New York City is a cosmopolitan buzzing city with a panoply of entertainment options including varied Broadway shows, musicals, bars and cafes, museums, shopping venues and so much more. One could visit NYC regularly and never get bored. There are also countless restaurants catering to all tastes and budgets.
In Manhattan, modern glass towers soar next to old historical buildings decorated with intricate designs. But somehow it all works together and creates a harmonious skyline. There are also many parks, but Central Park is by far the largest urban park in Manhattan. It’s 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide!
Some ideas: roam around Time Square and see a show, walk around Central Park, visit a museum, or climb a tower for a bird’s-eye view of the city that never sleeps!
Explore the Theatre District
Walking along Broadway and reveling in the overload of lights and advertising around Times Square should be on every traveler’s itinerary when in New York City.
Times Square
Located at the junction of Broadway, 7th Ave and 42nd St. in the Theatre District, Times Square is probably one of the most famous crossroads in the world. It doesn’t sleep. The glitter of lights and endless rows of billboards with larger-than-life advertisements is almost overwhelming. People flock to the area, and revel in its frenzy and cacophony.
Broadway Shows
Many theatres present new and well-established productions. You are sure to find something you like. And if you are flexible with which show you are going to see, you might just be able to secure a discounted last-minute ticket at the theater’s box office.
Museum of Broadway
In the area there is also the Museum of Broadway. Perhaps a bit pricy (especially on the weekend) but interesting to see. The museum showcases the history of Broadway theatre and how it played a role in shaping Midtown Manhattan and Times Square. It was fun to walk down memory lane and see exhibits of some of our favorite Broadway shows.
Rockefeller Center
The nearby Rockefeller Center is another busy hub located in the heart of Manhattan. The Art Deco center is an open-air museum with sculptures, beautiful gardens and fountains. In the winter months, the Sunken Garden is transformed into an ice-skating rink.
Art galleries, chic boutiques, and restaurants blend-in amid a myriad of office buildings. Radio City Music Hall, NBC Studios and the Today Show Studio are all located in this area. If you’re so inclined, you can also plan ahead and attend a TV show recording.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Another important landmark located near the Rockefeller Center is the St Patrick’s Cathedral. This Neo-Gothic church dates back to 1878 and can accommodate 3,000 worshippers. Services are held regularly. The white exterior stands out and reflects off the glass high-rises next to it. The arch vaulted ceiling is most impressive as are the two 330-foot spires.
Central Park
New York’s main garden, Central Park, expands over 340 hectares and was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux in 1858. It’s dubbed the “Lungs of the City”. Locals and visitors alike go there to relax, play, or just get out of the hustle and bustle of the city.
Be sure to walk through Central Park and see some of the attractions such as the Bethesda Terrace, Belvedere Castle, Bow Bridge. There is even a zoo.
Must-see museums in NYC
There are numerous museums in NYC but here’s a few that we truly enjoyed visiting. And some that we plan on visiting on a future trip such as the American Museum of Natural History and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The MET is so much more than an art museum and a definite must-see in New York City. The museum’s collection spans over 5,000 years and takes you on a worldwide tour. We spent half a day here and it was impossible to see everything but what we saw was impressive to say the least. How many art museums house a full-size Egyptian Temple or displays entire 17th century palace-hotel rooms?
The Egyptian collection was by far largest that we have seen outside of Egypt. It brought back many fond memories of our trip there. You can read more about that adventure in our post: Egypt: A Fascinating Journey to the Land of the Pharaohs and Pyramids
There are also multiple eateries, and we enjoyed an ice cream at the one located next to the Charles Engelhard Court in the American Wing. Another thing we appreciated was the ability to step outside for a break and to grab something to eat after visiting a large gallery. There were many food trucks parked alongside 5th Avenue in front of the museum.
Other prestigious art museums in the area include the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
American Museum of Natural History
Founded in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s top museums of the genre. In fact, it houses numerous scientific and cultural exhibits touching on many topics including dinosaurs, endangered species, indigenous civilizations, and so much more. We visited many years ago and hope to have a chance to revisit this natural history museum soon.
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is exquisite and worth a visit. It was founded in 1895 and paid for with private funds. The idea was to give all New Yorkers access to free information.
The collection of books, some ancient, is exceptional. Visiting this place will bring you back to another era.
Grand Central Terminal
Well not really a museum but the building is a work of art! The artistic train station dates back to 1871. The ceiling decorated with stars and constellations is impressive and all twelve astrological signs are represented.
Observatory towers in NYC
Of course, the first and most well know is the Empire State Building but there are some new observatory towers that offer breathtaking views of the city and surrounding area.
Empire State Building
The iconic Empire State Building opened to the public on May 1st, 1931. People go for the chance to get a bird’s eye view of the city from the observatory on the 86th floor or from the 102nd floor platform. People say that this is one of the most romantic places in NYC. Every evening the spire lights up like a beacon reaching out to the stars.
The best time to go is at dusk when the sun sets on the city lights, but the evening views are quite delightful. Be sure to check out the exhibits.
The Edge
The Edge is one the newest observation towers (at the time of writing) in NYC. What makes the Edge unique is its protruding 100-story-high observation deck, with a glass floor.
Not for the faint of heart. Adrenaline junkies can also scale the outside of this skyscraper and look down while being suspended more than 1,200 feet above the ground. And no, we didn’t do it (it was closed when we visited, but we still would not have done this!). Walking on the glass floor and looking down was enough of a thrill for us!
From up there we got amazing views of the city, and we could even see the Statue of Liberty, the Hudson River, New Jersey, and even LaGuardia Airport in Queens.
Nearby you will find the High Line raised park trail on an old train track with river and city views.
One World Observatory
We haven’t had the chance to go there yet but we are planning on it on a future visit to New York. We did get a great view of it from the Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
The One World Observatory is located on the 100th, 101st, and 102nd floors of the One World Trade Center. There is no outdoor viewing platform, but you can take in panoramic 360-degree views of the city. (We will tell you more about it when we have a chance to visit).
Top of the Rock
You can also get great views of New York City from the indoor and outdoor observation decks at the Rockefeller Center.
Further afield
The Statue of Liberty, symbol of freedom for millions of immigrants in search of a better life, as well as Ellis Island where 12 million migrants were processed make for an interesting visit. Although, be prepared for a long wait to take the ferry to get there.
The colossal copper statue was a gift from the people of France to the American people. It was designed by the Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and its metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel. The Statue of Liberty has been greeting visitors arriving by sea in New York City since 1886.
There are also many Gilded Age mansions around New York City that are nice to see and can also make a perfect weekend getaway. Cross over into New Jersey and check out the Thomas Edison National Historical Park.
Also, from the Liberty State Park there are some great views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty (although you get to see Lady Liberty from the back). While there do check out the Empty Sky Memorial for New Jersey’s 9/11 victims.
For suggestions on where to eat: Some Interesting and Affordable Places to Eat in Manhattan
Conclusion
We never get tired of going to New York City, there is always something new to discover. We will probably be back again soon.