New York Tourism,
Sightseeing and Attractions
New York Tourism could keep you occupied every day for a least a year. With so many New York City attractions to see, such as Broadway Shows, Museums, famous buildings, architecture and historical sights, sometimes it's hard to know where to begin.
Here are highlights of our many city attractions, along with some secret insider ways of visiting them. If a lot of New York Tourism and sightseeing is on your agenda, then find out New York City Pass Discounts are best for you.
New York Tourism
NYC Insider Top Recommended Attractions
Top of the Rock |
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30 Rockefeller Plaza Best For: Sweeping 360° vista view of NYC. Shorter lines and cheaper than the Empire State Building (also a great attraction) for a very similar view. NYC Insider Way: Have a friend who works on the 63rd floor of 30 Rock. |
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TOTR is in the heart of Rockefeller Plaza, where the Today show tapes and the famous skating rink resides. Also the background for the popular TV Show, 30 Rock. It re-opened in 2005, after a 20 year hiatus, and showcases a three level observation deck with a total surface area of approximately 55,000 square-feet (5,110 m2). The upper deck is 850 feet (260 m) above street level. Floors 67 and 69 have outdoor terraces which feature fully transparent, safety glass. The 70th floor provides a completely open air, unobstructed 360-degree view of New York City and beyond. See the NYC Insider Guide to Top of the Rock. |
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NYC Insider Guide Tip
Pay attention - this is truly insider information given to NYCIG by the Manager of TOTR....
"In addition to our two Swarovski crystal installations, the Joie chandelier and Radiance crystal geode wall, Swarovski also hid several of their crystal animal figurines inside Radiance."
See More Top of the Rock NYC Insider Guide Tips
and make sure to get the best photos
Empire State Building
350 5th Ave, 33nd/34rd, $20 for 86th floor observatory (indoor and outdoor) and $43 for 102nd floor observatory (indoor only).
Regular - $20 Adult, $14 ages 6-12, under 12 free. Go early to avoid the lines, Express Pass ($42). Tickets can be purchased and printed at the ESB site.
There are 3 lines to get in: 1) security line, mandatory for all, 2) ticket line, unless you have pre-purchased tickets from the ESB site, either regular or Express, and 3) elevators to the observatory. Express Pass holders get priority at all three lines.
Sightseeing passes all include admission, but you still may have to wait on the ticket line to get your "voucher," and they do not get you priority at the elevator line.
See the different views for yourself - you can't go wrong either way.
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Ground Zero Museum Workshop
A New York Tourism Must See
420 West 14th St (9th Ave and Washington Street) – Meatpacking District
www.GroundZeroMuseum.com
Non Profit State Museum with artifacts, photos, history, stories, remnants and more.
$25 adults, $19 seniors, $19 kids (under 4 free)
The ticket proceeds are used to cover the museum's operating costs and also shared with the FDNY and 9/11 charities.
Best For: A reminder we should “Never Forget.” Visit here BEFORE you go to the former World Trade Center Site, to experience 9-11-01.
The actual Ground Zero site does not lend itself to New York Tourism, although they do have a walking tour, which is excellent, but not child-friendly. You should go to the Site as well, but to really get a feel for what happened on that day, this Museum is a must-see. There are a lot of child-friendly sections since much of this museum is dedicated to showing the children of victims, who were too young to understand at the time, what happened on 9/11/01 and the days immediately following.
NYC Insider Way: seeing the faces and names of family and friends who were lost on 9/11. This is one area where you are definitely better off not being a NYC Insider! Please do go, pay the full price of admission, and pay your respects to the innocent people who were lost that tragic day, and to those who fought to save them.
Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
Pier 86, 12th Ave. & 46th Street
www.intrepidmuseum.org
Great New York Tourism attraction, especially for boys and men, but also for the whole family. The Museum is centered on the aircraft carrier Intrepid (CVS-11), one of the most successful ships in US history and features a range of interactive exhibits and events providing a snapshot of heroism, education, and excitement and one of the most unique attractions in New York City.
$15.50 seniors, $14.50 kids (under 2 free)
Best For: Kids or anyone really interested in War history and transportation. (PS – this is my Dad’s all-time favorite thing to do in NYC, except eating, of course). $19.50 adults,
NYC Insider Way: Sorry folks, but private events, such as weddings and charity balls, are the true insider way to have this spectacular museum to yourself for a night.
Grand Central Terminal
E 42nd Street (Park and Lexington)
www.grandcentralterminal.com
Completely restored back to it's 1913 splendor, Grand Central is a midtown destination for five restaurants and cocktail lounges, 20 casual international eateries, gourmet foods from the Grand Central Market and the 50 unique specialty shops throughout the concourses. Not only is there no admission cost, but you can take a free tour, a New York Tourism luxury.
Best For: People watching, daily commuters from Connecticut and Westchester, and astrological ceiling mural, painted in gold leaf 125 feet overheard.
NYC Insider Way: actually commuting through GCT every day. Good news for you; be thrilled you're on vacation while you're watching others go to work!
More New York Tourism
(not yet attended by NYC Insider)
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
76 Mercer Street
www.rockannex.com
Exhibit about New York’s place in rock and roll history.
Best For: Music buffs.
Titanic - The Artifact Exhibition
226 West 44th Street (7th-8th Aves)
www.discoverytskx.com
The Titanic has ported in NYC. Featuring the largest collection of Titanic artifacts and never-before-seen treasures. A New York Tourism attraction right in the heart of Times Square.
Museums
See the NYC Insider Guide Museum page to see all the NYC Insider Museum tips - when to go and when they are free.
The Frick Collection, The Morgan Library, The Cooper-Hewitt, The New-York Historical Society, The Museum of The City of New York, International Center for Photography. Try a museum that focuses on a particular nationality, ethnic group or art movement (Asia Society, Jewish Museum, Studio Museum of Harlem).
Central Park
- Central Park NY
- Central Park Carriage Rides
- Secret Spots of Central Park revealed by New Yorkers
- Central Park Map in the NYC Insider Printable Guide
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