New York is known as the Empire State because of its 'wealth and resources.' It is geographically diverse, with mountains, lakes, valleys, forests and islands. Every pocket of the state is embedded with attractions that you can hardly find anywhere else. Here are some of the best things to do in New York:
Times Square, Manhattan
Central Park
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
American Museum of Natural History
Guggenheim Museum
Grand Central Terminal
Empire State Building
Bronx Zoo, Bronx
Statue of Liberty National Monument
Niagara Falls, Niagara
Aquarium of Niagara, Niagara Falls
Old Fort Niagara, Youngstown
Empire State Plaza, Albany
Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens
Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park
New York City, the most populous city in the US, is the most photographed and the most celebrated city in the world! It is home to the UN headquarters and has been regarded as the cultural, financial and media capital of the world. The city is known for its diversity, tolerance, and equal opportunity for everyone.
There are many well-known landmarks in New York—Times Square, Central Park, Niagara Falls, and Grand Central Terminal are the world's most visited tourist attractions. New York is also home to the iconic Statue of Liberty.
Times Square
Times Square, considered the heart of New York City, is one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions and entertainment centers. Located at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, it draws 50 million tourists annually. Times Square is a vibrant, enjoyable and happening place famous for its bright and colorful advertisement billboards and the ball drop on New Year’s Eve! Nighttime, when Times Square is illuminated, is the most enchanting time to visit.
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| Times Square is the heart of New York City |
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| Bethesda Fountain in Central Park |
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
There are many museums in New York, one of the most notable being the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's among the top 10 most visited museums in the world! It’s famous for its massive collection of more than 2 million pieces of artwork categorized in 17 curatorial departments. For more info, visit here.
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| The Great Hall of Metropolitan Museum of Arts |
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is the biggest natural history museum in the world and is renowned for its exhibitions and scientific collections. It is home to the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in the world, including the T-rex and the 122-foot-long Titanosaur, one of the largest dinosaurs ever discovered! They’re must-see exhibits. See more ways to explore here.
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| 122-foot-long Titanosaur at American Museum of Natural History |
Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum is an interesting modern art museum and the first museum established by the Solomon Guggenheim foundation. It has unique architecture, and even more unique collections! Visit here for more info.
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| Solomon R Guggenheim Museum |
Grand Central Terminal is, without doubt, among the world's top ten most visited tourist attractions. It is the largest and one of the busiest train stations in the world. It is not just a train station but a place full of history, world-class restaurants, shops, and much more! It’s a foodie paradise. The Main Concourse is the center of Grand Central, packed with bustling crowds. It’s where the main information booth and ticket booths are located. Guided tours are available for history lovers and can be found here.
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| A view of the East Balcony staircase of the Main Concourse of Grand Central |
The world-famous Empire State Building is the most iconic skyscraper and a symbol of New York City. It was the tallest building in the world for 41 years until it was surpassed by the WTC in 1972. It has been featured in more than 250 TV shows and movies. Experience the exceptional views of the landmarks that New York offers through the two observatories located at the 86th & 102nd floors of the building. Visit their website here for more info.
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| The Empire State Building is a symbol of New York City |
Bronx Zoo
Opened in 1899, Bronx Zoo is one of the largest urban zoos in the US and it’s world-famous for its vast collection of animals and its award-winning exhibitions. It draws more than 2 million visitors each year and features 4,000 animals representing more than 650 species. Some animals that are especially fun to see are the grizzly bears, tapirs, okapis, lions, snow leopards, ring-tailed lemurs and geladas.
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| Silvered Leaf monkey troop in Bronx Zoo |
The Zoo is spread over a 256-acre area, and it’s so big that taking the shuttle is a good idea if you want to see everything. It carries visitors from one end of the zoo to the other. The Monorail ride is also a must so you can see the animals in the wilderness. It’s really fun & relaxing! The Nature Trek and the Tree Top Adventure are perfect group activities for kids and grown-ups to enjoy. For tickets and info visit here.
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| Nature Trek Climb and Crawl adventure in Bronx Zoo |
The Statue of Liberty a universal symbol of freedom, hope and democracy is located on Liberty Island in New York City. It was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the US. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world and it attracts millions of visitors every year to experience its history and splendor. It was designated as a national monument in 1924 and UNESCO world Heritage site in 1984.
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| Iconic Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island in New York City |
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| The Statue of Liberty |
Niagara Falls is a natural wonder of the world and the most popular tourist destination in New York. It is a set of three waterfalls- the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls. The Horseshoe Falls, the largest of the three, lies on the Canadian side, while the other two are located on the American side.
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| Niagara Falls is a natural wonder of the world |
Experience the thunder and the majesty of the falls-there is no place like this on Earth! Immerse yourself in adventurous attractions like the Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds tours or explore acres of hiking trails and scenic landscape. For more info visit here.
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| Cave of the Winds & Maid of the Mist tours at Niagara Falls |
The Aquarium of Niagara is a small family-friendly aquarium in the Niagara Falls region. There are more than 1,500 aquatic animals living here. It is fun to watch playful penguins and underwater creatures, including the sea lions, the rescued seals, and the sharks. If you want to learn more, visit here.
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| Aquarium of Niagara |
The Old Fort Niagara was built to protect the interests of New France in North America, and it’s where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario. It is not far from Niagara Falls and it’s undoubtedly worth the side trip. The quiet and serene atmosphere and the history of the fort make the trip pleasing. For more info, visit here.
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| Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown NY |
Empire State Plaza
Located in the heart of Albany, the Empire State Plaza is one of the most spectacular capitol centers, where you will discover unique architecture and enjoy the mesmerizing beauty the Plaza has to offer! Visit the memorials and view the must-see art collections. The impressive Corning Tower Observation Deck provides the best views of Albany and its vicinity. Here is the link for more info.
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| The Empire State Plaza in Albany |
Also take a 45-minute tour of the New York State Capitol, where you’ll find some interesting highlights, like the Hall of Governors, the Hall of New York, and legislative chambers. Here's the link for tours.
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| New York State Capitol Building on the Empire State Plaza in Albany |
Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens
The Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens is a national historic site full of horticultural gems from across the world. It is a peaceful escape where visitors can enjoy the indoor and outdoor natural sanctuaries. The garden is full of special events, educational workshops, and lovely flower exhibits! To learn more, visit here.
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| Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Garden |
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| Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park |
The ships are anchored next to the shoreline and are open to the public. Along the way there are monuments and war memorials to see and learn from. If you’re running out of time, just walking along the waterfront will give you a sense of serenity. Here is the link for more info.