Must Visit Landmarks in New York City and the Stories Behind Them
Words by
Emma Johnson
The Stories Behind the Must Visit Landmarks in New York City
I have spent the better part of a decade walking every borough of this city, and I still find something new every time I turn a corner. The must visit landmarks in New York City are not just photo backdrops. They are living, breathing pieces of a story that stretches back over four centuries. From the immigrant processing halls of Ellis Island to the steel-and-glass towers of Hudson Yards, each one carries a weight of history that most tourists walk right past without ever knowing. I wrote this guide because I believe that understanding what happened in a place changes how you experience it. These are the landmarks that shaped New York, and the stories that made them matter.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: The Gateway That Defined a Nation
Liberty Island and Ellis Island, New York Harbor
You cannot talk about famous monuments New York City without starting here. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France in 1886, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi with an iron framework engineered by Gustave Eiffel himself. What most people do not realize is that the statue was originally a dull copper brown. It took roughly 20 years for the green patina to fully develop through oxidation. The crown was closed to visitors for nearly a decade after September 11, 2001, and only reopened in 2009 with strict security protocols that remain in place today.
Ellis Island, just a short ferry ride away, processed over 12 million immigrants between 1892 and 1954. The main building's Great Hall, where inspectors examined newcomers for health and legal eligibility, still has the original tile work by the Rafael Guastavino company. I once spent an entire afternoon in the American Family Immigration History Center on the third floor, where you can search passenger records by name. The database contains over 65 million entries. The ferry ride from Battery Park takes about 15 minutes each way, and the views of Lower Manhattan from the water are genuinely stunning.
What to See: The museum on the second floor of the Statue of Liberty pedestal, which displays the original torch replaced in 1986. At Ellis Island, the "Peopling of America" exhibit on the first floor traces immigration patterns from the 1500s to the present.
Best Time: Take the first ferry of the day, usually around 8:30 AM from Battery Park. By mid-morning, the wait for the ferry can stretch past 90 minutes, especially between May and September.
The Vibe: Emotional and crowded. The audio tour for the Statue of Liberty is included with the pedestal ticket and narrated by award-winning actors. One honest complaint: the pedestal elevator is tiny and slow, and if you have claustrophobia, the climb up the 377 steps from pedestal to crown is not for the faint of heart.
Local Tip: Book the "Pedestal Access" ticket through the National Park Service website at least two to three months in advance. Crown tickets sell out even faster, sometimes within hours of release. The Statue Cruises ferry is the only authorized operator, so do not fall for third-party resellers charging double.
Central Park: The Green Engine of Manhattan
Central Park, stretching from 59th Street to 110th Street between Fifth Avenue and Central Park West
Central Park is one of the most significant historic sites New York City has, and it was not always the lush retreat it appears to be today. When Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won the design competition in 1858, the land was mostly rocky, swampy terrain dotted with the settlements of Seneca Village, a community of free Black property owners who were displaced through eminent domain to make way for the park. The park covers 843 acres and took roughly 20 years to complete, requiring the movement of over 10 million cartloads of soil and the planting of approximately 270,000 trees and shrubs.
I have walked every one of the park's 58 miles of pathways, and my personal favorite stretch is the Ramble, a 36-acre woodland section between roughly 73rd and 79th Streets on the east side. Birders flock here during spring migration because over 230 species have been recorded in the park. Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, at the center of the park along 72nd Street, features the "Angel of the Waters" sculpture, which was unveiled in 1873 and was one of the first major public artworks in the United States created by a woman, Emma Stebbins.
What to See: Bow Bridge, one of the most photographed cast-iron bridges in the world, built in 1862. Also, the Alice in Wonderland sculpture near 75th Street on the east side, which children have been climbing on since 1959.
Best Time: Early morning on weekdays, before 8 AM, when the joggers and dog walkers are out but the tour groups have not yet arrived. The park feels almost private at that hour.
The Vibe: Peaceful but never empty. The park sees an estimated 42 million visitors per year. One thing that catches people off guard is how hilly the terrain is, especially around the Great Lawn and the area near Belvedere Castle. Wear comfortable shoes.
Local Tip: The Central Park Conservancy runs free guided tours that depart from the Dairy visitor center at 65th Street and Fifth Avenue. These tours cover history, wildlife, and landscape design, and they are led by volunteers who genuinely know the park inside out. Check the conservancy's website for the current schedule.
The Empire State Building: Art Deco Ambition in Steel
350 Fifth Avenue, at 34th Street, Midtown Manhattan
The Empire State Building is the kind of New York City architecture that makes you stop on the sidewalk and crane your neck. Completed in 1931 during the Great Depression, it was built in just 410 days, a pace that still seems almost impossible. At 1,454 feet including the antenna, it held the title of the world's tallest building for nearly 40 years. The building was designed by the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, and its Art Deco details, from the lobby's marble walls to the aluminum and nickel-steel spandrels on the exterior, are some of the finest examples of the style in the country.
I have been to the observation deck more times than I can count, and the 86th-floor open-air deck remains one of the most visceral experiences in the city. You are standing outside at 1,050 feet, and the wind is real. The building's lighting system, upgraded in 2012 to LED, can produce 16 million color combinations, and the tower is illuminated to mark holidays, events, and causes throughout the year. On a clear night, you can see six states from the top: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Delaware.
What to See: The lobby itself is worth the price of admission. The ceiling mural, painted in 1963 by Leif Neandross, depicts the building as a sun surrounded by stars and mechanical elements in gold leaf. Also, the 102nd-floor observatory, which was fully renovated in 2019 and offers floor-to-ceiling glass windows in a smaller, less crowded space.
Best Time: Sunset. Buy a ticket for roughly 30 minutes before the posted sunset time. You will watch the city transition from daylight to the electric glow of millions of lights, and the crowd thins slightly as dinner hour approaches.
The Vibe: Touristy but worth it. The lines for the elevators can be long, and the gift shop on the second floor is aggressively commercial. But the view from the 86th floor at night is something I have never gotten tired of.
Local Tip: The Empire State Building offers a "Sunrise Experience" ticket that lets you up at around 6 AM on select days. It is more expensive than a standard ticket, but you will share the deck with maybe 20 people instead of 200. Also, if you take the subway, the 34th Street-Herald Square station (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W) drops you within a two-minute walk.
The Brooklyn Bridge: A Masterpiece of 19th-Century Engineering
Connecting City Hall Park in Manhattan to Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn
When the Brooklyn Bridge opened on May 24, 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, with a main span of 1,595 feet. It was designed by John Augustus Roebling, who died of tetanus from an injury sustained during the bridge's early surveying work. His son, Washington Roebling, took over as chief engineer but was later bedridden with caisson disease, a form of decompression sickness caused by working in the pressurized underwater chambers used to dig the bridge foundations. Washington's wife, Emily Warren Roebling, effectively managed the project for over a decade, becoming one of the first women to oversee a major engineering feat in the United States.
The pedestrian and bike walkway sits above the vehicle traffic, and the walk from one end to the other is about 1.1 miles. The wooden planks underfoot, the Gothic archways, and the web of steel cables overhead create a feeling that is unlike any other crossing in the city. I have walked this bridge in every season, and my favorite time is late October, when the light hits the Manhattan skyline at a low angle and the bridge cables cast long shadows across the walkway.
What to See: The granite anchorages at each end of the bridge, which are massive structures in their own right. On the Brooklyn side, the area known as DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) has become one of the most photographed spots in the borough, particularly the view of the Empire State Building framed by the arch of the Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street.
Best Time: Early morning on a weekday, before 7 AM, when you will have the walkway mostly to yourself. By midday on weekends, the bridge is packed with pedestrians, cyclists, and street vendors, and the walk can feel more like a shuffle.
The Vibe: Iconic and communal. The bridge connects two boroughs and has done so for over 140 years. One thing that frustrates me is that the bike lane and pedestrian lane are not always clearly separated, and cyclists sometimes move faster than is comfortable for walkers. Stay to the right.
Local Tip: Start your walk from the Brooklyn side if you want the full Manhattan skyline reveal as you approach. The staircase entrance on the Brooklyn side is at the intersection of Prospect Street and Cadman Plaza East. On the Manhattan side, the entrance is near City Hall Park, accessible from Park Row or Centre Street.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: A World Inside a Building
1000 Fifth Avenue, at 82nd Street, Upper East Side
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, commonly called the Met, is one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the world. It was founded in 1870 and opened at its current location in Central Park in 1880. The building has been expanded many times, and today it covers over 2 million square feet of gallery space, housing more than 2 million works spanning 5,000 years of human creativity. The Great Hall, with its soaring barrel-vaulted ceiling and grand staircase, sets the tone the moment you walk in.
I have spent entire days here and still not seen everything. The Egyptian Wing, which houses the complete Temple of Dendur from 15 BC, is one of the most popular sections. The temple was gifted to the United States by Egypt in 1978 and installed in the Sackler Wing in 1981. The American Wing's courtyard, with the facade of the United States Branch Bank from Wall Street, is another highlight that most visitors walk past too quickly. The Costume Institute, which hosts the annual Met Gala each May, holds over 33,000 costumes and accessories dating from the 15th century to the present.
What to See: The European Paintings galleries on the second floor, which include works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and El Greco. Also, the rooftop garden, which is open from May through October and features a rotating series of contemporary sculpture installations with views over Central Park.
Best Time: Wednesday or Thursday morning, when the museum is least crowded. The Met is closed on Mondays. Friday and Saturday evenings, when the museum stays open until 9 PM, are also good if you prefer a quieter atmosphere with a cocktail in hand at the rooftop bar.
The Vibe: Overwhelming in the best way. The sheer scale of the collection means you need to be strategic. One honest gripe: the museum's signage can be confusing, and it is easy to get disoriented in the older wings. Pick up a map at the entrance or download the Met's free app.
Local Tip: The Met's suggested admission policy for New York State residents means you can pay what you wish if you have valid New York identification. For out-of-state visitors, the full admission price is $30 for adults as of 2024. Also, the museum's restaurant on the first floor, The Dining Room, has a solid lunch menu and does not require a separate museum ticket if you enter through the 81st Street entrance.
Times Square: The Crossroads That Never Sleeps
Broadway and Seventh Avenue, from 42nd Street to 47th Street, Midtown Manhattan
Times Square is one of the most famous monuments New York City is known for globally, and it is also one of the most polarizing. Locals tend to avoid it, but I think that reaction misses the point. The area got its name in 1904 when The New York Times moved its headquarters to the newly built One Times Square building. The first New Year's Eve ball drop happened on December 31, 1907, and the tradition has continued every year since, except during World War II in 1942 and 1943 due to wartime blackouts.
Today, Times Square draws an estimated 50 million visitors per year and generates over $4.8 billion in annual economic activity. The pedestrian plazas that replaced vehicle traffic on Broadway between 42nd and 47th Streets in 2009 were controversial at the time but have become a defining feature of the area. The TKTS booth, with its distinctive red glass staircase in Father Duffy Square at 47th Street, sells same-day discounted Broadway tickets and is one of the best deals in the city for theatergoers.
What to See: The NASDAQ MarketSite tower at 433 Broadway, which has a massive LED display visible from across the square. Also, the statue of George M. Cohan, the playwright and composer, at the southern end of the square near 46th Street.
Best Time: Late evening, after 10 PM, when the crowds thin slightly and the neon signs are at their most vivid against the dark sky. Avoid the area between 4 PM and 7 PM on weekdays, when the sidewalks are at maximum density with commuters and tourists competing for space.
The Vibe: Sensory overload. The lights, the noise, the costumed characters asking for tips, the street performers, the massive screens. It is chaotic and commercial and completely unmissable. My one real complaint: the costumed characters and "desnudas" (topless women with body paint) can be aggressive about posing for photos and then demanding tips. A firm "no thank you" is the best policy.
Local Tip: If you want to see the New Year's Eve ball drop in person, you need to arrive by early afternoon and be prepared to stand in a pen with no access to restrooms or food for many hours. Most New Yorkers I know watch it on television and consider that the superior experience.
Grand Central Terminal: A Cathedral of Transit
89 East 42nd Street, Midtown Manhattan
Grand Central Terminal is not just a train station. It is one of the finest examples of Beaux-Arts architecture in the United States and one of the most visited historic sites New York City offers, drawing over 22 million visitors per year even though it serves roughly 750,000 commuter rail passengers daily. The current terminal, completed in 1913, replaced an earlier structure that had become too small for the volume of rail traffic. The building was nearly demolished in the 1970s, but a preservation campaign led in part by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis helped secure its landmark status in 1978.
The main concourse ceiling is one of the most photographed surfaces in the city. It depicts a Mediterranean sky with over 2,500 stars painted in gold leaf on a cerulean blue background. What most people do not know is that the ceiling is actually painted in reverse, a mirror image of the constellations as seen from Earth. Whether this was intentional or a mistake has been debated for decades. The whispering gallery on the lower level, near the Oyster Bar, is an acoustic phenomenon where you can stand on one side of a tiled arch and whisper to someone standing 30 feet away on the other side, and they will hear you clearly.
What to See: The main concourse clock on the information booth, which is made of opal and is worth an estimated $20 million. Also, the Campbell, a cocktail bar tucked inside the former office of 1920s railroad tycoon John W. Campbell, features a 60-foot ceiling with hand-painted Florentine decor and a massive fireplace.
Best Time: Mid-morning on a weekday, around 10 AM, when the commuter rush has subsided but the terminal is still alive with movement. The light through the 67-foot-tall windows on the main concourse is beautiful at this hour.
The Vibe: Grand and functional. People are genuinely trying to get somewhere, so do not stand in the middle of the main concourse to take photos. One practical issue: the terminal's Wi-Fi can be unreliable in certain areas, particularly near the lower-level platforms.
Local Tip: Grand Central is a working Metro-North station, so you can take a train to places like Beacon, Cold Spring, or Poughkeepsie for a day trip up the Hudson Valley. The Hudson Line runs frequently on weekends and costs under $20 each way. It is one of the best escapes from the city that most tourists never consider.
The High Line: From Industrial Rail to Elevated Park
Running from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, West Side Manhattan
The High Line is a 1.45-mile elevated linear park built on a former freight rail line that once ran through the industrial West Side of Manhattan. The rail line was built in the 1930s as part of the West Side Improvement Project to remove dangerous freight trains from street level, where they had been causing so many accidents that 10th Avenue was nicknamed "Death Avenue." The line carried its last train in 1980 and sat abandoned for over two decades, slowly being overtaken by wild grasses and native plants.
The park, which opened in phases between 2009 and 2014, was designed by James Corner Field Operations and Diller Scofidio + Renfro. It incorporates the original rail tracks into the landscape design, and the plantings were inspired by the self-seeded wildflowers that grew on the tracks during the years of abandonment. I walk the High Line regularly, and the section between 22nd and 28th Streets, where the path widens and the plantings are most dense, is my favorite. The 10th Avenue Square, with its amphitheater-style seating overlooking the street below, is a great spot to sit and watch the city move.
What to See: The "Spur" at 30th Street and 10th Avenue, which is the last remaining section of the original rail line that once connected to the Morgan General Mail Facility. Also, the Chelsea Market passage at 15th Street, where the High Line runs directly through the building.
Best Time: Late afternoon in spring or fall, when the light is soft and the plantings are at their peak. Summer afternoons can be brutally hot with limited shade on certain sections.
The Vibe: Relaxed but increasingly crowded. The High Line draws over 8 million visitors per year now, and on weekend afternoons it can feel more like a queue than a park. One thing that bothers me is that the park has contributed to significant gentrification in the surrounding neighborhoods, driving up rents and displacing long-time residents and businesses. It is worth keeping that tension in mind as you enjoy the walk.
Local Tip: Enter at the Gansevoort Street end and walk north. This puts the prevailing wind at your back on most days. Also, the Whitney Museum of American Art, located at 99 Gansevoort Street right at the southern terminus, is an excellent complement to the High Line visit. The museum's outdoor terraces offer views over the park and the Hudson River.
9/11 Memorial and Museum: Remembrance in the Shadow of Loss
180 Greenwich Street, Lower Manhattan
The National September 11 Memorial and Museum stands on the site where the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center once stood. The memorial, designed by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker, features two massive reflecting pools set within the footprints of the original towers. Each pool is nearly an acre in size, and the waterfalls cascading down their sides are the largest man-made waterfalls in North America. The names of the 2,983 victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing are inscribed in bronze panels around the edges of the pools.
The museum, which opened in 2014, is located mostly underground and contains over 10,000 artifacts, including damaged fire trucks, personal belongings, and fragments of the original steel structure. The Last Column, a 36-foot steel beam that was the final piece of wreckage removed from the site in May 2002, is one of the most powerful objects in the collection. I have visited the museum multiple times, and the historical exhibition on the main concourse level, which walks through the events of the day in chronological order, is deeply affecting. Give yourself at least two to three hours.
What to See: The Survivor Tree, a callery pear tree that was recovered from the rubble in October 2001, badly damaged but alive. It was nursed back to health at a nursery in the Bronx and replanted at the memorial site in December 2010. It now stands over 30 feet tall.
Best Time: Early morning on a weekday, when the memorial plaza is quietest. The museum opens at 9 AM, and the first hour is the least crowded. The outdoor memorial is open from 9 AM to 8 PM daily and is free to visit.
The Vibe: Solemn and respectful. The reflecting pools create a sense of absence that is almost physical. One thing I will note: the museum's general admission ticket is $33 for adults as of 2024, and the lines can be long during peak tourist season. Timed-entry tickets purchased online in advance are strongly recommended.
Local Tip: The memorial is free and open to the public, but the museum requires a ticket. If you are visiting on the anniversary of September 11, the memorial is open only to family members and invited guests during the morning ceremony. The public can visit after 3 PM. Also, the nearby Oculus, the Santiago Calatrava-designed transit hub at the World Trade Center, is worth a visit in its own right. The interior, with its white steel ribs reaching 160 feet toward a skylight, is one of the most striking pieces of New York City architecture built in the 21st century.
When to Go and What to Know
New York City is a year-round destination, but the experience changes dramatically with the seasons. Spring (April through June) and fall (September through November) offer the most comfortable weather for walking, with temperatures typically between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer is hot and humid, often exceeding 90 degrees with high humidity, and winter can be bitterly cold, with temperatures dropping below 20 degrees in January and February.
The city's subway system runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which is rare among major global cities. A single ride costs $2.90 as of 2024, and unlimited MetroCards are available for 7-day ($34) and 30-day ($132) periods. Tipping is expected at restaurants (18 to 22 percent is standard), and sales tax on most goods is 8.875 percent, which catches many visitors off guard when they see their final bill.
Most of the landmarks covered in this guide are accessible by subway, and I strongly recommend using public transportation over taxis or rideshares for most trips. Traffic in Manhattan is severe, especially during weekday rush hours (7 to 10 AM and 4 to 7 PM), and a crosstown trip that should take 10 minutes can easily take 45.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the most popular attractions in New York City require advance ticket booking, especially during peak season?
Yes, for many of the most visited sites, advance booking is either required or strongly recommended. The Statue of Liberty crown tickets often sell out within hours of release, and pedestal tickets should be booked two to three months ahead for summer visits. The 9/11 Museum uses timed-entry tickets, and weekend slots in June through August frequently sell out days in advance. The Empire State Building offers express passes that skip the line for a premium, but even standard tickets purchased online save significant waiting time compared to buying on-site.
Is it possible to walk between the main sightseeing spots in New York City, or is local transport necessary?
Many of the major landmarks in Lower and Midtown Manhattan are within walking distance of each other. The walk from the 9/11 Memorial to the Brooklyn Bridge is about 1.5 miles, and from the Empire State Building to Times Square is roughly 0.8 miles. However, reaching destinations like the Met or the upper sections of Central Park from Midtown requires either a subway ride or a long walk of over 2 miles. The subway is the most efficient option for covering longer distances, with most trips between boroughs taking 20 to 40 minutes.
What are the best free or low-cost tourist places in New York City that are genuinely worth the visit?
Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge walkway, the Statue of Liberty and 9/11 Memorial outdoor areas, and the High Line are all completely free. Grand Central Terminal costs nothing to enter and explore. The Staten Island Ferry offers free round-trip views of the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan skyline, running 24 hours with departures every 15 to 30 minutes. The New York Public Library's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street is free and houses rare treasures including a Gutenberg Bible and the original Winnie-the-Pooh stuffed animals.
What is the safest and most reliable way to get around New York City as a solo traveler?
The subway system is the safest and most reliable option for most trips. It operates 24/7, covers all five boroughs, and has a strong police and security presence, especially in major hubs. Well-lit, populated stations like Times Square-42nd Street, Union Square, and Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center are busy at virtually all hours. Solo travelers should avoid empty subway cars late at night and stay aware of their surroundings on platforms. The MTA's real-time app provides live train arrival information and service alerts.
How many days are needed to see the major tourist attractions in New York City without feeling rushed?
A minimum of five full days is recommended to cover the major landmarks at a comfortable pace. This allows one day each for Lower Manhattan (Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, 9/11 Memorial, Brooklyn Bridge), Midtown (Empire State Building, Times Square, Grand Central, Rockefeller Center), the Upper East Side and Central Park (Met Museum, Central Park), a full day split between the High Line, Chelsea, and a museum or neighborhood exploration, and a flexible fifth day for anything missed or revisited. Rushing through the major sites in fewer than four days means spending most of your time in transit and lines rather than actually experiencing the places.
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