New York offers an unparalleled experience to the residents who reside in it. But are you aware that it is a well-acclaimed tourist place as well? There are a plethora of landmarks in New York city that every person must visit, especially if they are visiting for the first time. Let us read about the best places of attraction in New York.
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Best New York City Landmarks
From the famous Brooklyn Bridge to the infamous Woolworth Building, mentioned below are the best landmarks in New York City. Plan your day based on the landmarks and their location from each other to ensure you cover up the maximum locations and make the most out of your trip!
1. Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is the most prominent and celebrated landmark in New York City, which is definitely on the list of every visitor. It is 111 feet, 6 inches tall, and only the face of the Statue of Liberty is 8 feet in length.
To get to the Statue of Liberty, you need to get a ferry from Liberty State Park or Battery Park and reach Liberty Island. You can even climb the stairs to the viewing gallery, which is in the statue’s crown! It will help you get a fuller look at the river and the city.
2. Times Square
The nickname of Times Square is “The Crossroads of the World.” It is the busiest and the liveliest place in New York, and people gather here for special occasions and celebrations such as Christmas, New Year, etc.
Apart from this, the large screens in Times Square broadcast election results or sporting events, which people congregate for and watch together. Its vibrant atmosphere, illuminated advertising boards, flashing neon lights, etc., keep you hooked. Also, it is the best place with nightclubs, bars, theatres, etc., to visit.
3. Twin Towers
The World Trade Center’s Twin Towers are buildings that stand tall even today despite the 9/11 attacks. They have become a vital part of the history of the US and its gateway to the future. It is the place where the US connects with the world.
Besides the Twin Towers, you can witness other architectural structures, such as the iconic Charging Bull on Wall Street and the Koenig Sphere in Liberty Park. You can also visit the museum and other huge buildings and skyscrapers surrounding the Twin Towers.
4. Brooklyn Bridge
The iconic Brooklyn Bridge connects lower Manhattan with the borough of Brooklyn. The architects designed it uniquely, making it a perfect spot for photography, especially during sunset or in cloudy weather!
It stretches across the East river, and it is amongst the oldest suspension bridges in the US. The bridge is also a nesting site for Peregrine falcons.
5. 9/11 Memorial
The 9/11 Memorial was built to commemorate the people killed and affected by the September 11, 2001 attacks, and February 26, 1993 attacks. You can visit the place with an entry ticket, and it has a museum as well. Here, people remember lost lives through commemoration, exhibitions, and educational programs.
6. The Shed
The Shed is amongst the most exquisite architectural pieces of New York, which is created with high-end technology, but an old-fashioned technique. It is a $475 million worth arts center, which covers up to 200,000 square feet of cultural space.
The building has an outer shell that stands on wheels connected to a track. The owners can activate the shell and move it away from the building. It appears to the eye that the building is covered with a shed, which removes with the technology.
7. Flatiron Building
The Flatiron building is amongst the most photographed buildings and structures in New York. It is a classic New York City landmark, renowned for its triangular clothing iron-like design, which makes it distinctive.
The building has been National Historic Landmark since 1989 and is a must-visit structure. It is on 175 Fifth Avenue and gives you the classic New York feels.
8. Woolworth Building
The Woolworth Building was the world’s tallest skyscraper in 1913. For around two decades, it continued to be the tallest building and landmark in New York City, and it rose 792 feet high.
9. Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is considerably smaller than other New York Parks but holds significance as it is the point of some political gatherings, protests or events. It is densely green and has a beautiful structure in the middle- the Washington Square Arch- which has become the hallmark of New York. The park is located in the Greenwich Village neighborhood.
10. Trinity Church
The church is at the intersection of Broadway and Wall Street- the two most famous and crowded main roads in New York. The structure is a Gothic Revival style and was built in 1846. At that time, it used to be the tallest building in New York and stood still during the 9/11 attacks, even when the buildings around it collapsed.
11. Grand Central Terminal
Also known as Grand Central Station, this terminal accepted its first rail passengers in 1871. Today, it has gained its place as New York’s most-loved historical building. At present, this palace is a market for multiple retail stores providing daily needed items.
It has 44 platforms, the highest number of platforms for any railway station ever! Its remarkable architecture depicts the era in which it was constructed, and there are plenty of stories about this place, which you can listen to from the guides or the locals.
12. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The architecture of the Metropolitan Museum of Art is breathtaking. The famous architect Richard Morris Hunt designed it, and it got public access in 1902. It is also known as the Beaux Arts structure and contains tens of thousands of objects and pieces of art. The museum is spread across an area of 2 million square feet.
13. Vessel
The Vessel is an intriguing piece of architecture designed by Thomas Heatherwick. It was created with a cost of around 150 million dollars and is a centerpiece in Hudson Yards, which is the newest neighborhood in New York.
The structure is built with a network of stairs intertwined in an interactive sculpture. The visitors can see either climb the stairs or take an elevator to the top. The design, price, and architecture of the Vessel gained this structure wide attention from the world and New York.
14. Brooklyn Borough Hall
It is yet another massive and fascinating structure in New York that visitors must visit. It is one of the oldest public buildings in Brooklyn, which was constructed in 1848. At that time, it was the original City Hall of New York.
With an imposing Greek Revival look and a wide exterior staircase, this structure is a spectacle for history lovers and appreciators of historic architecture.
15. Delmonico’s
Delmonico is the first fine-dining establishment in New York. It is a vital New York landmark, considering that New York is one of the food capitals of the world. It is an elite place with cloth-covered tables and French cuisine.
The raw materials used in making the food are also native to the Delmonico brothers, who grow their own produce. This has made Delmonico one of the first farm-to-table restaurants in the US.
16. Chrysler Building
The Chrysler building is among the most admired buildings in the city and is situated in Midtown Manhattan. It is over 1000 feet tall and is the tallest brick building ever. Its unique architectural design and eye-catching gargoyle decoration make it a center of attraction.
17. United Nations Headquarters
The United Nations Headquarters building is one of its kind architectural structure in New York. Julio Vilamajo built it in 1950. The arena has four buildings, and you can see the flags of all 194 member states of the UN.
The structure is completely tax-free, as it is an international property.
18. Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden is the oldest sporting venue in New York, situated in Manhattan. It is home to the hockey, basketball, and knick teams of New York. Throughout the year, this arena hosts multiple sporting events, including matches and concerts.
The best time to visit Madison Square Garden is during any event or occasion. It can convert into a hockey arena, a basketball venue, or a concert stadium in less than 2 hours!
19. Ellis Island
Ellis Island is located near the Statue of Liberty. It was the place where 12 million immigrants entered the USA in the hope of finding a new home for themselves. The architects rebuilt it in 1900.
The tour of Ellis Island often comes along with the tour of the Statue of Liberty. You can get a ferry from the Liberty State Park in New Jersey or Manhattan’s Battery Park, and you can visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty in a single ride.
20. The Oculus
A Spanish architect named Santiago Calatrava designed the Oculus. It is also famous as the World Trade Transportation Centre. The structure symbolizes a child’s hand, leaving a white dove- which is a symbol of peace.
It is adjacent to the mezzanine and adorns the World Trade Center Plaza. The structure looks massive and phenomenal from the outside and inside. At night, it showcases multiple lights and textures to make it look even more exclusive.
21. Central Park
Vacation in New York is incomplete without a little picnic and strolling in Central Park. It is a sprawling green oasis located in the heart of Manhattan. The park has a lot of trees, pathways, and lakes and covers an area of 800 acres.
Within Central Park, there are multiple attractions such as the Conservatory Garden, Central Park Zoo, Majestic Belvedere Castle, etc. The park is full of hustle and bustle and is most of the time abuzz with residents and visitors. You can also do a lot of snow activities in winter in Central Park.
22. Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a famous New York landmark, which also was in the famous movie King Kong in the year 1933. It was opened in 1931 and stood 1400 feet tall in Manhattan’s heart.
From the 102nd (top) floor of the building, you can witness breathtaking views of New York City. Also, on the 86th floor of the building lies the highest open-air observatory.
23. The Wall Street Bull
An iconic sculpture of a bull is situated in Manhattan’s financial district, known as The Charging Bull or the Wall Street Bull. It is made of Bronze and symbolizes the Bull in the stock market.
If you are a finance enthusiast, you must know the importance of New York’s Wall Street in world affairs and finances. You must witness Wall Street and the Wall Street Bull as they are the places that bring revolution to the US and the world economy.
24. New York Public Library
Another treasured landmark of New York City is the New York Public Library. It contains more than 53 million books and other such items and is the fourth-largest library in the world with some of the most amazing books ever to read. It is also known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman building.
The architecture of the building is unparalleled, and it was completed in 1911. You can stroll through the building, indulge in its aura and vibe, and check out the enormous collection of the library through its exhibition galleries.
25. Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Centre is spread across 20 acres and contains 20 separate buildings within 48th and 51st street in New York City. It was one of the greatest projects in history, and around 40,000 people worked on this architecture to create the most popular entertainment districts ever.
The place is a must-visit, especially during the holiday season. Here, you can witness large Christmas trees, gorgeous decorations, and streets filled with snow. It also has other attractions such as Radio City Music Hall, NBC studies, Rockefeller Plaza, etc.
Final Words
The New York City landmarks mentioned above are within walking distance of each other. You can thus cover these attractions in two to three days, depending upon the time you spend at each location. You can also go on a city tour or a sightseeing tour on a double-decker bus.
So here it is, the list of the 25 best landmarks in New York City. So form up your list of the places you want to visit and create an itinerary to ensure that you cover up as many tourist spots as possible to feel the complete vibe of New York.
