By Lauren Wise
Lady Liberty is a must-see for any New York visit.
Visiting
New York City can be overwhelming but also very exciting. The city offers hundreds of activities and sights to see for every age group, personality and interest. It is hard to narrow it down to what you should see, but there are four major attractions in the city that you must see your first time in New York. These attractions include Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square and the Empire State Building.
The Empire State Building
The Empire State Building opened in 1932 and is one of the most well-known historical sites in the entire world. With this in mind, you must see it when you visit New York. It rises over a quarter of a mile over the city, with an impressive observatory on the 86th floor. If you choose to be outside, there is also an open, fenced-in area that circles around the building. Besides viewing the city from the top, there are also restaurants, a sushi bar, a post office and bank, coffee shops, a pharmacy and a card shop located within the building.
The Empire State Building
350 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10001
Location: 5th Ave. & 34th St.
212-736-3100
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is also one of the top most recognizable landmarks in the world, since it was a gift from France to New York, and it is New York's historic symbol of freedom. Entering the Statue of Liberty for a tour requires reservations, and you also are free to walk around 12-acre Liberty Island, where the statue stands. Observe the artists sketching the statue from the base, and relax and enjoy the views of the city from the island.
Statue of Liberty
Liberty Island
New York, NY 10004-1467
nps.gov/stli
Times Square
Out of all the areas of New York, Times Square is where you can find it all. Amidst all the hustle and bustle of traffic, there are high-class hotels with great views, dozens of restaurants of all different cultures and flavors, shopping and entertainment. It is also the site of the most famous New Year's Eve countdown in the world. Stop by the Times Square Information Center to get up-to-date city and tourism information to book all the activities you want to do. It is in Times Square where you can also book tours for any other part of the city by bikes, bus, limo, water, and more. These tours will help you explore other historical landmarks throughout the city. If you love shopping, Times Square is for you as the variety of shops is endless and fits every budget. Dining is the same, as you could eat in a five-star restaurant here or get a $2 hot dog from a street vendor. After the sun sets, Times Square is vibrant with life from bars, plays, clubs and live music venues.
Times Square
195 W. 43rd
New York, NY 10036
Central Park
It is easy to spend several days exploring all of the activities Central Park has to offer, especially if you have children or are traveling as a family. In north Central Park, there is an 11-acre lake area with two playgrounds, the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, a public swimming pool and ice rink, a six-acre formal Conservatory Garden and an Italian garden that is used for numerous wedding pictures. In the central area of the park there are tennis courts and a 106-acre water reservoir with a running path, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Delacorte Theater, an open-air theater, and the Belvedere Castle. In the south area of the park there is a great birdwatching area called The Ramble, model boat racing every Saturday at the Conservatory Water, a bronze grouping of characters from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and the Loeb Boathouse where you can get boat rides, gondola rides and rent bikes. Other sites to see at Central Park include the Bethesda Fountain and Terrace, the memorial to John Lennon, "Strawberry Fields," the Central Park Zoo, carriage rides and the Wollman Skating Rink. There are also several restaurants and bathroom facilities throughout the park.
Central Park
North of 59th Street, south of 110th Street
centralpark.com
About the Author:
Lauren Wise has more than eight years' experience as a writer, editor, copywriter and columnist. She specializes in food, wine, music and pop culture. Her writing has appeared in various magazines, including "Runway," "A2Z," "Scottsdale Luxury Living" and "True West." Wise holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Arizona State University.
Photo Credits:
statue of liberty image by Darren White from
Fotolia.com
