Top 10 New York City Traveler
Top 10 Attractions in NYC
10. The High Line
All aboard The High Line! Converted from a railway track to a 1 ½ mile park elevated over the streets of Manhattan, The High Line has become a beloved Top 10 New York City attraction for its greenery. A great place for catching up with a friend over a leisurely stroll and lattes, or even catching some rays while reading your favorite book! Open daily; times vary by month. (Dec 1 thru Mar 31: 7 AM to 7 PM. Apr 1 thru May 31: 7 AM to 10 PM. June 1 thru Sept 30: 7 AM to 11 PM. Oct 1 thru Nov 30: 7 AM to 10 PM)
9. Top of the Rock
Disclaimer: Not for the faint of heart. If you find peering through a glass wall from a 70-story building exhilarating, then look no further than the Top of the Rock. On the observatory deck, you can, in fact, see Central Park, The Empire State Building, and even The Statue of Liberty. From 850 feet up in the Rockefeller Center, there’s not much you can’t see, so you might as well see it all from a vantage point atop this Top 10 New York City landmark! Open daily 8 AM to 12 AM.
8. St. Paul's Chapel
On September 11th, when the massive twin towers collapsed and laid waste to many buildings in the vicinity, two blocks away, the quaint St. Paul’s Chapel stood without a scratch, as it has been standing since 1766. Known to locals as St. Paul’s Chapel, but to the rest of the world as “The Little Church That Stood,” take time to witness this sacred Top 10 New York City landmark that nursed ashen-faced fireman, served injured policemen, fed distraught citizens, and restored the faith of people around the globe. Open Mon thru Sat, 10 AM to 6 PM, and Sun 7 AM to 6 PM.
7. Brooklyn Bridge
And there it stands, suspended above the East River in all of its majesty! Yes, this is the Brooklyn Bridge, one of the oldest and most photographed bridges in America. The year after its completion in 1883, in a show to prove its stability, more than 20 elephants trudged across the steel suspension bridge without mishap. It may be old, but it is indeed sturdy to this day. Hundreds of people cross it daily for their commutes, so join the crowd and come see this Top 10 New York City attraction!
6. The MET
Go big or go home with this Top Ten New York City attraction! The Metropolitan Museum of Art has one of the largest collections of art in the world. From ancient architecture to beautiful paintings, this 3-story museum really has it all. Buy tickets online or at the entrance, and be sure to turn the flash on your camera off! Open 7 days a week, Sun thru Thurs 10 AM to 5:30 PM, and Fri thru Sat 10 AM to 9 PM.
5. 9/11 Memorial
Never forget. To honor those who lost their lives in the tragedy of September 11th, a memorial and museum was built. The museum contains artifacts from the World Trade Center site and tells the story of what happened that fateful day. Be extra considerate and cease the camera selfies at the memorial; you’ll anger the locals who are still haunted by the trauma of the experience. Memorial hours are 7:30 AM to 9 PM daily, and museum hours are Sun thru Thurs 9 AM to 8 PM, and Fri thru Sat 9 AM to 9 PM.
4. Empire State
Two words: King Kong. Yes, this infamous 102-story skyscraper has been a tourist attraction even before the giant gorilla made it internationally famous. With a heated observatory and a cost of $32 to go up to the 86th floor for exceptional views of the city, this attraction made Top 10 NYC landmarks because it’s a bargain for an unbeatable skyline view! But everyone’s busting their butts to get there, so either go as early as you can or later in the evening to avoid the treacherously long lines.
3. Central Park
If you’re looking to take a break from the hustle and bustle of a city that never rests, retreat to Central Park for a breath of fresh air. And I do mean fresh – Central Park sits on 843 acres and contains over 25,000 trees. There’s also a variety of lakes, jogging paths, ice skating rinks, restaurants, a zoo, and one of the largest carousels in the USA. Open daily, 6 AM to 1 AM.
2. Times Square
New York, New Yoooork! As the heart and soul of NYC, Times Square is one of the most popular and well-known destinations in the USA; it’s visited by thousands of people every day. All the action is here, which is how NYC got its name of “The City that Never Sleeps”! Whether you’re grabbing a bite to eat, buying goods from one of the street vendors, browsing around one of the many stores, or admiring the policemen sitting atop their horses, Times Square is a Top Ten NYC landmark! And yes, it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of a year.
1. Statue of Liberty
Move over, Madonna; Lady Liberty is still one of the most iconic women in the world. Built in 1866, the Statue of Liberty towers at 151 feet, so if you’re thinking of climbing to the top, know there’s 354 stairs between you and her crown. Admission to see her up close is free, but you'll have to purchase a ticket for a ferry-ride to get there. Check out the Ellis Island Immigration Museum while you’re there and trace your family lineage back to its humble beginnings.