New York - Sightseeing

Culture

New York’s main sites are clustered around the island of Manhattan – with a few on the harbour’s sprinkling of islands, a couple of interesting diversions in Brooklyn and, for the really curious, a handful in Staten Island too.

Many New York holidays can be spoiled trying to cram too much into a short space of time. Far better to decide, ahead of time, on a list of ‘must see’ sights, and dedicate no more than three, or four at most, to each day. Any more and your New York experience will be one of rush, frustration and snatched glimpses of some of the world’s best loved sights. Does that sound like a holiday to you? No, us neither!

Of course, part of the thrill of New York is the city’s bubbling and unpredictable street life, its markets, cafes and SATC-style boutiques. And you can really only experience the true NYC experience by simply wandering aimlessly (with, perhaps a vague sense of direction in mind!) through its eclectic and colourful neighbourhoods, such as the East Village, The Meatpacking District and Greenwich Village.

Tourist Information centres are dotted throughout Manhattan and most hotels have concierges with more city knowledge at their disposal than you’d ever need. Grab a map, plan your route, allow for coffee stops along the way, and wear comfortable shoes. There’s a lot of city out there, waiting to be explored.

For easy reference, we’ve listed just some of the city’s best-loved sights, but part of the fun of Manhattan holidays is discovering your own New York. So don’t forget, save time for simply strolling and soaking it all in!

Museums

Conveniently, you’ll find many of Manhattan’s museums and galleries on the appropriately titled ‘Museum Mile’ – in mid-town.

The Guggenheim’s iconic, sensuously curved Frank Lloyd Wright building, on Fifth Avenue, is every bit as thrilling inside - home to some of the world’s most desirable art from the past hundred years.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street) contains art from all corners of the globe – and all centuries, dating back to the fifth century BC. As you’d expect, this demands more than a flying visit – so be prepared to take an afternoon to really do its collection justice. Alternatively, catch one of the Museum Highlights Tours at various times throughout the day.

MoMa (The Museum of Modern Art) has recently enjoyed a major facelift, and refresh of its permanent exhibitions. Specialising in art from the 20th and 21st centuries, MoMa often courts controversy with its headline-grabbing modern art. You’ll find this on 11 West 53rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue.

The American Museum of Natural History (Central Park West at 79th Street) is suitably vast – with its four well-stocked floors and 42 permanent exhibits covering the United States of America as seen through the prisms of biology, ecology, zoology, geology, astronomy, and anthropology. The museum’s Rose Centre for Earth and Space contains a planetarium and history of the Universe.

Principal Sights

Don’t head immediately to the Art Deco Empire State Building with its 86th floor observation deck. Take our advice, head to The Top of The Rock – the observation platform at the top of another Art Deco wonder, The GE Building, which forms the centrepiece at the Rockefeller Center. Here, you’re treated to the city’s best panoramic view, from a purpose-built observation platform, atop New York’s ninth tallest building. And you get a much better view of the Empire State Building!

The Rockefeller Center itself is another iconic New York landmark, with the golden statue of Prometheus guarding over the mid-winter ice-rink, a 24 acre underground shopping mall, 35 restaurants, Pleasureland gardens, and access to The Top of the Rock.

The Grand Central Railway Terminal is like a cathedral to the train! Within, there’s plenty of shopping, refuelling and photo opportunities – you didn’t think a railway station would be worth a look? Think again!

The NYSE – the New York Stock Exchange – is the world's largest securities marketplace, and vies with London for the title of Financial Capital of the World. Tours show you some of the workings of Gordon Gekko’s natural environment! You can view the proceedings from the gallery, but daily tickets sell out fast. You’ll find this on Broad Street between Wall Street and Exchange Place.

Times Square – the Crossroads of the World – is the heart of Broadway. Should you want to catch a show, try the TKTS booth at Times Square (look for the huge red plinth). Stores in Times Square favour the cheap and cheerful over anything remotely authentic, but big-ticket attractions such as Madame Tussaud's New York wax museum and Ripley's Believe it or Not are great if you’ve got kids, and it’s a rainy afternoon.

Out in the bay, you’ll find Ellis Island’s museum of immigration, and on Liberty Island, Lady Liberty herself – all 225 tons, 152 feet of her. The copper sheathed sculpture, the Statue of Liberty, is now fully open again. For the best value photo-opportunity, take the Staten Island Ferry, for a one-hour round trip between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island.

Central Park is the perfect summer (or spring) picnic spot. Here, amid sunny lawns, winding paths and sports courts, New Yorkers come to play. Bandstands, coffee shops and taverns are scattered around and, in summer, open-air concerts add a pleasing soundtrack.