Top NYC Visitor Attractions

Empire State Building Observatory

Take in Manhattan’s incomparable skyline from the observation decks at the [Empire State Building](/attractions/empire-state-building-observatory), Midtown's world-famous art deco landmark.

One World Observatory

City views are also available from [One World Observatory](/attractions/one-world-observatory), located in One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the western hemisphere.

Top of the Rock

This north-facing shot from Midtown's [Top of the Rock](/attractions/top-of-the-rock-observation-deck) (located atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza) features stunning views of Central Park.

Times Square

The brilliant lights of [Times Square](/attractions/times-square) shine 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Catch a cab to 42nd Street to see the display for yourself.

Broadway

There is no spectacle like live theater on [Broadway](/broadway), where the world’s greatest talents come together to put on amazing shows.

Central Park

Bethesda Fountain is one of many picturesque gathering spots in the [world’s most famous urban park](/boroughs-neighborhoods/manhattan/central-park), a wooded refuge in the middle of Manhattan.

The Met

[The Met](/venues/the-met-fifth-avenue) has nearly 2 million works of art from five millennia of human history. Not too shabby.

Museum of Modern Art

See boundary-pushing modern work from the likes of Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh and Jackson Pollock (pictured here) at the newly expanded [MoMA](/museums-galleries/the-museum-of-modern-art-moma) in Midtown Manhattan.

Whitney Museum of American Art

Down in the Meatpacking District, [The Whitney](/museums-galleries/whitney-museum-of-american-art) collects works from modern and contemporary American artists.

Museum Mile

This Upper East Side stretch of Fifth Avenue takes in [The Met](/museums-galleries/the-met-fifth-avenue), the [Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum](/museums-galleries/solomon-r-guggenheim-museum), [Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum](/museums-galleries/cooper-hewitt-smithsonian-design-museum) and a handful of other well-known institutions.

Rockefeller Center

Midtown’s grand [indoor-outdoor complex](/attractions/rockefeller-center) features deco art and architecture, a famous Christmas tree, a seasonal ice-skating rink, a bronze sculpture of Prometheus and studios for popular NBC shows.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

The interior of the recently renovated [neo-Gothic church](/articles/guide-to-st-patricks-cathedral) inspires a serious sense of awe.

Macy’s Herald Square

One of the world’s biggest department stores, [Macy’s](/shopping/macys-herald-square) provides a quintessential New York City shopping experience.

Statue of Liberty National Monument

Sail to the [Statue of Liberty](/articles/guide-to-the-statue-of-liberty) to see the inspiring monument that has welcomed generations of immigrants to American shores

Yankee Stadium

Take yourself out to the ball game in the Bronx—[the Yankees’ home](/sports/yankee-stadium) is a quick subway ride from Midtown Manhattan.

Madison Square Garden

The [home arena](/attractions/madison-square-garden) for the Knicks basketball team and the Rangers hockey squad also hosts big-name concerts.

Barclays Center

Big league sports are back in Brooklyn thanks to [this venue](/sports/barclays-center), where basketball’s Brooklyn Nets and the New York Liberty share the space with hockey’s New York Islanders. It’s also a great place to see a concert.

Citi Field

The New York Mets play in this [cozy stadium](/attractions/citi-field) in Flushing, Queens, whose design mimics classic ballparks of the past—such as Ebbets Field, former home of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Flushing Meadows Corona Park

The Unisphere, a symbol of diversity constructed for the 1964–1965 World’s Fair, sits at the center of [Queens’ primary green space](/attractions/flushing-meadows-corona-park).

Bronx Zoo

Go wild at this enormous [wildlife park](/attractions/bronx-zoo), where you’ll find amazing creatures from all over the world.

Brooklyn Bridge

Besides serving as a picture-postcard symbol of the City, the pedestrian-friendly [Brooklyn Bridge](/articles/guide-to-the-brooklyn-bridge) provides a fun, scenic way to travel from Manhattan to Brooklyn or vice versa.

Staten Island Ferry

The [Staten Island Ferry](/articles/guide-to-the-staten-island-ferry) isn’t just for commuters. It serves as a memorable, free ride for visitors too—and features views of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty.

9/11 Memorial & Museum

On the site of the former World Trade Center, the [9/11 Memorial & Museum](/museums-galleries/9-11-memorial-museum) pays tribute to those killed in the 2001 and 1993 terrorist attacks.

Prospect Park

Brooklyn’s [most famous park](/slideshows/must-see-prospect-park) has wetlands, forest areas, a zoo, a bandshell, an Audubon Center (pictured) and a dog beach among its many attractions.

Coney Island

This [Brooklyn neighborhood](/boroughs-neighborhoods/brooklyn/coney-island) is New York City’s beachside playground, home to vintage rides such as the Wonder Wheel and the wooden Cyclone roller coaster.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

The David H. Koch Theater, Metropolitan Opera House and David Geffen Hall provide stages for the New York City Ballet, Met Opera and New York Philharmonic—three of the 11 arts organizations in residence at [Lincoln Center](/attractions/lincoln-center-for-the-performing-arts).

The High Line

An abandoned rail line turned elevated park, this [westside hot spot](/attractions/the-high-line) is a great place to commune with nature and make your Instagram followers jealous.

These photos show you the top NYC tourist attractions that all first-time visitors should aim to put on their itinerary. Take a look here, and then start planning your trip.

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