25 of the Best Tourist Attractions in New York City

Kurt Vonnegut’s 1976 Novel, “Slapstick or Lonesome No More!” has dubbed New York the “Skyscraper National Park.” It is true that innumerable tall structures – many beautiful- call this city home. However, there are a lot of buildings that don’t pierce the skies but are worthy of a visit. The Big Apple has structures and gardens which are easily recognizable, while others are a tucked-away treasure trove.

25 of the Best Tourist Attractions in New York City:

Overwhelming activities, tourist attractions, and experiences grab your attention in NYC. Here are a few you should not miss in the hustle and bustle of city life.

Jane’s Carousel

©NYC: The Official Guide

This structure was initially built in 1922. Jane’s Carousel is located on the banks of the East River. One of Brooklyn’s must-see-sights, this is a top-rated destination. Reopened in 2011 with numerous additions, including a Jean Nouvel-designed jewel-like glass exterior, this destination attracts tourists and architecture lovers.

The World Trade Center Transportation Hub

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The World Trade Center Transportation Hub opened in 2016. The Santiago Calatrava designed project is known for its symbolism, the massive scale (for commuters it would accommodate), and its complexity. The Westfield World Trade Center mall opened at Oculus (as it is known), and the 365,000 square feet will accommodate 113 tenants.

Ellis Island

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Once the gateway for over 12 million immigrants, Ellis Island was built in 1900 by Edward Lippincott Tilton and William A. Boring. Today, it is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and one of New York’s top tourist attractions.

Queensboro Bridge

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Located in the shadows of the legendary Brooklyn Bridge, The Queensboro Bridge was opened in 1909. The 3,724-foot-long bridge connects Manhattan to Queens. Henry Hornbostel designed this structure, and its recent fame from movies like The Dark Knight Rises and The Great Gatsby has brought it to the list of NYC tourist attractions.

Metropolitan Life Tower

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Designed by Napoleon LeBrun & Sons, this was once the world’s tallest building (from 1909 to 1913). It is located on the corner of East 23rd Street and Madison Avenue.

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Seagram Building

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Designed by Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson, the iconic Seagram Building was completed in 1958. This became the model for future skyscrapers. Worried about the aesthetics of the building, Mies implemented a system to ensure that the blinds could only be positioned as up, halfway down, or entirely down.

This building, designed to be the headquarters for the Canadian distillers’ Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, is now one of NYC’s architectural and tourist attractions.

Waldorf-Astoria

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The Waldorf Astoria was the tallest and largest hotel in the world when it opened in 1931. The building’s Art Deco style has entertained many patrons, including Marilyn Monroe. To make things more interesting, every sitting U.S. president since Herbert Hoover has stayed at the hotel while visiting New York.

Lincoln Center for Performing Arts

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In 1959, President Dwight D Eisenhower attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts. It opened in 1962 and is located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Its decade-long renovation – by architects and firms like Frank Gehry, Cooper, Robertson & Partners, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill started in 1999.

The Cloisters

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This Metropolitan Museum of Art branch opened to the public in 1938. It is devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe which features an extensive collection of art and artifacts from around the world. Located on a four-acre plot overlooking the Hudson, this museum and its garden are situated at the northern tip of Manhatten.

Empire State Building

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The Empire State Building opened in 1931, and at 1454 feet, it was the world’s tallest Skyscraper for over 40 years. It boasts incredible views of the city from its observation deck. A less-known fact about this structure is that when it opened in a symbolic gesture, the then U.S. president Herbert Hoover pressed a button to turn on the tower’s lights. If it wasn’t famous before, movies like King Kong and Sleepless in Seattle made this one of New York’s tourist attractions.

Chrysler Building

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One of the most recognizable examples of Art Deco architecture, the Chrysler Building, was completed in 1930. It held the title of the world’s tallest building (for just one year). This structure has gargoyles on the corners of its 61st floor, and floors above 71st provide access to the spire.

Statue of Liberty

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One of the most iconic landmarks is the Statue of Liberty, which has stood as a symbol of freedom and democracy for over a century. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. It was erected in 1886, just off the southern tip of Manhattan.

It has a crown of 7 rays representing seven seas and continents and a tablet celebrating the date of U.S. independence from Britain. This is one of the most well-known tourist attractions and landmarks of NYC.

Woolworth Building

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Opening in 1913, the Woolworth Building stood at 792 feet. This Skyscraper was designed by Cass Gilbert and held the title of the World’s Tallest Skyscraper for almost 20 years.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

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This museum was designed by Richard Morris Hunt and opened to the public in late 1902. This Beaux Arts structure was the first public institution to get a work by Henry Matisse. Today there are over tens of thousands of artworks and sculptures at this museum.

One World Trade Center

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The One World Trade Center was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and opened to the public in 2014. It stands at a symbolic height of 1776 feet and is the tallest in the Western Hemisphere.

Grand Central Terminal

©The Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Opened in 1891, the Grand Central Terminal is one of the most famous structures in NYC. This Beaux Arts Building has a ceiling that depicts the zodiac signs. Outside the station, on its facade, are famous statues designed in France but built in Queens.

The High Line

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For a truly unique experience, you can visit the High Line, an elevated park built on an old railway line that offers stunning views of the city and a peaceful escape from the busy streets below. It is a 1.45-mile-long park constructed on an elevated stretch of the former (operated between 1831 and 1968) New York Central Railroad.

New York Public Library

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One of the most famous architectural and tourist attractions, the New York Public Library was built in 1911.

VIA 57 West

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This beautiful residential building is designed by the star Architect Bjarke Ingels. With an open-air garden in the middle, this structure has a pyramid-like design.

Brooklyn Museum

This famous tourist attraction contains almost 1.5 million works of art. Designed by the architecture firm of McKim, Mead & White, this Beaux-Arts structure is the third largest museum.

Trinity Church

This church is located at the intersection of two of the most famous streets of NYC – Broadway and Wall Street. This Gothic Revival structure stood 281 feet tall and was completed in 1846. It was the tallest building in New York at the time.

Brooklyn Bridge

When Brooklyn Bridge was opened in 1883, thousands of New Yorkers came to the opening ceremony. The city’s authorities had to get a circus entertainer to walk 21 elephants over the bridge to prove its safety to its residents. Now, it is one of the world’s most famous tourist attractions.

Washington Square Park

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This is one of the smallest parks in New York, at just about 10 acres. However, it is located in the middle of the trendy Greenwich Village and has the beautiful Washington Square Arch.

Ansonia Hotel

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The Asonia Hotel is a Beaux Arts hotel that was completed in 1904. In 1972, the hotel became a designated New York City Landmark. Moreover, officials called its effect a “joyous exuberance profiled against the sky.”

Central Park

This is NYC’s most famous and most documented tourist attraction. With people – tourists and New Yorkers, flocking to the park at all seasons, this is something that should be there in your itinerary, as it covers over 800 acres in the heart of Manhattan and offers a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.

What are the lesser-known attractions in New York City?

While New York City is renowned for its popular tourist attractions, there are several interesting and unusual places to discover.

One example is the City Hall Station, a deserted subway station that provides insight into the city’s past and architecture.
Another hidden jewel is the Whispering Gallery within Grand Central Terminal, where the archway allows for clear transmission of sound waves.
The Green Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn is another off-the-beaten-path destination, with its picturesque mausoleums and rolling hills.
The High Bridge, a footbridge that connects Manhattan and the Bronx, offers breathtaking views of the city skyline.
Lastly, the Elevated Acre in the Financial District provides a peaceful getaway from the city’s hustle and bustle with its waterfront views and landscaped terrace.