQ culture, Chelsea has lost its edginess in recent years but makes up for it with chic restaurants, galleries, and boutiques. A top destination is the High Line—an elevated park built on an old rail line—which is well worth a West Side visit.

Located in Midtown Manhattan, Trump Tower is a residential and commercial skyscraper with several retail and dining options. As well as boasting opulent furnishings, a 6-storey atrium, and an indoor waterfall, Trump Tower is the New York residence of Donald Trump and the headquarters of the Trump Organization.

Among Manhattan’s toniest areas, trendy Tribeca is known for its high-end eateries, cobblestone streets, and expensive loft apartments. That ritzy reputation has made Tribeca a favorite of celebrities and high rollers, though the Tribeca Film Festival and the area’s proximity to major landmarks makes it popular with visitors, too.

Situated where George Washington once addressed his officers, the Fraunces Tavern Museum is the only museum in the Big Apple dedicated exclusively to Revolutionary War history. Today, the museum showcases an 8,000-object collection that engages visitors of all ages.

New York's Finger Lakes make up one of the state's most popular vacation destinations, and Cayuga Lake is the longest of the 11 bodies of water, stretching roughly 40 miles from Ithaca at its southern tip to the marshes of the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge at the northern end. Like all Finger Lakes, Cayuga Lake is narrow, only 3.5 miles at its widest point.The Fingers Lakes region is known for wine-growing and outdoor attractions, both of which draw many visitors. With forests, waterfalls, marshes and rivers, travelers visit to go hiking, boating, fishing and more. There are also museums in lakeside towns and historic attractions.

Crossing the mouth of upper New York Bay and linking the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (previously Verrazano-Narrows) is the longest suspension bridge in the U.S. A marvel of engineering, the bridge was completed in 1964, and more than 200,000 vehicles pass on it daily.

New York’s museum of spy gadgets and stories, Spyscape introduces visitors to the history of espionage and even lets them test their spying skills through interactive displays and challenges. Learn about spies throughout history, see some of the gadgets they used, and hear stories of espionage that might seem stranger than fiction.

A New York City icon for over 100 years, Macy’s®Herald Square is one of the world’s most famous department stores. For many, a trip to NYC would not be complete without a couple of hours spent browsing the store’s many wares or enjoying the holiday window displays.

The New-York Historical Society maintains a longstanding tradition of showcasing what's great about New York with its trove of artifacts, documents, and celebrated art collection. Uncover New York's history in numerous exhibitions, while kids explore the engaging, full floor of kid-friendly interactive history exhibits.

The expansive Williamsburg Bridge crosses New York City’s East River, connecting Brooklyn to Lower Manhattan. The bridge is great for walking, jogging, or biking, since cars and pedestrians are separated on two distinct levels. Consider an afternoon jaunt across the span to enjoy views of the NYC waterfront and nearby Brooklyn Bridge.

Located in her hometown of Jamestown, New York, the Lucille Ball Museum is an homage to all things I Love Lucy, one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, as well as the couple who created it. A must for fans of the show, step onto exact recreations of the I Love Lucy sets, admire Lucille and Desi’s awards, check out original costumes, and soak up the lives and legacies of Ball and Arnaz.

The tiny but jam-packed Ground Zero Museum Workshop explains what it felt like to be in the middle of the aftermath of the tragic September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City. Visitors can wander the rooms to see more than 100 exhibits, including walls covered in rare photos, artifacts, and inspiring tales of first responders, New York City Fire Department firefighters, police officers, and other USA heroes who participated in recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site. Video and audio stories supplement the photographs taken by museum founder Gary Marlon Suson, who spent seven months as the only official FDNY photographer allowed to document the recovery period at Ground Zero.

Any fan of the iconic TV showFriends will recognize the building at the corner of Grove and Bedford streets in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Although the show was filmed on a studio set, this apartment building appeared in the opening credits of every episode and in many scenes from the show as well.

While all of New York’s observation decks have their merits, Edge NYC is the tallest outdoor deck in the Western Hemisphere. Head up to the site’s glass-floored platform for a unique view of the cityscape and enjoy a sunset or just spend some time spotting city landmarks, from Central Park to the Statue of Liberty.

Opened in 2018, the National Comedy Center in Jamestown is the nation’s official cultural institution dedicated to comedy as an art form. Featuring more than 50 immersive exhibits and interactive experiences, the museum celebrates the great minds and voices of American comedy and gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the comedic process.

Set in a purpose-built Renzo Piano-designed building overlooking the High Line, the Whitney Museum is a champion of contemporary American art. It’s home to works from big names such as Edward Hopper and Georgia O’Keeffe, and its celebrated biennial serves as a launchpad for lesser-known artists.

Located in Upper Manhattan, the General Grant National Memorial is the final resting place of Civil War hero and former president General Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia. Also known as Grant’s Tomb, this imposing, domed marble and granite structure is the largest mausoleum in the country.

New York City’s Meatpacking District is a 24-hour destination known for its fashion, nightlife, and dining scene. Located on Manhattan’s west side, the neighborhood spans approximately 20 square blocks and is home to some of the city’s hottest nightclubs, as well as the Whitney Museum of American Art.