20 must-see places to visit in New York

This list of the best places to visit in New York will help you organise your trip to this iconic city without missing anything important.
Fascinating, the city that never sleeps, leaves you speechless from the first step you take on its smoky asphalt and look up at its towering skyscrapers, each one taller than the next.
Although there is no set time to enjoy all that New York has to offer, in our experience we believe that for a first time visitor, having between 7 and 10 days allows you to get a general idea, although it is important to know that New York is an addictive city and we are sure that you will want to come back many more times.
In addition to visiting its most emblematic landmarks such as Times Square, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, we recommend you enjoy the international cuisine and delicious burgers, visit authentic neighbourhoods such as Harlem and Queens, climb the incredible viewpoints, visit free museums, stroll through Central Park, go shopping on Grand Avenue, see a show on Broadway and above all, feel like a New Yorker.
Any time of year is the perfect time to visit New York, although we'd opt for spring or autumn with the beautiful colours of the parks or Christmas, when the city is at its most decorated.

Based on the two times we visited this amazing city, the first time on an 11-day trip to New York and the second time living in a flat for a month and a half, during which we wrote this New York travel tips guide and the New York guide, we've compiled this list of the 20 must-see places to visit in New York. Let's get started!

1. Times Square

Times Square is the heart of New York and the most touristy place to visit in New York. All of us who visit this city pass through this intersection several times, day or night, to be fascinated by its billboards and neon lights.
For the best photos of this place, we recommend climbing the red stairs of the TKTS, from where you will get a fantastic panoramic view of the whole of Times Square. This is also the perfect place to buy same-day tickets for Broadway shows at a great discount.
If you just want to enjoy the atmosphere, a good option is to grab a long coffee and sit at one of the red chairs and tables, just to watch life go by. If we also tell you that it's one of the free things to do in New York, the plan is even more delicious, isn't it?

2. Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge, built in 1883, links the island of Manhattan to the borough of Brooklyn, and is the most photogenic and cinematic bridge to see in New York.
Crossing the East River at sunset over the almost 2 kilometres of this suspension bridge is also one of the best experiences you can have in this city. You can also take some of the best photos of New York from several spots, both while crossing the bridge and afterwards at the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and Empire Fulton Ferry Park, two spectacular viewpoints from where you'll have a unique perspective of the bridge from the Brooklyn side.
When crossing the bridge, just make sure you stay in the pedestrian lane and don't encroach on the bike lane, as you may cause an accident.
We recommend approaching the bridge during the day and at night to see it illuminated. A convenient and interesting way to see the best illuminated places in the city, such as this bridge or Times Square, is to book this night tour with an English-speaking guide.

3. Central Park

Relaxing, strolling, picnicking or playing sports are just some of the many things you can do in Central Park, the best place to unwind from the sometimes stressful and noisy New York.
This park is the green lung of Manhattan and is immense, full of lakes, gazebos, statues and gardens, so we recommend taking your time to complete this list of must-see places to visit in Central Park. We recommend visiting on a Sunday, which is when there is more atmosphere and New Yorkers take the opportunity to play sports such as baseball or have a picnic with the family. Another good option for exploring this 4-kilometre-long park is to rent a bike on your own or take this bike tour with an English-speaking guide, so you won't miss any interesting spots.
Central Park has also been the setting for numerous films such as "Home Alone 2", "When Harry Met Sally" or "Breakfast at Tiffany's" which you can remember by booking this cinematic Spanish tour of the park.

4. Top of the Rock, one of the must-see places in New York City

The Top of the Rock, located in the Rockefeller Center complex of buildings, is our favourite viewpoint to visit in New York.
Located between the 67th and 70th floors of the Comcast skyscraper, this observation deck has stunning panoramic views of Manhattan with the Empire State Building on one side and Central Park on the other.
Entry is included if you have one of the city's time and money-saving sightseeing passes, such as the New York Explorer Pass, CityPASS or New York Pass. We'll talk about all of them in the next section.
If you don't have a pass, another good alternative to skip the queues is to book this ticket in advance.
Keep in mind that even if you have a ticket, you have to go beforehand to reserve your time, otherwise you may run out of seats, especially at times as busy as sunset, which in our experience is one of the best times of the day. We went an hour before sunset to see the changing colours, the sunset and New York at night.
Although the Top of the Rock is a marvel, in October 2021 The Summit observation deck was inaugurated in the One Vanderbilt building, located a few blocks away and with even more spectacular views, as well as walking on a transparent glass floor more than 330 metres above the ground. For more information you can read this post on how to climb the One Vanderbilt Summit.
If you come at Christmas time, the famous Ice Skating Rink and the big Christmas Tree are set up in the Rockefeller Center plaza.
For more information you can read this post about how to climb the Top of the Rock.

Visiting hours: every day from 8am to midnight (last access at 11:15pm).

5. New York Museums

Another of the best things to do in New York is to visit some of its fantastic museums, most of them free but with a suggested price, quite reasonable.
Our favourite museums to visit in New York are:

• Natural History Museum: ranked among the best science museums in the world, it stands out for its excellent collection of dinosaur reproductions and the blue whale. Open every day from 10am to 5:45am. Although it used to be free, now you have to buy this ticket.

• Metropolitan Museum (MET): it is one of the most important art museums in the world with works by Monet, Cézanne or Rembrandt, although its most popular collections are the Egyptian and Roman ones. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30h to 17:30h, Fridays and Saturdays until 21h. You can get in with one of the tourist cards or book this skip-the-line ticket in advance.

• MoMA: it is the most important modern art museum in the world with masterpieces by Picasso, Dalí, Van Gogh, Pollock and Andy Warhol. It is open from Saturday to Thursday from 10:30h to 17:30h; on Fridays it closes at 20h and it is free for the last 4 hours.

For more information you can check this post about the best museums in New York.

How to save money in New York?

There are several cards that allow you to enjoy discounts and save time by skipping the queues at the most important tourist attractions to visit in New York.

• Book the New York Explorer Pass which allows you entry to 3, 4, 5, 5, 7 or 10 of the top attractions with great flexibility and a choice of tickets from the 58 attractions available, right up until the last minute.
  You can find more information in this post about the New York Explorer Pass: how it works, what it includes and prices.

• Book the CityPass which allows you entry to 6 of the most visited attractions in New York saving you up to 43% on the price of the tickets.
  More information in this post about the New York CityPASS: how it works, what's included and prices.

• Book the New York Pass which gives you free access to over 100 attractions to see in New York, with a choice of 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 or 10 days.
  You can find more information in this post about the New York Pass: how it works, what it includes and prices.

Remember that to avoid paying commissions and to always have the current exchange rate, we recommend you use the Revolut card and the N26 card, which are the ones we use, are free and will save you a lot of money.
You can find more information in this article on the best cards for commission-free travel.

6. Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue is the most famous and commercial street to visit in New York. This grand avenue, which crosses the city from north to south, is lined with shops, some luxurious like Tiffany & Co, known from the scene of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and others more popular like the Apple shop or Disney. These more exclusive shops are concentrated between 34th Street and 59th Street, which is the section we recommend walking along even if it is just to look at the shop windows.
Among the most prominent buildings on Fifth Avenue, besides the Plaza Hotel and Trump Tower, is St. Patrick's Cathedral, located directly across from Rockefeller Center and considered the largest neo-Gothic Catholic church in North America. The interior of this white marble church is worth a visit to see the huge organs and the sculpture of the Pieta. The best photo of this building is from the Atlas sculpture in Rockefeller Center, where you can see the architectural contrast between the Cathedral and the surrounding skyscrapers.
An interesting way to learn about the history of this avenue and other areas of the city is to book this recommended tour of Upper and Lower Manhattan with an English-speaking guide.
Visiting hours of the Cathedral: every day from 7am to 8pm.

7. Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is the most famous skyscraper in the world and for many years the tallest building in the world, and another must-see in New York.
This 102-storey, 381-metre high building has two of the best observation decks in New York, one on the 86th floor and the other on the 102nd floor, both with fantastic views of Manhattan.
To avoid the long queues that form at the entrance, especially at the peak of sunset, we recommend you book this ticket in advance.
Another option is to have one of the tourist cards that include the entrance fee.
For more information, see this post on how to climb the Empire State Building.

Visiting hours: every day from 8am to 2am.

8. Harlem neighbourhood, one of the places to see in New York City

Crossing Central Park you will reach the neighbourhood of Harlem, a multicultural neighbourhood that has become over the years one of the best places to visit in New York.
With a large African-American community and a somewhat tumultuous history, the neighbourhood's touristy area is nowadays very quiet and safe, so you can stroll around without any problems. To complete this list of the best things to see and do in Harlem, we recommend listening to a good live jazz concert in a traditional venue and attending a gospel service in one of the many churches. Don't forget to try Southern food like fried chicken and waffles at the highly recommended Amy Ruth's and Sylvia's Restaurant.
An interesting way to attend a gospel service and learn about the history of this neighbourhood is to book this tour with an English speaking guide or this offer which also includes the contrasts tour.
For more information, check out this post on how to see a gospel mass in New York.

9. Broadway

Broadway, at almost 33 kilometres, is the longest and most famous street, next to Fifth Avenue, to see in New York. The best known part is the one that crosses Times Square, where most of the theatres where many Hollywood actors started their careers are concentrated and where some of them still perform.
Musicals are their star show and one of the things to book in New York, especially if you want to secure a good seat and, on many occasions, take advantage of good deals. The most famous are: The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera, Hamilton, Chicago, and Aladdin, which was the one we saw and which left us impressed, so we can only recommend it.
For more information you can consult this list of the best musicals in New York.

10. New York's Soho

SoHo, short for "South of Houston Street", is one of the most charming neighbourhoods to see in New York.
Once home to former freed slaves, the area has evolved over the years into one of the city's most popular neighbourhoods with its art galleries, charming shops, trendy restaurants and cafés, and gold-priced cast-iron lofts.
Thanks to its old architecture of low-rise buildings with colourful facades and fire escapes on the outside, with no skyscrapers nearby, it is widely used as a backdrop for films and TV series.
During our stay in the city it was one of our favourite neighbourhoods and we came here several times to stroll down streets like Spring Street, Prince Street or Broadway and look for some original gifts.
One of the best ways to have a good first contact with this endless city and get to know its history is to book this free tour, considered one of the best free tours in New York, or this private tour, both with a guide in English and with the meeting point located in this area.

11. Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most famous monuments in the world and the most famous monument to visit in New York.
This 46-metre high statue, an icon of liberty on a small island south of Manhattan, was a gift from the French in 1886 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States.
The best views of the statue are from the Hudson River on one of the many cruises around the statue or on the free Staten Island ferry from Whitehall Terminal.
To visit the statue you have to take the underground to Battery Park, where the boats depart for the Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island, an island that was the gateway for millions of immigrants and has an interesting museum.
Before you start your visit, you should bear in mind that this is one of the most visited attractions in the city and it is advisable to arrive at the pier early in the morning or book this tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in advance.
If in addition to seeing the statue from the island you want to go up to the crown, you have to book this ticket in advance, as they tend to sell out quickly.
Other good and romantic options to see the Statue from the river are to book this New York night cruise that includes dinner or this sunset boat ride.

For more information you can read this post on how to visit the Statue of Liberty.

12. Flatiron Building

The Flatiron Building, originally the Fuller Building, is one of the most iconic buildings to see in New York. Located next to Madison Square Park, this 97-metre high, century-old building has an architecture that will not leave you indifferent with its triangular shape and an end that is only 2 metres wide. Also the scene of scenes from films such as Spiderman and Armageddon, New Yorkers christened it "the flatiron", due to its resemblance to the plates of the time.
In addition to taking several photos from different perspectives, this area is also a good place to eat as you are right next to Eataly, an Italian shopping centre, full of quality products and restaurants.

13. New York's 9/11 area

The area of the former World Trade Center complex with its two famous Twin Towers has become a tribute to the victims of the savage attacks of September 11, 2001 that killed more than 3000 people, 2,753 in this area.
At the 9/11 Memorial, located right on the site of the towers, you will find two large fountains with the names of the dead inscribed on them, as well as a tree that survived the fall of the towers.
In the 9/11 Museum you can see objects belonging to the victims, material that was recovered from the towers, parts of the planes, testimonies of survivors, among many other details and objects, as well as explanations.
Although we understand that it is an overwhelming place, we believe that it is one of the most essential places to visit in New York, so as not to forget history and to pay tribute to the victims.
If you don't have a tourist card that includes admission, you can save yourself the longest queue by booking this ticket in advance.
On the site of the twin towers, in addition to the memorials and museum, the city's tallest building, One World Trade Center, has been erected.
On the 100th, 101st and 102nd floors of this skyscraper is the One World Observatory, a 360-degree observation deck with incredible views of Manhattan Island and the bay. On our last trip we went up to this observation deck and we can confirm that it is well worth it.
To go up to the observation deck it is advisable to book this skip-the-line ticket in advance so you don't run out of seats. For more information you can check this post on how to go up to the One World Observatory.
To get to this area there is nothing better than taking the metro to The Oculus, a futuristic station and shopping centre designed by the Spaniard Santiago Calatrava.
Museum opening hours: daily from 9am to 8pm; closed at 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Observation Deck hours: daily 8am-9pm.

Travel insurance for New York When

travelling to New York there is nothing better than having a good travel insurance, especially in a destination like the United States, where health services are very expensive, and a simple visit to the doctor can cost 500 dollars and several thousand dollars for any operation.
We always travel insured with Mondo, with whom we take a fully adequate insurance to the needs that we are going to have on the trip.
If you take out your insurance with Mondo here, just for being a Viajeros Callejeros reader, you get a 5% discount.

14. Queens in New York

Queens is not the most touristic neighbourhood or district to visit in New York, but it is worth spending some time there if you want to get to know one of the essences that characterize this city, the multiculturalism.
In this neighbourhood you can see at a glance how the inhabitants of each area of the neighbourhood come from a different part of the world. In addition, the neighbourhood is full of good restaurants and shops of all these nationalities, so it is also a perfect destination for strolling around, enjoying good food and doing some shopping. Areas to visit in Queens include Jackson Heights, Forest Hills, Rockaway Beach, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Jamaica and Astoria.
If you don't feel like getting here by underground on your own, one of the best ways to get a feel for this neighbourhood is to book the famous New York Contrasts Tour or this VIP Contrasts tour in a minibus with a maximum of 15 people, where you'll get to know Queens with an English-speaking guide and you'll also get to see the Bronx.
After doing the New York Contrasts tour on our first trip, we think it's the best way to get to know the other, less touristy side of the city, learning about its history and curious anecdotes. We recommend booking the tour in advance as it is the best-selling tour of New York in Spanish.

15. Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden, a legendary stadium where the New York Knicks NBA team and the New York Rangers ice hockey team play, is another must-see in New York.
To visit this five-storey stadium with a capacity of more than 20,000 people, you can buy a ticket to watch a game or book this guided tour in English that will take you around the most interesting places in this iconic sports arena.
If you prefer to watch a game (which we recommend) and have good seats, it is best to book your tickets in advance, especially for matches with a good rival. Just to see the spectacle that takes place at the beginning and during time-outs is worth the money spent, and in the end, even if you are not a big fan of this sport, we assure you that you will not forget the experience in general. Plus, with a bit of luck you can always catch a glimpse of a famous actor or singer watching the game in the main stands.

16. The Vessel

The Vessel, a futuristic monument full of stairs and shaped like a vase, is the newest gem to visit in New York.
Located in the new Hudson Yards neighbourhood, this 45-metre-high, 2,500-step work of art has become the main tourist attraction in this hitherto little-known area. In addition to climbing many stairs, it has several observation decks to refuel and enjoy the views.
Although The Vessel is free, you must book your ticket in advance from this page.
If the views from The Vessel didn't impress you, we recommend going up to The Edge, New York's highest open-air observation deck (opening in 2020) with its vertigo-inducing glass-floored areas. You can book tickets in advance on this page.
After enjoying the views, you can sample good food and quality Spanish produce at Little Spain Market, owned by renowned chefs José Andrés and the Adrià brothers.
A few metres from The Vessel, you'll find the end of the two-kilometre High Line promenade, a park built on an old elevated railway line and another must-do in New York. There are several spots with good views of the city and it's very pleasant to sit and have a picnic in one of the picnic areas.
You can also take advantage of your visit to the High Line to go to Chelsea Market, a beautiful covered market with great restaurants and shops selling quality products, and to Little Island, a new floating public park on the Hudson River that will surprise you with its futuristic design.

Update 2021: the Vessel is closed until further notice to increase security and prevent possible suicides.

17. Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal, the city's main train station, is another architectural marvel to see in New York. With one of the most beautiful halls in the world, which has been the setting for some scenes in famous Hollywood films such as "With Death on Our Heels" and "Superman", this station is over 100 years old and will make you fall in love with it.
Some of its most outstanding elements are the emblematic clock located in the central part and surrounded by screens with the routes of each train, the three large windows, the vaulted ceiling of the main hall and the marble floors.
On the ground floor you will find all kinds of fast food restaurants such as Shake Shack, one of the best places to eat cheaply in New York, and coffee shops such as Magnolia Bakery.

18. Public Library

Bryant Park is one of the most beautiful parks to visit in New York and also one of the most central. On one of the sides of this green space, full of atmosphere in summer, is the New York Public Library and, as it could not be otherwise, it is worthy of a silent visit. Its beautiful Astor Hall welcomes you with white marble walls, ceilings and staircases and the Rose Main Reading Room, the main reading room that has appeared in numerous films, surrounded by oak bookshelves, tables and chairs, is one of those places you can't miss and where you'll stay for hours on end.
Before you leave, don't forget to stop by the shop, one of our favourites in the city, along with the MOMA shop.
Visiting hours: every day from 10 am to 6 pm.

19. Wall Street

In the financial district area is Wall Street, one of the most famous and touristy streets to see in New York. This area includes the Stock Exchange building, the Federal Reserve and, a little further away, the famous Charging Bull, which they say you should touch for good luck. During the midday hours on weekdays, you'll see brokers in suits rushing out of the buildings to grab a hot dog and eat it while chatting in small groups. The large amount of money that moves here never rests.

20. Other neighbourhoods to visit in New York

In addition to the neighbourhoods to visit in New York mentioned above, here are some of our other favourites:

• Bushwick: a neighbourhood in Brooklyn where you can find the best urban art and graffiti in the city.

• Tribeca: one of the trendiest and most expensive neighbourhoods in the city with a bohemian feel and numerous art galleries.

• China Town: home to the large Chinese community, with Oriental restaurants and counterfeit shops selling low-quality goods.

• Little Italy: this neighbourhood almost absorbed by China Town still has a street full of Italian restaurants and some interesting graffiti.

• Greenwich Village: a neighbourhood with architecture similar to that of SoHo where series such as "Sex and the City" and "Friends" were filmed.

Itineraries around New York

To make sure you don't miss anything important and follow a logical route through the city, we suggest you read these personalised day-by-day guides:

• New York in one day

• New York in two days

• New York in 3 days

• New York in 4 days

• New York in 5 days

• New York in 6 days

• New York in 7 days

Our recommended hotel in New York

Our recommended accommodation in the city is the Holiday Inn Times Square, located just a few minutes' walk from Times Square. In addition to its great location and value for money, if you get one of the rooms on the upper floors, you have an incredible view of the Empire State Building from your bed.
Another good option is the Room Mate Grace Boutique Hotel, located a few steps from Times Square and with an indoor pool, sauna and a small gym.
For more information, check out this post on the best neighbourhoods and hotels to stay in New York.

What to visit around New York

You can combine your sightseeing in New York with some of the best tours and excursions in New York such as a trip to Washington DC, Boston or the impressive Niagara Falls.
Among the most recommended by travellers visiting the city are:

New York Helicopter Tour

Washington DC Tour

Niagara Falls Tour

Philadelphia and Amish tour

Tour to Boston

If you have more days you can visit some of the other must-see places in the USA.

Map of places to see in New York

This interactive map will help you find all the tourist attractions in New York in the quickest and most logical way.