This list of the best places to visit in New York will help you organize your trip to this iconic city, without missing anything important.
Fascinating, the city that never sleeps, leaves you speechless from the first step you take on its steaming asphalt and you look up at its imposing skyscrapers, each one taller.
Although there is no set time to enjoy all that New York has to offer, according to our experience we believe that for the first time having between 7 and 10 days, it allows you to get a general idea, although it is important to know that New York is an addictive city. and we are sure that you will want to return many more times.
In addition to visiting its most emblematic points such as Times Square, the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty, we recommend you enjoy international cuisine and its delicious burgers, tour more authentic neighborhoods such as Harlem or Queens, climb the incredible viewpoints, visit Free museums, strolling through Central Park, shopping on Great Avenue, seeing a Brodway show and above all, feeling like another New Yorker.
Any time is perfect to visit New York , although we would opt for spring or autumn with the beautiful colors of the parks or Christmas, when the city shows off with its best decoration.
Based on the two times we visited this impressive city, the first time on an 11-day trip to New York and the second time living a month and a half in an apartment, during which we wrote this guide to tips for traveling New York and the New York guide , we have made this list of the 20 essential places to visit in New York . Let’s start!
1. Times Square
Times Square is the heart and most tourist place to visit in New York . All of us who visit this city pass through this crossroads several times, either day or night, to be fascinated by its advertising signs and neon lights.
To take the best photos of this place, we recommend going up the red stairs of the TKTS, from where you will get a fantastic panoramic view of all Times Square. This site is also perfect for purchasing same-day Broadway show tickets at incredible discounts.
If you want to enjoy the atmosphere, a good option is to have a long coffee and sit in one of its red chairs and tables, just to watch life go by . If we also tell you that it is one of thefree things to do in New York , the plan is even more delicious, right?
2. Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge, built in 1883, connects Manhattan Island with the Brooklyn borough, and is the most photogenic and cinematic bridge to see in New York.
Crossing the East River at sunset for the almost 2 kilometers of this suspension bridge is also one of the best experiences you can have in this city. In addition, from various points you can take some of the best photos of New York , both while crossing the bridge, and later, at the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and the Empire Fulton Ferry Park, two spectacular viewpoints from where you will have unique perspectives of the bridge from the Brooklyn.
When crossing, you just have to be careful to walk in the pedestrian lane and not invade the bike lane, since you can cause an accident.
We recommend approaching the bridge day and night, to see it illuminated. A comfortable and interesting way to see the best illuminated places in the city, such as this bridge or Times Square is to book this night tour with a guide in Spanish .
3. Central Park
Relaxing, walking, picnicking, or playing sports are just a few of the many things you can do in Central Park , the best place to unwind from the sometimes stressful and noisy New York.
This park is the green lung of Manhattan and it is immense, full of lakes, viewpoints, statues and gardens, so it is advisable to take your time to complete this list of essential places to see in Central Park . We recommend visiting it on a Sunday, which is when there is more atmosphere and New Yorkers take advantage to play sports like baseball or have a family picnic. Another good option to visit this 4 kilometer long park is to rent a bike on your own or to do this bike tour with a guide in Spanish., so as not to miss any interesting point.
Central Park has also been the setting for numerous films like “Home Alone 2” , “When Harry Met Sally” or “Breakfast with Diamonds” that you can remember by booking this cinematic Spanish tour of the park.
4. Top of the Rock
The Top of the Rock, located in the Rockefeller Center complex of buildings, is our favorite viewpoint to visit in New York .
Located between floors 67 and 70 of the Comcast skyscraper, this viewpoint has impressive panoramic views of Manhattan with the Empire State Building on one side and Central Park on the other.
Admission is included if you have any of the city’s tourist cards, which save you time and money, such as the New York Explorer Pass , the CityPASS or the New York Pass . We will talk about all of them in the next point.
If you don’t have a card, another good alternative to skip the queues is book this ticket in advance .
Keep in mind that even if you have the entrance you have to go before to reserve the time since otherwise, you can run out of places, especially at times as busy as sunset, the moment that in our experience is one of the best of the day. We went an hour before sunset to see the colors change, the sunset and New York at night.
If you come at Christmas, the famous Ice Skating Rink and the large Christmas Tree are set up in the Rockefeller Center square.
Visiting hours: every day from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (last access at 11:15 p.m.).
