Welcome to the city that never sleeps! We know it, we've seen it in films, we've read about it in books, and yet, when we see its skyline, we're astonished. For the city is a treasure trove at any time of day, in any place. Although winters are harsh, summers scorching and rents overpriced, New Yorkers will tell you that paradise is a colossal concrete city called New York. And with good reason: this megalopolis is home to the world's finest museums, one of the world's most photographed skylines and a population of a thousand and one origins. Get ready for a wild ride among 8 million souls, because New York will sweep you away in its whirlwind! It's not a city you'll discover, but an endearing Goliath of stone who never stops trying to outdo himself!
Want to find out more? Discover our dedicated article: New York, culture and excess! If you're hesitating between the New York Pass and the New York City Pass, we recommend you read our article: New York City Pass or New York Pass: which is more practical?
1. Times Square and Broadway
It is one of the most famous districts of the city! With its huge billboards, its theaters and its very special atmosphere, Times Square is one of the must-see places in New York! However, until the beginning of the 1990s, this district was mainly made up of strip clubs and drug dealers... Today, this past of Times Square is hardly perceptible so much this district changed in so little time. It is no longer drug dealers who walk the streets but more than 330 000 visitors per day. In total, nearly 40 million tourists come each year to contemplate the bright sky of this place. Times Square is also a worldwide point of interest for all fans of musicals! On Broadway, you can see the most famous shows like The Lion King or Mamma Mia. And that, 365 days a year! If you want to visit New York in an efficient way, click here to reserve your seat on a multi-stop bus through Times Square!
Not sure what to see on Broadway? Check out the top 10 Broadway musicals to see in New York!
2. Metropolitan Museum of Art
Founded in 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art was a tiny building. Today, it's one of the most beautiful museums in the world! Legend has it that it takes a lifetime to discover all the works housed here! A legend that must be true, given the museum's wealth of past treasures. As you walk through the museum, 5,000 years of history pass by, with each region of the world exhibiting its chronicles: Asia, the Orient, Europe, South America, Oceania - nothing escapes the museum. Egyptian antiquities give way to the world's second-largest collection of Greek art. Incredible! At the end of your visit, don't forget to visit the museum's various stores. Reproductions are available at affordable prices! Finally, don't hesitate to sip a coffee on the Roof Garden terrace, which offers a magnificent view of Central Park. See also our Top 10 museums to visit in New York!
3. Ellis Island
Reopened in 1990, the Ellis Island buildings are a historical gem for the United States. With good reason! More than 12 million immigrants crossed the threshold of this island! Today, about half of New York's population is descended from this immigration. In the main hall, a multitude of trunks and suitcases show the spirit of these former expatriates, some of whom were fleeing poverty and European oppression. For some, it was a journey of no return in search of the famous American dream. In addition to the projection of the film Island of Hope, Island of Tears, one can wander through thirty or so galleries that present objects of daily life. Finally, the famous American Immigrant Wall of Honor is on display. More than 600,000 names of former immigrants who are famous because of their descendants appear on this wall, including Kennedy's. One of the best ways to visit Ellis Island is to opt for a guided tour of the island, and book here for your advance guided tour of Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty!
4. The Empire State Building
The Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world when it was built in 1930. This magnificent New York Art Deco building is considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Today, it is the second largest building in New York City and 20,000 people work there every day. The building's main attraction is its open-air observatory on the 86th floor. 3.8 million visitors come here to enjoy the best view of Manhattan. You will have to be patient to get to this breathtaking view. Our advice is to go there at 11pm, there will be much less people and the view on New York at night is mythical! Click here and book your ticket for theEmpire State Building now!
5. Statue of Liberty
Also known as "Liberty Enlightening the World", this is the symbol of New York! Offered by the French as a sign of fraternity to the Americans, it should be remembered that the great lady of New York was originally intended for the city of Alexandria! This symbol of freedom throughout the world bears the features of the mother of Frederic Bartholdi, its creator. Built between 1874 and 1886, the statue was used as a lighthouse during its assembly! Gigantic up close, you can enjoy a pleasant view of New York harbor and its tall buildings during your visit. If you want to get to the top of the statue, you will have to be patient and lucky because the crown is very popular with tourists. Our advice: book online! If you want to see the Statue of Liberty, book here your sightseeing cruise!
6. New York Public Library
This is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city and one of the largest public libraries in the world. Built in 1911, two carved lions guard the premises of this sanctuary of knowledge. On the first floor, you can access the newspaper room which has more than 10,000 periodicals in 22 different languages! Linger over the murals depicting New York's most beautiful buildings. On the top floor, the Rose Main Reading Room is an architectural highlight. Majestic, this room is also known thanks to its presence in many American movies such as Ghostbusters or Breakfast at Tiffany's. A guided tour of the library is available and many cultural events take place in this place. A must for book lovers and the curious!
7. MoMA
The world's leading museum of modern art! It boasts the greatest masterpieces of modernism, as well as intensely rich pictorial and graphic collections. In fact, 150,000 works are on display. From Picasso and Matisse to renowned photographers and famous architectural designers, all the greats have their place at MoMA. The exterior is also home to some fine works, including sculptures by Rodin and Matisse. Our advice is to start your visit on the5th floor, so you can follow the chronological order of modernism. The 6th floor is devoted to temporary exhibitions, which are generally well-stocked and well worth a visit in themselves. With your admission ticket, you'll be able to watch the featured films of the day. MoMA is also New York's film library! It houses over 10,000 films! If you'd like to be as prepared as possible, we recommend our guide to visiting MoMa !
8. Central Park
The lungs of New York. This green space has nothing natural about it! Indeed, it is the landscape designers Frederick Olmsted and Calvert Vaux who conceived this great green setting. It took 20 years and more than 10 million carloads of natural materials to complete the project. Central Park is an integral part of New Yorkers' daily lives. It is a rich socio-cultural mix where it is possible to see the life of Americans in their free time. Here, it is sport and relaxation that are in the spotlight! Cycling, rollerblading or jogging accompanied by an MP3 player remain the preferred sports activities. As for well-being and relaxation, it's a walk along the lake and a picnic on the lawn. In this authentic atmosphere, you may come across free cultural performances: plays, concerts and many others! There's nothing like a bike ride to enjoy Central Park at its full potential, click here to book your bike tour!
9. World Trade Center Site - Ground Zero
September 11, 2001 left a lasting impression on American culture. More than fifteen years later, a strange atmosphere still reigns in this neighborhood, numerous barricades are present on the site and police officers are watching every corner. This very secure area has become a place of recollection and is gradually being rebuilt. In fact, all the projects will not be completed until around 2020! Six towers will be built around the Memorial Center. One of them, currently completed, is the One World Trade Center. It is the tallest tower in New York with its 509 meters high! Since 2015, access to the 102nd floor is open to the public. But watch out for the elevator! You will surely gag because its speed is impressive!
10. Attend a basketball game at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden is famous for hosting some of New York's must-see sporting events! Basketball fans or not, seeing a game in New York is a true immersion in American culture! The Knicks, the city's NBA team, put on a real show every time they play at Madison Square Garden, the legendary venue they've called home since 1946 in the heart of Manhattan. Today, these performances are counted among New York's must-see sporting events. Hot dogs, cheering fans, cheerleaders and fingers emblazoned with your team's logo: there's nothing missing from the decor to create a supercharged atmosphere!
Are you a fan of sports culture in the USA? Discover our article How to buy Yankees tickets in New York?
11. The Highline, New York-style hanging gardens
Above the Chelsea and Meatpacking neighborhoods, the Highline is a disused railroad line that has been rehabilitated into an urban park. At 10 m from the ground, a carpet of multicolored flowers reveals itself when the sun comes out, making this former freight line more than pleasant. The view of the Hudson River and the buildings of Midtown is breathtaking. The ideal place for a walk or a picnic, after visiting the Chelsea Market!
12. Rockefeller Center and its Top of the rock
Rockefeller Center is one of the most active centers in New York. In the Midtown district, its nineteen towers where television studios, press agencies, banks or stores are gathered are in continuous effervescence. One of the flagship buildings of Rockefeller Center is the Top of the Rock. The panoramic veranda on its 70th floor offers a view at least as beautiful as that of the Empire State Building!
13. Wall Street, bull and stock market
The financial power of New York is concentrated in Wall Street, the stock exchange district. One of its symbols, installed in the Bowling Green park, is the charging bull, a bronze bull weighing more than three tons and about to charge. The artist Arturo di Modica himself placed his work in front of the Stock Exchange in 1989, as a symbol of combativeness following the stock market crash of 1987. According to legend, touching his testicles would bring happiness and wealth! Book here your visit to Wall Street to not miss anything of the financial center!
14. Grand Central Terminal, an incredible place of passage
Completed in 1913, the Grand Central Terminal was restored in 1998 under the impulse of Jackie Onassis. This majestic building sees many users passing by every day on their way to the New York suburbs. Before catching your train, you can admire the star-studded ceiling, the spectacular facade adorned with statues and enjoy replaying the cult scenes from the many movies that have been filmed in Grand Central Terminal: from Madagascar to The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Click here to and take a self-guided tour of Grand Central Terminal!
15. The Brooklyn Bridge, the gateway to New York
Emblematic, the Brooklyn Bridge was inaugurated in 1883 and links Manhattan to Brooklyn. 1825 meters long, it overlooks the East River and offers a splendid view of the Manhattan skyline. At sunrise, the sublime colors that illuminate the buildings are splendid, it is the ideal place for a souvenir photo. When crossing the bridge, remember to use the pedestrian lane: the traffic is incessant on the bridge!
16. Chinatown and Little Italy, a change of scenery guaranteed!
In the south of Manhattan, mainly around Canal Street, Chinatown offers a real trip to China, from its statue of Confucius to its shops selling Asian products. To better understand the history of the neighborhood, it is important to visit the MoCa, the Chinese American Museum. Not far from Chinatown, we enter Italy in the district of Little Italy which is essentially located on Mulberry Street. Do not hesitate to taste a good pizza there!
17. The hamburger, an American delight
Going to New York without tasting hamburgers would be a big mistake! In fast-food restaurants or gourmet restaurants, you can find them on every street corner: it is one of the most consumed dishes by New Yorkers. The portions are oversized, the sauce and the soda flow freely, but it's always a real pleasure to bite into these sandwiches! Among our favorites, Shake Shack and its delicious fries. The most mythical kiosk is in Madison Square Garden Park.
18. A Gospel Choir in Harlem
North of Manhattan, Harlem is today a dynamic neighborhood where music and creation hold a place of choice. Every Sunday, gospel services bring together a large number of faithful and visitors. Good mood and energy are present, but one must always remember that it is above all a moment of meditation where it is forbidden to take pictures. Respect is required in order to enjoy the splendid songs sung by the faithful. Book here your visit of Harlem including a gospel mass!
19. Greenwich Village, cradle of the New York counterculture
Always lively, Greenwich Village is the den of Manhattan's artists. Whether it's music, dance or painting, its charming streets are home to the cream of the crop when it comes to creativity. It is one of the few neighborhoods where the buildings have not yet invaded the landscape and where the streets are not laid out in a straight line, which gives it all the advantages of a village in the heart of New York.
To simplify your stay in New York, we recommend our guides: How to buy tickets for the New York Summit and How to buy tickets to see the New York Rangers
Where to stay in New York?
New York is a top destination for travelers from all over the world, with a multitude of lodging options to suit every taste and budget. Here is a selection of three hotels that will meet your expectations:
For the small budget
The POD 51 Hotel is a comfortable and great value hotel. It is located near Rockefeller Center and Central Park and has 350 personalized and equipped rooms. If you wish to book a room in this hotel, click here !
For a musical stay
The Evelyn is a vintage hotel with beautiful and spacious rooms. All rooms are equipped with a gramophone that can be connected with a smartphone. The establishment is located next to the street that hosted the great music studios of the late 19th century. To book one or more nights, click here !
For a unique experience
The Library Hotel is a small boutique hotel offering a literary immersion. Housed in a former mansion, it is designed as a library and features over 6,000 books. Click here to to see the availability of the establishment!
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