New York City Attractions

The Abingdon, a small hotel in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, with accommodations similar to a bed and breakfast (B&B), is centrally located within New York City (NYC). The Abingdon is a great place from which to explore the many tourist attractions of New York City. It is near everything!

New York City Tourist Attractions

In addition to touring New York's various neighborhoods, you may want to plan your trip according to the city's many attractions. If you've been to New York before and have seen the popular tourist destinations, you should consider some of the smaller attractions. But first, let's take you through the highlights of a typical visit to the Big Apple.

Main New York City Attractions
Here is a small sampling of some of the main attractions NYC is best known for:

Statue of Liberty - An icon for democracy, Lady Liberty held up her torch to welcome immigrants to America over a century ago. Today, you can climb 354-steps to her crown, and whisper Emma Lazarus’ famous poem at the base of the statue: ‘Give me your tired, your poor/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.’ Leave time for a visit to the Ellis Island Museum and its chronicles of approximately 12 million immigrants that made their way through Ellis Island from 1892 to 1924.
Times Square - New Yorkers call this intersection of Broadway and 42nd Street the "Crossroads of the World." It is the most recognized intersection on earth -- millions of people see it on television every New Year's Eve. Some people say it's the best place in New York to people-watch. At night, the illuminated signs in Times Square make an amazing light show.
Empire State Building - Built in 1931 in just 410 days, this skyscraper was the tallest in the world for half a century. You'll get a great view of the city from the art deco tower's observation deck.
Central Park - Who would have thought that a city filled with people, traffic and skyscrapers, could offer visitors such an incredible natural oasis? The park is full of rolling meadows, trees, water bodies and stone bridges. The best part? It's all free. Sunbathe on Sheep's Meadow, stroll through the Shakespeare Garden, play softball on the Great Lawn or climb up to Summit Rock, the highest point in the park. For a fee, you can visit the park's zoo, rent a boat or take a carriage ride through the park.
Metropolitan Museum of Art - If you see only one museum in New York City, the Met, as it is known, should be the one. The museum houses over two million works of art ranging from Egyptian to Medieval to 20th Century.
The Museum of Modern Art - MoMA, as it's usually called, boasts the world's greatest collection of painting and sculpture from the late 19th century to the present, including everything from Monet's Water Lilies, Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d'Avigno, and Klimt's The Kiss to later masterworks by Frida Kahlo, Edward Hopper, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, and many others. Top that off with an extensive collection of modern drawings, photography, architectural models and modern furniture, iconic design objects ranging from tableware to sports cars, and film and video (including the world's largest collection of D. W. Griffith films), and you have quite a museum. If you're into modernism, this is the place to be.
United Nations - You can't miss the 188 nations' flags flying high above First Avenue in front of the headquarters of this international organization. Tours take you through the Security Council and General Assembly Halls.
New York Stock Exchange - Like many tourists, here you can see where tons of money is made and lost. From a visitor's area, you can observe the world's busiest trading floor, check stock prices on the ticker and hear the famous closing bell.
Grand Central Terminal - Sometimes mistakenly called Grand Central Station, this is no simple train terminal. Grand Central Terminal is used by more than 150,000 commuters each day. Refurbished in the 1990s, the terminal is a must-see attraction offering a variety of restaurants, shopping, and ample opportunity for people-watching.
World Trade Center site (Ground Zero) - The World Trade Center dominated the skyline of lower Manhattan until it was destroyed by acts of terrorism. The six-hectare (16-acre) work site that has emerged from the rubble of the twin towers has come to symbolize the dreadful events of September 11, 2001 when almost 3,000 people lost their lives. The 1,350ft (411m) World Trade Centre towers were the tallest buildings in New York and symbols of the city’s skyline. Millions now come to pay tribute at the site and witness the devastation from one of the viewing sites.
New York Botanical Garden - Located in the borough of Brooklyn, the garden is home to more than 12,000 kinds of plants from around the world.
Bronx Zoo - Though outside Manhattan, it's worth the trip to see this -- the largest urban zoo in the United States. The Bronx Zoo is home to more than 7,000 species of animals in exhibits like the Congo Gorilla Forest and Jungle World.
Museum of Natural History - Come to this museum to see the famous dinosaur halls and the most technologically advanced planetarium in the world. Kid-friendly exhibits such as a reproduction of a massive blue whale, a butterfly exhibit of over 600 species, and several ‘please touch’ displays leave ample opportunity for learning.

In addition to the featured NYC attractions listed above, there are a number of other exciting and interesting places worth visiting.

Not-So-Main New York City Attractions
Although these attractions may not be as popular as the main tourist sites, you should consider adding some of them to your itinerary.

Federal Reserve Bank - Located in the Financial District, check out the $100 billion worth of gold in this bank's underground vaults.
New York Public Library - The great lions that sit on the grounds of this building invite visitors to gawk at this incredibly massive structure. The inside of the building is no less impressive. Behind the library you'll find Bryant Park. During the summer months, visitors can enjoy watching films outdoors in the park.
New York Transit Museum - Although located in Brooklyn, don't discount this museum. Most of the exhibits are interactive and there is a gift shop with subway-inspired paraphernalia.
Trinity Church - Rising at the western end of Wall Street, Trinity Church's Gothic revival spires are impressive and elegant. When it was built in 1846, it became the island’s tallest structure. Its graveyard, dating from the 17th century, is the final resting place for Alexander Hamilton, the first United States treasurer.
Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum - Popular with military history buffs, visitors can tour the Intrepid, a Navy aircraft carrier that was used in both World War II and the Vietnam War, climb inside a model of a Revolutionary War-era submarine, or experience a supersonic flight simulator.
Hudson River Park – This lovely park with a river view begins at Battery Place with a bikeway and walkway that continues five miles along the entire length of the park to 59th Street. In the Greenwich section, visitors can enjoy three magnificent new park piers, each providing a unique experience.

Insider Information
Every great city has its insider information and New York City is no different. Here are a few tips that every visitor should know:

Theater Development Fund/TKTS - If you want to see a Broadway show while you are in New York, you may be surprised at the high price of theater tickets. At 47th Street and Broadway in Times Square, you will notice a long line of people. They are waiting to buy theater tickets that are discounted up to 50 percent for same-day performances. Get here early, get in line and you can save a significant amount of money. Although there are many show choices, don't count on getting tickets for a particular show -- tickets depend on availability. If you are flexible with your choices, you can get a great deal. TKTS is open Monday through Saturday from 3pm to 8pm, Wednesday and Saturday from 10am to 2pm for matinee performances and Sunday from 11am to 7pm. They only accept cash and traveler's checks.
Staten Island Ferry - There is no better deal in Manhattan than the Staten Island Ferry. The ferry is free, operates 24 hours a day and leaves every 30 minutes (15 minutes during rush hours) and every hour at night. Try a sunrise cruise for an incredible view of the harbor, the city and the Statue of Liberty.
Street Fairs - A real treat for New Yorkers in the summer months are the numerous street fairs that take place throughout the city. Street fairs offer a variety of vendors, food and entertainment.
Restaurant Week - If trying the amazing variety of food that New York restaurants offer is important to you, think about visiting the city during Restaurant Week. Especially for this event, many participating restaurants offer fixed price meals well below what it would normally cost to eat in these restaurants.
Walking Tours - It is common in New York to see tour buses loaded with sightseers. Though many tourists choose to see the city on wheels, a walking tour is a fun way to investigate a smaller area more intimately. Several walking tours are themed. If you're interested in history, architecture, literature, film (or a variety of other subjects), there's bound to be a walking tour for you.

As you can see, New York City has tons of exciting attractions, landmarks, and locales rich in history and culture. Remember, when planning a trip to New York, take into account the attractions you would like to see, the neighborhoods you want to tour and how you'll be getting around the city. Consider how to make best use of the city’s excellent public transport system.

New York City – Attractions By Neighborhood

Bronx: Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Park, The Cloisters-The Metropolitan Museum, Yankee Stadium
Brooklyn: New York Aquarium, Prospect Park Zoo
Queens: New York Hall of Science, Queens Zoo, American Museum of the Moving Image
Central Park: Central Park, Central Park Loeb Boathouse, Central Park Zoo, Central Park Conservancy
Chelsea: Chelsea Piers, Empire Diner, Chelsea Market
Financial District/Battery Park City/South Street Seaport: Museum of Jewish Heritage, New York City Fire Museum, New York City Police Museum, New York Stock Exchange, New York Mercantile Exchange, Trinity Church, Wall Street, World Financial Center, South Street Seaport Museum, Brooklyn Bridge, Fulton Fish Market, South Street Seaport, Battery Park, Ellis Island, Immigration Museum, Statue of Liberty
Gramercy Park/Flatiron District/Garment District: Flatiron Building, Teddy Roosevelt's Birthplace, Union Square
Greenwich Village/West Village: Washington Square Park, Forbes Magazine Galleries, Gay Pride Week and March, New School University, New York University (NYU), Parsons School of Design, Village Halloween Parade, Yeshiva University, Bleecker Street (often misspelled “Bleeker”), Elliot Smith Gallery, Gray Gallery of Art
East Village/Lower East Side: The Ukranian Museum, Lower East Side Tenement Museum
Harbor Islands: Ellis Island, Roosevelt Island Tramway
Harlem: Mount Vernon Hotel Museum, The Studio Museum in Harlem, Columbia University, Sylvia's Restaurant, Abyssinian Baptist Church
Midtown East/Murray Hill: The Museum of Television & Radio, Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Trump Tower, United Nations Headquarters, Bloomingdale's, Saks 5th Avenue, Tiffany & Co.
SoHo/Little Italy/Tribeca/Chinatown: Guggenheim Museum SOHO, New Museum of Contemporary Art
Theatre District/Midtown West: Broadway Theater Tours, Carnegie Hall, Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, Museum of American Folk Art, ESPN Zone, Herald Square, Javits Convention Center, Madame Tussaud's, Nasdaq Stock Exchange, Penn Station, New York Public Library, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Toys 'R Us, TKTS Ticket Booth
Upper East Side: Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, El Museo del Barrio, Frick Collection, Museum Mile, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Jewish Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gracie Mansion, Sotheby's
Upper West Side: American Museum of Natural History, Avery Fisher Hall, Children's Museum of Manhattan, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, The New York Historical Society, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Columbus Circle, Dakota Apartments, Julliard School, New York Philharmonic, Vivian Beaumont Theater

For more on the neighborhoods of Manhattan, click here.

Empire State Building

Empire State Building - Manhattan - New York City Tourist Attraction

Flatiron Building

Flat Iron Building - Manhattan - New York City Tourist Attraction