New York City Travel Guide

So you’ve decided to take a trip to the Big Apple. I’m not surprised, honestly; it’s a beautiful city with beautiful people and a beautiful atmosphere. In previous posts on this website and my others, I’ve already fully fleshed out where you should be staying the night, where you should be eating and some of the more well-known eateries around the city. But the most basic question of just about every trip, whether it is international or domestic, is “what is there to do?”

 

Luckily for you (and the other 8 or so million people who live within the city borders), there is more than enough to do in New York City to fill a vacation. Here are some of the best sights and activities to partake in during your trip to the heart of the Empire State.

 

Sights:

 

The Statue of Liberty

An old classic, and perhaps one of the most commonly visited and widely known attractions in New York. Lady Liberty, given to the

The Statue of Liberty Photo: Sue Waters, Flickr

The Statue of Liberty
Photo: Sue Waters, Flickr

US by the French in 1886, is a lasting symbol of freedom and alliance. If you do decide to visit, make sure you to bring your running shoes–the steps to the top to complete the incredible view number over 300.

 

Rockefeller Plaza

Declared a national historical landmark in 1987, the Rockefeller Center is a collection of 19 buildings within the city, the most well known of which is 30 Rockefeller (or 30 Rock). The building formerly housed RCA and GE headquarters, and is the current home of the NBC HQ. Another building with a beautiful view, 30 Rock has an observation deck that is very popular with visitors to the city.

 

The 9/11 Memorial Photo: Graduate Baruchian via Flickr.

The 9/11 Memorial
Photo: Graduate Baruchian via Flickr.

9/11 Memorial

An incredibly powerful sight to behold–particularly in person. Placed at the location where the Twin Towers once stood, the 9/11 memorializes the terrorist attacks that killed almost 3,000 Americans in 2001. A truly sombering experience, one feature of the memorial is the Survivor Tree, a tree found among the rubble of the attacks that has been replanted and still stands today.

 

Activities:

 

Museum of Modern Art

The Museum of Modern Art, also called MoMA can be found in Manhattan, where some of the most  incredible pieces of art in the world call home. Experiencing works from artists like Van Gogh, Mondrian, Monet and Warhol in one place is an almost surreal experience to behold.

 

Yankee Stadium

Though the old, original Yankee Stadium was demolished in 2008, an updated, cleaner and more technologically-advanced near-replica was opened in its place. There is a certain legacy and history of a team like the Yankees can’t be topped by any other team or any other stadium. New York loves the Yankees, so if you’re a sports fan, visiting Yankee stadium and experiencing authentic baseball from America’s team is a tough activity to beat.

Photo: Tom Thai via Flickr.

Photo: Tom Thai via Flickr.

Central Park

Amidst the skyscrapers and bustling businessmen and women of the concrete jungle lies Central Park, an urban oasis of sorts. Central Park is an incredible place to go to getaway from the hustle and bustle of the big city if you have some down time or want to relax during your stay in the Big Apple.