New York City attracts global tourism. Some come from around the country, and others from England, Japan, Australia, or virtually anywhere else. They all want the quintessential New York experience, though that might mean something a little different for everyone.
That’s because if a hundred people visit this city, no two will report the exact same experience. There is so much worth doing, and you can tailor your experience so you have the best possible time and make some memories on which you’ll look back fondly.
From Times Square to the Statue of Liberty, you will find sights worth exploring that you have seen in the movies and on TV. When you see Liberty Island, it is hard not imagining the iconic scene from Splash.
When you visit Times Square, you might remember the HBO show The Deuce that took place there.
You can take a sightseeing tour that might go around Manhattan, but five boroughs exist, and each one has some attractive tourist sites. We’ll discuss each borough and what you should see there right now.
Manhattan holds a special status as the city’s most famous borough. You might visit New York City and stay on the island the whole time. That’s fine, though you’ll miss a lot by remaining there.
When you’re walking around Manhattan or cruising around the borough on a sightseeing bus, you should check out Times Square. It’s the Crossroads of the World, and the teeming masses might astonish you. Many small cities around the county don’t have so many people. They’re always on the move, the locals dodging the tourists while grumbling about them.
After checking out Times Square, you should see Central Park. It’s huge, and it has some beautiful green spaces, like The Ramble and The Sheep Meadow.
You should check out lower Manhattan. You’ll find Wall Street there with the famous bull statue. You can also visit the memorial where the planes struck the towers. It’s somber but beautiful.
Grand Central Terminal, with its hustle and bustle, attracts many tourists. You can see the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. You can go to the top and imagine King Kong battling airplanes up there in the various movie versions that have come out over the years.
Next, you might visit Queens. This borough has seen many movies and TV shows shot there as well, like the Spiderman films. The fictional Peter Parker calls Queens home. You might also remember the Eddie Murphy movie Coming to America with the scenes shot in this borough.
You can take the 7 to Willets Point and see Citi Field, where the Mets play. You might catch a game if they’re in town. You can see where Shea Stadium once stood, where the miracle Mets of ’86 won the World Series, the team’s last championship.
You can check out Arthur Ashe Stadium, the fantastic tennis venue where the US Open takes place. You might visit the Queens Museum or the New York Hall of Science, which has some great exhibits. You can spend some quiet time in Socrates Sculpture Park or Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Some New York residents call Staten Island the forgotten borough. That’s because it’s off the beaten track, and you can’t get there easily. Because of this, some tourists ignore it, though it’s well worth visiting.
You can take the Staten Island Ferry, which is definitely fun. The water chops around you as you slice through it, and there’s an invigorating breeze.
Staten Island spawned the Wu-Tang Clan, the famous rap group. Many gangsters called it home over the years, and rumors indicate some still live there.
You can see the Staten Island Museum or visit the zoo. The Staten Island Zoo has many fun animal exhibits, and if you have some kids with you, those should capture their imaginations.
You can stand and look out over New York Harbor at the city’s many tall buildings. You might visit the Seaside Wildlife Nature Park. If you get hungry, you’ll find some of the country’s best-loved pizza places. You can grab an authentic New York slice to fuel you on your travels.
Brooklyn has the Barclay’s Center, where the Nets play. You might catch a game if they’re in town. You can visit the Brooklyn Bridge. Walking across it into Manhattan takes a while, but it’s worth your time. You can shop in DUMBO, right under the bridge.
The New York Aquarium has sharks and many incredible fish species. You can grab a hotdog at Nathan’s in Coney Island, or you can ride the Cyclone. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden has some fascinating plant life. You might get off the N train in Borough Park and watch the Hasidim going about their business in their traditional garb.
The Bronx is West Side Story territory. There, you will find many fantastic restaurants. You can visit Yankee Stadium, where the team last won a World Series back in 2009 when the new version opened. The previous version sat across the street, and Ruth, Gehrig, and DiMaggio all played there.
The Bronx Zoo achieved world fame for its many animal attractions. It’s bigger than the Staten Island Zoo and more elaborate. You can walk or bike around Pelham Bay Park. You can easily rent bikes and then return them when you finish.
Navigating New York can challenge you, but if you feel comfortable braving the subways, you can see plenty in a short time. You might stay for a week and only see a tiny portion of this city’s offerings.
Sightseeing tours work well too, since you’ll have someone with you who knows the city and won’t lose themselves. They can tell you about all the famous people and events that made the city so iconic.
You should love your Big Apple experience. You can head home afterward with many pictures, videos, and souvenirs. You’ll remember this trip forever.
