The Big Apple is one of the most iconic cities in the world, and it's no surprise that it's home to some of the most famous tourist attractions. From the Statue of Liberty to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, there's something for everyone in New York City. Let's take a look at some of the must-see attractions in this vibrant city. The Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic attractions in the United States and a must-see for first-time visitors to New York.
Built in 1886, it stands just under 152 feet tall from base to torch and weighs approximately 450,000 pounds. You can see the statue from the ground, with particularly good views from Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan. To really appreciate the Statue of Liberty, take a short boat trip to Liberty Island and see it up close. You can take a nice walk around the base and, if you have reservations, enter the pedestal or the crown.
The Crown recently opened for guided tours, but book well in advance if you want to enjoy this special experience. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or Met, is one of the most famous museums in the United States. Founded in 1870, its permanent collection contains more than two million works of art spanning a period of 5000 years. The 86th floor observatory (1,050 feet) is the tallest outdoor observation deck in the city and what most people expect to find when climbing the Empire State Building. It is accessed by high-speed automatic elevators, and has a glazed area which is heated in winter and cools in summer, and extensive outdoor walks on all four sides of the building. The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the city's most recognizable monuments and has inspired generations of poets, composers and painters.
This historic bridge crosses the East River from Manhattan to Brooklyn and was completed in 1883. It was the world's first steel suspension bridge. From the bridge there are beautiful views of Manhattan, the East River and beyond to the Statue of Liberty. Another option is to cross the bridge by bicycle, but foot traffic is often very heavy and cycling can be slow and difficult on busy days. Grand Central Terminal is a fantastic Beaux Arts-style building and it's definitely worth visiting to see this famous monument. Inaugurated for the first time in 1913 as a terminal for metro and train stations, it can be accessed at several points along its route, some of which only offer access by stairs and others by lift. Atop One World Trade Center building is One World Observatory, an observation deck that offers exceptional views from its 100th, 101st and 102nd floors at 1,776 feet above the city.
The lift to the top is part of the attraction as you climb up; surrounding panels show New York as it transformed over the years from a rural landscape to a bustling metropolis. The Frick Collection tops the list when it comes to New York City museums. Located in an early 20th century mansion, this building was donated by Henry Clay Frick who had it built to exhibit his art collection. It's colloquially referred to as 'the main branch', but its proper name is Stephen A. It was inaugurated in 1911 with great success; its Main Reading Room extends two blocks from the city while its Periodical Publications Room can accommodate 10,000 current magazines. Radio City Music Hall is a famous entertainment venue and landmark designated by New York City.
This 1932 Art Deco theater offers musical shows and movies, and is home to The Rockettes dance company. It was built and financed by Rockefellers during 1930s; at that time it contained largest indoor theater in world.
