New York | 30x the most beautiful places + things to do

New York City is a unique, sometimes hectic, but above all amazing city in the USA. Famous for its fashion, iconic nightlife, art scene, museums, incredible restaurants and world-class theater productions. Every culture, language and cuisine is represented here. You could explore the city all your life and never really see everything. There is an endless list of things to do in the city. No amount of time spent here will ever be enough. Enjoy the excitement of discovering this unforgettable city. Below I provide an overview and tips of the 25 most beautiful places and things to do, so that you can get the most out of your time in this vibrant metropolis.

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Top 5 sights

1.Brooklyn Bridge

If you ask me the historical Brooklyn Bridge the number 1 attraction on a city break in New York City. The bridge dates from 1883† At the time, it was by far the longest suspension bridge in the world and it was the first bridge to connect Manhattan with Brooklyn. A brilliant piece of 19th century engineering. We had only just arrived in New York and the foggy morning made the party complete as far as we were concerned. What a great photo!

change in the early morning over the bridge. Then you have the bridge almost to yourself and turn around halfway through so that you can admire Manhattan. It was still very foggy, but slowly but surely the towers emerged.

Then complete your morning walk by walking all the way down the bridge and on the left in the neighborhood called Dumbo take a picture of that other famous bridge, the Manhattan Bridge.

Remark: Yes, unfortunately you will see a lot of 'Instagrammers' doing a pirouette in the middle of the street, much to the chagrin of the locals. I do understand the frustrating horns from the cars that pass by. After all, it is a main road that is blocked at almost any time of the day by photogenic tourists who want to take that perfect picture.

Tip:: Prefer no hordes of Instragrammers? Then visit this place early in the morning or later in the evening. Our walk started at half past six in the morning for a reason!

From the Dumbo district you can then take a staircase back up the Manhattan bridge and walk back to Manhattan while the subways rumble past you with a lot of noise. The nice thing about this whole round is that from the Manhattan Bridge you have a great view of the Brooklyn Bridge with Manhattan in the background.

It is a total walk of 1,5 to 2 hours and absolutely worth it. Buy a bagel and coffee-to-go at a Deli before you leave and you'll enjoy the best New York City has to offer – and it won't cost you anything!

2. 9/11 Memorial and Freedom Tower

It has been more than 20 years ago but 9/11 is still firmly burned into the minds of many. Likewise with me. What initially looked like a bad movie when I saw the first images of the crashed plane on live TV, quickly turned into a shock when I just saw the second plane crashing into the other building on live TV. Three billion people, almost half of the world's population, have seen it happen live on TV.

About 3000 people died in this attack and life in New York City has never been the same since. Almost everyone in New York knows a fatality. The cleanup and rebuilding of the neighborhood took a total of 14 years.

At the place where the Twin Towers stood, is now a big one 9/11 Memorial and Museum built. The place where the two buildings stood are now waterfalls that disappear into a large hole in the ground. It represents the emptiness that New Yorkers experience to this day, of the 3000 people who lost their lives on 9/11.

The Freedom Tower (One Trade Center), now next to 'ground zero' stands, towering 541 meters above the ground. It is a bizarre sight next to this deep hole.

I could write a whole book about the 9/11 Museum and Memorial and why you should go there. But if you got anything from 9/11 at the time, just go there during your city break in New York. However, it will be two intense hours. It starts out accessible, but slowly you get to hear more and more intense stories and see images in the museum. Still, it's totally worth it because it's a horrific event that clearly left its scars on New York City.

Of course, you can't miss the gigantic building that towers over everything in New York City. It looks different from every angle. The building has 8 sides which is equal to the 8 sides that the square Twin Towers had together.

3. Top of the Rock

Anyone who comes across New York City on someone's Instagram or searches the internet will soon come across a recognizable photo of the Empire State Building. These beautiful photos are almost always taken from Top of the Rock, the observation deck on top of Rockefeller Center. I myself have been there and took some beautiful pictures there at sunset. It's amazing to see with your own eyes how the city really comes to life as soon as the sun goes down and all the lights are turned on. The Top of the Rock is by far the most popular sight on a city break in New York City.

You can of course also view the other side of the city from Top of the Rock. Below the view of higher Manhattan with the world famous Central Park in the middle.

I don't think I need to explain to anyone why this is one of the most popular sights / things to do in New York City. And that is especially true during the perfect hour, with sunset. Check in advance when the sun sets in New York City on your travel date and then book well ahead your ticket to Top of the rock. The perfect time is 30 minutes before sunset, so you have exactly what I showed above. Before, during and after sunset!

Tip:: Sunset is obviously the most popular time to go up there and yes, tickets for that timeslot often sell out well in advance. Realize that you are in one of the most popular city break cities in the world and plan ahead. Normally we plan as little as possible, but for this experience it is best to book your sunset tickets as far in advance as possible.

Type 2: Don't worry if you already have tickets and see a long line, just get in. They come to take people out of the queue in the meantime who are allowed to go upstairs at certain times (the people with a reservation!). We were also allowed to go up with our tickets at exactly the right time, just before sunset.

4.Central Park

During a city break in New York City you can Central Park of course don't skip it. There are lots of trails to walk and hang out in and what's more, it's free! As it spans over 40 blocks, it's easy to wander or have a picnic here for hours. For us, it was just a little too early for the latter at the end of March. In the spring and summer it will be even more fantastic here when everything is in bloom and all the trees are green again! Fortunately we had good weather and we saw some color in the vegetation here and there.

A well-known stretch in Central Park is, of course Bethesda Terrace with the famous red square with the fountain where scenes have been shot for countless movies and series. Some well-known films are: The Avengers, Doctor Who, Friends With Benefits and of course Home Alone 2!

During the spring and summer months, there are often free concerts and theater productions scattered throughout Central Park, so check ahead to see if there's anything to do during your visit! Renting a bike at Central Park is of course also possible. More on that later in this article.

5 Times Square

Well what can I say? It's so hugely famous, over the top, hugely lit and busy. However, you can't miss it if you're taking a city break in New York City. Go there to see it and to take a nice photo for your social media timeline. Preferably in the evening when everything is nicely lit, of course.

By the way, you don't see many locals here. There are almost only other tourists. Stand or sit somewhere and just look around you. Not so much to all the gigantic lit billboards, but to all the different people you see around you. It will not disappoint you.

I must be too old for this by now at 37, but I just thought it was funny to see countless girls, fully dressed, in high heels in mini dresses (at 5 degrees Celsius), parading around for the perfect Insta photo to make. That people trip over each other while trying to shoot TikTok videos in the crowd, that you see weed trucks everywhere and that street vendors ask you 25 times if you want to buy a joint. It completes the madness of this place!

Note: Beware of anything that seems too good to be true in Times Square. It probably is. Do not buy tickets or activities from street vendors. They prey on tourists here. If you do, you run the risk of having your credit card charged multiple times, getting less than you paid for, or getting scammed altogether. If you want to take a picture with the costumed characters in Times Square, they will demand money from you.

More things to see and do

In addition to the well-known hotspots mentioned above, there is of course much more to see and do during a city trip in New York City. I promised you the ultimate free New York City travel guide to be, so here we go! Below are another 24 (!) of the coolest things to see and do in New York City if you've already checked the top five above.

6. Dine at Stardust Diner

After the top 5 sights in New York City, it is the #1 tip I can give you in this travel guide. Go eat here!!! It is not a real attraction, but a piece of American entertainment while you eat. Stardust Dinner is a real American diner with fun, varied live performances. A place where countless Broadway stars started!

You have to eat anyway, so why not during a live performance by an up-and-coming Broadway star? Go there and it will not disappoint you. Expect long queues at the door. Waiting an hour is more the rule than the exception here.

Stardust Dinner you can here found on Google Maps. It's close to Times Square, so that's perfect to combine!

Tip:: Stardust Diner has comparatively much more 2-person tables than large tables and security regularly removes couples or groups of two people from the queue. If you are in a group, split up! It will significantly reduce your waiting time.

7. Staten Island Ferry (Statue of Liberty)

Not appealing that two-hour queue to see the Statue of Liberty? Walk a few blocks to the ferry Staten Island. This one free ferry takes you across the harbor and offers fine views of both the Statue of Liberty and the city skyline. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes each way. So no expensive tour needed!

8. Empire State Building

At 381 meters high, the Empire State Building is no longer the tallest skyscraper in New York. It is one of the oldest skyscrapers in the city. In 2022, the building will be the 6th tallest in the United States† The building was the tallest building in the world from 1931 until the construction of the World Trade Center's North Tower in 1971.

You are probably familiar with the photo below, taken in 1932 when the construction workers of the skyscraper were having lunch on a large steel beam – without any safety measures.

Extra free travel guide tip: The photo above can be found copyright free on Wikipedia almost 100 years later. If you want to print it yourself for the living room, you can use the right-free photo here .

Not only the history of this imposing building is really cool, the observation deck on the 86th floor is also definitely worth a visit. You get the ultimate 360 ​​degree view of Manhattan from this building because it is very centrally located and you can walk all the way around on the observation deck. In addition to the observation deck of Top of the Rock, that of the Empire State Building is the absolute number 2 during a city trip in New York.

9 Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is the city's historic train station. It was supposed to be torn down in 1975, but was saved by Jacqueline Kennedy, which raised money for its preservation. You may not expect it but the gold-plated clock in the middle of the hall is from real gold and is such a 20 miljoen worth dollars.

The hall itself is gigantic and almost completely covered with shiny marble and the hall is not the only thing that is covered with this beautiful natural stone. All tunnels, escalators, shops and even toilets adjacent to the hall are made of the same precious material. It is incredible to see how well maintained and preserved it all has survived.

Before you leave, also take a moment to look up. There you see beautiful paintings with stars and constellations of which you see more and more the longer you look.

10.Wall Street

No New York City travel guide is complete without a photo of Wall Street. Take a picture with the famous statue of a charging bull (made in 1989) and then walk to Wall Street and see where all those bankers destroyed the economy several times, especially in 2008. Personally, I didn't think it was worth it take a picture of the bull or the statue of the girl in front of the building. Especially because there were fences and hordes of people around it. It's fun to just watch people zoom in and out of buildings on their way to the next financial disaster. It doesn't get more American than this.

11. Hop on hop off bus

It's very cheesy and something all tourists do on a city break, but there's a reason why these buses are on every continent in the world be so popular. First of all, they take you from A to B and do so in a way that also shows you something of the city. From a high double-decker bus you see the streets and buildings from a different perspective. It's a nice change from the times when you race a subway through the dark tunnels of New York and barely see anything of the streets.

Beforehand we consciously looked at the weather, which would be a sunny day. That day, of course, we sat at the top of a double-decker bus catching rays of the sun and taking pictures!

Choose a route through lower, middle or upper Manhattan and switch to the route that runs through Brooklyn in the meantime. The route through Middle and Upper Manhattan also comes in Harlem where many Dutch roots can be found.

That is also the reason why I always like to get on a Hop-on-hop-off bus. You also get to know something about the city and its history as you drive around and take pictures.

12. Circle Line Sightseeing Boat Cruise

At the New York City Pass (recommended if you want to save costs during your city trip), you can opt for a tour from circleline. We had also purchased this pass, partly because of this activity. For the perfect time, with sunset of course, we had to pay an additional $5 USD per person for the sunset, according to the website on site. However, when we were there no one asked…

you step here on the boat and sail around Manhattan, under the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges and past the Statue of Liberty. The tour lasts about two hours and gives you a unique view of the city skyline from the water.

During and just after sunset I took some fantastic photos of lower Manhattan. The buildings were full of color from the setting sun, which still reflects heavily on them.

13. Just walk around

You really don't have to walk from Point 1 to 2 to 3 during a city break in New York City, just like every travel guide says… Just walk without a plan from the east side to the west side or south to north and admire the beautiful architecture of New York City York City. Without realizing it, you will pass by amazing places such as Grand Central Station, Union Square, the New York Times building, the Chrysler building, the Flat Iron building and many more. There are so many historic buildings in New York City that just wandering and looking at them is a fun activity for any budget traveler.

Tip:: Are you going to New York with your family? Read the handy article with practical tips from Familieopreis.nl: New York with kids.

You don't have to look for famous or special buildings. You just meet them! We went out twice early in the morning in Manhattan and were amazed without looking for anything in particular. We had a foggy morning, and every few minutes a new tower emerged from the fog, or one disappeared.

14. Take a free walking tour

A great way to orientate yourself on the city is with a city tour. You will learn some history, discover where the main attractions are and explore every nook and cranny of the city. I think free walking tours in any city are a great activity. If you are on a budget I recommend Free Tours by Foot .

15. Rent a bike at Central Park

Central Park is so big that it is actually impossible to see everything on foot. Therefore rent a bicycle† You can cycle around Central Park in an hour if you are brave. Of course don't do this! Stop along the way for a picnic, visit one of the many squares, the castle, the ponds and just look around you!

Cycling in Central Park is a wonderful activity, especially for a Dutchman! Watch the short video below for an impression of Central Park by bike.

Renting a bike at Central Park is possible here starting at $15.

16. Relax at Battery Park

Located on the southern tip of Manhattan, this park is where the Dutch lived in 1625 FortAmsterdam built to defend their settlement. The British took over the area in 1664 and eventually renamed it Fort George. While the fortress was largely destroyed during the Revolution, the battery was expanded after the end of the war. Today there are more than 20 monuments and plaques in the park, explaining all about the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. You can wander around the fortress and then stroll through the surrounding park and enjoy the beautiful water views of the harbor, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

17. Hang Out At Prospect Park

Seen the well-known buildings and ticked off the standard city trip lists? Then leave Manhattan and explore Brooklyn's version of Central Park, spanning nearly 600 acres. While you're here, don't miss the nearby Brooklyn Museum. Spend the afternoon exploring the extensive collection of both historical and contemporary art and artifacts (there are over 1,5 million items in the collection). It has art exhibits on ancient Egypt, medieval Europe, the colonial US and more. Tickets are $16 USD.

18. The Highline (park)

The Highline (location here), is a popular park 9 feet above the street on an old railway line, overlooking the river and the city. The park connects the neighborhood of Greenwich with Chelsea and the Hudson Yards. It is a fun and interesting way to walk in an artificial park with all kinds of art objects. The park is very well maintained by volunteers with a nice photo opportunity around every corner!

19. Rockefeller Center

This area is always filled with crowds and not just because Top of the Rock is the observatory on top of this building. Wander through Rockefeller Center to see where they film “The Today Show” among other things. Shop around in the shops of expensive brands between the black walls and the many golden details.

20. Attend a recording

While you're here, attend a taping! It will really give your New York City trip an extra dimension. TV shows such as America's Got Talent, Saturday Night Live, The View, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show, Last Week Tonight, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon offer free tickets for their admissions (although they need to be reserved well in advance). See each show's websites for details and to make reservations.

• America's Got Talent
• American Ninja Warrior
• Late Night with Seth Meyers
• Little Big Shots
• The Tour of NBC Studios – New York
• Saturday Night Live
• The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
• The Amber RuffinShow
• The Late Show with Steven Colbert
• The Voice

21. Attend an NBA or Baseball Game

When you're in America, you're obviously visiting a sport that's very big here. We chose because it was still cold in March and because it is in the middle of Brooklyn, for an NBA (basketball) game of the Brooklyn Nets.

That everyone stands with their hand on their chest during the national anthem and of course the cheerleaders + time-out shows, it's all part of it. This is real American culture!

Also read: The Biggest Sports Games in America in 2023

The tickets are also not that expensive at the top of the stadium, I bought through Seatgeek (just like ticketswap), two tickets at $27 USD each. After all kinds of fees and taxes, this turned out to be 89 dollars in total, but that aside… On the day of the game I saw the ticket price drop from 39 dollars to 27 dollars.

Budget tips: Make sure you go in saturated and without thirst because for the two beers (or half a liter) we were allowed to pay 36 dollars, without tip!

22. Visit Jazz Bars

There are plenty of Jazz bars serving classic drinks and playing live jazz and swing music. While the chic cocktails they serve may not come cheap ($15-25 USD), you can count on a great old-fashioned atmosphere here. Stepping into these bars with the music, people dancing and everyone smartly dressed takes you to an era when everything was classy, ​​carefree and fun. Some of the Favorite Jazz Bars in New York City are The Back Room, Pharmacy, The dead rabbit en bath tub gin.

23. Attend a Broadway Theater Show

Many people come to New York City to see a Broadway show. There are plenty of great shows in just a few blocks here. From grand musicals to traditional Shakespeare to bizarre, offbeat shows. It's such an integral part of New York life that you just have to experience it during a city break.

24. Visit Radio City Music Hall

This timeless proof of entertainment has fascinated visitors since the XNUMXs (at the time it was the largest hall in the world). The Radio City Music Hall has also been the venue for all sorts of award shows, including the Tonys and the Grammys. Tours run daily from 9.30:17.00 AM to 30:35 PM and cost $XNUMX to $XNUMX USD.

25. New York helicopter tour

It's not an option or activity for a low-budget city break or for someone on a tight budget, but if you're willing to shell out $165 to $220 USD per person, this might just be the coolest bucket list experience of your life. Flying in a helicopter is great fun in itself and above a city like New York it is an experience you will never forget!

Yes, it's a lot of money. Still, if you consider that an average hotel in New York City already costs $ 150 per night and that you will probably soon forget about that hotel, it is different with a helicopter flight. Book your helicopter flight here and make memories for the rest of your life.

Also read: Helicopter Tour Grand Canyon | The ultimate bucket list experience
Also read: Roadtrip Switzerland | Helicopter flight Lauterbrunnen

26.Trinity Church

The original Trinity Church (Location here), built in 1698, was a small parish church built by the Church of England. When the British took New York after George Washington's retreat, it was used as a British base of operations. After the war came George Washington en Alexander Hamilton here regularly. Dating back to the 18th century, the cemetery is where many famous Americans, including Alexander Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth, Francis Lewis (signer of the Declaration of Independence), are buried.

What makes Trinity Church worth visiting is the stark contrast of a 16th-century structure between all those modern skyscrapers of Wall Street.

27. Hip Hop Tours

New York City is the city of the east-coast Hip-Hop Scene. Think big names like Notorious BIG, Jay-Z, NAS, 50-cent and DMX. All these stars saw their careers begin in Harlem or Brooklyn New York. It is not for nothing that various tours are offered which take you deep into the neighborhoods, where you learn and experience everything about Hip-hop history. It's a great way to get to know New York City's hip-hop scene. Hush-Tours is the most popular provider, tickets are here to find.

Also read: East Coast vs. West Coast | United States

28. Visit the Museum of Modern Art

Go to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa – location here), for lots of beautiful and rare modern art and some vibrant Impressionist art. Personally, I don't like modern art. I just don't "get" it. Although I am personally not a fan, this museum has Van Gogh's Starry Night and other post-impressionist art. If you like modern and contemporary art, this is (I'm told) one of the best in the world. Admission is $25 USD and tickets are here available from the official website.

29.Lower East Side Tenement Museum

This museum shows how immigrants from all over the world lived during the late 1800s and early 1900s when they tried to make it in America† You can only visit this museum via guided tours and these must be booked in advance. The great thing about this museum is that it uses live actors to portray and share the stories of newly arrived immigrants as it makes the experience much more memorable. Admission is $30 USD and tickets are available through the official website.

30. Hello! New York Travel Guide

Not a sight to see, but a way to discover New York even better. With this 'cut and paste notebook' full of New York love you will discover the city like a real New Yorker! Discover New York through four inspiring and cool mini magazines, packed with photos, tips, hotspots and information in a handy A6 travel guide.

Want to know more about New York? Then also read:

New York | General and practical information
New York | Everything about costs, budget and saving tips

Closing comments

With these 30 tips, you'll be well on your way to fully experiencing New York City, from its iconic sights to the hidden gems the city has to offer. Whether you opt for the classics or are adventurous enough to discover new experiences, one thing is certain: New York will surprise you, enchant you and stay in your heart forever.

Tip:: Would you like to have a travel guide in your hands during your trip to New York? Then I recommend the Hello! New York! Travel guide from HeyUSA! (see the display below).

Have fun in NYC!

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