New York City, which is always busy and never quiet, is really one of the top cities in the world. In planning your trip, it is best to focus on some of the Popular attractions in New York City in order to visit the highlights without rushing around.
I’ve traveled to a lot of cities in my life, and at first, I wasn’t really sure about New York City. After staying here for almost a week, I can say with confidence that it has surpassed my expectations in every aspect.
From the rich variety of foods from different cultures to the impressive tall buildings and the busy, hardworking people who live and work there, there’s really no city quite like this one. Even the air of the city can truly inspire a person who is in a stalemate or lacks inspiration. I came back from this trip with happy memories and a strong respect for the people who live in this amazing city. I will help you realize how great the city is by giving you a list with detailed descriptions of some of my favorite activities in the city.
such as taking a ferry to Liberty and Ellis Islands, studying the history of immigration,
spending an entire day in Central Park, and much more. I narrowed the list of the most popular attractions in New York City that can fit any interests and budget. So without any more delay, here are the 5 top activities to enjoy in New York City, along with all the details you need to make your trip perfect. These recommendations cover classic favorites and lesser-known Popular attractions in New York City to help you build the perfect itinerary.
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1. See the Statue of Liberty
Of course, one of the first places you should visit is the Statue of Liberty. It’s a must on most lists of Popular attractions in New York City for first-time visitors.
It’s one of the most famous landmarks in the US, maybe even the world. You can’t really visit New York City without seeing this beautiful monument for yourself.
France gave the Statue of Liberty to America as a gift to commemorate the centennial of the U.S.
They value independence and represent their common beliefs in freedom and democracy. That history is part of what makes it one of the enduring Popular attractions in New York City.
Built in France from 1875 to 1884, the statue was then sent to the United States, put together on Liberty Island, and finally shown to the public in 1886. The statue has stood as a symbol of freedom and hope, especially for immigrants arriving in the United States for a better life, ever since.
The statue is high up in the Popular attractions in New York City, to many due to the strong tales that are associated with immigration and hope. There are many different ways to view the Statue of Liberty. First, free: the passenger ferry at Whitehall Terminal at Battery Park to Staten Island.
The ferry comes every 20 minutes and goes by the Statue of Liberty. You won’t be able to get near the island, but you’ll still get to see the statue up close and enjoy amazing views of Manhattan’s skyline from a distance.
If you want to visit Liberty Island and see the statue up close, you can take
the official City Experience ferry. Choosing which ticket to buy is easier once you decide which Popular attractions in New York City you want to experience up close. This ferry goes to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, which is nearby. Advance reservation is clever in making arrangements to visit
People mainly frequent the popular attractions in New York City. There are different ticket prices available,
and deciding which one to choose depends on what activities you plan to do on the island. The least expensive choice is the General Admission ticket, which costs 25 USD. This ticket allows you to visit both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, as well as their museums. If you want to go up to the crown on top of the statue,
you need to buy the Crown Reserve Ticket, which also costs 25 dollars. For most people, a General Admission ticket should be sufficient. You can walk around the statue and take some pictures before going to Ellis Island, which I think is a much more interesting place to visit.
It will probably take you about 30 minutes at most to walk around Liberty Island. The statue draws a big group of visitors each day, so if you want to steer clear of the busy crowds, I suggest taking the earliest ferry that comes.
The earliest time slot is at 9 AM, and as the day goes on, more and more visitors come in. This attraction is part of the CityPass, so if you have a CityPass, make sure to reserve your time slot on the CityPass website before you get to the terminal.
The City Cruise terminal that takes you to Liberty Island is right beside Castle Clinton in Battery Park. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
2. Visit Ellis Island
This was definitely unexpected! Ellis Island is one of the most poignant Popular attractions in New York City for history lovers. After seeing the Statue of Liberty, you can take the next ferry to Ellis Island.
Before I came to the island, I didn’t understand how important it was. I first thought I would take a 30-minute walk and then go back to Manhattan. But nope! I spent nearly three hours walking around Ellis Island and checking out its amazing history museum.
Once you arrive, you’ll quickly see why so many guidebooks list Ellis Island among Popular attractions in New York City. Ellis Island served as the main place where immigrants came into the United States from 1892 up until 1954.
More than 12 million immigrants went through its doors, making it one of the most important immigration centers in American history. The size of the arrivals serves to justify the existence of Ellis Island in the list of the main Popular attractions in New York City.
For many, it was an “Island of Hope” where they started their journey toward a new life. However, for some people, it became
the “Island of Tears” if they were not allowed to enter or were separated from their families. Today, the National Museum of Immigration is located inside the same building that once welcomed millions of immigrants.
The exhibitions here are really amazing, especially for someone like me who has gone through
the tough process of getting a U.S. visa. visa. The museum’s exhibits make it one of the most educational Popular attractions in New York City. It took me more than three months to get mine,
and that’s not including the tough process of standing in line at
the embassy in the blazing heat, waiting to be interviewed, and being decided on the spot whether I would be approved or not. No, the $185 application fee isn’t given back if you’re not accepted.
The museum presents the narrative of the island, which begins with the large wave of immigrants arriving, the difficult times that ensued, and how Ellis Island became outdated and was shut down. It does a great job of showing these important moments in U.S. history.
History, and it’s especially important to learn about it, especially in these divided times. If you’re as interested in this immigration topic as I am, you’re looking at spending at least two hours here.
Visiting Ellis Island is usually part of a trip to Liberty Island,
so the cost is the same as the Liberty Island ticket. Whether you’re short on time or staying longer, include at least a few Popular attractions in New York City on your must-see list. If you choose the City Cruise ferry,
you’ll pay 20 USD for a general admission ticket that lets you visit both islands at the same time.
It is important to book your time slot before arrival,
or in case of own a CityPass, you can do it with the help of the official site.
The first ferry leaves at 9 AM and the last one is at 3 PM every day. The museum is open every day from 9:45 AM until 4:45 PM.
3. Walk The High Line
Looking for a lovely place to stroll around NYC?
You’ll love the High Line, an elevated park built on an abandoned freight rail line that once ran through the West Side of Manhattan.
The City Cruise terminal that takes you to
Liberty Island has given me a lot of important lessons,
especially from a nursing perspective. Discussing counseling for HIV/AIDS and using psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual approaches with HIV/AIDS patients has been very enlightening. It has equipped me with the insights and knowledge that are of great value, especially within the nursing care framework.
Engineers constructed the railway in the 1930s, but with the decline of rail transportation and the rise of trucking, the railway fell into disrepair and nearly faced demolition in the 1980s. The Friends of the High Line movement, which was promoting the preservation, revived it afterwards.
The entire park was completed in 2014, and it has been a preferred destination not only
by people residing in the area but also by visitors. You can start your journey at the Vessel, another beautiful building you should definitely visit. From there, you can head south and reach Chelsea Market and go even further. The path is surrounded by trees and little gardens, which offer a nice contrast to the busy city of NYC.
making it an ideal place for a relaxed walk on a pleasant weekend. The High Line is accessible between 7 AM and 10 PM (daily),
although on Sundays it is closed before 8 PM.
4. Explore Chelsea, Manhattan
One of my favorite places to visit in New York City is Chelsea, a lively part of Manhattan with a rich and interesting history.
It has evolved throughout the centuries and began as an industrial region with numerous factories and storage facilities during the Industrial Revolution and it is now a bustling cultural hub with a rich art scene and several incredible tourism destinations.
Since I suggested visiting the High Line, you can easily add Chelsea to your plans and make for a great day trip. Start at the Vessel and walk along the High Line until you get to Chelsea Market, which has many restaurants and cafes where you can stop for a break.
From there, you can walk down from the High Line and head over to Little Island, which is one of my favorite riverside parks in New York City. This island park is built on top of 132 eye-catching concrete “tulips.”
The park contains numerous varieties of trees, bushes, and flowers, as well as regions that are of higher and lower altitude, and paths that you can walk.
If you’re around on the weekends, the whole place gets really busy, with a lot of people outside having fun in the sun, and joggers and cyclists moving around on the streets. There are lots of great things to see and do in Chelsea, so take your time and discover all the cool stuff the area has to offer.
5. Watch the sunset from the top of the Empire State Building.
Out of all the observation decks I’ve been to in New York City, the Empire State Building is still one of my favorites. Getting up and down is simple and not too hard,
and you get a great view of the city, especially during the golden hour when the sun is setting. I also visited the Top of the Rock, which is another viewing platform located on top of the Rockefeller Building, but I really prefer the Empire State Building for two main reasons.
Architects built the observation deck at the Empire State Building so you can put your
camera out and take pictures without the fence getting in the way. Secondly, the Empire State Building handles the line and elevator usage in a more efficient way,
So the whole experience flows better than at the Top of the Rock. The line to get down at the Top of the Rock is extremely long, especially after the sun has set. The Empire State Building is open from 9 in the morning until 10 at night every day, and the cost to visit the observation deck is 48 dollars. If you have a CityPass, the entrance is already included, but you need to book your time slot online before arriving.
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What to Pack for New York City?
As you may have guessed, I am a huge advocate of traveling light, and frankly speaking,
it is a talent to pack light on a trip like this one. For your next trip to New York City, consider these packing suggestions.
Walking or hiking shoes: Since you’ll be doing a lot of walking and maybe some hiking during your trip, it’s important to pack a comfortable pair of shoes.
I suggest the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes, which are my favorite for walking long distances and going on hikes.
Shorts and jeans: For the chance of warm weather, bring along a couple of shirts that let your skin breathe during your time outside.
If you’re planning to do a lot of walking while traveling, shorts and jeans would be a good choice. Make sure to bring some comfortable shorts and a pair of Levi’s jeans in case the weather gets colder.
For women, leggings work well in both warm and cool weather, so it’s a good idea to bring some along.
For colder weather, layering is important, and a fleece jacket works well as a good insulating layer. I suggest the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece for women.
Shell jacket: An outer shell jacket is useful when it’s windy or raining outside.
I really like the Columbia Watertight Jacket for women and would suggest it highly. It’s light, airy, and even has a nice orange color.
Microfiber towel: A microfiber towel is a great choice for backpackers because it is lightweight, dries quickly, and can be compressed easily.
Camera: You should also bring a good camera with you on your trip so you can take pictures of all the wonderful moments you might experience.
I suggest using the Sony a7R V camera along with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is likely the best camera and lens pair available today.
Power Bank: You are always on the move with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a good insulated water bottle to carry with you
when you’re in the city or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and is able to maintain cold or hot beverages for more than 12 hours. It’s a total game-changer.
Universal Adapter: You only need one universal adapter to connect your electronics when you travel to any country.
Packing cubes can help you save space in your backpack and keep all your things neatly organized.
Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It is large enough to accommodate all my traveling items, and has numerous pockets and little bags in it. Plus, it’s stylish as hell!
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