New York, also known as the Big Apple, is famed as the city that never sleeps. People from all over the world have made their way to New York, dreaming of making it big in the land of endless opportunities, throwing caution to the wind. People of various cultures and styles have turned New York into a melting pot that only adds to its intriguing diversity.
Being made up of almost 30 acres of park land and 22 kilometers of public beaches, New York City has become one of the most exciting cities in the world. This glamorous city attracts close to 50 million tourists yearly. You would actually be spoilt for choice when you go to New York City, as there are amazing numbers of tourist hot spots to visit. If you are visiting this city for the very first time, there are a few major destinations that you would love to see.
The Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is the third tallest skyscraper in America, falling below the Willis Tower, and Trump International Hotel and Tower. It is the 15th tallest building in the world and maintains its stand as the highest standing structure in the state of New York. This landmark consists of 102 storeys, 73 elevators and 6,500 windows. It is rather incredible to imagine more than 20,000 employees are working in that building every day.
The Empire State Building costs almost USD 41 to build, and comes with floodlights that light up the top of the building at night. You will notice that different colors are lighted up at different times, as colors are illuminated accordingly to mark various events in the country and the world, every day. When you visit this building, you can join the other millions who have exploited its observation deck that offers a 360 degrees view of the breathtaking city, on the 86th floor. The Observatory is accessible day or night, regardless of weather conditions. This is also where movies such as Love Affair and Sleepless in Seattle were hosted.
Besides that, the observation deck is complemented with a simulated helicopter ride, called the Skyride, so you can enjoy an aerial tour for almost 25 minutes. 3D theaters also provide tourist with realistic experiences. While visiting this building, you can check out the restaurants, sushi bars, coffee shops, a Hallmark card store and the exciting night life activities in the vicinity.
Apart from that, visiting this Art Deco landmark also gives you the opportunity to see the Chrysler buildings that are within view of the Empire State Building. With matching beauty and exquisite architecture, the Chrysler buildings are known to be among the finest in the state.
Rockefeller Center
Named after the philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr., the Rockefeller Center was originally a set of 19 commercial buildings in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Now, it is made up of a combination of two buildings. The Rockefeller family constructed this building, and it has been declared as a National Historic Landmarks.
The Rockefeller Centre takes great pride in housing the Radio City Music Hall, the biggest American indoor theater. With seating capacity of 6,000 people, the interior of the Music Hall displays truly elegant Art Deco. The Music Hall has hosted the performances of music legends such as Frank Sinatra, and has even offered the Grammy Awards. When you visit this great tourist attraction, you will add to the dumbfounding figure of more than 300 million people who have already attended this hall. There are many musical shows and performances going on all year round, so you can actually join official tours and get behind the scenes to discover secrets of the Great Stage.
You can also delve into the rich legacy of history and stunning artistry, through the Rockefeller Tour. You will be taken back into the past through the center’s most prominent garden and spaces, with the guidance of a historian that you can listen to via a headset. Beautiful sculptures, amazing architecture and spectacular spaces await you.
Not only that, you will be able to feast your eyes with a spectacular 360 degrees view from its ‘Top of the Rock Observation Deck.’ You can go all the way up 70 floors o enjoy the spectacular view across the lush Central Park, while the Kodak professional team is readily available to snap shots of you. The timed-ticketing system allows you to go up when you want.
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty, officially termed Liberty Enlightening the World, stands towering on Liberty Highland in New York Harbor. The people of France presented it to the people of the United States of America as a gift of friendship during the American Revolution. Dedicated on 28 October 1886, this statue is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. As a visitor to New York, you would definitely want to visit this icon that stands as one of the most famous in the United States.
Rising 151 feet into the air, weighing about 450,000 pounds, you would need to climb 168 steps to reach the top of the pedestal if the elevator is out of service. The climb all the way up to the Statue’s Crown takes 354 winding steps. So, if you are game for the thrilling ascends, you should be there early as it can take as long as 3 hours to climb your way to the top. You should drink water at least 30 minutes before embarking on your climb as there are no washrooms once you begin on these narrow steps. The climb can be rather strenuous and you need to make sure that you have good health conditions. If you are bringing children, they must be able to climb up and down, unassisted.
There are a few tours and cruises that you can join when you are here to maximize your enlightening experience. Among them, most include the pedestal, museum and crown access. You can catch a glimpse of history as you walk through historical exhibits and museum objects within the monument. You can also ride on the cruises that provide breathtaking view of Ellis Island, which is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument besides seeing the spectacular Manhattan skyline.
The Statue of Liberty is accessible daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm. The only day that it is closed is on Christmas Day – 25th December. Ferries carry people across to the majestic statue every day, so transport is not a problem. However, if you really want to visit the renowned tourist spot, you should book your tour tickets early. This is even more important if you desire to reach all the way up to the Crown, as Crown access is the only way to it. Entries per hour are limited for safety reasons. Some tourists even book tickets up to a year in advance, but the downside is that tickets sold are not refundable.
Central Park
The Central Park is the most visited city park in the United States of America, with about 25 million visitors annually. A number of famous movies have been filmed on its land, given its wide area of picturesque scenery, causing it to further attract flocks of tourists. Central Park covers about 840 acres of land in Manhattan, New York City. It was opened way back in 1963, and looks very natural although almost entirely landscaped.
Central Park is a beautiful place for you to just relish the beauty of surrounding grass lands amidst the concrete jungle. Within Central Park, you can find a few natural lakes and ponds, vast areas of walking tracks, ice skating rings, and a swimming pool. There is also a wildlife sanctuary, the Central Park Zoo and vast forested areas, among others. Apart from that, there is a huge reservoir with a running track around it. You can just sit down, enjoy a picnic or participate in sports as grassy areas are available for outdoor and relaxation activities. This is a perfect place to be in whether you are alone or with your family.
If you’re a bird lover, you would be delighted to drop by at this place during fall or spring when migratory birds can be seen flocking here. Regular sightings of around 200 species are reported. At other times throughout the year, people just jog, cycle and skate; more on weekends. Even if you have nothing to do in particular, just walk around the park and you will be impressed by the astonishing sculptures that have been erected. The number of sculptures has increased over the years and there are 29 in all.
Theatrical fans would simply be delighted by the outdoor amphitheater here, named the Delacorte Theater. In the summer times, performances such as “Shakespeare in the Park” are presented. Apart from that, Central Park is also known to host open-air concerts and famous figures such as Elton John, Carole King and Diana Ross have graced this place. This place offers endless pleasure to tourists with the plethora of events organized throughout the year.
Times Square
Immerse yourself with energy as you step into the cross roads of the world – Times Square. The blocks between the Sixth and Eighth Avenues as well as the West 40th and 53rd Street make up Times Square. This is also where a part of New York City, Broadway and the Seventh Avenue meet. Adding to its fame, this place has been attacked and destroyed on the big screens, being used for cinematic effects in movies such as Deep Impact and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. More than 40 million people visit this bustling intersection annually.
You would totally adore this haven if you are an entertainment enthusiast because Broadway screams theater, and the thought of those dramatic live performances simply sends the heart pumping. For visitors who would like to learn more about Broadway history, a new self-guided audio tour called ‘Walking Broadway’ is now available. You get to hear backstage secrets, spine-chilling music and a whole lot more as you tour each block and theater.
You are in for a treat in this place if you visit on a Friday afternoon, where a free walking tour is provided to travelers. The Times Square Expose’ will walk you through the highlights of this crossroads and behind the scenes of theaters. There are a number of other tours available such as the 42nd Street Tour and The Times Square Walking Tour.
Another highlight of the Times Square is the Madam Tussauds. The famous wax museum displays amazingly realistic figurines of historical characters as well as celebrities of our times, such as Shakira. Not only that, you can experience interactive encounters with you favorite life-like star figurine. For instance, you can softly say some words in Jennifer Lopez’s ears and watch her blush, or make music with Usher. Imagine the thrill of walking down the red carpet with Jennifer Aniston after a makeover!
Besides all that, the Times Square is also a shopping and eating avenue. You can find anything under the sun, from men and women’s gifts, clothes, accessories to books. A great variety of restaurants also await travelers to taste their cuisine. You can never get bored in Times Square as there is always something going on; be it large group afternoon exercise or exciting night life. You would probably want to stay in the vicinity to explore the entire place. Having said that, you don’t have to worry about accommodation; there around 15,000 hotel rooms in this place alone.
There are just a few of the tourist attractions in New York City that you should not miss, if you’ve never been here before. New York City is definitely one place that will allow you to capture breathtaking moments and immortalize unbelievable memories. The places to visit are continuous and there are so many sides to this astonishing city. The day times are bursting with people’s voices, while the night is lighted up with glitz and glamour. At the end of the day, everything here just leaves you standing in awe!
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