Empire State Building
For more than 40 years, the Empire State Building was New York City’s tallest building. The iconic city skyscraper was built in 1931, was made a landmark in 1981, and was even tabbed as one of the “Seven Wonders of the World” by the American Society of Civil Engineers. There is no building in New York City that more exudes and represents its image, and should be atop the site-seeing list for any out-of-towner. Buy a tour to see the Empire State Building and skip the long line.
Times Square
Aside from Las Vegas, there is no brighter or more beaming section to a city than Times Square in New York. Even if that doesn’t impress you, the Broadway plays will. There isn’t a bigger theater stage in the world, and talent and variety is indisputable. Locals love to hate it, and tourists come in droves--but make no mistake about it, Times Square, for better or worse, is a New York spectacle.
Katz's Delicatessen
For a city known for its food, it would seem next to impossible to choose just one restaurant to represent it. Contrary to that mindset, Katz’s Delicatessen is perfectly emblematic of New York City’s appetite. For hundreds of years, the “delicatessen” was as prevalent in NYC as Starbucks is now. Over the years, however, the demand for deli’s crumbled--leaving just a few remaining establishments of the once prominent meat-and-pickle-serving industry. Katz’s has not only survived through the years--since 1888 to be exact--but has also continued its popularity even with the emergence of more “neuvo” food options. If I were to choose between a high-flying Jean-George meal and a thick, freshly-cut pastrami sandwich from Katz’s, the competition wouldn’t even be close.
Statue of Liberty
Even though most native New Yorkers have only visited it once (or not at all), the Statue of Liberty tends to be the most exciting tourist spot for out-of-towners in New York City. While it no longer lends itself as the porthole for immigrants coming through to America, upwards of 3 million people per year visit the Statue of Liberty for tourist purposes. So before you speak disparagingly about the French, remember that it was they who gifted us with arguably the singular image of American freedom. Buy a tour to see the Statue of Liberty.
Brooklyn Bridge
There are several bridges linking Manhattan to other stretches of land, but none more impressive than the Brooklyn Bridge. At the time when it was built in 1833, there were no other suspension bridges quite as long nor were any using steel wire structure. Due to its success and longevity, the Brooklyn Bridge is unanimously considered one of the most marvelous human-built structures in the world. Whether you view it from a distance or walk across it, the Brooklyn Bridge is a must-see spot in New York City. Buy a Brooklyn Bridge bike tour.
Central Park
Even for a city with tall buildings and lots of pavement, local dwellers still need some green in their lives. Central Park, which opened its “doors” in 1857, has become that nature-filled destination for weekend walks, tanning sessions, or just plain hanging out. When the weather starts to brighten, locals will flock to every nook and cranny to catch some rays and maybe even a frisbee or two. There is always a concert, sports game, and even a marriage proposal going on--so join locals in their relaxing jubilation. Buy a Walking Tour of Movie Sites in Central Park.
McSorley's Old Ale House
While its establishment date is unclear, one fact is crystal--McSorley’s Old Ale House is New York City’s oldest Irish pub. Since around 1854, McSorley’s has been serving up home brewed pints to anyone from locals to the most important figures in history. Some memorable faces over the years include Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Boss Tweed, and even the 1994 Stanley Cup winning New York Rangers. McSorley’s has been such a staple throughout history, that poet E.E. Cummings wrote an entire poem about McSorley’s in 1923--noting the beer, New York, and the “slobbering walls.” Enjoy cheap pints by the twos, a talented waitstaff with impeccable glass handling skills, and even a traditional cheese, cracker, onion, and mustard platter to boot. Considering it has been open for over 150 years, there are more drunken stories here than anywhere else in the city.
MoMA/Museum of Natural History/Met/Guggenheim
If there’s one thing New York has got a lot of, it’s museums. The standard go-to’s include the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), Museum of Natural History, the Met, and the Guggenheim. Each of those mainstays offer art lovers a taste of art from an array of worldly regions, in
different forms, and obviously, from unique minds. If you’re a real buff, don’t stop the beat there--make sure to visit the plethora of galleries downtown, uptown, and mid-town.
Fifth Avenue
If upscale shopping is your bag, then Fifth Avenue should be atop your list. Even if you can’t afford to buy, experiencing the glamour surrounding the magnificent stores is worthy of a visit. Of all the high-flying stores, make sure to stop by Tiffany & Co.’s flagship location on 57th and 5th Avenue. It’s about as glitzy as it gets on Fifth, and it doesn’t cost a dime to try-on expensive jewelry you have no intention of buying. Buy a tour of Shopping Destinations of Fifth Avenue.
The High Line
For years, this elevated railroad line was unoccupied, rusting, and to a certain extent, hazardous. But the city decided to make something of it--thus The High Line was created (or re-created). While its original usage back in 1934 was to transport factory goods from 10th Avenue, it is now a grassy relic where people can freely walk, sit, read, eat, and enjoy magnificent views of downtown Manhattan and the Hudson River. It is a prime example of mixing old with new, and making the most of the definite space in New York City.
For more than 40 years, the Empire State Building was New York City’s tallest building. The iconic city skyscraper was built in 1931, was made a landmark in 1981, and was even tabbed as one of the “Seven Wonders of the World” by the American Society of Civil Engineers. There is no building in New York City that more exudes and represents its image, and should be atop the site-seeing list for any out-of-towner. Buy a tour to see the Empire State Building and skip the long line.
Times Square
Aside from Las Vegas, there is no brighter or more beaming section to a city than Times Square in New York. Even if that doesn’t impress you, the Broadway plays will. There isn’t a bigger theater stage in the world, and talent and variety is indisputable. Locals love to hate it, and tourists come in droves--but make no mistake about it, Times Square, for better or worse, is a New York spectacle.
Katz's Delicatessen
For a city known for its food, it would seem next to impossible to choose just one restaurant to represent it. Contrary to that mindset, Katz’s Delicatessen is perfectly emblematic of New York City’s appetite. For hundreds of years, the “delicatessen” was as prevalent in NYC as Starbucks is now. Over the years, however, the demand for deli’s crumbled--leaving just a few remaining establishments of the once prominent meat-and-pickle-serving industry. Katz’s has not only survived through the years--since 1888 to be exact--but has also continued its popularity even with the emergence of more “neuvo” food options. If I were to choose between a high-flying Jean-George meal and a thick, freshly-cut pastrami sandwich from Katz’s, the competition wouldn’t even be close.
Statue of Liberty
Even though most native New Yorkers have only visited it once (or not at all), the Statue of Liberty tends to be the most exciting tourist spot for out-of-towners in New York City. While it no longer lends itself as the porthole for immigrants coming through to America, upwards of 3 million people per year visit the Statue of Liberty for tourist purposes. So before you speak disparagingly about the French, remember that it was they who gifted us with arguably the singular image of American freedom. Buy a tour to see the Statue of Liberty.
Brooklyn Bridge
There are several bridges linking Manhattan to other stretches of land, but none more impressive than the Brooklyn Bridge. At the time when it was built in 1833, there were no other suspension bridges quite as long nor were any using steel wire structure. Due to its success and longevity, the Brooklyn Bridge is unanimously considered one of the most marvelous human-built structures in the world. Whether you view it from a distance or walk across it, the Brooklyn Bridge is a must-see spot in New York City. Buy a Brooklyn Bridge bike tour.
Central Park
Even for a city with tall buildings and lots of pavement, local dwellers still need some green in their lives. Central Park, which opened its “doors” in 1857, has become that nature-filled destination for weekend walks, tanning sessions, or just plain hanging out. When the weather starts to brighten, locals will flock to every nook and cranny to catch some rays and maybe even a frisbee or two. There is always a concert, sports game, and even a marriage proposal going on--so join locals in their relaxing jubilation. Buy a Walking Tour of Movie Sites in Central Park.
McSorley's Old Ale House
While its establishment date is unclear, one fact is crystal--McSorley’s Old Ale House is New York City’s oldest Irish pub. Since around 1854, McSorley’s has been serving up home brewed pints to anyone from locals to the most important figures in history. Some memorable faces over the years include Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Boss Tweed, and even the 1994 Stanley Cup winning New York Rangers. McSorley’s has been such a staple throughout history, that poet E.E. Cummings wrote an entire poem about McSorley’s in 1923--noting the beer, New York, and the “slobbering walls.” Enjoy cheap pints by the twos, a talented waitstaff with impeccable glass handling skills, and even a traditional cheese, cracker, onion, and mustard platter to boot. Considering it has been open for over 150 years, there are more drunken stories here than anywhere else in the city.
MoMA/Museum of Natural History/Met/Guggenheim
If there’s one thing New York has got a lot of, it’s museums. The standard go-to’s include the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), Museum of Natural History, the Met, and the Guggenheim. Each of those mainstays offer art lovers a taste of art from an array of worldly regions, in
different forms, and obviously, from unique minds. If you’re a real buff, don’t stop the beat there--make sure to visit the plethora of galleries downtown, uptown, and mid-town.
Fifth Avenue
If upscale shopping is your bag, then Fifth Avenue should be atop your list. Even if you can’t afford to buy, experiencing the glamour surrounding the magnificent stores is worthy of a visit. Of all the high-flying stores, make sure to stop by Tiffany & Co.’s flagship location on 57th and 5th Avenue. It’s about as glitzy as it gets on Fifth, and it doesn’t cost a dime to try-on expensive jewelry you have no intention of buying. Buy a tour of Shopping Destinations of Fifth Avenue.
The High Line
For years, this elevated railroad line was unoccupied, rusting, and to a certain extent, hazardous. But the city decided to make something of it--thus The High Line was created (or re-created). While its original usage back in 1934 was to transport factory goods from 10th Avenue, it is now a grassy relic where people can freely walk, sit, read, eat, and enjoy magnificent views of downtown Manhattan and the Hudson River. It is a prime example of mixing old with new, and making the most of the definite space in New York City.
