Does F.R.I.E.N.D.S. come to your mind as soon as you hear NYC? Hoping you lived in such a city with your best friends and enjoyed every possible place there. From the streets to the clubs, everything looks so aesthetic. The interesting part is, it doesn’t just look that way, it actually is. Even though New York City is no longer the capital of the nation, the country’s heart beats in NYC. With a population of about ten million people, there is plenty to see and do in New York City. Even a four-month vacation would not be adequate to explore everything NYC has to offer! Too much change is happening in the city.
The question is, how do you travel in NYC, what places do you go, how do you go? Well, the local NYC car service is very prevalent in the city and it can take you to famous places without much hassle. We’ll discuss the places of attraction in the rest of this piece.
- Go For A Walk In The Beautiful Neighborhoods
Start your vacation with a walking tour. New York is divided into neighborhoods, from the sophisticated brownstones of the Upper West Side to the huge office buildings that line the streets of the Financial District. You’ll get to see the beautiful architecture NYC has through this tour. There are a lot of such tour businesses that you’ll find in the city. Most of them are free. They offer tours in every specialization that you can think of. History, food, drink, TV/film – if you like it, there’s probably a tour for it. Walking tours give you a different perspective on this beautiful city, led by a knowledgeable local guide who can handle any and all of your queries.
- The Huge Statue of Liberty
The queue of the boat from Battery Park is long, but if you get there early enough, you can expect your turn early. (If you arrive late, you might have to wait a few hours.) The Statue of Liberty is impressive up close, but Ellis Island is the actual show stealer here. This is where you can get to learn about the experience and get a little sight of the folks who helped construct NYC. You’ll feel very serene by the strong sense of history present there.
- Federal hall: A Brilliant Work Of Art
Across the street from the New York Stock Exchange is one of the city’s most underrated museums (NYSE). George Washington’s oath of office at Federal Hall. It was the site of the US Customs House and the first US capitol building in the late 1700s. It’s one of the nicest favorite attractions in the neighborhood, despite the fact of the original facade. The event is free to attend.
- 9/11 Memorial
On September 11th, 2001, a series of terrorist operations in New York City and elsewhere killed over 3,000 people. See the whole view from the new “Freedom Tower” after visiting the solemn memorial (it’s free). On your way to the elevator, there are photographs which reflect the city’s historical growth and how it has changed through time. You’ll have a better and detailed knowledge of 9/11 and the following events if you go and visit the museum. It contains compelling exhibits that reflect upon the tragedy’s scale and impact.
- The Beautiful City Hall
New York City Hall is a gorgeous piece of old architecture with a lovely little park (as well as a circular tablet detailing the site’s history) that’s bustling with office employees during lunch. Take one of the tours to learn about the building’s history, art, and architecture. You’ll be able to see the rotunda, city council chamber, Governor’s Room, and the City Hall Portrait Collection from this vantage point.
- Brooklyn Bridge: The Lit Up Beauty
The Brooklyn Bridge, located near City Hall (see below), provides an easy 25-minute stroll into Brooklyn and to the seaside park on the other side. The walk will take about 40 minutes if you stop to snap photos and meander along the route. As you cross the bridge, you get a lot of great views of downtown (and especially from the park). This walk is particularly enjoyable at night, when downtown Manhattan is all lit up. If you want to avoid the throng, arrive early.
- Rockefeller Center
There is always a lot of activity in this region. Wander around Rockefeller Center to see where The Today Show is going on, shop, eat, and take the elevator to the “Top of the Rock” for another bird’s-eye perspective of the city, which I personally prefer to the Empire State Building because you can get that building in your photo from here as well.
- The Typical American Radio City Music Hall
Is there a theater that is more American than Radio City Music Hall? Since the 1930s, people have been charmed by this everlasting testimony to entertainment (at the time, it was the largest auditorium in the world). It is the home of The Rockettes, a precision dance troupe that has been performing here since 1932. It has also hosted a variety of award shows, including the Tony Awards and the Grammy Awards.
- The Most Popular Times Square
Times Square will always be in rush, no matter when you visit. There are spots designated for pedestrians where you can sit and relax. There isn’t much to do in the area if you aren’t shopping, eating, or watching a show, but it’s still a great site to people-watch for a few minutes from the top of the red stairs. It appears to be at its best when it’s lit up in the night. That’s the best time you should go there.
- Cloisters, A Hidden Gem
Few people visit the Cloisters, a part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art dedicated to European History (located near 204th Street). Between 1934 and 1939, it was constructed with Rockefeller money using pieces of five European abbeys. They even stipulated that the area across the river would remain undeveloped for the rest of their lives, preserving the vista. The building, as well as its spectacular cloistered garden, is really serene and lovely. Every day, there are free tours that explain the museum’s history as well as the artworks and exhibits.
This list only touches the surface of everything there is to do in New York City. Four days is barely enough time to fit in all of these events, let alone visit boroughs such as Queens and Brooklyn. Stay for a good amount of days if you have the time. If you’re short on time, though, visit all these places and you’ll have your share of fun and excitement in the city that never sleeps.
