A thriving urban center and popular tourist hotspot, New York City, possesses a rich history and enough historic landmarks to keep visitors busy.
The iconic skyline of lower Manhattan, taken from Brooklyn Bridge Park.
The original Native American residents sold the island of Manhattan to the Dutch in 1624. The British occupied it in 1664, naming it after the Duke of York. The Americans took over in the 1780s, when New York City briefly became the capital of the United States. Eventually the city grew to fill 5 boroughs across 3 islands and the mainland, turning into a commercial, financial and cultural hub as well as maintaining its position as America’s largest city. (If you want to know all about the boroughs and the insane numbers of neighborhoods, check out this map!)
Today, New York rebuilds in the wake of the World Trade Center attacks and Hurricane Sandy to remain one of the world’s great cities. Visitors can check out the churches, museums, parks and other landmarks left behind by the city’s diverse history.
The impressive front entrance of Grand Central Terminal and its huge clock. I love everything about this place, especially the Main Concourse.
Whether you are seeing a Broadway show or visiting a tuxedoed executive on the 52nd floor, New York guarantees plenty of history along the way.
New York Attractions
These are the places I have visited and recommend. Click on the dots to find out more:
Travel Tips
Take the subway. Not only are they the fastest way to get around town (and the cheapest), they also smell better now. If you are planning to stay a few days and ride the subway often, check out a one-week unlimited-ride MetroCard. All the rides you want for a fixed price. Even if you are only staying in the city for 4 days, it can save you money.
Eat local. There is no reason to visit that quick fast food chain restaurant. There are plenty of reasonably priced cafes and pizzerias, including ones that sell pizza for $0.99 a slice.
Look closely at the prices for museums. Some museums have a ‘suggested donation’ price for entry.
Some museums have free entry times. Some museums have higher entrance fees than some. A way to save money is to check out the visitor information on a museum website and look for free entry times. Museums such as the Modern Museum of Art (MoMa) and the Guggenheim, as well as the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, have hours set aside each week that are free. Just expect some long lines and plan ahead.
Take the Staten Island Ferry for a Free View of the Statue of Liberty. For a great view of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan, take the Staten Island Ferry. It is always free! If you want to go into the pedestal or crown of the statue, you have to book ahead.
Avoid the scammers. DO NOT BUY tickets for anything on the street. Those people are not selling tickets to the Statue of Liberty (they just ride by it on a boat which you can do for free on the Staten Island Ferry.).
Bathrooms…They are hard to find in New York City. If you find a bathroom use it, because it may be a while before you can find another. If you are desperate, here are some free, can’t guarantee clean, but free none the less around town:
Train stations: Grand Central and Penn Station
Metropolitan Museum of Art, located outside next to the playground
Lower East Side Tenement Museum: At least browse the shop afterwards, it’s great.
Lower Manhattan National Park Service sites: Federal Hall and Castle Clinton both have toilets.
U.S. Custom House near Battery Park: Free museum inside, as well as, bathrooms.
Churches: Many have toilets, just have to find them. They are usually located in the basement.
Barnes and Noble: Just walk in and use the bathroom and they are located all around the city.
Walk. The best advice I have to offer is walk around. You will actually get a sense of a place. Those Hop On, Hop Off buses are great for travel novices. Don’t be afraid. New York City is one of the safest cities in the country, especially Manhattan.
