New York attractions

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.

A hidden gem on New York City's west side, Hudson River Park includes more than 500 acres of protected urban parkland. Find a range of activities to enjoy, from riding the park's carousel to playing pickup basketball. Perhaps the best choice is a stroll or bike ride, since the park boasts four miles of waterfront.

If an M.C. Escher drawing leapt off the page, it might become the Vessel. This interactive, public art work from Thomas Heatherwick is composed of intertwined stairways and landings that visitors can climb. Head up the 154 flights to enjoy fantastic views of the NYC skyline and the Hudson River.

Set between Central Park and the East River, Manhattan’s Upper East Side is one of New York City’s most affluent neighborhoods. Home to the famous Fifth and Madison avenues, the area is filled with upscale stores and stately mansions, apartment blocks, and museums—must-sees for travelers looking for a slice of classic, historic New York.

Since 1940, the Tiffany & Co. store at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street has been welcoming customers and visitors eager for a taste of polished Manhattan glamour. The store, featured in the classic Audrey Hepburn movieBreakfast at Tiffany’s, is also famous for its unique blue jewelry boxes.

Located in Lower Manhattan, New York City’s Woolworth Building is a relic of another era. The building, which was constructed in 1913, is an architectural statement on New York’s skyline, with its neo-Gothic detailing and impressive height. Closed to the public for years, the Woolworth’s historic lobby is now open to visitors.

Fans of the famed painter and sculptor Frederic Remington will love the Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg that’s dedicated to the artist’s life and work. Visitors can wander the halls of his former home—now an impressive gallery—where an entire lifetime’s worth of work is on display.Well-informed docents unlock stories of Remington’s life, family and techniques during extensive tours of the museum. While paintings depicting the Wild West are among some of the most iconic Remington works, travelers say it’s the great bronze sculptures housed in this newly renovated museum that make for a truly memorable visit.

The East Village is a culturally vibrant neighborhood with a reputation as the countercultural beacon of New York City. From its origins as an immigrant neighborhood and site of 1980s social activism to its current status as a foodie destination peppered with restaurants and cocktail bars, the East Village merges old school and trendy.

To learn about the 200 year history of the Erie Canal, head to the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse. Housed in the Weighlock Building (which was built in 1850 and once weighed cargo passing through the canal), the museum holds artifacts, interactive exhibits, and a full-sized replica of an old canal ship.

The New York branch of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian is also known as the George Gustav Heye Center. Dedicated to exploring and promoting the diversity of the native peoples of the Americas, the center houses exhibitions, offers educational activities, and hosts a range of performing arts programs.

An essential part of the American financial system, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (one of 12 in the United States) offers free tours for visitors wanting to learn more about banking, monetary policy, and the economic impact of trade. You’ll see the on-site museum, trading rooms, and even the Fed’s steel-reinforced, concrete vault.

Occupying an entire block on the store-lined stretch of New York’s Fifth Avenue, Saks Fifth Avenue is the flagship department store of the Saks brand. Since 1924, it’s attracted shoppers with its opulent decor and indoor skiing, and continues to attract customers with its luxury brands.

Tucked into downtown Manhattan’s southern tip, the Stone Street Historic District is one of New York City’s oldest areas, with roots dating to the city’s days as a Dutch settlement in the 17th century. Today, visitors head to the restored quarter for a night out at one of its many fashionable restaurants and taverns.

Dedicated to the history, complexity, and evolution of human sexuality, the Museum of Sex (aka MoSex) manages to be both risqué and informative. You’ll find a permanent collection of more than 15,000 objects—from photographs and artworks to sex toys—as well as several temporary exhibitions hosted throughout the year.

Established in 1965 by scientists, the Aquarium of Niagara has grown to become a charming and educational place to spend some time in Niagara Falls, New York. More than just a museum, the aquarium is a rescue center for injured sea animals and is home to seals, Humboldt penguins, and all kinds of fish.

A National Historic Landmark, Union Square is one of Manhattan's liveliest parks. Sandwiched between the Flatiron District and Greenwich Village, the square is best known for people watching, the architecture of adjacent buildings, and the city’s longest-running farmers market.

Perhaps best known as the longtime home to the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical,The Lion King, the Minskoff Theatre is a must-see for theater lovers. Book a show to check out the glass-fronted venue, which offers views of glitzy Times Square from its third-floor lobby and stages performances six days a week.

The Frick Collection is your home for art from the Renaissance to the early twentieth century. Founded by Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919), the museum offers visitors intimate encounters with one of the world’s foremost collections of European fine and decorative arts. The institution’s holdings—which have more than doubled in size since the museum’s opening in 1935—include celebrated works by Rembrandt, Fragonard, Ingres, Bellini, Vermeer, and more. The Frick Art Reference Library, a leading global resource in the field of art history, was established one hundred years ago by Helen Clay Frick and is open to researchers and the public alike.

An inspiration for artists, a scenic escape for New York City dwellers, a vital artery for commerce, and a designated American Heritage River, the Hudson River plays a crucial role in many facets of New York State life. The river is a magnet for locals and visitors, attracting pleasure cruisers, campers, history buffs, and hikers alike.

Located in Lower Manhattan’s Brookfield Place, just steps from One World Trade Center, the elegant Winter Garden Atrium offers workers and visitors an attractive place to shop, grab a bite, and relax. With sweeping views of the Hudson River, the atrium is an oasis of tranquility amid the buzz of downtown.

Founded in 1996, the Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls USA is located just minutes from the iconic falls. Part of the global rock ‘n’ roll-themed restaurant chain, and one of two Hard Rock Cafes in the area, Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls USA offers traditional American fare, a full bar, and authentic music memorabilia.

The distinctive orange Staten Island Ferry passing through New York Harbor has been a familiar sight to New Yorkers since 1905, when the fleet first began carrying commuters between Staten Island and Manhattan. In recent years the free ferry has gained traction with tourists, who crowd the decks to admire front-row views of New York City’s dazzling skyline, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty.

With live music 7 nights a week, Cafe Wha? is a New York institution. This basement venue in Greenwich Village once welcomed the biggest names in music and is now a popular spot for tourists and anyone looking for a fun night of music.

Step back in time at the Museum at Eldridge Street, which offers a glimpse into the turn-of-the-century Jewish experience in New York City. Explore the restored 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue, visit on-site exhibitions, and join a tour—with multiple times offered daily—to learn about Jewish culture in New York City.

In an 1863 tenement building, the captivating Tenement Museum provides insights into the hardscrabble lives of newly arrived immigrant families in New York City’s Lower East Side during the 19th and 20th centuries. Guided tours demonstrate the challenges newcomers to America faced and show how migrants helped shape the area.

Part of a global restaurant chain, the Hard Rock Cafe New York occupies the lobby of Broadway’s former Paramount Theatre, framed by the towers and billboards of Times Square. With its tables surrounded by music memorabilia, the eatery combines American-style dining with a rock ‘n’ roll theme.

The Corning Museum of Glass, located in upstate New York, presents the history of glassmaking through its galleries, workshops, and live demonstrations. Known for its stunning collection of more than 45,000 pieces—with objects dating back to the 15th century BC—the museum offers visitors a fresh perspective on glass over millennia.

Located on Columbus Circle, the Time Warner Center is a high-end mixed-use development overlooking Central Park. Its two 55-story towers include office space, residential condominiums, a Mandarin Oriental hotel, and Jazz at Lincoln Center, as well as shops, restaurants, and a public garage.

As well as holding a significant place in New York's history, the Alexander Hamilton US Custom House is celebrated for its ornate interior, oak panelling, and murals. Today, the Beaux Arts building houses the National Museum of the American Indian.

An imposing sight incorporating Roman, Renaissance, classical, and beaux arts styles, the David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building is one of the world’s largest government office buildings. Constructed in 1914, then named after a former New York City mayor in 2015, the structure is a draw for architecture and history fans.