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Statue of Liberty
Few structures evoke as much emotion as New York's Statue of Liberty – a symbol of freedom, democracy, and hope, standing majestically on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. This 92-meter-tall statue, a gift from France, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel to commemorate the American Declaration of Independence, has appeared thousands of times on television and in Hollywood films. It has transcended national boundaries and become a World Heritage Site.
Today, the Statue of Liberty still welcomes visitors; admission is free, but all visitors must pay for the ferry ride. Tickets are sold at Castle Clinton in Battery Park or at the Communipaw Train Station in Liberty State Park.
Along with the ferry ticket, visitors intending to enter the base of the statue must also purchase a separate ticket. Those wishing to ascend the stairs to the crown inside the statue must buy a special ticket, which must be booked up to a year in advance. Groups of 10 people, three groups per hour, and a total of only 240 people per day are allowed to go up there after multiple rounds of strict security checks. From the crown, visitors will be able to admire Manhattan and Brooklyn with a unique and unparalleled view.
Grand Central Terminal Secrets Walking Tour
Located on East 42nd Street and Park Avenue, Grand Central Terminal was first built in 1913 to serve as a subway, train, and bus station. Not only is it the world's largest train station, but it's also a major attraction, drawing around 750,000 visitors daily who come and go, admiring its magnificent architecture. With numerous restaurants, shops, diverse food courts, and even a trendy cocktail bar, The Campbell Apartment, it's an ideal entertainment destination.
Entering from 42nd Street in Midtown and strolling toward the Main Concourse, the station's central area, visitors will recognize this expansive space as the setting for numerous Hollywood films. As in the movies, visitors can descend one of two opulent marble staircases modeled after the grand staircases of the Paris Opera House, or take a date under the million-dollar, four-faced opal clock atop the information hall.
Visitors can book a guided walking tour of the terminal to uncover the secrets behind its iconic buildings, explore a historical journey through the past, present, and future of Grand Central Terminal after its restoration, and hear inspiring stories about its turbulent years and how it became one of America's leading landmarks.
Empire State Building
The world-famous Empire State Building has served as the backdrop for many popular films such as "A Love Story of the Century," "King Kong," and "White Nights in Seattle." In fact, it is one of the city's most important and romantic skyscrapers. Officially opened in 1931, the Empire State Building surpassed the Chrysler Building to become the world's tallest building, a record that stood for 40 years. The building earned its nickname, the "Empire State," of New York, so that mentioning it immediately brings to mind New York – similar to how mentioning the Eiffel Tower brings to mind Paris, or the Space Needle brings to mind Seattle.
The building, with its impressive height of 443.2 meters including the radio tower, offers views of Manhattan's glittering lights from two observation decks: one on the 86th floor and another very close to the top on the 102nd floor. On your way to the observation decks, don't forget to stop by the Dare to Dream exhibit on the 80th floor. This permanent exhibit features photographs, construction notes, and information about the building's design. On the 86th floor, visitors can stroll outdoors to admire the magnificent views of Midtown, Lower Manhattan, and Central Park. On a clear day, you can see as far as New Jersey and Connecticut. Use binoculars for a closer look at surrounding attractions, such as Bryant Park and Times Square. The observation deck on the 102nd floor is the highest public viewing point in New York. The enclosed observation area is ideal for a winter visit.
The Empire State Building is located in Midtown, Manhattan, in the heart of the city, easily accessible by bus, subway, or train. The two observation decks are open to the public 365 days a year. The ticket office and elevators can be quite far, so it's advisable to purchase tickets on the Empire State Building's official website. Marriage proposals are not uncommon, and sometimes a saxophone player will play a romantic tune for couples visiting the 86th floor.
One World Observatory
The One World Observatory, opened in 2015, offers a fresh and exciting space for visitors to New York to admire the modern and magnificent beauty of this bustling city. The tower has 104 floors, with the One World Observatory located from floors 100-103. Begin your New York exploration journey by riding the unique elevator with LED screens from top to bottom, taking you to the observatory in just 60 seconds. As you ascend, you'll see a fast-forwarded view of New York City's transformation on the screen, from the 1500s to the metropolis it is today. Stepping into the glass-floored Sky Portal, you'll experience the unique sensation of floating above the buildings.
The One World Observatory is located at the northwest corner of the One World shopping mall on Fulton Street and is open from 9 am to 10 pm every day of the week. Children under 5 years old are admitted free of charge.
National Memorial for the Events of September 11
Memorial Plaza and the 9/11 Museum commemorate the victims of the September 11 attacks and cast a somber atmosphere over the bustling Lower Manhattan. At the site of the former Twin Towers, two ponds were built to symbolize the lives lost and mark the location of the attack. The names of the 2,977 victims are inscribed on the ponds. The memorial and the surrounding 6-acre Memorial Plaza, planted with 400 trees, were inaugurated on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Nearby stands the Tree of Survival, a pear tree found charred and bare beneath the rubble of the Twin Towers. Miraculously, it survived and now stands tall, a vibrant symbol of hope.
Inside Memorial Plaza is the 9/11 Museum, an underground exhibit that opened in late 2011. The museum's exterior design mimics a portion of one of the two Twin Towers that once stood at the site, and it displays artifacts collected immediately after the attacks.
Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET)
Located on Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street, east of Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) boasts one of the world's most diverse collections of art and art-related artifacts. From the most cutting-edge contemporary artists and art movements to 2,000-year-old artifacts, the MET's permanent collections and special temporary exhibitions have made it one of New York's most popular attractions.
The MET's collection is so vast that it's impossible to see it all in a single visit. The best way to explore the museum's treasures is to plan ahead: Use the MET's online database to research tips for a truly immersive experience and some of the museum's highlights before you visit.
Here, visitors can admire the works of Jackson Pollock and Van Gogh, view Giotto's 14th-century Florentine painter *The Adoration of the Magi*, and appreciate the Ming Dynasty wood carvings at Astor Palace...
Furthermore, MET also features restaurants, cafes, and numerous regular art events and workshops. Visitors can learn about acclaimed artists, attend a workshop on costume design, animation techniques, or painting, or enjoy a symphony performance in the concert hall or see a rare film.
The museum is open daily, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays; it is closed on Easter, Christmas, New Year's Day, and the first Monday of May. Children under 12 years old enter free, and the admission fee includes entry for the same week to The Cloisters Museum at Fort Tryon Park, where visitors can learn about medieval European art and architecture.
Broadway
The Broadway theater district stretches right next to Times Square. Hundreds of people regularly line up at the outdoor TIX ticket booth, hoping to buy half-price tickets for afternoon shows at one of the 40 theaters.
Times Square is located right in the heart of New York City, to the west. Grand Central Terminal is also situated here. Bustling and vibrant, this busy downtown area is one of the most well-known and visited landmarks in the world. Brightly lit 24 hours a day, flashing bulletin boards, exchange information displays, and dazzling billboards contribute to Times Square's distinctive atmosphere. Day or night, it's always full of dancers, jugglers, and African drummers. For years, Naked Cowboy, a street artist famous for playing guitar in only underwear, has been a tourist attraction. Impromptu musical performances and insightful public speeches are frequent; and it's not surprising if a Mickey Mouse character suddenly appears and gives a visitor a kiss.
