New York City is situated in the north-eastern United States approximately halfway between
Washington D.C. and Boston.
The geography of New York City is characterised by its coastal position at the meeting of
the Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean in one of the world’s largest natural harbours.
Most of New York City is built on the three islands consisting of Long Island, Manhattan
and Staten Island.
With the city’s ancient bedrock providing the immovable foundation for the hundreds
of modern skyscrapers that dominate the skyline.
A global power city, New York has been described as the cultural, financial, and media capital
of the world.
Cool, cosmopolitan, constantly evolving, New York blends big city splendour with small-town
charm.
Amid the city's iconic landmarks, towering skyscrapers and exciting attractions you'll
experience a vibrant culture that filters through each of the city's distinctive neighbourhoods
and boroughs.
Often referred to as the Big Apple, with its iconic sites that include the Empire State
Building, Times Square and sprawling Central Park, this fascinating city has an energy
that is captivating!
Before we get into the top 10 things to do in New York, we’ve included links in the
description to various discount codes and links to resources of things to do, so make
sure you check those out.
10) At number 10 is Central Park
Central Park is an urban park in Manhattan and is located between the Upper West Side
and Upper East Side, roughly bounded by Fifth Avenue in the east.
When Central Park first opened in the winter of 1859, it was one of the first artificially
landscaped parks in the United States.
The completed historical landmark officially opened in 1876, and it is still one of the
greatest achievements in artificial landscaping today attracting millions of visitors from
all over the world every year.
The park’s terrain and vegetation are highly varied and range from flat grassy areas, gentle
slopes and shady glens, to steep, rocky ravines.
It’s 843 acres of green space features running paths, an open-air theatre, a boating lake,
ponds, a zoo, several fountains, statues, gardens, a skating rink and many children’s
playgrounds.
The area is a great place for picnicking, listening to music and exploration, and with
so much to see this famous park is definitely a top New York attraction!
9) Number 9, is the famous The Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan that
was completed in 1931.
The building has a roof height of 1,250 feet and stands a total of 1,454 feet tall, including
its antenna.
Looking up at New York's skyscrapers is quite an experience, but it's nothing compared to
looking down on New York from the viewing area of its most famous skyscraper.
With ongoing exhibitions and two observation decks, the Empire State Building is the best
way to see the Empire State.
As one of America's true icons, it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986 and offers
unobstructed panoramic views of New York City and beyond from 8 a.m. until 2 a.m. daily.
The 86th and 102nd floor observation decks have two of the highest viewing positions
in New York City with panoramic views of up to five states from the surrounding open-air
promenade and climate controlled viewing galleries.
8) At number 8 is the New York Aquarium
The New York Aquarium is the oldest continually operating aquarium in the United States, having
opened in Castle Garden in Battery Park, Manhattan in 1896.
Since 1957, it has been located on the boardwalk in Coney Island, Brooklyn.
The Aquarium offers an intimate peek into the underwater world with a variety of aquatic
displays starring penguins, sea lions, sharks and more.
From the sea lion shows to the conservation minded displays of Glover’s Reef, there's
plenty to keep the most budding marine biologists transfixed for hours.
Visitors can get a snorkel’s-eye view of colourful reef dwelling marine life, including
eels, rays, and clown fish, then get wrapped up in the 4-D theatre experience, which combines
3-D film with sensory technology.
This attraction is a great day out for families and everyone will be pleased to hear that
the Aquarium is a leading voice in local marine conservation issues, committed to preserving
safe places for people and wildlife to share the waters that surround this city of islands.
7) At number 7 is One World Observatory
After almost a decade of construction between 2006 and 2015, one of the tallest buildings
in the Western Hemisphere took its place on the north-west corner of the World Trade Centre
site.
Designed by master architect David Childs the One World Trade Centre is a spectacular
glass and steel monolith, reaching 1,776 feet into the sky.
Inside this amazing building visitors are greeted with a slick exhibit detailing the
tower's development, before being whisked into a screen lined elevator, where you'll
be treated to a time lapse history of New York as you glide upwards.
Of course, the real highlight is waiting at the top with the three-story observatory that
is absolutely stunning, offering unprecedented panoramic views of this great city.
Enjoy breathtaking scenes of New York City and beyond with views stretching over 50 miles
into the distance.
Then check out the Sky Walk, which broadcasts real time video onto the walls and floor,
allowing you to get a birds-eye view of the city below including the Upper New York Bay
and the Statue of Liberty, as well as the Brooklyn Bridge and the cluster of Midtown
skyscrapers.
6) At number 6 is the Brooklyn Bridge
When the Brooklyn Bridge was constructed in 1883, extending 1,595 feet across the East
River, connecting lower Manhattan to Brooklyn Heights, it was the longest steel wire suspension
bridge in the world and at that time it was also the first permanent crossing on the East
River.
Now, it’s a historic staple in the New York City skyline, transporting commuter car traffic
underneath and foot traffic above.
As one of the most famous bridges in the world the Brooklyn Bridge is not only aesthetically
pleasing, it makes for a great walk.
The structure’s sense of drama comes from its two neo-Gothic towers, composed of limestone
and granite and rising to 84 metres and anchoring the intricate cable system.
The Brooklyn Bridge is best crossed as a pedestrian on the elevated walkway above the road and
through the very centre of the towers, for satisfying views of New York’s silhouette
and the cables overhead.
5) Number 5 is the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
The Museum’s 110,000 square feet of exhibition space is located within the archaeological
heart of the World Trade Centre site.
It tells the story of 9/11 through multimedia displays, archives, narratives and a collection
of monumental and authentic artefacts.
The lives of every victim of the 2001 and 1993 attacks are commemorated as visitors
have the opportunity to learn about the lives of the men, women and children who died.
Reflecting Absence, the memorial design, has two pools dug into the footprints of the Twin
Towers, symbolising the loss of innocent lives on 11 September 2001.
The three-part historical exhibition in the museum extensively details the before, during,
and after 9/11.
The Museum has a collection of over 10,000 artefacts from Ground Zero, including a section
of antenna from the roof of the North Tower, and the remains of a fire truck.
The monumental artefacts of the Museum provide a link to the events of 9/11, while presenting
intimate stories of loss, compassion, reckoning and recovery that are central to telling the
story of the attacks and the aftermath.
Sombre but necessary, the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum is on the site of the World Trade
Centre and is important for any visitor.
4) At number 4 is Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is located within Bronx Park in the Bronx, a borough of New York City.
It is one of the largest zoos in the United States by area, comprising 265 acres of parklands
and naturalistic habitats separated by the Bronx River.
The Zoo is teeming with wildlife including alligators, baboons and camels and more than
6000 animals call it home.
Highlights of a day at the zoo include the lions and zebras on the African Plains, the
eagles and owls of the Birds of Prey exhibit, and the Congo Gorilla Forest.
The Children's Zoo is a great place for kids to safely get up-close and personal with some
unfamiliar creatures, like anteaters and sloths, as well as the petting zoo favourite, the
mini goat.
The Bronx Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the country, and has been conservation minded
throughout history and in the early 20th century the American great plains were restocked using
Bronx-bred bison.
Bronx Zoo is a great day out for all the family to enjoy especially the regular feedings scheduled
throughout the day, including the sea lions and penguins, which are great fun to watch!
3) Number 3 is the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Conceived in 1943 by master architect Frank Lloyd Wright, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
opened to the public in 1959 and changed the world of modern art.
Its design is still as cutting-edge as it was in the 50s, with its gracefully spiralling
ramp reaching gently into the spectacular domed-glass ceiling.
The iconic building houses Solomon R. Guggenheim's modern art collection, which includes paintings
by Kandinsky, plus works by Picasso, Klee, Miró, and more.
Completely contrasting the strict Manhattan city grid, the organic curves of the museum
are a famous landmark for both art lovers, visitors, and pedestrians alike.
With guided tours, downloadable audio guides and interactive augmented reality mobile apps,
it's an appropriately contemporary experience and a must-see for lovers of art and architecture.
2) At number 2 visit Times Square
Times Square, the most bustling square of New York, is known for its many Broadway theatres,
cinemas and electronic billboards.
It is one of those places that makes New York, a city that never sleeps.
The neon lights and video billboards of Times Square are one of New York City’s most well
known landmarks.
Many people come to Times Square for the ambience and the billboard spectacle, but there are
also many restaurants and shops, well over 100 in the area.
The most famous building at the square is the iconic Paramount Building.
The building was home to the Paramount theatre where stars such as Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby
and Frank Sinatra performed in their heyday.
This triangular intersection between Broadway, 42nd Street, and Seventh Avenue is home to
the Big Apple’s famous theatres, an essential Manhattan experience.
In addition to its role as the hub of the theatre world, Times Square is home to numerous
other attractions, many perfect for families.
1) And at number 1 is The Statue of Liberty exhibit
New York's Statue of Liberty was a gift of international friendship from France to the
United States, and is one of the most universal symbols of democracy.
The 93-metre Statue of Liberty depicts the Roman goddess Libertas, striding free of the
shackles at her feet, holding aloft a torch in her right hand and carrying a tablet in
her left hand bearing the date of the Declaration of Independence.
From 1886, immigrants making the voyage to New York for a new life would be greeted by
this inspiring symbol of freedom.
The Statue of Liberty exhibit, which opened in July 1986 is located on the second floor
in the pedestal of the Statue.
It traces the history and symbolism of the Statue of Liberty through museum objects,
photographs, prints, videos and oral histories.
In addition to historical artefacts and descriptive text, full scale replicas of the Statue's
face and foot are also on display.
The queues for the ferry and Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island can be long so it’s
well worth getting a ticket beforehand.
Trips to the top of the crown are highly in demand, so it’s advisable to book well in
advance for this amazing New York experience.
So that sums up our top 10 things to do in New York, we hope you enjoyed, if you did
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Until next video have a great day.