Your First Time in New York City
Description:
If you've never been to New York City, chances are you have a good idea of some of the places you want to check off your list. One of the most-photographed and most-filmed cities in the world, New York is home to the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and Times Square—and these are just three of the many iconic spots that attract close to 50 million tourists every year.
Unlike many top tourist destinations, New York is appealing to visit in the rain, the snow and the heat of summer, though spring and fall are undoubtedly when the city seems to shine the brightest. It's not a cheap vacation destination, though there are bargains to be found, and some of the best dining in the city can be enjoyed for very little money. (There are even some who swear that the "real" New York City dining experience can only be found by sampling the hot dogs, sandwiches, roasted nuts, dumplings and other products sold by street-cart vendors from Central Park to Chinatown.)
Here are the top 10 must-see attractions in New York City, the ones that draw the biggest crowds and the ones your friends will ask you about when you come home. Five can't-miss dining destinations offer some of the best "local" cuisine, including overloaded deli sandwiches at Katz's and authentic brick-oven-style pizza at Lombardi's. After dinner, unwind with a little musical entertainment, a cocktail, or a beer at some of the city's most welcoming culture clubs and watering holes. Finally, go a little bit beyond the usual tourist checklist for a better idea of what makes New York City one of the most vibrant, most historic, and most interesting cities in the world.
Photo: The Empire State Building. By Matti Mattila.
Unlike many top tourist destinations, New York is appealing to visit in the rain, the snow and the heat of summer, though spring and fall are undoubtedly when the city seems to shine the brightest. It's not a cheap vacation destination, though there are bargains to be found, and some of the best dining in the city can be enjoyed for very little money. (There are even some who swear that the "real" New York City dining experience can only be found by sampling the hot dogs, sandwiches, roasted nuts, dumplings and other products sold by street-cart vendors from Central Park to Chinatown.)
Here are the top 10 must-see attractions in New York City, the ones that draw the biggest crowds and the ones your friends will ask you about when you come home. Five can't-miss dining destinations offer some of the best "local" cuisine, including overloaded deli sandwiches at Katz's and authentic brick-oven-style pizza at Lombardi's. After dinner, unwind with a little musical entertainment, a cocktail, or a beer at some of the city's most welcoming culture clubs and watering holes. Finally, go a little bit beyond the usual tourist checklist for a better idea of what makes New York City one of the most vibrant, most historic, and most interesting cities in the world.
Photo: The Empire State Building. By Matti Mattila.
Author: Sarah
Day 1 - New York City, Bronx
There are certain iconic New York City attractions that every first-time visitor must check off their list. By definition, these are the place where most crowds congregate, so be prepared to wait on long lines. As always, weekends are more crowded than mid-week days, and mornings might be a better bet than afternoons. Don't forget your camera!
1
Central Park
Location:
view in google mapsCentral Park Driveway
The Central Park Conservancy
New York City, NY 10022
Phone:
+1 212 310 66002
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Location:
view in google maps1000 Fifth Ave
Fifth Ave. at 82nd St
New York City, NY 10028-0198
Phone:
+1 212 535 77103
Times Square
Location:
view in google maps1560 Broadway, Between 46th & 47th streets
New York City, NY 10036
Phone:
+1 212 768 1560 (Times Square Alliance)4
Statue of Liberty
Location:
view in google mapsLiberty Island
On Liberty Island in New York Harbor
New York City, NY 10004
Phone:
212-363-76205
Ellis Island
Location:
view in google mapsEllis Island
(in Hudson River)
New York City, NY 10004
Phone:
+1 212 561 45886
Empire State Building
Location:
view in google maps350 5th Avenue, Suite # 3210
between 33rd and 34th Streets
New York City, NY 10118
Phone:
+1 212 736 31007
Grand Central Terminal
Location:
view in google maps87 East 42nd Street
42nd St. at Park Ave
New York City, NY 99723
Phone:
+1 212 340 34048
Yankee Stadium
Location:
view in google maps161st Street
(at River Avenue)
Bronx, NY 10452
Phone:
+1 718 293 43009
Rockefeller Center
Location:
view in google maps47th to 51st streets
Btwn 48th and 50th sts., from Fifth to Sixth aves
New York City, NY 10112
Phone:
+1 212 332 6868 / +1 212 632 397510
Tribute WTC Visitor Center
Location:
view in google maps120 Liberty Street
New York City, NY 10006
Phone:
+1 212 393 9160 x138 / +1 866 737 118411
American Museum of Natural History
Location:
view in google mapsCentral Park West
at 79th Street
New York City, NY 10024
Phone:
+1 212 769 5100Day 2 - New York City
Whether you're looking for a five-star night on the town or a burger in the park, you can find every type of cuisine in New York City, and at any price. Here are five spots that are bound to please your palate (and in most cases, your wallet), and offers some of the best in "local" cuisine. There's a little bit of everything on the list, from pastrami, pizza and hot dogs to fine dining with fresh seasonal ingredients.
1
Lombardi's Pizza Gennaro's Caffe
Location:
view in google maps32 Spring Street
New York City, NY 10012-4173
Phone:
1 212 941 79942
Katz's Delicatessen
Location:
view in google maps205 E Houston Street
At Ludlow St
New York City, NY 10002
Phone:
1 212 254 22463
Gramercy Tavern
Location:
view in google maps42 E. 20th St
New York City, NY 10003-1300
Phone:
1 212 477 07774
Corner Bistro
Location:
view in google maps331 West 4th Street
(between Jane Street and Eighth Avenue)
New York City, NY 10014
Phone:
1 212 242 95025
Gray's Papaya
Location:
view in google maps2090 Broadway
(at 71st Street)
New York City, NY 10025
Phone:
1 212 799 0243Day 3 - New York City
This is "the city that never sleeps," after all, and New York offers innumerable options for how to spend your nights. Sometimes you might be looking for classy entertainment or a perfectly mixed cocktail, while other times you may just be in the mood for a couple of pints. Whatever your mood, you'll find it here.
1
Metropolitan Opera House
Location:
view in google maps30 Lincoln Center Plaza
Between 62nd and 65th Streets, Lincoln Center
New York City, NY 10023
Phone:
212 362 6000 (Tickets) / 212 799 3100 (Office)2
The Filmore New York at Irving Plaza
Location:
view in google maps17 Irving Place
Between 15th & 16th Street
New York City, NY 10003
Phone:
212 777 6800 / 212 777 1224 (Concert Hotline)3
230 Fifth
Location:
view in google maps230 Fifth Avenue
New York City, NY 10001
Phone:
1 212 725 43004
Pegu Club
Location:
view in google maps77 W Houston St
2nd Floor
New York City, NY 10012
Phone:
212 473 7348Day 4 - New York City
While not as iconic as the Empire State Building or the Met, these five spots are equally good--or even better--places to get a good feel for New York City, its history and the people who live here. Union Square, a bustling shopping and dining hub, is also home to the city's largest greenmarket, perfect for strolling and people-watching. The Museum of the City of New York, Lower East Side Tenement Museum, and the Morgan Library offer their own unique twists on the New York museum experience.
And whether you walk all the way across it or just take in the views (and a few pictures), the Brooklyn Bridge is another can't-miss local spot for visitors and locals alike.
1
Union Square
Location:
view in google maps14th to 17th Street
Between Broadway and Park Avenue
New York City, NY 10003
Phone:
+1 212 484 1200(Tourist Information)2
Museum of the City of New York
Location:
view in google maps1220 Fifth Ave
At 103rd St
New York City, NY 10029
Phone:
+1 212 534 16723
Lower East Side Tenement Museum
Location:
view in google maps90 Orchard Street
(at Delancey Street)
New York City, NY 10002
Phone:
+1 212 431 0233 / +1 212 431 07144
Morgan Library
Location:
view in google maps225 Madison Ave
Between 36th and 37th Sts
New York City, NY 10178
Phone:
212/685-00085
Brooklyn Bridge
Location:
view in google mapsOff South Street Viaduct
Park Row, near Municipal Building
New York City, NY 11201
Phone:
212 484 1200 (Tourist information)