Top Tourist Attractions in Manhattan

So, you’re ready to explore New York City!!

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or have been a regular visitor, there’s so many attractions to see that you’d need a lifetime to do it all.

World famous restaurants, famous buildings, a vibrant nightlife and fancy stores are just a few options you have while visiting New York City. 

Even as the city is divided into five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island), you will spend most of your time in Manhattan, where you will find most of the top attractions.

Manhattan is divided into three parts: Downtown, Middletown and Uptown, with Fifth Avenue dividing Manhattan lengthwise into its East Side and West Side.

  • Downtown:  Financial District area
  • Middletown: Midtown (Broadway and Times Square area) 
  • Uptown: Upper Manhattan (Central Park area)

Being a long-time NYC guide, we at Rosotravel are here to help you plan and make your trip easier with our very own list of Manhattan tourist attractions, from famous monuments to incredible neighbourhoods.

Here are our 10 top tourist attractions in Manhattan.

 

  1. 9 /11 Memorial and Museum

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is a tribute to all those who were killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It is an extensive complex that includes reflecting pools situated on the ground where the buildings once stood. 

The museum is also fascinating, because it shows with pictures, videos and original pieces the tragedy that occurred during that day. After paying respects at the memorial, one of the best activities is to head up to the One World Observatory. From the observation area you can enjoy 360-degree views all over Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.

A visit is both peaceful and somber, get your skip the line 9/11 Memorial and Museum tickets, it’s a tribute worth paying.

 

  1. Financial District

The Financial District is home to offices and headquarters of many important financial institutions. But there is more to this neighbourhood than money. 

The place has a richer history than any other neighbourhood in New York and there are a few landmarks here you can’t miss – Wall Street, New York Stock Exchange, the Charging Bull, Federal Hall National Memorial, Trinity Church and Battery Park.

It’s recommended to take a private walking tour of the Financial District with an expert guide, as the place is full of history and home to the beginnings of the American government. Who knows, a tour of the area may just be the highlight of your trip?

While you’re in the area, stop and enjoy a meal at Stone Street, the entire block will remind you of the Dutch architecture that once covered Lower Manhattan.

 

  1. Empire State Building

From 1931 to 1971 (four decades), the Empire State Building stood as the tallest building in the world. In present times, it still stands as an important part of New York’s skyline and is considered the world’s most famous office building.

The building has a rich history, unique design, and has a stunning observatory on the 86th and 102nd floor. Take a quick elevator ride, reach the top, and enjoy magnificent views of some of the most famous landmarks of the city, like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, One World Trade Centre, and more.   The building has featured in more than 250 films and remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in Manhattan.

It’s well worth buying skip the line tickets to the Empire State Building that lets you bypass the lines.

 

  1. Statue of Liberty

The top spot on our list shouldn’t be a surprise, as there’s no doubt that both these attractions are a must visit when you’re in New York City.

The Statue of Liberty is the symbol of not just NYC, but of the United States of America and Ellis Island represents the nation – as more than half of the American population can trace their ancestry back to this one island.

There are many options – you can view the statue from the harbour, but it’s recommended taking a private guided tour of Liberty Island. You can visit the Statue of Liberty Museum, and climb the pedestal and crown for incredible views.

Later, you can take a quick ferry ride to Ellis Island and explore the immigration museum and learn more about this gateway to America.

 

  1. Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York City is full of fascinating museums, but the Metropolitan Museum of Art stands out amongst the rest. It’s the largest art museum in the United States of America and is among the top visited museums in the world.

Its permanent collection contains works of art from ancient Egypt and classical antiquity, sculptures and paintings from several European masters, and an extensive collection of American and modern art, along with American abstract expressionist paintings.

The permanent collection alone has over 2 million works and the halls of the museum are filled to the brim with art and culture. You can spend an entire day here and yet not see it all. If you’re interested in visiting the Met, consider our skip-the-line Metropolitan Museum of Art Tour with transfers.

 

  1. Times Square

Times Square is one of the symbols of New York City and contrary to its name, is not so much of a square, but a busy junction. It’s a world of its own with all its blinking electronic screens and striking billboards.

Here tourists can enjoy delicious food at famous restaurants, watch award-winning plays and musicals, or shop in countless stores.

As the sun sets the place turns magical – you have to simply look up and around and admire the incredible lights. No wonder with 50 million visitors every year it’s one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world.

See Times Square on a private walking tour.

 

  1. Broadway

Whether it’s a new musical, the latest smash-hit or the long-running classic, seeing a Broadway show takes you into another world, that’s the magic of Broadway!!

All said, Broadway has 41 venues, each with over 500 seats. You can take a tour of Broadway with our expert guide to learn more about the stories and secrets that make Broadway unlike any other place in the world.

To see a specific show at a specific time, be sure to book your Broadway tickets in advance, we at Rosotravel will help you in finding the best shows, times, and tickets.

 

  1. High Line

Tucked away on the west side of Manhattan, the Highline is one of New York’s most unexpected attractions. Stretching from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District all the way up to 34th Street, the park is built on a former industrial railroad.

The park was completed in 2016, so it’s fairly new to the list of Manhattan tourist attractions. As you walk up and down the paths, you’ll notice more than two hundred varieties of plants, design works, art installations and splendid views of the Hudson River. Tourists can enjoy food walking tours, lounging outdoors, and sightseeing around the park.

Tour the High Line, Vessel and Chelsea Private Walking Tour

 

  1. Central Park

Certainly, the world’s most famous public park, the Central Park is one of the most beloved attractions in Manhattan, and an iconic fixture of numerous films, TV shows and songs. Spread over 843-acre, the park is loved by locals and tourists alike.

Inside the park, you’ll find the Shakespeare Garden, Central Park Zoo, Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Fountain, boating pond, lots of cherry blossom trees, an ice-skating rink (in winter), and so many more statues and memorials.

Visiting Central Park is a great way to get a glimpse of NYC life, as you’ll find locals spending time sunbathing, walking and running.

Rent a bike in Central Park.

 

  1. Rockefeller Centre

Built by the famous Rockefeller family, the Rockefeller Centre is a complex of 19 buildings and offers some of Manhattan’s greatest treasures. 

Here you can view the giant Swarovski crystal star at the top of the Christmas tree, ice skate in the city’s most famous ice rink or go shopping. For the most spectacular views of the city, enter Rockefeller Centre. Step into a glass ceiling sky shuttle and ride up to the 70th floor – Top of the Rock observation deck. Here you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the city.

The busiest time to visit is December when an enormous, 70-foot Christmas tree stands proudly above the plaza ice rink. Book your Top of the Rock Observation Deck tickets with Rosotravel and show up whenever you’re ready.

 

Finally, New York City is way more than these Manhattan tourist attractions mentioned.

Nevertheless, we recommend that you take private walking tours as much as possible, because life is happening on the streets of Manhattan.

You’ll take a week to cover Manhattan and some parts of Brooklyn, and if you want to explore other districts of New York City, then you’ll need more than one week.

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